Archives for October 2017

What Caught My Eye: Misplaced Monarchs and Collapsing Ecosystems

October 29, 2017

It’s a cold and gray day here in Cincinnati. After a lovely breakfast with a great friend, I headed outside to fill up the bird feeders, pull up more tomato plants, check my fall crops, and do a few other garden chores.

But I’ve spent most of the day inside, reading and catching up on blog posts and other articles I’ve been meaning to read. Here are a few interesting articles that caught my eye:

Misplaced monarchs: Clusters of butterflies stuck up north | Phys.org

Have you heard about this large population of Monarch butterflies that should be in Mexico by now? They’re not really misplaced; they’re just in the wrong place. It’s an interesting situation and this article provides a lot of great information about what may be happening.

A giant insect ecosystem is collapsing due to humans | The Guardian

I can’t say the title of this article surprised me. But the stats (staggering numbers) in the article are eye-opening. I like to give humans the benefit of the doubt but it’s hard at times.

Why Insect Gardens Are About to Become the Biggest Trend in Landscaping | Country Living

Gardens should be all-inclusive, too. I’m all for spotting bees and butterflies in the garden. But I also check the garden for spiders, green lacewings, lady bugs, and other beneficial insects. Check in with me next spring and I’ll let you know how my insect garden plans are shaping up. Because I need yet one more garden project (that’s sarcasm, folks).

Wordless Wednesday

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Seeing Double Double

October 25, 2017

Last Saturday, I was in the garden when I spotted these migrating Monarchs. The weather was warm (mid 70s) and sunny—one of those days that feels more like early summer than fall.

I spent a long time watching them and taking pictures. Here are three of my favorites.

Two Monarchs on White Butterfly Bush

I know summer can’t last forever and the bees and butterflies won’t visit again until next year. I’m both fortunate and grateful to have my own piece of paradise that attracts them—and I certainly work hard to create a great garden for all animals, even the chipmunks who think they’re entitled to my tomatoes! But, man, I’m feeling very melancholy with the passing of the seasons this year.

Need a little pick me up?

I’ve hummed this song almost non-stop since Saturday!

Garden Musings

Sunday Snippets: Goodbye Summer?

October 22, 2017

It’s a glorious and warm fall day here in Cincinnati.

As nice as the weather has been, I’m pretty sure our extended summer is coming to an end this week—the weather forecast includes rain and temps in the 50s and 60s.

So, I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up the vegetable garden this weekend. I also harvested the last round of tomatoes, found a few squash hiding in the vines, and divided and moved some perennials.

Finally, I sowed wildflower seeds in a new spot that my husband may or may not know about. It will be a spring surprise for him; we have a large back yard and he will be happy having less grass to cut. Win/win!

When I was clearing out the new spot, I noticed this Wooly Bear caterpillar. My sister and I loved playing with them when we were kids. This guy was lucky because I only took a picture. From what I remember, that much orange means we’re in for a mild winter. Time will tell.

Learn More

Wooly Bear and Woolybear are both correct
Wooly Bear caterpillars are Isabella tiger moth larvae
The Woolybear Festival is held annually in Vermillion, Ohio and celebrated 45 years (!!) in 2017

Grow, Baby, Grow

Planting Shallots in Grow Bags

October 18, 2017

I love cooking with shallots because my husband isn’t a fan of onions, I generally only cook for the two of us, and we both like the milder flavor.

Shallots that you buy at the grocery or farmer’s market are so expensive.

So, I started growing shallots about 4 years ago. Can you say “money saver”? They’re super easy to grow and cost-effective (if you set aside 9 or so bulbs for the next round of planting).

Shallots can be picky about soil—they definitely like a light, well-draining soil. I usually grow shallots in one of my raised beds. However, this year I decided to use grow bags for fall-planted shallots.

I have successfully grown Egyptian Walking onions, fingerling potatoes, and all kinds of peppers in grow bags and I’m relatively sure shallots will grow well in them, too.

This picture isn’t very exciting. But check back in the spring to see how my fall-planted shallot harvest turns out!

Garden Musings

My Week In Pictures

October 14, 2017

Some of the week’s highlights.

1. I plant marigolds every year because I actually like them. And the bees ignore them every year until early fall.

2. Today’s harvest. Definitely the last of the Christmas lima beans (I’m leaving any stragglers to dry on the vine so I can try this Christmas Lima Bean Salad). I made another jar of pickled green tomatoes with the tomatoes, dill, and my favorite Chinese 5 Color pepper. I’m also pretty sure that’s the last cucumber of 2017!

3. I planted a couple Geranium ‘Rozanne’ plants in late September. With the weather we’ve been having here in Cincinnati (not very fall-like yet), this plant decided to bloom. Love the purple!

4. The butterfly bush and zinnias have been keeping the bees and butterflies buzzing in the garden the last few weeks. I’ve spotted a few migrating Monarch butterflies, lots of Painted Lady butterflies, and countless bees.