Native Gardening

[JBtheExplorer]

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I can't remember if I've talked about this before or not, but I share a pretty large burning pit with my neighbor. In recent years we haven't used it very much and it often grows very weedy around the edge and never gets trimmed by either of us. So over the past few years I've dropped some seed heads along the edge. I figure if it's going to grow, it might as well have natives. This year I've counted at least 8 native species, 5 species that came from me and 3 that moved in on their own. It's kind of a mini-project for me. I'm not too invested in it since it could get burned, mowed, or trampled on. But while it's there it will benefit wildlife, and it's been improving a little each year. There are a lot of invasives in it though. I cut them back every so often to prevent seeding, but I think they'll probably always be here unless I want to buy and use chemicals - and I have to remind myself it's just a burning pit so I don't really plan on spending any money on it.

 

[j.w]

I can't remember if I've talked about this before or not, but I share a pretty large burning pit with my neighbor. In recent years we haven't used it very much and it often grows very weedy around the edge and never gets trimmed by either of us. So over the past few years I've dropped some seed heads along the edge. I figure if it's going to grow, it might as well have natives. This year I've counted at least 8 native species, 5 species that came from me and 3 that moved in on their own. It's kind of a mini-project for me. I'm not too invested in it since it could get burned, mowed, or trampled on. But while it's there it will benefit wildlife, and it's been improving a little each year. There are a lot of invasives in it though. I cut them back every so often to prevent seeding, but I think they'll probably always be here unless I want to buy and use chemicals - and I have to remind myself it's just a burning pit so I don't really plan on spending any money on it.

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Neat idea, prettying up the pit and giving some benefits to the wildlife

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Eastern amberwing dragonflies

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Green darner

 

[JBtheExplorer]

The endangered rusty patched bumble bees are back in my garden again this year!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

This ambush bug reeled in a big catch.

 

[mrsclem]

Our new wildflower garden is doing well- if I can keep the deer out. I had cut back most plants and sprayed some areas of yard with weed killer so we can replant. Milkweed beetles have destroyed all my plants so I cut down the empty stalks. Now we are getting monarchs! Have a few swamp Milkweed and some tropical. Have 10 caterpillars that are just forming cocoons. Found some eggs yesterday but going to be tough to feed any more.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

So many leopard frogs this year. I haven't seen any by my pond but they're out in all of my native gardens.

It's a great year for ambush bugs too.

Crab spider

Butterflies

Rusty-patched bumble bee

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Pollinator activity is slowing down, but as the plants start to die off, the goldfinches are coming in more and more for food.

 

[j.w]

I have a small planting of Black Eyed Susan and hoping the Goldfinch will come to mine. It's our state bird and I see them now and then.

 

[GBBUDD]

Get milk weed and you'll see plenty of finch when they go to seed you'll have dozens of them

 

[addy1]

They are inhaling the sunflower seeds, and all others. See a lot of them now.

I am highly allergic to the dried black eyed Susan stems. Those little fibers.

My friends remove after they are dried and done.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars

orb weavers

small carpenter bees

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I think I need to make it a priority to add more asters to my gardens. I've got lots of New England Aster but I want a lot more Calico Aster, and I might let Frost Aster take over a couple of my smaller gardens.