THIS MEANS WAR!!!!!!!!!!

The DH and I have declared war on tomato hornworms after we found another three decimating our bell pepper bushes. (I could slap myself for digging up those French marigolds!) I've squashed more than I care to admit, and my my trigger-happy hubby is anxious to break out the BB gun again. But, because I appreciate the benefits of the Five Spotted Hawk Moth these little buggers become, we're going to try a different route.

We've captured these three and are currently housing them in a glass jar on a restricted diet, i.e. one bell pepper a day. The plan is to build a more appropriate cage to enable them to form chrysalises, and release them after they've metamorphed.

Now I admit I've neglected my garden a bit this summer. Between visitors, trips and just trying to stay out of the unbearable S. Alabama heat, I've not done the preventative work necessary to keep it in tip top shape. But I'm going to start remedying that tonight. As soon as the sun sets. Good times.

Fight to the Death

You know times are hard when these hornets start fighting for the tomato hornworms carcasses. Gross.

More Nests...

Every time I think the hubby and I are empty nesters, I find another nest.

Weeks ago, my baby bluebirds flew away. But I get tp see them from time to time at the feeder. Too bad their nest was beyond the reach of documenting in photos.

Walking by one of my many overgrown shrubs this afternoon, I spotted a mockingbird darting into it. Upon closer inspection I found a nest tucked neatly away in the middle with a lone baby mocking bird in its midst. So for a little while, I have a baby again.

Tomato Hornworms

Over the last few weeks, a few of my tomato bushes have been affected  by blight. I dug those up to prevent it from spreading. Without thinking, I also pulled up the French Marigold plants circling the affected tomato bushes. Because I didn't know it at the time of planting, I sowed a variety of Marigold plants. But French Marigolds are the most effecting at warding off tomato hornworms. Well, wouldn't you know it, the blight-infested bushes were surrounded by French Marigolds while the healthy ones are surrounded by Dwarf Marigolds and some other variety I forget now.

When the French Marigolds moved out, the tomato hornworms moved it. Three of them stripped a large plant overnight. I'm hoping that's all there were. But you can never spot those buggers until it's too late. Going to spend tomorrow evening spraying Neem Oil. Fun!

Master Gardener in the Making

I've waited two years, but this time it's going forward... Am so looking forward to the 2011 Master Gardener's Course in New Brockton.

Homemade Weed Killers

For the cheap and handy like me:

http://realestate.msn.com/10-homemade-weed-killers?GT1=35009

Walking Stick Insect

Now I know what's been nibbling on my Altheas and Dahlias. It's so beautiful and unusual, I didn't have the heart to squash it.  However, I'll probably regret that in a few weeks when my plants don't flower.