tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9834270395225516832024-03-12T16:39:10.079-07:00Eklund Native Species GardenShelton, CTTeresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-4092729647000415732020-05-22T05:13:00.002-07:002020-05-22T05:13:26.683-07:00New Plantings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9gkIke6ebBbjp7ciGBDMWCYwQdf2FRoePJ4WZYa_Ef0FpLOJbYeF_XQMqOMraWF-zj67Br9W-BgNitKXAc4NYU-MoMJY9VjF7CjNr1VSjSKPI-D38IbyUh9-oZisG0RQaO9BgtQE3Za_/s1600/0518201432a_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9gkIke6ebBbjp7ciGBDMWCYwQdf2FRoePJ4WZYa_Ef0FpLOJbYeF_XQMqOMraWF-zj67Br9W-BgNitKXAc4NYU-MoMJY9VjF7CjNr1VSjSKPI-D38IbyUh9-oZisG0RQaO9BgtQE3Za_/s400/0518201432a_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purchases from Benedict's Agway</td></tr>
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The 2020 pandemic is bringing in lots of people into the garden, many of whom have never been to the garden before. Unfortunately, last year was a bad year for the garden because deer got in and cause much damage, and then we had a very wet summer that allowed the weeds to flourish and outcompete some of the plantings that had sustained deer damage. Our Rudbeckia and coreopsis were pretty much eliminated, for example. <br />
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The main bed in early spring this year was a disaster, with big blank spots everywhere. On a cold, rainy spring day, the morning was spent digging up volunteers of penstemmon, Jacob's ladder, garden phlox and others and moving them into groupings. Bee balm and hardy ageratum were transplanted from the community gardens to fill in some of the holes. There were still a lot of empty spaces, so new plantings were needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBn5zV6yKjM-eDvFQy7pGxkTQFt8Sv9GJ2JDg9FK3TSOmnG8_tqE1V-BLvPX-cB80iov9FdqHZt44LWTNhHhEUzmalH6PnPc3GR8rtny1SjH4WZYTSe1Vp2Pm08uiBEpZpA6E6sut497b/s1600/0518201059a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBn5zV6yKjM-eDvFQy7pGxkTQFt8Sv9GJ2JDg9FK3TSOmnG8_tqE1V-BLvPX-cB80iov9FdqHZt44LWTNhHhEUzmalH6PnPc3GR8rtny1SjH4WZYTSe1Vp2Pm08uiBEpZpA6E6sut497b/s400/0518201059a.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out at Benedicts</td></tr>
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<b>New plantings for this year are: </b><br />
<b>From Home Depot: </b><br />
Tickseed 'Jethro Tull' <i>Coreopis </i>hybrid<br />
Blanket Flower <i>Gaillardia</i><br />
<i>Phlox Subulata</i> Spring Dark Pink<br />
<i>Phlox Subulata </i>Emerald Pink<br />
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<b>From Benedict's Agway: </b><br />
Dotted Horsement <i>Monarda punctata</i> 'Beebop'<br />
Culver's Root <i>Veronicastrum virginicum</i><br />
Black-eyed Susan "Little Goldstar" <i>Rudbeckia fulgida</i><br />
Threadleaf Tickseed <i>Coreopsis verticillata</i><br />
Goat's Beard <i>Aruncus dioicus</i><br />
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<b>Transplanted from the Long Hill Community Garden:</b><br />(these plants originated at Eklund and were brought to the community garden, where they thrive and spread)<br />
Bee Balm<br />
Hardy Ageratum<br />
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<b>Transplanted from a trail reroute of the Paugussett near Independence Drive</b><br />
(these plants were growing where a new trail was being constructed and would have died)<br />
Christmas FernTeresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-55334727360311500122015-11-07T11:41:00.004-08:002015-11-07T11:41:42.432-08:002015 Fall Cleanup<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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We had the fastest fall cleanup ever today, with a crew from the Community Gardens: Gil Pastore, Sal & Lynn DeGennaro, Anthony Montellese, and Teresa Gallagher. Sal and Gil brought their heavy duty backpack leaf blowers, and Teresa had the brush cutter from the Trails Committee. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10:00 AM. What a mess.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsDvAuWt4JMXHAISUls-Doez_JAOt3Sc8YSplrld6V6vICjM92zk1yOsUlm-dee6pv0lmc97nRWDFxworsQrDEJrx-kTunhn9iwZGLbR-YSgxKUqis1M1KtWVkHG46ui0LKRNJ1faFpjs/s1600/20151107_105229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsDvAuWt4JMXHAISUls-Doez_JAOt3Sc8YSplrld6V6vICjM92zk1yOsUlm-dee6pv0lmc97nRWDFxworsQrDEJrx-kTunhn9iwZGLbR-YSgxKUqis1M1KtWVkHG46ui0LKRNJ1faFpjs/s400/20151107_105229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11:00 AM. Flower stalks gone, working on the leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr5Q2W7Jpih5Py0crCxlakEchiHmV9AUtrW2UDwHIYq7aLt-rd1IwIYEJintpH4RVwVudkZLH55hWaHSulSQXwNYmkZXTgbMRCU691yS2LtTlIgNIq9XFaZvd7sOwVHp6G22STPL1xvUW/s1600/20151107_124232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr5Q2W7Jpih5Py0crCxlakEchiHmV9AUtrW2UDwHIYq7aLt-rd1IwIYEJintpH4RVwVudkZLH55hWaHSulSQXwNYmkZXTgbMRCU691yS2LtTlIgNIq9XFaZvd7sOwVHp6G22STPL1xvUW/s400/20151107_124232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12:30 PM. DONE!</td></tr>
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And here's a few random photos from the work party: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K7RiZ-jQxiUOjMG8s5NRdAIfYGzXMpq88T4s10I59AJylcwEVB5FPBRJmoPQmzdE9uznSsoFwqqKgGi1xitEUMQaUh5XzAUeGW13fADR6c_wljy7wstIKM4UY67wjrzyYazujFSvZGKs/s1600/20151107_095133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9K7RiZ-jQxiUOjMG8s5NRdAIfYGzXMpq88T4s10I59AJylcwEVB5FPBRJmoPQmzdE9uznSsoFwqqKgGi1xitEUMQaUh5XzAUeGW13fADR6c_wljy7wstIKM4UY67wjrzyYazujFSvZGKs/s400/20151107_095133.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Leaf Hydrangea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-eQH3fEWDxGZc3ruBKptcTlB7gY_Qr75p4J-Suhgz8LMZdllXH1kOL7ImFBUIVUTd5Txwjq8I4UO38u4DIS8EFOo-nLzl8bu9aSZiBYcxqBDC-w12uIADl_7AgBEgeMZlStQrTyFpx4s/s1600/20151107_105258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-eQH3fEWDxGZc3ruBKptcTlB7gY_Qr75p4J-Suhgz8LMZdllXH1kOL7ImFBUIVUTd5Txwjq8I4UO38u4DIS8EFOo-nLzl8bu9aSZiBYcxqBDC-w12uIADl_7AgBEgeMZlStQrTyFpx4s/s400/20151107_105258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Woodfrog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJsgypouAIHtt2Nhh5ylXnMr5GxOi9cjHZ5p9_HLEZMsnBBsYB0YZ0wLGhvZ0Fx2AXqtdZO8i3s1M5u06u8S24vIHQx-enjr_iLaX0J_Em_4MSQViBnihgBxvggHBhqv4fi0ANzkES-5N/s1600/20151107_112407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJsgypouAIHtt2Nhh5ylXnMr5GxOi9cjHZ5p9_HLEZMsnBBsYB0YZ0wLGhvZ0Fx2AXqtdZO8i3s1M5u06u8S24vIHQx-enjr_iLaX0J_Em_4MSQViBnihgBxvggHBhqv4fi0ANzkES-5N/s400/20151107_112407.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The acorns this year are unreal!</td></tr>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-83772606607647158592014-12-30T08:46:00.002-08:002014-12-30T09:05:03.400-08:00Eklund Garden in Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05gX75Z9kfMoJuSS2d8rdz-x-57yIoGUrVERAWZQqmStae0iGHN4qcdBztR32GBapJwkTDZVbcCSqQoPqL_8aEaj_ou-Z_KumQolqb-W8EzURcdCIkh6h2oSr5B4b-34GTyVbD7kiXxvl/s1600/P1210877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05gX75Z9kfMoJuSS2d8rdz-x-57yIoGUrVERAWZQqmStae0iGHN4qcdBztR32GBapJwkTDZVbcCSqQoPqL_8aEaj_ou-Z_KumQolqb-W8EzURcdCIkh6h2oSr5B4b-34GTyVbD7kiXxvl/s1600/P1210877.JPG" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all glass. Click photo to enlarge.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Check out this amazing glass depiction of Eklund Garden, crafted by </span><a href="http://www.theglasssource.com/" style="text-align: left;">The Glass Source</a><span style="text-align: left;">. It's made of translucent colored glass that allows light to glow through from the back side, and there's a lot of texture, so the photo doesn't do it justice. The appearance changes with the lighting. The artwork was a Christmas present from my husband. I love how the tree trunks rise up in the back - the garden surrounded by woods. The glass is about a foot wide, so it's a pretty good size. </span><br />
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The gift was a result of Shelton's first <a href="http://celebrateshelton.com/">Downtown Handmade Market</a>, which was held every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2014 in the old brick Conti building next to the Farmer's Market. All sorts of local vendors were in there selling gifts and the halls were decked for the holidays. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Handmade Market</td></tr>
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The Glass Source has their studio there, and they were selling <a href="http://www.theglasssource.com/gallery/holiday-gallery">some interesting glass items</a>, including some glass garden portraits. My husband struck up a conversation with the owner, Micheal Skrtic, and arranged to have some custom artwork done for Eklund Garden. Never would have happened without the Downtown Handmade Market. I hope they do it again next year. </div>
<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-79389642321478787312013-07-29T07:34:00.002-07:002013-07-29T13:22:19.794-07:00The $5 Deer Fly Trap<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJI4HLpoLWkfWizk3Xw8ClyYblP5QCdSkatg9aVavzyfEW43YN59yzOiN7BYFahBxzRihgB86r33nbmYt4ytpIqvzZ5Xwe1EmTbjB5oC6JhMq-NxNOVQ_j5mrAQMmaUnU1g6jJM_h7mRc/s1600/P1150161.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJI4HLpoLWkfWizk3Xw8ClyYblP5QCdSkatg9aVavzyfEW43YN59yzOiN7BYFahBxzRihgB86r33nbmYt4ytpIqvzZ5Xwe1EmTbjB5oC6JhMq-NxNOVQ_j5mrAQMmaUnU1g6jJM_h7mRc/s400/P1150161.JPG" /></a><br />
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Here's the deer fly trap I made for about $5. I found a large blue ball at Walmart for $2.99 (the ball is maybe 2 foot diameter), constructed a twine harness, which I painted blue to retain the effect of the solid color that deer flies are attracted to, and suspended it between two small trees so that when the wind blows, the trees sway and the ball with them (that supplies movement, which attracts flies). Finally, I coated the top with sticky <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tanglefoot-300000684-Tree-15-Tub/dp/B000BWY3AA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375108398&sr=8-1&keywords=tanglefoot">Tanglefoot</a>. I already had supplies of the blue paint, twine, and Tanglefoot, so the trap didn't cost much. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7t7ctPTO9_vUjHKH_ptgGlPhLLVeCBrnjzKYSy72UFe_kQq5CD85m6dmjg8bOEicGZNh4KCQkY5wiG9-qyIclsdtv74uEbbFqvAp9FUnMvT8B_oGRZ1p_itLdgqvBdSlea7ZKye_CALw/s1600/P1150165.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7t7ctPTO9_vUjHKH_ptgGlPhLLVeCBrnjzKYSy72UFe_kQq5CD85m6dmjg8bOEicGZNh4KCQkY5wiG9-qyIclsdtv74uEbbFqvAp9FUnMvT8B_oGRZ1p_itLdgqvBdSlea7ZKye_CALw/s400/P1150165.JPG" /></a><br />
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It works! After only three days, there are 30 deer flies trapped by the ball, and not one deer fly swarmed me while at the garden for the first time in weeks. Success! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFa3ixiKVuK-QTJ40cp_PPaiwcdv7qgJq15YAMy1lL1GXnsd2dMNt7lqHhpU1PiSeLnqBCCEWYjPidY6GnJlA0cbx_4Ca0Lh_K2yDrfW12AEy93fiUs-MuPzwXdgptvQEyWgdogV5DMs8/s1600/P1150164.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFa3ixiKVuK-QTJ40cp_PPaiwcdv7qgJq15YAMy1lL1GXnsd2dMNt7lqHhpU1PiSeLnqBCCEWYjPidY6GnJlA0cbx_4Ca0Lh_K2yDrfW12AEy93fiUs-MuPzwXdgptvQEyWgdogV5DMs8/s400/P1150164.JPG" /></a><br />
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The trap was also catching black flies. Yes!!! As far as I could tell, no beneficial insects were getting trapped (like butterflies). So this trap seems to be effective. I also checked a couple of small mosquito traps I made with plastic soda bottles, brown sugar, and yeast, but these do not seem very effective so far, possibly because too much liquid was in the bottom. When the yeast started creating bubbles, it just foamed up and blocked the opening.</div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-22923931225461810692013-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:002013-07-26T11:56:08.849-07:00Mission Impossible: Kill the Flies and MosquitoesThere are WAY too many deer flies and mosquitoes at Eklund Garden. This is a very common complaint of visitors, especially the non-hiking ones. The Nells Rock area swarms with them because of all the swamps. The vernal pool below Eklund Garden teems with salamander larvae precisely because the baby salamanders have so many mosquito larvae to eat. This being a garden for native species -- not just native plant species, but native animals species as well -- it would be wrong to spray toxic pesticides to kill off the nuisance species.<br />
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So the challenge is to try to reduce the number of swarming deer flies and mosquitos without eradicating them from the vernal pool and without poisoning the environment or hurting other insects like bees or butterflies. What we are looking for are some kind of traps that are inexpensive and do not require electricity.<br />
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<a href="http://cdn.instructables.com/FZH/3RSY/F2FRVIL5/FZH3RSYF2FRVIL5.LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn.instructables.com/FZH/3RSY/F2FRVIL5/FZH3RSYF2FRVIL5.LARGE.jpg" width="163" /></a><b>CHALLENGE #1 DEER FLIES. </b>In July, simply pulling a car in the parking lot results in a dozen deer flies swarming the car before you even get out. Bug sprays like DEET do not help. So the deer flies will be the priority. In doing some web research, it appears that deer flies are attracted to:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Carbon dioxide</li>
<li>Movement</li>
<li>Solid colors, especially blue or black</li>
<li>Heat</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61FpB7%2BteCL._SL1013_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61FpB7%2BteCL._SL1013_.jpg" width="101" /></a>This would explain their attraction to my blue car as I pull in the parking lot. It's a solid color, warm, exudes carbon dioxide, and is moving. There are various commercial traps that make use of these attractants, usually costing several hundred dollars each. The Horse Pal is an example: <a href="http://www.bitingflies.com/">http://www.bitingflies.com/</a>. The flies are attracted to the solid object, land on it's "back", then fly upwards into a trap. This looks like something that would get stolen. For homemade traps, a large solid blue or black object that moves in the wind and is covered with sticky Tanglefoot is another option. </div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61FpB7%2BteCL._SL1013_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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There are also some lower cost options, such as a bait bag trap, which uses a smelly bait to attract flies. Although designed more for biting houseflies, reviewers say they also trap deer flies. The trap is under $20. </div>
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<b>CHALLENGE #2 MOSQUITOES</b>. I don't think there is any way to really get rid of all the mosquitoes, but if the numbers could be reduced to more tolerable levels, that would be a significant improvement. Mosquitoes are also attracted to CO2, Here's one low-cost type of trap made from a soda bottle and using a mixture of sugar water and yeast in the bottom to create CO2 as an attractant: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjyLRQutXs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjyLRQutXs</a>. Maybe we could have a line of these between the garden and the pond. </div>
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Another tactic is to entice females to lay their eggs in a container of water and then kill the larvae. That can be tricky, because if you don't kill the larvae promptly, the traps just become breeding tanks. </div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-34184751232185290822013-07-26T09:10:00.000-07:002013-07-26T09:10:12.692-07:00Full Bloom!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI7mbMy3WKAp_MJLdUNco_ofvdDrbtL8ZDp9fSZos8yCbQIwWUmFJYi7clR6ViOdKIyh-2z2xLge_Bh7xGiRYZsZFnbXNpEXWENDi7h7ZJQI9EhHFf0n-sQKyrB3l7XW7_SY025tuceRf/s1600/P1150096.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI7mbMy3WKAp_MJLdUNco_ofvdDrbtL8ZDp9fSZos8yCbQIwWUmFJYi7clR6ViOdKIyh-2z2xLge_Bh7xGiRYZsZFnbXNpEXWENDi7h7ZJQI9EhHFf0n-sQKyrB3l7XW7_SY025tuceRf/s400/P1150096.JPG" /></a><br />
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This is the best year so far for the main bed at Eklund Garden. A reduction in the winter vole damage and plenty of rain through June really helped things along. The garden is teaming with butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Enjoy!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqfYxM3wbQXfE8HDVswH7mhGb6d9ej0UVfrwErWxookfPMgOU8AnaXmunMTuu9yLcv5p2emDxFGKJt_XZdYVgg7bCFdJPM3HRodQiGywVI7h2EZ1oyHAJql9p9HZN3ydGBCk_2vxIt1e/s1600/P1150107.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqfYxM3wbQXfE8HDVswH7mhGb6d9ej0UVfrwErWxookfPMgOU8AnaXmunMTuu9yLcv5p2emDxFGKJt_XZdYVgg7bCFdJPM3HRodQiGywVI7h2EZ1oyHAJql9p9HZN3ydGBCk_2vxIt1e/s400/P1150107.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden phlox, bee balm, and rudbeckia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcYPGz9lnzDlKrxKUJMx8ltpthYqCAv_RyFcYffN4UTcsMH8oul87mOjMbAaFxOl4ZgAq8IhxLRvvdALV6PCgqGfZMPJMoebIniElJ9Sox9F7ID2P7OpdxmWE-6WVh6ZvXgADhKedW1a1/s1600/P1150102.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcYPGz9lnzDlKrxKUJMx8ltpthYqCAv_RyFcYffN4UTcsMH8oul87mOjMbAaFxOl4ZgAq8IhxLRvvdALV6PCgqGfZMPJMoebIniElJ9Sox9F7ID2P7OpdxmWE-6WVh6ZvXgADhKedW1a1/s400/P1150102.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallowtail on purple coneflower (Echinacea) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTh3c2CPOHPFtSwnE9oAlgCyUGicoLmrxNwvXq56DgVFmRVvXZW3UgrsqXioq5IntoMLMxvGOlCc2g2SSq82krKGFtZ1lSZIj2aTugdKOA5WTZLQu6fHTQ02nh2SIZodmqhDracVUqPch/s1600/P1150092.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTh3c2CPOHPFtSwnE9oAlgCyUGicoLmrxNwvXq56DgVFmRVvXZW3UgrsqXioq5IntoMLMxvGOlCc2g2SSq82krKGFtZ1lSZIj2aTugdKOA5WTZLQu6fHTQ02nh2SIZodmqhDracVUqPch/s400/P1150092.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly on bee balm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2bo1HXAYvygnuTBoy-DJs_SuLR-C_qNvGtF2fHPAo-CYt1TifmSjzE5Mucyi1Lkke1NLx8ZFO61LCYIfOmkDXAF6HMYZIWjONJThc4qJUVXOTxD82E6Qxc8-a39SHXplTwPRwTwVCL1h/s1600/P1150116.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2bo1HXAYvygnuTBoy-DJs_SuLR-C_qNvGtF2fHPAo-CYt1TifmSjzE5Mucyi1Lkke1NLx8ZFO61LCYIfOmkDXAF6HMYZIWjONJThc4qJUVXOTxD82E6Qxc8-a39SHXplTwPRwTwVCL1h/s400/P1150116.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden phlox</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj067MXmMmR2hqz4Qbg7_b00w6WAA6seoFJ_Vh_F9p5itMi2kE7GIN7uwQVPKi5lvE6-rdR1iSbCZ43BHGXA7qNtYBPMUyR2NBajS8J1aEu4YnTAgRm5LkCOWPkcKtlcoXNd7wMuIS-GDjP/s1600/P1150126.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj067MXmMmR2hqz4Qbg7_b00w6WAA6seoFJ_Vh_F9p5itMi2kE7GIN7uwQVPKi5lvE6-rdR1iSbCZ43BHGXA7qNtYBPMUyR2NBajS8J1aEu4YnTAgRm5LkCOWPkcKtlcoXNd7wMuIS-GDjP/s400/P1150126.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudbeckia - brown eyed Susan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbziQQIBflO9Gm_MU7QiebgdRk8EiXuTLFs2niPIs7KFstU1w0FNyZ5mjEkQAVeZKE2IUYG2YDb9j2Igd3bAYYrqnMy726GorfncTQ00efd6UTrZdari8bGp_4iQNk8V5eetMq_WXttzUW/s1600/P1150130.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbziQQIBflO9Gm_MU7QiebgdRk8EiXuTLFs2niPIs7KFstU1w0FNyZ5mjEkQAVeZKE2IUYG2YDb9j2Igd3bAYYrqnMy726GorfncTQ00efd6UTrZdari8bGp_4iQNk8V5eetMq_WXttzUW/s400/P1150130.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gailardia or Blanket Flower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdLuaiO0WWHr5FFIKM4W9Ll4dDGLil7P8FGqNaw-V-XweBkR_9p91jzVHN7uzv7cuR_4Ooo0itjQOANYKkRdcvoMbn6Wc9ViZBL609hhkEH65-kLf5u6HJ_ReBdDNcgs7cQRKr39izMH1/s1600/P1150131.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdLuaiO0WWHr5FFIKM4W9Ll4dDGLil7P8FGqNaw-V-XweBkR_9p91jzVHN7uzv7cuR_4Ooo0itjQOANYKkRdcvoMbn6Wc9ViZBL609hhkEH65-kLf5u6HJ_ReBdDNcgs7cQRKr39izMH1/s400/P1150131.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple coneflower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ddGQRi092qKxpgwIiAQBxvVoSB0ywOzKZd1EdGbMQqBq16D8q21EYRn0dc3AK4hV1wzZL34DWZVUQCqti3qMzF5hsrdhhYtPJ_j7PiEL3QYgvgBRDIrrW5NS1Jb5b6__4sTIjzhlfa1/s1600/P1150132.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ddGQRi092qKxpgwIiAQBxvVoSB0ywOzKZd1EdGbMQqBq16D8q21EYRn0dc3AK4hV1wzZL34DWZVUQCqti3qMzF5hsrdhhYtPJ_j7PiEL3QYgvgBRDIrrW5NS1Jb5b6__4sTIjzhlfa1/s400/P1150132.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_tAUsAKoMivHyg7jtJ7ukRmIM68pO10T8pPrzb2XZjbDtJwuCGmqHZBi6o8z8Ed3SiRNgD6fcZWhSrm5znqG8-BphrTkeB08w5T6Gzbr6VEVaMeQvaHmlC9gQN7FSAWk7DC-OWDEblwp/s1600/P1150133.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_tAUsAKoMivHyg7jtJ7ukRmIM68pO10T8pPrzb2XZjbDtJwuCGmqHZBi6o8z8Ed3SiRNgD6fcZWhSrm5znqG8-BphrTkeB08w5T6Gzbr6VEVaMeQvaHmlC9gQN7FSAWk7DC-OWDEblwp/s400/P1150133.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsepo61ufmY9SmyKwMC33qNxOkzoLogoZxlIu87I9G9gCV6pOtlderjzkIDDNZ43jsoqMTgc4k3nvbb4q5EFiKr4GDuTHTuXaXxJHBsLPKdAg2B9CccK6IB1mfTB9Phot4Wr03IAnb241P/s1600/P1150090.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsepo61ufmY9SmyKwMC33qNxOkzoLogoZxlIu87I9G9gCV6pOtlderjzkIDDNZ43jsoqMTgc4k3nvbb4q5EFiKr4GDuTHTuXaXxJHBsLPKdAg2B9CccK6IB1mfTB9Phot4Wr03IAnb241P/s400/P1150090.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfo_u-pdbDAf21nD-VrnTzlkwF38gLjz8jSC4G_-FS4KRVfDnvaXEqdQhRrRyuOp_ydPWAahc0zI-r-ytThDwRJvd6g0tdVt3LtijolyWLf8U-QNQT9mz8_z8b8qHIwvjtMdkC3-cvEgf/s1600/P1150026.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfo_u-pdbDAf21nD-VrnTzlkwF38gLjz8jSC4G_-FS4KRVfDnvaXEqdQhRrRyuOp_ydPWAahc0zI-r-ytThDwRJvd6g0tdVt3LtijolyWLf8U-QNQT9mz8_z8b8qHIwvjtMdkC3-cvEgf/s400/P1150026.JPG" /></a> </div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-32077956764716673712013-07-19T07:58:00.001-07:002013-07-19T07:58:26.695-07:00Soil Analyses<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dpwVkcZyBdUlH-zj0mtE-ywvKdSDRSigRDIaLAAHDxfzPvNRA3JpqxNY72fuaT-VRopAPxK5fTbhbs_AvYnbDrNNbrujpGm-Dg4TGPCduMJXNzutZV6Z4wzxW9XMakHFdKOI36Q_ADyU/s1600/Top.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dpwVkcZyBdUlH-zj0mtE-ywvKdSDRSigRDIaLAAHDxfzPvNRA3JpqxNY72fuaT-VRopAPxK5fTbhbs_AvYnbDrNNbrujpGm-Dg4TGPCduMJXNzutZV6Z4wzxW9XMakHFdKOI36Q_ADyU/s400/Top.bmp" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are the analytical results for three soil samples taken at Eklund Garden. One was taken in the main bed, one back by the Wild Ginger, and another in the Marble Bed, which has plants requiring a higher pH. I was concerned the pH might not be high enough in the latter bed, but discovered it was fine, but the nearby Ginger bed is too neutral. The main bed also needs some lime. <div>
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The beds could also use more fertilizer, but the surprise was the high phosphorus level in the two back beds. I suspect the leaf compost I've been adding is the source of that, since those beds had a LOT of compost added last fall. Those beds also had "very high" levels of organic matter. The plants there have been doing much, much better this year due to the addition of the compost.<br /><br /></div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-81748221836500550302013-05-24T13:42:00.000-07:002013-05-24T13:42:01.237-07:00New Plants: Lupine & Yellow Lady Slipper<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsmGKEmvA0cGINfARYx-EGAQs4QVL5504syK_HG2ARcgrUNRN6BPF-zhgqTYbMouoMVi9ETJfbgvPWD6NwVTUeWTG04igalonh7iGGfi45zq_THnG601Bog1FXPZyONCgndcR2rbm4cum/s1600/IMAG1801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsmGKEmvA0cGINfARYx-EGAQs4QVL5504syK_HG2ARcgrUNRN6BPF-zhgqTYbMouoMVi9ETJfbgvPWD6NwVTUeWTG04igalonh7iGGfi45zq_THnG601Bog1FXPZyONCgndcR2rbm4cum/s400/IMAG1801.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Blue Lupine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Picked up replacement Wild Blue Lupine from Twombly Nursery in Monroe today. The previous lupine succumbed to the voles last year. Twombly does have a good selection of native plants IF you know exactly what you are looking for and are familiar with which plants are native and which just look like they should be native. Twombly does have a habit of mixing them up. Earth Tones is normally my choice for natives because when you absolutely want a native plant, you can't screw up and grab something non-native. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUiir2Dc80OmtuZ7X2R8L6cJBP1LoTrXhZbsVwnLng6Ysk2J8tKOQWEta_XIOJKl7Igqk8P9_ZRtNhb-3FEq-LwfxUvqXz8AK9nKdMJvahfkcYjus6sbllBq2WHoH-BMbACgJVGXdcdoS/s1600/IMAG1799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUiir2Dc80OmtuZ7X2R8L6cJBP1LoTrXhZbsVwnLng6Ysk2J8tKOQWEta_XIOJKl7Igqk8P9_ZRtNhb-3FEq-LwfxUvqXz8AK9nKdMJvahfkcYjus6sbllBq2WHoH-BMbACgJVGXdcdoS/s400/IMAG1799.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Yellow Ladyslipper</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Today they had some beautiful Small Yellow Ladyslippers available, so I purchased one for Eklund. These are not your normal Pink Lady Slippers, which we already have up on top of the hill under the pines where the soil is very acidic. The Pink Lady Slippers cannot be transplanted and we were just lucky they happened to be growing there. Yellow Ladyslippers are native to the northeast, but you probably would not find them in Shelton because they prefer neutral, damp soil. There is one section of the back beds that I have been adding dolomite to for those types of natives, so that's where I put it. It is a shady spot but right on the edge, so it might get an hour or two of sun. Hopefully it will be moist enough. Water does seep out of the hill for much of the year. </div>
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Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-50365986087891826042013-05-20T13:48:00.001-07:002013-05-20T13:48:20.350-07:00Swamp Azalea Pest Revealed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year the poor little Swamp Azalea out front next to the main steps mysterious loses all its leaves. Nothing but the leaf veins are left. It's able to grow new leaves, but it is definitely hard on the shrub. </div>
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This year I finally caught the culprits, which appear to be Azalea Sawfly larvae, which originated in South Africa. They are very well camouflaged and I crushed dozens if not hundreds, but kept finding more. Some were very tiny and just hatched, so I stopped at home and grabbed some insecticide. <br />
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The active ingredient is Pyrethrin, which qualifies as organic, but it's an insecticide of last resort since it does kill just about every bug you spray it with. Normally I do not use pesticides in the garden, but in this case it seemed necessary. The Swamp Azalea has not evolved with the Azalea Saw Fly and has no natural defense.<br />
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After several hours weeding, transplanting, and weed-whacking, the garden looks pretty good. </div>
Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-76064365874592375742013-05-14T10:44:00.003-07:002013-05-14T10:44:42.890-07:00In Bloom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzrIEArlZMi1u8rslgd1Mlmskqjminu77c6RGmabRflI5ZVsvJkMO8Rq_7aoVpsMNb9rzyu1lK12Z0BednvLnSXW9XDDgwB5-w-RxsEjD2DhqvyPQMHJxlHP9w6yN9ZjYfFU8hf5pfiz/s1600/P1140448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzrIEArlZMi1u8rslgd1Mlmskqjminu77c6RGmabRflI5ZVsvJkMO8Rq_7aoVpsMNb9rzyu1lK12Z0BednvLnSXW9XDDgwB5-w-RxsEjD2DhqvyPQMHJxlHP9w6yN9ZjYfFU8hf5pfiz/s400/P1140448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Trillium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pink Lady Slipper up on the Heath Walk</td></tr>
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Spring Beauties</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellwort, with Violets and Mayapple. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foam Flower, with Woodland Phlox and Jacob's Ladder in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Jacob's Ladder came up naturally from seed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Columbine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob's Ladder loves the garden and keeps expanding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Strawberry</td></tr>
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<br />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-71398067987339056132013-05-14T10:31:00.001-07:002013-05-14T10:31:35.387-07:00New PlantingsThe spring dry spell has ended, allowing some new plantings to replace those lost from voles or from being in the wrong spot. Experience has shown that some parts of the garden are shadier or dryer or wetter than first thought. Plant the right plant in the wrong spot and it just won't take. Funding came from gift certificates.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Ginger, added to the garden in a new location (far back right side)</td></tr>
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<br />We already have some Wild Ginger in the garden, but I wanted to expand this plant to a second location. It likes partial to full shade and moist conditions. I know of one small patch of Wild Ginger growing wild in Shelton, and it would be nice to expand this native. Sadly, it is a plant that foragers dig up for cooking. The roots smell exactly like the regular ginger you cook with, which I discovered while dividing a clump. <br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMmdsN9kIg93O6JIwFNeGddGb5QzeWEIAGaYSyPmP_7uJ08V8Xjqadt6IJEr1nrsnxuccBnyT10b0F5SVoRIsGXZFnKM9Riu2MkD71qX71q5fwPunNSEHEyOA0pmQW6f_ThZmvH7bz3Oy/s1600/P1140428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMmdsN9kIg93O6JIwFNeGddGb5QzeWEIAGaYSyPmP_7uJ08V8Xjqadt6IJEr1nrsnxuccBnyT10b0F5SVoRIsGXZFnKM9Riu2MkD71qX71q5fwPunNSEHEyOA0pmQW6f_ThZmvH7bz3Oy/s400/P1140428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heartleaved Skullcap (<i>Scutellaria ovata) </i></td></tr>
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<br />Skullcap has attractive foliage and can handle both shade and dry conditions, which is hard to find. It may die back when it gets too hot out. This is a new species for the garden.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh784Bd3bbwxayy6AXtyDZmeqNQ4Ob6WSYMAWCnhn_BPMrZhipzsVTxotTMQsjc4n10woOo73Z7_lClZ1ALNM6bcVVKTjUwrQjgwH78DqMg6smbZnykNEB_WmEIyIgPhV1XUZlsFXXIILg8/s1600/P1140429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh784Bd3bbwxayy6AXtyDZmeqNQ4Ob6WSYMAWCnhn_BPMrZhipzsVTxotTMQsjc4n10woOo73Z7_lClZ1ALNM6bcVVKTjUwrQjgwH78DqMg6smbZnykNEB_WmEIyIgPhV1XUZlsFXXIILg8/s400/P1140429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Leaf Hydrangea</td></tr>
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Oak Leaf Hydrangea can grow to more than six feet tall, but we're starting out tiny. I was looking for a part to full shade location that would be moist but not waterlogged, and where the shrub would block the view of the other plants. The spot I chose had horrible soil -- nothing but compacted clay and rock, so I had to dig out a big hole and mix a lot of leaf compost in. All the rocks in the photo were originally in that hole. This hydrangea is native in the southeast Appalachians.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzIx9fo2OlVAXupuLpoaQC8AtJbbMq08jtTOQi5vPL0IjNHDUVUlillFbeC6uvlpTObfiIVKoeT5UHXAQPOXupW1A4x9hkDncybdOvL9POVaRezTgqMVJUk_iV_k8hBfcoJjuKRSNZrhF/s1600/P1140430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzIx9fo2OlVAXupuLpoaQC8AtJbbMq08jtTOQi5vPL0IjNHDUVUlillFbeC6uvlpTObfiIVKoeT5UHXAQPOXupW1A4x9hkDncybdOvL9POVaRezTgqMVJUk_iV_k8hBfcoJjuKRSNZrhF/s400/P1140430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Pussytoes</td></tr>
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All our field pussytoes mysteriously vanished over the winter, so these are replacements. This time they were planted on a dry spot out front rather than on the strawberry hill, which can be soaked for weeks at a time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPLuV7aaWAKTMcqLKU3gDoRCG-JFkZZEatVMhJ3T1IprNChVGRvblSkAbsF2iEEPSbyfsAtkkx2rUvfcLx-dETyNbkCBBt43Sav1kWDvB3gnpM8MZH8w8q5DlQOMj7qmxQhWg2Ah3EyeS/s1600/P1140431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPLuV7aaWAKTMcqLKU3gDoRCG-JFkZZEatVMhJ3T1IprNChVGRvblSkAbsF2iEEPSbyfsAtkkx2rUvfcLx-dETyNbkCBBt43Sav1kWDvB3gnpM8MZH8w8q5DlQOMj7qmxQhWg2Ah3EyeS/s400/P1140431.JPG" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Pink <i>(Silene Carolininiana)</i>. Previously planted on a spot that was too wet. </td></tr>
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Wild Pink is another plant that we previously had on the wet/dry strawberry slope, but it perished there. Just too shady and wet. This time it's out front to the right of the front steps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U90nbGC1SPcAxF0qhDaLDsm1tarBuxqL6Jwt4R5y45fSwYv7mZ3NKtyPZGyS0ZkFoXJoficT_PEPQd6J9VW90e0D5Xad1_y16jaPd7fwAufkRx_woyhr_RK0H58B92NBVc6-Fb5BKtEy/s1600/IMAG1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U90nbGC1SPcAxF0qhDaLDsm1tarBuxqL6Jwt4R5y45fSwYv7mZ3NKtyPZGyS0ZkFoXJoficT_PEPQd6J9VW90e0D5Xad1_y16jaPd7fwAufkRx_woyhr_RK0H58B92NBVc6-Fb5BKtEy/s400/IMAG1795.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Pink growing wild at Indian Well State Park</td></tr>
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Coincidentally, I found the same species growing on the Paugussett Trail two days later, growing out of shear rock, near the overlook at Indian Well. The flower was literally growing on the trail, getting stepped on. And yet it died when planted in a spot that was too wet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqoZqkxOZQ_masqWbOCEta8h5bQNCr9Jio2DeF83h7f8oAW5sK-lzGWRnDXHH6Q6RKH27bOSfXO4aMJGOjj269uyb3A8VXny8ZwX_R0Q29NSC35h-93oGwp-8NV24xHYCf1CqETeVMUKw/s1600/P1140434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqoZqkxOZQ_masqWbOCEta8h5bQNCr9Jio2DeF83h7f8oAW5sK-lzGWRnDXHH6Q6RKH27bOSfXO4aMJGOjj269uyb3A8VXny8ZwX_R0Q29NSC35h-93oGwp-8NV24xHYCf1CqETeVMUKw/s400/P1140434.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundrop (Oenothera 'Cold Crick'). Adding to what we have. </td></tr>
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Sundrops is a favorite at the garden. This is a natural primrose hybrid that doesn't spread all over the garden. The voles took their toll on this plant over the past few years. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFjX396t_ua04FVziRzCzAKL9Rs3LJZXQt9DLiLB7aeqcEhcf1bT5x2AFKmpTKnYgYqhaL02e0ALnYAn5cm4zhWK7LRmfbxPTs7y-MvkIH25e7FBtgNZaJYED8fhfzJ9b66zz0zubwXc7/s1600/P1140435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFjX396t_ua04FVziRzCzAKL9Rs3LJZXQt9DLiLB7aeqcEhcf1bT5x2AFKmpTKnYgYqhaL02e0ALnYAn5cm4zhWK7LRmfbxPTs7y-MvkIH25e7FBtgNZaJYED8fhfzJ9b66zz0zubwXc7/s400/P1140435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thread-leaf Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii). </td></tr>
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Thread-leaf Bluestar is a new one at the garden. Is is drought tolerant and can handle full sun to part shade, and is deer resistant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIf7WVERx450FsAyZ3wEKGW2r2IgwGfyIbC40wN3bRxs6Es9hS2CcwSC9VEMdOAv-jxYakMkhpax8mdPMx-JFuxex_NbFx2KH_Z3KXs3jcgvZr3k1bhz1xrmOrw50sn39a7v13Z9Fu11v/s1600/P1140445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIf7WVERx450FsAyZ3wEKGW2r2IgwGfyIbC40wN3bRxs6Es9hS2CcwSC9VEMdOAv-jxYakMkhpax8mdPMx-JFuxex_NbFx2KH_Z3KXs3jcgvZr3k1bhz1xrmOrw50sn39a7v13Z9Fu11v/s400/P1140445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Leaf Miterwort <i>(Mitella diphylla) </i></td></tr>
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Two Leaf Miterwort is another new species for the garden with attractive foliage. Handles dry to moist soils in part to full shade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMAEDqybehUsqivJN0kWejJltWGfVLAFiQcl2p_8LjLFux_Uc9hZpChP9BAgFwbwBidrccuTrMt8QL1SWDlLw4J8y1J-l0Su-XTOHx_i3XZB0N-xKXFgdTJuJVL-zr6YNhdXg0iKBC834/s1600/P1140391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMAEDqybehUsqivJN0kWejJltWGfVLAFiQcl2p_8LjLFux_Uc9hZpChP9BAgFwbwBidrccuTrMt8QL1SWDlLw4J8y1J-l0Su-XTOHx_i3XZB0N-xKXFgdTJuJVL-zr6YNhdXg0iKBC834/s320/P1140391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Anemone</td></tr>
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And finally, more Canada Anemones. Love the foliage, and they will spread in the right location. This one and the miterwort prefer a higher pH than what we normally have in Shelton, so they will need to be limed.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-33283398290940264272013-04-12T08:43:00.000-07:002013-04-12T09:07:16.368-07:00Voles Defeated!Last fall I very carefully cleaned out the garden and surrounding area of all leaves and dead vegetation that might provide cover from predators. There were dozens of vole holes. This spring...all the voles are gone, and I'm not seeing any vole damage so far. A great big 'thank you' to all the owls and hawks.<br />
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The deer fence was down in three places due to Hurricane Sandy, which dropped a tree the fence was attached to, and the February blizzard, which dropped 3 feet of snow and pulled the netting off the wire. <br />
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I've just added a "wish list" page to this blog. It should show up on the left margin.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-58084966606519882532012-07-11T11:35:00.002-07:002012-07-11T11:35:16.017-07:00Attack of the Voles!!!!!!!!!This spring we had some big losses in the main garden bed. Some plants were entirely wiped out, like Wild Blue Lupine and Hardy Ageratum. Others were 90% gone, like Coreopsis, Penstemmon, Garden Phlox, and Foamflower, and Gaillardia. And when I say "gone", I don't mean dead, I mean completely missing. No root ball, nothing. Others were not touched, including everything in the aromatic mint family. Clues: There were tunnels and a fair amount of grubs. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTmfbOv0_SuPfTM4lhzGZmhulUjE20AlRdGRqQrYYvvWx3MCHUppavIHK_shqNsVPVQw9FyZvMetD9PEf-ypCEhV5aRAOEWYgf8nX_p9vPSVLBwdgxGGtXH1QNqWXpXO3Spe7WtWCP8h/s1600/attackVole1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhTmfbOv0_SuPfTM4lhzGZmhulUjE20AlRdGRqQrYYvvWx3MCHUppavIHK_shqNsVPVQw9FyZvMetD9PEf-ypCEhV5aRAOEWYgf8nX_p9vPSVLBwdgxGGtXH1QNqWXpXO3Spe7WtWCP8h/s320/attackVole1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The verdict from our local garden expert: voles. Moles make the tunnels to get the grubs, and voles use the tunnels to eat the plant roots. Voles look like mice but are vegetarians. </span></div>
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Fortunately, being native species, many of these plants had gone to seed over the past few years, and we refrained from pulling out many of the seedlings which were scattered around the garden. Although a big section of the garden was completely empty this spring, seedlings were found and relocated. They just won't bloom much this year. Some other plants were simply allowed to expand into the empty areas. Bee Balm and Giant Hyssops were given free rein. Brown Eyed Susans (<i>Rudbeckia hirta</i>), a plant that can be an annual, biennial, or even perennial, reseeded aggressively and had popped up all over. They bloom quickly, and so were given a lot of up front space to do their thing. </div>
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Although there was some money in the pool for purchasing new plants, the spring was so dry that wells were reported to be at 10%, and there is no water onsite. So that option was postponed. But what about next winter? We may need to tidy up the garden and clear out the leaves, which encourage voles by providing cover. </div>
</div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-22931045967637691142011-03-20T09:05:00.000-07:002011-03-21T09:26:56.980-07:00Spring Clean-Up 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag0zOeBRyMVL-cHoPdQ18kGxKuySJnjUc7plAeJuLK31IoFxXSQrELYgkqVp5pFjcXmNifSGD21pyxV3jabIpJkXWHqtKIW2fG53mHH-jnfEKv3ud8269TCbS1HbThKnr4RBw_yuW6O0S/s1600/P1060705.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag0zOeBRyMVL-cHoPdQ18kGxKuySJnjUc7plAeJuLK31IoFxXSQrELYgkqVp5pFjcXmNifSGD21pyxV3jabIpJkXWHqtKIW2fG53mHH-jnfEKv3ud8269TCbS1HbThKnr4RBw_yuW6O0S/s400/P1060705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565383433624418" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great turnout for our annual spring clean-up at Eklund Garden! That means more leaves were cleared out than last year, and some odd jobs were done as well. Volunteers included several members of Boy Scout Troop 28, some trail volunteers, and a few others (listed at the bottom of the post). We've learned to move the leaves starting from the top and moving down, as you can see the Scouts doing in the photo above.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGULKjirgJ1qd9X3eqn-p1lCFhm0Ns9xt0x3x1h6jcbb93YWOBHQaMMCzgHGM5mxEsMsp47ZbG4R-da4Ow_F_1aC39xY6cFT1T1fWqtzY6eeNF5afW49pXQW-mM_bmt8KQqDqL3GM-GSgX/s1600/P1060712.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGULKjirgJ1qd9X3eqn-p1lCFhm0Ns9xt0x3x1h6jcbb93YWOBHQaMMCzgHGM5mxEsMsp47ZbG4R-da4Ow_F_1aC39xY6cFT1T1fWqtzY6eeNF5afW49pXQW-mM_bmt8KQqDqL3GM-GSgX/s400/P1060712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565371724695858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6jBh7owZnwFjHXxir_okZkdBxjJ2FZ5j-Nj9FZTpPIoGdrft6pSfwI662idNQ8GjgZT69xIoS0_m7fslzdQs6XC2_CMgtsDJ4ghx2_ExcWG8tCbLSy7QgSRqIeHW3xNROR6w28w_2pqs/s1600/Eklund+After.JPG"><br /></a>This is the delicate part - getting leaves out of the cactii. BBQ tongs help! By the way, the cacti always look like this is the spring. They will perk up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUqEK6E_D7MoGRwdEOec_YMNfJYDvMTNFrkT7KmUl0JSsKNl2Jinj0PEcIw4f_TFolXxruw45NyPlO6850vtM0DrSdCrUBHUtO7kDihgrQfUlZA1dXFGNYNLp_amGtMk9s_4k4QriWJb/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYUqEK6E_D7MoGRwdEOec_YMNfJYDvMTNFrkT7KmUl0JSsKNl2Jinj0PEcIw4f_TFolXxruw45NyPlO6850vtM0DrSdCrUBHUtO7kDihgrQfUlZA1dXFGNYNLp_amGtMk9s_4k4QriWJb/s400/IMG_0661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565553161767250" border="0" /></a>There were a LOT of oak leaves. And acorns. Tons of acorns. Perhaps because the deer can't get in there to eat them?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWCBt0Z2bfQ9FPz9OmuiYbu_oDbY4p51amyVGWnSl_ONNwntgAqNejyePLKsHntaMhtX6wAtvhz6anFuVY2q4svQsHSmgpqk2m65JEX83pvxygHLVTo0m_7Jnr0aKaWT2TN3q52hxgwIZ/s1600/P1060707.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWCBt0Z2bfQ9FPz9OmuiYbu_oDbY4p51amyVGWnSl_ONNwntgAqNejyePLKsHntaMhtX6wAtvhz6anFuVY2q4svQsHSmgpqk2m65JEX83pvxygHLVTo0m_7Jnr0aKaWT2TN3q52hxgwIZ/s400/P1060707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565382737478962" border="0" /></a>One of our Scouts worked at removing the little dagger sapling stumps left over from when the slope was cleared out a few years ago. They keep tripping people and catching on the tarp.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP-AUwYUHEWLp9MUSSIhfe1ur_qdpp8fhRq016zT8_mYBC709S89LBsINEdBwsAc3kbU_OOKYj288IhscOGv4Cz_NDJKaPt3TclZdO_fBf3wYNwlByd_KjhNn2E3SudkwfyE2ZgGvcbrn/s1600/P1060717.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP-AUwYUHEWLp9MUSSIhfe1ur_qdpp8fhRq016zT8_mYBC709S89LBsINEdBwsAc3kbU_OOKYj288IhscOGv4Cz_NDJKaPt3TclZdO_fBf3wYNwlByd_KjhNn2E3SudkwfyE2ZgGvcbrn/s400/P1060717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565363540143570" border="0" /></a>Several Trails Committee members stopped by to lend a hand. Richard was cutting the scraggly mountain laurel out front so it will regenerate and look much more attractive. He also blew leaves and repaired the deer fence.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGULKjirgJ1qd9X3eqn-p1lCFhm0Ns9xt0x3x1h6jcbb93YWOBHQaMMCzgHGM5mxEsMsp47ZbG4R-da4Ow_F_1aC39xY6cFT1T1fWqtzY6eeNF5afW49pXQW-mM_bmt8KQqDqL3GM-GSgX/s1600/P1060712.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxOKrlA9eLwKQ889AhDngChLNN3naLAJHX0IJfCK-AcXhG0ymBqDTydyzTLPm-A6B2317xWao_heOsBoTXan5NM5njbpt9IK0sOEfw0u2xZpayPMdJYedzwdX8YsR0PN-tzdwwuDuLGzp/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxOKrlA9eLwKQ889AhDngChLNN3naLAJHX0IJfCK-AcXhG0ymBqDTydyzTLPm-A6B2317xWao_heOsBoTXan5NM5njbpt9IK0sOEfw0u2xZpayPMdJYedzwdX8YsR0PN-tzdwwuDuLGzp/s400/IMG_0662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565549084070818" border="0" /></a>The Scouts worked hard all day. Five full hours!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6jBh7owZnwFjHXxir_okZkdBxjJ2FZ5j-Nj9FZTpPIoGdrft6pSfwI662idNQ8GjgZT69xIoS0_m7fslzdQs6XC2_CMgtsDJ4ghx2_ExcWG8tCbLSy7QgSRqIeHW3xNROR6w28w_2pqs/s1600/Eklund+After.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6jBh7owZnwFjHXxir_okZkdBxjJ2FZ5j-Nj9FZTpPIoGdrft6pSfwI662idNQ8GjgZT69xIoS0_m7fslzdQs6XC2_CMgtsDJ4ghx2_ExcWG8tCbLSy7QgSRqIeHW3xNROR6w28w_2pqs/s400/Eklund+After.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586565562099420354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriqmswQy1P79QTCTAh3RrOQ3WrRE3RRG_hbCZPrTgpRNs2WXZBeAQL1d_VhWd3H3CbKUOGM0YqrD_mIWmXIYLaMIZqzq7sBzKAoqBIborujq6VQxz2gN-HOkTfMyGX1F87wJAu2siAEhW/s1600/P1060721.JPG"><br /></a>All the hard work paid off. Eklund Garden looks wonderful! (Click the photo to enlarge).<br /><br />Our volunteers were:<br />Boy Scout Troop 28 (Brett Butler, Billings White, Christian Garaa, Gabriel Aponte, Alex Merdinger), Teresa Gallagher, Richard Skudlarek, Nancy Aponte, Kelly Walsh, Bridget Kelly, Lynn Reid, Terrance Gallagher, and Emma Gallagher. Thank you everyone!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-85404376072077644252010-09-04T12:01:00.000-07:002010-09-04T12:28:25.462-07:00Late Summer Blooms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVNhNB7llga6j1f9ENK1ZS8YlvmiHV2p4xXhwL5ht7vkA5j1XVm_CTdGdLWf_Mg4HUvSSexs9SiVgcvWlvRL9U4-sdO6poW5PxBs2p6s_SMk0K8L_S4pqCCs-psK7Pxsy57yI_TPKm_-b/s1600/P1030970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVNhNB7llga6j1f9ENK1ZS8YlvmiHV2p4xXhwL5ht7vkA5j1XVm_CTdGdLWf_Mg4HUvSSexs9SiVgcvWlvRL9U4-sdO6poW5PxBs2p6s_SMk0K8L_S4pqCCs-psK7Pxsy57yI_TPKm_-b/s400/P1030970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136616870228642" border="0" /></a>This was the hottest summer on record for Bridgeport, and it was also very, very dry. We had no water source and the plants struggled to survive. This Hardy Ageratum, though, not only survived, but thrived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGAFy4bfQP6DhEhuiGsjeC_Mn3jaRO8WH3AknIcs1tqF7IdE-pu3lWijXFsKEudtuEOBxYJv5J-5RkODThP6GQCOoFhy9jkucK9GN4bIZYfu27lQsOi8UhBln7TkXTnlVtPVtK2_8rmO8/s1600/P1030977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGAFy4bfQP6DhEhuiGsjeC_Mn3jaRO8WH3AknIcs1tqF7IdE-pu3lWijXFsKEudtuEOBxYJv5J-5RkODThP6GQCOoFhy9jkucK9GN4bIZYfu27lQsOi8UhBln7TkXTnlVtPVtK2_8rmO8/s400/P1030977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136597743328514" border="0" /></a>The New England Asters are just starting to open up. Their native blooms are a vivid deep purple. They went to seed last year and popped up all over the garden this spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPgBOa5Y-4x7PaZccqVA9wMoxdNf_-DcKeJPowKKlG1SWdiIoFW98qprlxYZ8Er14LNuO4oiODDs0lWQ70am4YmgRDtyy2weZ8laHtUxTqdudffXnvLQrsi48jwJi8lcXw_IU69yVZOWr/s1600/P1030980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPgBOa5Y-4x7PaZccqVA9wMoxdNf_-DcKeJPowKKlG1SWdiIoFW98qprlxYZ8Er14LNuO4oiODDs0lWQ70am4YmgRDtyy2weZ8laHtUxTqdudffXnvLQrsi48jwJi8lcXw_IU69yVZOWr/s400/P1030980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136590378364658" border="0" /></a>The Garden no longer has that masses of blooms it had earlier in the year. But if you look around, you'll see blooms here and there. Above is a Harebell, still blooming after months of drought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOHuMq5KNm2UHeHFyaUsICD0wytJzhiqzRk2q-dlpB977zQx70OuByB3_tAyz-VVAguyZpM_bpusPmnzbIr7fnh7jVbzJdrGCazMtqKTbNmqLC8y0PhBoSWxZQmOmBYkYYyPVMfi12hJy/s1600/P1030981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOHuMq5KNm2UHeHFyaUsICD0wytJzhiqzRk2q-dlpB977zQx70OuByB3_tAyz-VVAguyZpM_bpusPmnzbIr7fnh7jVbzJdrGCazMtqKTbNmqLC8y0PhBoSWxZQmOmBYkYYyPVMfi12hJy/s400/P1030981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136454925038946" border="0" /></a>The Sneezeweed is just starting to bloom. It was cut back early because it was getting too tall.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_cRqTafBMrj89hmTqTFAWsD_oXm8rOIjCnYcFRvF-zzoCnbNtEgn5I-W5UFVHrEhGsTKCZ_1H5_XOZunt3oj3-_MQYhcXcJD_PjaLFcSq-iN1h7HSxsCnhyphenhyphenG7jb_LOPDlT7OUop1F57z/s1600/P1030983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_cRqTafBMrj89hmTqTFAWsD_oXm8rOIjCnYcFRvF-zzoCnbNtEgn5I-W5UFVHrEhGsTKCZ_1H5_XOZunt3oj3-_MQYhcXcJD_PjaLFcSq-iN1h7HSxsCnhyphenhyphenG7jb_LOPDlT7OUop1F57z/s400/P1030983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136449247073490" border="0" /></a>Ahhh, that's really just a weed. Goldenrod.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAILJd2RB_3KQrldWY5ZUQ6PIbPqp9j9fslXvj8KLXFZzXrRM7GhDkYBRFUzJE-KQqZ9aPJM3u5AxgdHi77eKVEo8N82Kvsoe650E5Y45Ufasxi8bjci5Ef20u97QAM5DGTxIrRsqkwXv/s1600/P1030984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAILJd2RB_3KQrldWY5ZUQ6PIbPqp9j9fslXvj8KLXFZzXrRM7GhDkYBRFUzJE-KQqZ9aPJM3u5AxgdHi77eKVEo8N82Kvsoe650E5Y45Ufasxi8bjci5Ef20u97QAM5DGTxIrRsqkwXv/s400/P1030984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136443574216722" border="0" /></a>The Jerusalem Artichoke is also still blooming, although the blooms are so high up they're hard to see (about 7 feet high).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHExRSDnWOyUiyea4CSxFpdUoi2OaLnMH-GHlpenKYLI8yiL3l0N67GkoY90hHdlQfqP2EZFuMaDqRQPMga8OGZTlMpxcbNCrJiXgVl_uUXHsFDYhvaa6xUCP6OHeGctnsG9QI9fjgEuZK/s1600/P1030986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHExRSDnWOyUiyea4CSxFpdUoi2OaLnMH-GHlpenKYLI8yiL3l0N67GkoY90hHdlQfqP2EZFuMaDqRQPMga8OGZTlMpxcbNCrJiXgVl_uUXHsFDYhvaa6xUCP6OHeGctnsG9QI9fjgEuZK/s400/P1030986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513136437065061234" border="0" /></a>One of the Black-Eyed Susans, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rudbeckia fulgida</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FgLOcIBk0LSpdn-ssVoQ_P_hN0dYchcCNXEX6cep9L_CrELAxI3nJnUkMGtsoHidtcsgMJNs4xMY9FwLys4zOcmFszWn02sGcetwr61JGFv10xLLbcjlq2CIzTCaO4dQ4PpTkxn_3qvy/s1600/P1030988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FgLOcIBk0LSpdn-ssVoQ_P_hN0dYchcCNXEX6cep9L_CrELAxI3nJnUkMGtsoHidtcsgMJNs4xMY9FwLys4zOcmFszWn02sGcetwr61JGFv10xLLbcjlq2CIzTCaO4dQ4PpTkxn_3qvy/s400/P1030988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135995217659026" border="0" /></a>I think this is Purple Giant Hyssop, a hitchhiker on some purchased natives. Whatever it is, it went to seed and popped up in various places this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWjWjlZC8F0yRm-QUtM6uwQIrcyZyIxNicUJFHYpO-yjP4M7Z9aM3VDPAMnevCcS5WWd0-qEFQzRpPp-V78AquD3CjfSWFdxEDPTXl4Y0D50U9a8OPNWBKBjOwjzV1VZfwzO4fSdpO23j/s1600/P1030989.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWjWjlZC8F0yRm-QUtM6uwQIrcyZyIxNicUJFHYpO-yjP4M7Z9aM3VDPAMnevCcS5WWd0-qEFQzRpPp-V78AquD3CjfSWFdxEDPTXl4Y0D50U9a8OPNWBKBjOwjzV1VZfwzO4fSdpO23j/s400/P1030989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135992013208162" border="0" /></a>Here's a cluster of immature Large Milkweed Bugs. That's their real name. They were on the Butterfly Weed, which is related to Milkweed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vZyYW6ZJCAILCp5JVPEUSbol4nJ73N6XwQtQ7W6_mjbqO4zJ_CIc_bW6jfBO7Q2RBWGmzB_JfLc4oddWSvqo0kttwikOXmD2CtCUx6Qi2FPXc8s2aDMFY-mLQdPgp1N32Icf_ZIRGgav/s1600/P1030996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vZyYW6ZJCAILCp5JVPEUSbol4nJ73N6XwQtQ7W6_mjbqO4zJ_CIc_bW6jfBO7Q2RBWGmzB_JfLc4oddWSvqo0kttwikOXmD2CtCUx6Qi2FPXc8s2aDMFY-mLQdPgp1N32Icf_ZIRGgav/s400/P1030996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135978402890146" border="0" /></a>Purple Coneflower, still hanging on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx-mbvibPrW-6LnF1tDBNMFqiOizZQEqFrDAkY_V_p7Y8cGjoREigWoU_aVnu2RHe5-K2BJfSQOTEoIiqj_ePtHtekH4DVSk7d4mWZAQNTjXl43tDWuOM7sZGzfmuHOn7PHRjZtyGZsGD/s1600/P1040002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx-mbvibPrW-6LnF1tDBNMFqiOizZQEqFrDAkY_V_p7Y8cGjoREigWoU_aVnu2RHe5-K2BJfSQOTEoIiqj_ePtHtekH4DVSk7d4mWZAQNTjXl43tDWuOM7sZGzfmuHOn7PHRjZtyGZsGD/s400/P1040002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135818478906578" border="0" /></a>Blanket Flower. After a deep rain about two weeds ago, it put out a handful of new blooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbbrBY5KfQD0mJ4dpPkz2_GUdS_z9DWS0tbLA8cHG4nxtKAf1Pb0m4mkkIj26OJvHxJjuPZWp_hHr9ttR9oYSUw__Gkmkknc5E8eDzdozunGs5Z6imPIuRlKyj51jIIHY6TN28ittRP-e/s1600/P1040003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbbrBY5KfQD0mJ4dpPkz2_GUdS_z9DWS0tbLA8cHG4nxtKAf1Pb0m4mkkIj26OJvHxJjuPZWp_hHr9ttR9oYSUw__Gkmkknc5E8eDzdozunGs5Z6imPIuRlKyj51jIIHY6TN28ittRP-e/s400/P1040003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135811596170066" border="0" /></a>The other Black-Eyed Susan, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rudbeckia hirta</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDcXIIwv__Uy4cfIRd3QJ-x-fEFFnaGyDCrFETuKe7mI-wJ0kQfv1fEpF3nUNYRSd4_AGdDCOnXW89olM6o3G9P8T_nWqh1jUfxrHjag0yHMwqOV0rnQq2bfNWmjiZ20WR_D3k23OdThz/s1600/P1040005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDcXIIwv__Uy4cfIRd3QJ-x-fEFFnaGyDCrFETuKe7mI-wJ0kQfv1fEpF3nUNYRSd4_AGdDCOnXW89olM6o3G9P8T_nWqh1jUfxrHjag0yHMwqOV0rnQq2bfNWmjiZ20WR_D3k23OdThz/s400/P1040005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135800914282146" border="0" /></a>White Wood Asters, although not very flashy, can be counted on in those super-dry shady areas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjMuANeyBMp8Nr_q5PIGdCPOuKf9H5vXWWdrOIu2CA9kP_G8t-0rgmvmQpa3v8EYm1PJquYG_DpDM86klHSRdKs7lPq1YtMgsyH_-PyX5KDs6rmfhSU7okbeciDiezq0dpslTHuBBrXzG/s1600/P1040007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjMuANeyBMp8Nr_q5PIGdCPOuKf9H5vXWWdrOIu2CA9kP_G8t-0rgmvmQpa3v8EYm1PJquYG_DpDM86klHSRdKs7lPq1YtMgsyH_-PyX5KDs6rmfhSU7okbeciDiezq0dpslTHuBBrXzG/s400/P1040007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513135797193401250" border="0" /></a>Here's a Monarch Caterpillar on the Butterfly Weed, bypassing the Milkweed which is right behind it.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-52612687817865707682010-07-13T13:51:00.001-07:002010-07-13T14:11:20.035-07:00The Drought<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx1-WVrXe6tXoMdASS2NVIgl-Pd1RXrAQAh0uPKVzF81aW8QaFIoAP0GZJM3911nYkQ9UyXmwKu1OvVR9CF6rRCEunvI86HvYA2J1UUzNDQ7zvnBKRPdYF88LFA1dx1cCJeoE1d7AFM0j/s1600/P1010920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx1-WVrXe6tXoMdASS2NVIgl-Pd1RXrAQAh0uPKVzF81aW8QaFIoAP0GZJM3911nYkQ9UyXmwKu1OvVR9CF6rRCEunvI86HvYA2J1UUzNDQ7zvnBKRPdYF88LFA1dx1cCJeoE1d7AFM0j/s400/P1010920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496546231109138" border="0" /></a>Some years are drier than others, so we had a plan in case of a drought. A gas-powered pump was purchased to transfer water from this old well in a low spot up to the garden beds above. Alas, the well is dry. Last year it was full of clear water. On to Plan B...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRIVWQPLzYSLBVI92nDnXZUOWBbj9fcgPvJAUvE3E0cK_Cv92ArEJRxVY3l7xXlg0YXTgh2Vr7Ij-SbarjcZyzZI4D7HOL4dsWvGzk9QWEJzCvG0-_-XLZjo6ONwCYxnEltKYWEEND8JF/s1600/P1010922.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRIVWQPLzYSLBVI92nDnXZUOWBbj9fcgPvJAUvE3E0cK_Cv92ArEJRxVY3l7xXlg0YXTgh2Vr7Ij-SbarjcZyzZI4D7HOL4dsWvGzk9QWEJzCvG0-_-XLZjo6ONwCYxnEltKYWEEND8JF/s400/P1010922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496893798339698" border="0" /></a>Pumping water up from the pond. I'm afraid that, too, is nearly dry. Barely enough water in there for the tadpoles and salamanders. On to Plan C...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzOYaM87UmanhRdQW5cNtVyjN2d9W9uq4iB-S9mcWPM1YF58po4GCiOLJGLlE0RmW7llB6q2RGuPQA_8c4uAab58cHveNPSVtkO0gPrI0ADTbBTLklCst03qLlPz6t2L85QrfEnP0I9yF/s1600/P1010866.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzOYaM87UmanhRdQW5cNtVyjN2d9W9uq4iB-S9mcWPM1YF58po4GCiOLJGLlE0RmW7llB6q2RGuPQA_8c4uAab58cHveNPSVtkO0gPrI0ADTbBTLklCst03qLlPz6t2L85QrfEnP0I9yF/s400/P1010866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496919112614914" border="0" /></a>...filling up jugs of water from home. This gets old very fast. Yesterday I made 3 trips, taking about 4 hours, applying 25 gallons per trip. The day before was 2 trips, and there were other trips as needed when plants began wilting and losing their leaves.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTWU9PidulaOqdE3wq-Lj4EKYQH5PsYvM9EFYtTd6A52V1xbSa1KWNLP9iTYRwxV9yVXoufLbgPd83vexJWRZKt8G5dU3Wx0-56E6BGZhnnHjNoHZl4ll4d3M8R-oUzq3Ps51DaMy9c7E/s1600/P1010904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTWU9PidulaOqdE3wq-Lj4EKYQH5PsYvM9EFYtTd6A52V1xbSa1KWNLP9iTYRwxV9yVXoufLbgPd83vexJWRZKt8G5dU3Wx0-56E6BGZhnnHjNoHZl4ll4d3M8R-oUzq3Ps51DaMy9c7E/s400/P1010904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493497355332859954" border="0" /></a>It doesn't work very well, but has saved most of the plants so far. We added organic material to the soil last year, which stores lots of moisture. Unfortunately, once it's bone dry, it also takes a lot more water to penetrate the soil. It seemed like I watered this area really well, but just scratch the surface and it's still bone dry. This can perk up a wilted plant, but it's wilting again the next day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsy726HGIiEDNbAdleYAIWDIDmSox_akNx0-lCxsRZS39X29R82f_I3yuadwDtcLIb-dBbg03QZUb1azdJPV8Sj1PnmHV6Hg8uwDVRoIPTe_0dQFpZ0smT236g3rwZs09pSF-T2j0krAz/s1600/P1010909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsy726HGIiEDNbAdleYAIWDIDmSox_akNx0-lCxsRZS39X29R82f_I3yuadwDtcLIb-dBbg03QZUb1azdJPV8Sj1PnmHV6Hg8uwDVRoIPTe_0dQFpZ0smT236g3rwZs09pSF-T2j0krAz/s400/P1010909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496575632101666" border="0" /></a>Watering efforts have focused on the Butterfly Bed and certain plants along the slope. This one hasn't had any help, and it shows. Earlier in the year the slope was always moist, even if it had been weeks since the last rain, due to water seeping from the hillside. No more seepage these days!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0SETtkjMvxoJhCglhdlDntozx_TahYbTDf_8SXBddcycRc1LLt_pC5jYJg9pf7u4N301Om2vzjxVgXyYv4RvJzRizk1ZzM1Z55q9rYS3BCDBbuMKq8N1YikLwZbcALVNm_S3j_Gypp_7/s1600/P1010913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0SETtkjMvxoJhCglhdlDntozx_TahYbTDf_8SXBddcycRc1LLt_pC5jYJg9pf7u4N301Om2vzjxVgXyYv4RvJzRizk1ZzM1Z55q9rYS3BCDBbuMKq8N1YikLwZbcALVNm_S3j_Gypp_7/s400/P1010913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496562753302594" border="0" /></a>Or this one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXsOZBa5EB2ofaJIcEvsSt_YH9kzZ_i__kfBsEZbfbahIi66koN17Sg83SJdn0Vy3ksBJbXy3xrlBMnV6qyz2anthVS6Y1tErWXrNclCUy9c3S5_3ZgwqAcE_oQ_p96gCL9mkcCOHKjaS/s1600/P1010912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXsOZBa5EB2ofaJIcEvsSt_YH9kzZ_i__kfBsEZbfbahIi66koN17Sg83SJdn0Vy3ksBJbXy3xrlBMnV6qyz2anthVS6Y1tErWXrNclCUy9c3S5_3ZgwqAcE_oQ_p96gCL9mkcCOHKjaS/s400/P1010912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496555520831586" border="0" /></a><br />The Sensitive Fern is usually pretty tough to kill (this fern was growing here naturally), but this dry spell has been tough.<br /><br />We're working on Plan D: Dropping off a holding tank up above the garden along the old drive that once serviced the swimming pool. In the meantime, everyone do a rain dance please!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-49308503903125854882010-07-13T12:50:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:22:39.816-07:00Monarch Caterpillars; Swallowtail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnCZynwCfzoXCweLGo5rtOmvygTMzv8bKiTSoxJq2dyOjA9cjlPKv5vJ-j86JYV8i4vfSx38EFS-xN0dqLeO2VTi6prm0Kw0t94LbKa4AHghoLQhyphenhyphenptuNeshR86JRvWEZYh3NoXJFIpWH/s1600/P1010867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnCZynwCfzoXCweLGo5rtOmvygTMzv8bKiTSoxJq2dyOjA9cjlPKv5vJ-j86JYV8i4vfSx38EFS-xN0dqLeO2VTi6prm0Kw0t94LbKa4AHghoLQhyphenhyphenptuNeshR86JRvWEZYh3NoXJFIpWH/s400/P1010867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493480956398241794" border="0" /></a>This is what it's all about: Landscaping as an integral part of the ecosystem, not just something pretty (but sterile) to look at. Here is some leaf damage at Eklund that a person might be tempted to fight with pesticides. But look more closely... the insect eating the leaf is also something good...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxdwqED9z9IkXC_iT9j4Uq-fjgmk9bCRnQxocOWvD9XPDeIBqJsWmAGLQAMN_VVqOiQ7E5Hsii_Hm3e64kq-A715kswRkdzq35XTpU1snmegJys2kBDECkNzHXvvXk9Auq0nWP4dOBxyT/s1600/P1010869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxdwqED9z9IkXC_iT9j4Uq-fjgmk9bCRnQxocOWvD9XPDeIBqJsWmAGLQAMN_VVqOiQ7E5Hsii_Hm3e64kq-A715kswRkdzq35XTpU1snmegJys2kBDECkNzHXvvXk9Auq0nWP4dOBxyT/s400/P1010869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493480989295160738" border="0" /></a>...a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar, escaping the midday sun by eating from the bottom of the leaf (you have a better chance of seeing the caterpillars in the evening when it's cooled down). This caterpillar can ONLY eat one of the native milkweed species. It cannot eat any of the foreign plants from Europe or Asia or Africa that are used for landscaping, or which have invaded vacant lots and the sides of roads. There are many other native insects like the Monarch that rely on native plant species.<br /><br />Common Milkweed is a rather coarse plant for a flower garden or along the house, so it's a good one in a special patch out back. If you have a sunny spot, mix it with Butterfly Weed and Bee Balm for a butterfly patch that is beautiful, deer resistant, native, and very hardy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX76CFyuhJQXMDc_CHAIaXg0H0pd8HQeWoToLMlGjDtW6IrkPY2_C6IRX_lprsBBuE4eDAZLnWHeeZC0NsE-9VWq7AQ5rWiuwbr9IywYQsKMLfANhfCrf5iQtE5yNraRi7hkHOcRHy9OrO/s1600/P1010888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX76CFyuhJQXMDc_CHAIaXg0H0pd8HQeWoToLMlGjDtW6IrkPY2_C6IRX_lprsBBuE4eDAZLnWHeeZC0NsE-9VWq7AQ5rWiuwbr9IywYQsKMLfANhfCrf5iQtE5yNraRi7hkHOcRHy9OrO/s400/P1010888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493480999030041954" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a Tiger Swallowtail on the Bee Balm. This flower patch was full of bees, and we get visits from hummingbirds as well. A great addition to the yard. It's native status is unclear - some sources say the midwest, while the USDA says it is native to CT. It's also called Oswego Tea because the Oswego Indians made a drink from it.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-29084389510232027312010-06-26T12:43:00.000-07:002010-06-26T13:25:43.757-07:00What are Weeds Part II have trouble finding help to weed this garden because what are weeds in normal gardens might be plants here, and what are plants in normal gardens might be weeds here. So I think it might be easier just to show people some of the "weeds" and hope that some volunteers out there would be willing to learn these and help remove them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xHKNBbT0nJX5QrPczKYheaULWlRJoGszIDOZ2xLiQ5STsBAb-4Zcw964TZaYZuEe6-SPJtDdtASOn9yXReBTKRO0lDWSvc3wVDQbKAqhL1RFozXJRLWIeMP_lmSjzmJEv-_HKQlGPDXg/s1600/P1010136.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xHKNBbT0nJX5QrPczKYheaULWlRJoGszIDOZ2xLiQ5STsBAb-4Zcw964TZaYZuEe6-SPJtDdtASOn9yXReBTKRO0lDWSvc3wVDQbKAqhL1RFozXJRLWIeMP_lmSjzmJEv-_HKQlGPDXg/s400/P1010136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487170969220505058" border="0" /></a>Here's a type of sedum that the Eklunds undoubtedly planted. Not native, so it's got to go. It comes back really quick.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJN_LQFCVb-B48NFAQXTKqx6_43ZPLpfbJMTZ0HwjoSyQWonP-Pguvfu6z5v2pTWwg249LCAqv1opbJIzYmHxKFkZS9nOCFuRhw875tOG_JJXdpxKiqAAM2wb4cLWPa271Bs5MDPOUvMQ/s1600/P1010133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJN_LQFCVb-B48NFAQXTKqx6_43ZPLpfbJMTZ0HwjoSyQWonP-Pguvfu6z5v2pTWwg249LCAqv1opbJIzYmHxKFkZS9nOCFuRhw875tOG_JJXdpxKiqAAM2wb4cLWPa271Bs5MDPOUvMQ/s400/P1010133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487170962101049874" border="0" /></a>This is Canadian Clearweed and even though it looks like nettles and is in the nettle family, it doesn't sting (thank you thank you thank you). It grows like crazy in the shady terraces off to the right. Hmm. Maybe we should find a place for it to grow and make it part of the garden. It's native after all. Although here's a funny like from Wikipedia: "It is sometimes grown as a ground cover or for attracting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer" title="Deer">deer</a>." Oh, I just found this interesting <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en0SqPyO0BY">video</a> on the weed. The more I think of it, the more I think we should incorporate this one into the garden.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZfLebXyBQ2gq9DhutmFCNhucWt9ptgrvuBvwOu7kJIjN_kJ6uGG6JJ87Gi1BoIY4OkeBD-g7KDJXsbMkIBv4hMRL7OZYAMg4x_KUmIqERw6GWouqvxj0j4xZOfPNiFSHZHuqS1qYiWIb/s1600/P1010128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZfLebXyBQ2gq9DhutmFCNhucWt9ptgrvuBvwOu7kJIjN_kJ6uGG6JJ87Gi1BoIY4OkeBD-g7KDJXsbMkIBv4hMRL7OZYAMg4x_KUmIqERw6GWouqvxj0j4xZOfPNiFSHZHuqS1qYiWIb/s400/P1010128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487170953321534098" border="0" /></a>Red Clover, found along the walk near the Brown Eyed Susans.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhT-qgAubLamCUnIliz0dqU2bML07Utbee2qjuOyEbbkF8oVzMC3dcLA1uWYS7FBRuIzPXFdN2SeM6Kya_dgJnxeNkcqcJd4g92yEGG5O4VjHvtoT6wbi6xVEvD-Y_2f-wwnLWz2qtTIU/s1600/P1010127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhT-qgAubLamCUnIliz0dqU2bML07Utbee2qjuOyEbbkF8oVzMC3dcLA1uWYS7FBRuIzPXFdN2SeM6Kya_dgJnxeNkcqcJd4g92yEGG5O4VjHvtoT6wbi6xVEvD-Y_2f-wwnLWz2qtTIU/s400/P1010127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487170943897254418" border="0" /></a>A dense cluster of young Black Swallowwort. This is a vine with leaves that are opposite, shiny, and pointy. Phlox also has opposite leaves, but not pointy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJmQNW09BGOTjFXkzysFIAj2nGrYnO0urTHqnusKYWkqNAKIL-sVaVoJAqviwHPwxH1TdviU_EeiUwVXSwLpWraZs8PWNihR5i0uaNn1wFUqprWkszQc2Fg5xdfR0voeRHQnIF_ioWjb3/s1600/P1010159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJmQNW09BGOTjFXkzysFIAj2nGrYnO0urTHqnusKYWkqNAKIL-sVaVoJAqviwHPwxH1TdviU_EeiUwVXSwLpWraZs8PWNihR5i0uaNn1wFUqprWkszQc2Fg5xdfR0voeRHQnIF_ioWjb3/s400/P1010159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487173914680723602" border="0" /></a>Here's the Black Swallowwort when it's more developed, including seed pods.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Lr6TYBwLJF4c0MWvJQMnLlE9Ho30ufLW3RpxAG8AoGhMXW1Bt4mT7EtOZH01lgQ8FrEupjf4Fm_0wD3KE8Virk7r1WvQ3d_Kr2-96M_MEbB6VF9pFC6OXHdtfUM6BLe1UrZ2n_PwDtY/s1600/P1010123.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Lr6TYBwLJF4c0MWvJQMnLlE9Ho30ufLW3RpxAG8AoGhMXW1Bt4mT7EtOZH01lgQ8FrEupjf4Fm_0wD3KE8Virk7r1WvQ3d_Kr2-96M_MEbB6VF9pFC6OXHdtfUM6BLe1UrZ2n_PwDtY/s400/P1010123.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Grass. It comes up all over the Butterfly Bed.<br /><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekOwVfC5F9jIURRv9uJjS9ELlITXfZJB0tLGeALOrDmWAalY6fi3bXGTo6lo4jHueW5r6MjZwTPJ_Sa2h6fJeGbwU_kntBaNTUs9LtMkzn8rtuDpEz1yrs02OINUT2_KrJJ9AILmGltVF/s1600/P1010124.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekOwVfC5F9jIURRv9uJjS9ELlITXfZJB0tLGeALOrDmWAalY6fi3bXGTo6lo4jHueW5r6MjZwTPJ_Sa2h6fJeGbwU_kntBaNTUs9LtMkzn8rtuDpEz1yrs02OINUT2_KrJJ9AILmGltVF/s400/P1010124.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Whatever this thing is called.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0tFYMr_er7mRBSgGwLQsJbiEDE3UZDOX0sqqdPJSF6tn-PPovz41X5A5Rm1B8UE3hkP9kOWmjjcb_w1pf57SAOD6kQtjODFg5mV7rSTn4QOud-rUh6d7KTGmpVsLL0aoVtH3k5dWv3Nj/s1600/P1010125.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0tFYMr_er7mRBSgGwLQsJbiEDE3UZDOX0sqqdPJSF6tn-PPovz41X5A5Rm1B8UE3hkP9kOWmjjcb_w1pf57SAOD6kQtjODFg5mV7rSTn4QOud-rUh6d7KTGmpVsLL0aoVtH3k5dWv3Nj/s400/P1010125.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This stuff gets everywhere. I tend to call it 'clover' but it's actually Wood Sorrel.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIlYJRaYcYLcXd-ahpwn74BXV7S5is17rIvFde6Xa4nJUO0LPfBCOYlv3yyhfKq3QMq4r99ChyphenhyphenLEWoepVk5MQdkqIdhczjD9BBKf6AjhlxMS-pv7Q8Dm7TRWVp2qNfvPuVr36MrYs7rg0/s1600/P1010121.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIlYJRaYcYLcXd-ahpwn74BXV7S5is17rIvFde6Xa4nJUO0LPfBCOYlv3yyhfKq3QMq4r99ChyphenhyphenLEWoepVk5MQdkqIdhczjD9BBKf6AjhlxMS-pv7Q8Dm7TRWVp2qNfvPuVr36MrYs7rg0/s400/P1010121.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">That's right, Forsythia. Not native. There was tons of it growing along the slope, especially up top. We cut it back but of course it keeps coming back.</div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-43949810631614068652010-06-26T12:01:00.001-07:002010-06-26T12:34:44.292-07:00Summer in the Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI7xPurdmNG4HpQNmPnfNdjcOisTQ7Yzqb0yKBRQaKAsVFqnhyphenhyphenToHmRPR0ULdfjaE4iSGdN-1F23l49Jfi15LxgpEUKgQkKh7WNro4gjbd3Vq8Z-TMPBwi8XEh6bE0tTkOPLcylhZ5L3F/s400/P1010200.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beautiful day in the garden! The Butterfly Weed is beautiful and getting lots of visits by bees. Coreopsis is in the background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgJhUWilQwBbKnC36EyWjY9unPslnQePzS_ghRkK8OQdoik3QeKjgoIZIpwx9I7-E1MNabVoBjb3a2PqdQlkcN87NT3mUqaIIuOYT1Ga7ypkugzJ3NxENLzYdNQbuUKR3gTNHs2jZhuGr/s1600/P1010140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgJhUWilQwBbKnC36EyWjY9unPslnQePzS_ghRkK8OQdoik3QeKjgoIZIpwx9I7-E1MNabVoBjb3a2PqdQlkcN87NT3mUqaIIuOYT1Ga7ypkugzJ3NxENLzYdNQbuUKR3gTNHs2jZhuGr/s400/P1010140.JPG" border="0" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Brown Eyed Susans are coming in all over. We did not plant these, just weeded around them.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJj9OswhstWuvHIJuD1fysozPeNE6DbTmOqJbfWTQ6RlSV0LM3O9kLuMAL1m9DC4uzM30hFSLWg-zrq3hAcXYZ1hsivkvyqJyOhVn0YBsrheht2qX89EQLhWLEAy19L-0EUvDY0pSS_EC/s1600/P1010167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJj9OswhstWuvHIJuD1fysozPeNE6DbTmOqJbfWTQ6RlSV0LM3O9kLuMAL1m9DC4uzM30hFSLWg-zrq3hAcXYZ1hsivkvyqJyOhVn0YBsrheht2qX89EQLhWLEAy19L-0EUvDY0pSS_EC/s400/P1010167.JPG" border="0" height="316" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a view from up above.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5GHakQdMsrgYKXav5v6kiZhKP0O6QCZOanNQptpVzE1AdVdvm2UAEJ3RRNQKv1tvFUFxnD6ld-M5FLDMio04Nbp7NSEFx9lxU4hipYv-4zebTzKXv9yjvQ8zEhyzVEzQZDqM5JqMgl3V/s1600/P1010159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5GHakQdMsrgYKXav5v6kiZhKP0O6QCZOanNQptpVzE1AdVdvm2UAEJ3RRNQKv1tvFUFxnD6ld-M5FLDMio04Nbp7NSEFx9lxU4hipYv-4zebTzKXv9yjvQ8zEhyzVEzQZDqM5JqMgl3V/s400/P1010159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487166526296724658" border="0" /></a>To our horror we found the invasive Black Swallowwort was going to seed. The seed pods are somewhat bean-like. So we stopped what we were doing, and filled two large plastic garbage bags with the stuff, mostly from a new patch discovered outside the deer fence up above the garden. These cannot go on the mulch pile!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd4rzXC9o3KVGPDZAPnXhQ3C_vJSHJti8Z5TABbbB6b2gw7vwd19vHq3H41FWHuQBdv4VVryyOpYfmG6gHqNzSooG3SVpsCVW-mhHAMVWBZACE1QslmyR55gT2cduLDfHlpMD_q2Q_33u/s1600/P1010149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd4rzXC9o3KVGPDZAPnXhQ3C_vJSHJti8Z5TABbbB6b2gw7vwd19vHq3H41FWHuQBdv4VVryyOpYfmG6gHqNzSooG3SVpsCVW-mhHAMVWBZACE1QslmyR55gT2cduLDfHlpMD_q2Q_33u/s320/P1010149.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's one of our native caterpillars enjoying the Sedum. This is a Yellow Bear caterpillar, aka Virginia Tiger Moth, a real generalist species and very widespread. It's important to recognize that our landscaping is not just ornamental, but part of the ecosystem. A certain amount of grazing on our plants should be welcomed. <br /></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-75375309754013224472010-06-19T18:02:00.000-07:002010-06-19T18:17:47.468-07:00In Bloom: Coreopsis, Ox Eye, Butterfly Weed, Lupine, Giallardia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCVAXedIXltWlf44eaaPpUefH6sfqobjr4cr9tD3l7fTaNrVl0-kHUcCnUvLy4VGd3Sis-AHNByqLSdBSRSlJZYMZY3kutGWQCBH4dhZZjeMAn82_PedwLvZm5NM1sAMLSwfI0dF4QS9J/s1600/P1010003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCVAXedIXltWlf44eaaPpUefH6sfqobjr4cr9tD3l7fTaNrVl0-kHUcCnUvLy4VGd3Sis-AHNByqLSdBSRSlJZYMZY3kutGWQCBH4dhZZjeMAn82_PedwLvZm5NM1sAMLSwfI0dF4QS9J/s400/P1010003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484655289378687554" border="0" /></a>Yup, our common Coreopsis can be considered "native." It's natural range is actually a bit to the south (Maryland) but with a warming climate, Connecticut is probably pretty close to its adjusted range.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQxGPvx6tMqDU9-Q_XTHhaq8zjh1gdsOHCv9qwtt0lz1ylcegDR-TOcR_dIZBT2NDKasF8kG9_9md4ewrX0xUEIfPGt0odiMi_uHdttuqTYH4l0HdqhsuLSksFp6anPyO1oaQKJpAK9mA/s1600/P1010004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQxGPvx6tMqDU9-Q_XTHhaq8zjh1gdsOHCv9qwtt0lz1ylcegDR-TOcR_dIZBT2NDKasF8kG9_9md4ewrX0xUEIfPGt0odiMi_uHdttuqTYH4l0HdqhsuLSksFp6anPyO1oaQKJpAK9mA/s400/P1010004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484655239965721954" border="0" /></a>The Ox Eye (Heliopsis) or False Sunflower is lush and just getting started.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWTEM6hI8ZOiHvKcDXggyipFyem4NvhDusdosVPZ2VXJmVxW4w_yUh-4FzXJ2Y-yAb6iNT0kiXpXLIsctyTSEsJXQ39eIwYLlkWe63o4Tyb5xBq8tJ1JSAJDEvrsFQKTj6lCkzHM4LLY5/s1600/P1010013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWTEM6hI8ZOiHvKcDXggyipFyem4NvhDusdosVPZ2VXJmVxW4w_yUh-4FzXJ2Y-yAb6iNT0kiXpXLIsctyTSEsJXQ39eIwYLlkWe63o4Tyb5xBq8tJ1JSAJDEvrsFQKTj6lCkzHM4LLY5/s400/P1010013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484655124260648082" border="0" /></a>Here's a real favorite: Butterfly Weed. Last year it was pretty spindly, but is looking good this year. This is one that pops up occasionally in hayfields.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jpt-SAqx-_qBXPOFPPY7bi2OBIq1F4oN__K3-j_TnC2yFypcFjL2ICCZ8IvJddn3X_yvcLw67CKhkEIHNDnkgV_jksz8p40U5-An-5ijEoYL73b-NPwy5bqKVu1-CIsUq4DXagJr8eFi/s1600/P1010014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jpt-SAqx-_qBXPOFPPY7bi2OBIq1F4oN__K3-j_TnC2yFypcFjL2ICCZ8IvJddn3X_yvcLw67CKhkEIHNDnkgV_jksz8p40U5-An-5ijEoYL73b-NPwy5bqKVu1-CIsUq4DXagJr8eFi/s400/P1010014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484655119834870658" border="0" /></a>The Wild Blue Lupine is at it's peak.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_vlxGDXTXGx3tngPzZXkUcKRsdHUyVeLiHMMggvHFVUnvjDsD5wDdyLN-u8iT8wN99GSrya-mJvv6AtJPgvf9nyDzp5mXYmy-oLrLi_CuimPshQRO1UmjqBl6Ur8BHi4EPt6VgX14HQx/s1600/P1010019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_vlxGDXTXGx3tngPzZXkUcKRsdHUyVeLiHMMggvHFVUnvjDsD5wDdyLN-u8iT8wN99GSrya-mJvv6AtJPgvf9nyDzp5mXYmy-oLrLi_CuimPshQRO1UmjqBl6Ur8BHi4EPt6VgX14HQx/s400/P1010019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484655105885447810" border="0" /></a>Giallardia (Blanket Flower) is more of a midwestern plant, but looks great. I think this one went to seed last year, as we have a few seedlings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJmvd6zgKZ6voFnKB3QETYK3suQyQlvuQLKO4FSF1x379uLVU6Fho-CL8N7KSMzc4dMq47i2x8EE9pMCSHUdopfb-Wba8wG6TGcjQvmyV4P0EQVY4aNKYxqgvyCdDdEV1zdw-5kAO62Jm/s1600/P1010011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJmvd6zgKZ6voFnKB3QETYK3suQyQlvuQLKO4FSF1x379uLVU6Fho-CL8N7KSMzc4dMq47i2x8EE9pMCSHUdopfb-Wba8wG6TGcjQvmyV4P0EQVY4aNKYxqgvyCdDdEV1zdw-5kAO62Jm/s400/P1010011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484658190393769954" border="0" /></a><br />The Milkweed is also doing better this year. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTQZSk5kHVXbQZ4v4ratSLtxkBvUnQWld5m-2z-5FmTMsv2FFDX8Z3JBuCuxkUmFPlJnOImjNg4gKPtOaln_r8vhLlJHQKvj7yU8zPWmKpkiCQMG3xyaAayEe0ghnb5YhfN7PnTQAnkOr/s1600/P1010007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTQZSk5kHVXbQZ4v4ratSLtxkBvUnQWld5m-2z-5FmTMsv2FFDX8Z3JBuCuxkUmFPlJnOImjNg4gKPtOaln_r8vhLlJHQKvj7yU8zPWmKpkiCQMG3xyaAayEe0ghnb5YhfN7PnTQAnkOr/s400/P1010007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484658181904890514" border="0" /></a>Weed me! Yes, there's lots to do at the garden. This Maidenhair Fern is competing with a nice crop of weeds.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-91196791548805401952010-06-10T17:25:00.000-07:002010-06-20T17:36:51.743-07:00American Lady Caterpillars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIgqNWCrRnvwEh6GLerrext2xOW0gcHBV8Yj0iDIp3LF3qCw1ME7LnV9DYYfoZWFhue3rFrclD6ON6qsZ7bRGJDo4EpvfedELVjn7hllht_VO9QwbKQ4lVtsP70_0kNv0ItLzOAe7pvQ_/s1600/P1000498.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIgqNWCrRnvwEh6GLerrext2xOW0gcHBV8Yj0iDIp3LF3qCw1ME7LnV9DYYfoZWFhue3rFrclD6ON6qsZ7bRGJDo4EpvfedELVjn7hllht_VO9QwbKQ4lVtsP70_0kNv0ItLzOAe7pvQ_/s400/P1000498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485018467805320738" border="0" /></a>These American Lady caterpillars were picked off the Pussytoes, which they completely defoliated. This native caterpillar feeds only on a few plants, including the Pussytoes, and one of our goals is to provide food for caterpillars. But this is too much of a good thing! <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c2QmKVmzO0uAw-cOgw203wacujqxG5qrhHQ2kDvl4PCH3e3OSB39LLNOfi9LRbWz5rHaDG5OcNKZUEzMD496p8gRFLmrwx826YPQXLEqIDxzpNbn1SeCJhlSPknMq6Amjx9o4Fj5je6K/s1600/Eklund-12.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c2QmKVmzO0uAw-cOgw203wacujqxG5qrhHQ2kDvl4PCH3e3OSB39LLNOfi9LRbWz5rHaDG5OcNKZUEzMD496p8gRFLmrwx826YPQXLEqIDxzpNbn1SeCJhlSPknMq6Amjx9o4Fj5je6K/s400/Eklund-12.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>This is what the Pussytoes looked like before the caterpillars...<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCYqwz47SvH6BgZ1sq47m1YO_rPy6nsfVeQ7NWFcBb6rgGUeyjdH9W6xdPoDhYtoB3PgXl5WowhSCZl8X2z9MadIf9QCoV1vAZU6ae_u8YjukmBVbNf-xGudalv5QGAhccpfHg7jW2sdQ/s1600/P1000489.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCYqwz47SvH6BgZ1sq47m1YO_rPy6nsfVeQ7NWFcBb6rgGUeyjdH9W6xdPoDhYtoB3PgXl5WowhSCZl8X2z9MadIf9QCoV1vAZU6ae_u8YjukmBVbNf-xGudalv5QGAhccpfHg7jW2sdQ/s400/P1000489.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>And this is what they look like now. If you look close you can see some of the caterpillars.<br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c2QmKVmzO0uAw-cOgw203wacujqxG5qrhHQ2kDvl4PCH3e3OSB39LLNOfi9LRbWz5rHaDG5OcNKZUEzMD496p8gRFLmrwx826YPQXLEqIDxzpNbn1SeCJhlSPknMq6Amjx9o4Fj5je6K/s1600/Eklund-12.JPG"><br /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br /></a></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-31968208692512135032010-06-08T14:10:00.001-07:002010-06-08T14:19:16.968-07:00Wild Blue Lupine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZWa76VsSUbDruZZcTtkTV8gD_foptxZ4XEGICJoHmc6sP2ZYsFPpbfcos5kEmrT4lVF-UuxgitW3-jwS7WFZAAGTYJTAnSlLjq5sUqyF_EmcQ0LgtOQnhiB34ckAbk7tnhM6tlUt1pAX/s1600/P1000410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZWa76VsSUbDruZZcTtkTV8gD_foptxZ4XEGICJoHmc6sP2ZYsFPpbfcos5kEmrT4lVF-UuxgitW3-jwS7WFZAAGTYJTAnSlLjq5sUqyF_EmcQ0LgtOQnhiB34ckAbk7tnhM6tlUt1pAX/s400/P1000410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480513303380563906" border="0" /></a>Our <a href="http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/lupinuspere.html">Wild Blue Lupine</a> is just starting to bloom. This plant is native to Connecticut and is not to be mistaken with the non-native Lupines that Maine is famous for. It's natural habitat is pine barrens, oak savannas, and areas that have been burned over.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/kbb/lupine.html">Karner Blue Butterfly is dependent on Wild Blue Lupine</a> for survival. According to the US Fish & Wildlife, the population of Karners has dropped 99 percent, mostly in the last 15 years.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-83617599850593407692010-06-06T17:26:00.000-07:002010-06-06T17:43:39.090-07:00In Bloom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdPuJ4iI-u0w130N_Vy2S9XhcvtRP1FFxsVCEVxcjqUbpQE1HaLEB1FJr0IQ5bLnhvwrzpPb9lyA9g08BHi4mVb5bhq9oIFu8MOxRk8jyHF8NlCsMu0dNZXtfh7CU8pWJSysuOq5CQJlJ/s1600/P1000241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdPuJ4iI-u0w130N_Vy2S9XhcvtRP1FFxsVCEVxcjqUbpQE1HaLEB1FJr0IQ5bLnhvwrzpPb9lyA9g08BHi4mVb5bhq9oIFu8MOxRk8jyHF8NlCsMu0dNZXtfh7CU8pWJSysuOq5CQJlJ/s400/P1000241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821775213608514" border="0" /></a><br />The summer flowers are just starting to bloom at Eklund, and they are much fuller this year than last year. This is Gallardia, or Blanket Flower, a popular native perennial for the garden or pots.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSJyyqMu_26M8-4jhkR0IAdEhjcFnpwy53SpCylcUa95svQ7OMqb6UyeVHgrtM5wz_bzchq5RDaAEHHmseoM4SyL1NWwo1duUdztHf6UTu2IXKTBKJxLNIXXB6Sq22Dpp18xG1XWDUrzY/s1600/P1000205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSJyyqMu_26M8-4jhkR0IAdEhjcFnpwy53SpCylcUa95svQ7OMqb6UyeVHgrtM5wz_bzchq5RDaAEHHmseoM4SyL1NWwo1duUdztHf6UTu2IXKTBKJxLNIXXB6Sq22Dpp18xG1XWDUrzY/s400/P1000205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479822490128905346" border="0" /></a> A real favorite has been the Sundrops, a type of evening primrose that doesn't take over (and the deer don't prefer). That's the one in yellow in the photo above. You can also see the Penstemmon blooming in the back, behind the Wild Blue Lupine, which is just starting to bloom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKwh6uPxEILNw0pDFhK7OhW4JGJxBj3Lqgx615RO7omO1BaVUnJWkKQPptBLIKnIgIZOkFWVKw2O5Y3Ryoh15YbgZBADhvCUIgNlWjYX6nuDhEgHb125MmvcaptpzuR_tT14F3_GkoE2O/s1600/P1000209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKwh6uPxEILNw0pDFhK7OhW4JGJxBj3Lqgx615RO7omO1BaVUnJWkKQPptBLIKnIgIZOkFWVKw2O5Y3Ryoh15YbgZBADhvCUIgNlWjYX6nuDhEgHb125MmvcaptpzuR_tT14F3_GkoE2O/s400/P1000209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821791045222482" border="0" /></a>Here's a surviving Harebell. We lost most of our Harebell, and this one was nearly unearthed by a chipmunk who decided he needed a new tunnel entrance and nearly buried the poor thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm54FlSvptjBMwLn_5lJlhImKyd4sgS9LUIV6pAnsCJGR8FO9E4PXlgM_L7jiWFI3DuuLaqVG-O2wEvzsLQ6utmXipnIWyoEZIduFnYEmtJU-wS9BzzlYqg6bhgCt14yDtneCKXHGDGRz2/s1600/P1000230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm54FlSvptjBMwLn_5lJlhImKyd4sgS9LUIV6pAnsCJGR8FO9E4PXlgM_L7jiWFI3DuuLaqVG-O2wEvzsLQ6utmXipnIWyoEZIduFnYEmtJU-wS9BzzlYqg6bhgCt14yDtneCKXHGDGRz2/s400/P1000230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821787284065634" border="0" /></a>These Penstemmon blooms are shaped just perfect for this bee to enter into the tube. One reason we like to avoid cultivars is that the man-made version of the plant might no longer be the perfect fit for whatever insect is relying on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZK7XF-WWVpreExaPbhM8mDB6yF-qy6qWQ63xamZdaApmbyNIY0nffIOMhYSvcZSHIqUK5RSCxZ1SkyfvffmbTyix9dyRjA2HwOvxaO-C876BO67NwAS0G-PCmZkehfzPC80lMeGn_lZD/s1600/P1000240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZK7XF-WWVpreExaPbhM8mDB6yF-qy6qWQ63xamZdaApmbyNIY0nffIOMhYSvcZSHIqUK5RSCxZ1SkyfvffmbTyix9dyRjA2HwOvxaO-C876BO67NwAS0G-PCmZkehfzPC80lMeGn_lZD/s400/P1000240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821782008478386" border="0" /></a>Here's a close-up of our Sundrops Oenothera 'Cold Crik', a natural evening primrose hybrid that does not set seed or take over the garden.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-11540678590675541492010-05-21T15:34:00.000-07:002010-06-06T17:55:58.820-07:00New Plants from Earth Tones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ81dlkncSXC15jr9vBsx9pdpKQgGDANBz8nekO2sLqdx7cvTf1ncwXJWg4Q17d5yr3t9pyiO4T-_UiYnT-bcUXvUDgqzBiTieZH7yfcDunKhBIUD8Cg_c410sTSrCvxHlPUvfF4j2Yc1/s1600/Eklund.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ81dlkncSXC15jr9vBsx9pdpKQgGDANBz8nekO2sLqdx7cvTf1ncwXJWg4Q17d5yr3t9pyiO4T-_UiYnT-bcUXvUDgqzBiTieZH7yfcDunKhBIUD8Cg_c410sTSrCvxHlPUvfF4j2Yc1/s400/Eklund.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479827687933568178" border="0" /></a>Planted some new plants from Earth Tones nursery today, thanks to a gift certificate from <a href="http://www.jonesfamilyfarm.com">Jones Family Farm</a> & the Olde Ripton Garden Club, as well as a balance carried over from last year.<br /><br />New Species:<br />3 <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=phco2">Blue Curls</a><br />3 <a href="http://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/eupatorium/eupatorium_0406.php">Hardy Ageratum</a><br />5 <a href="http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/anemonecana.html">Canada Anemone</a><br />5 <a href="http://ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/monardafist.html">Wild Bergamot</a><br />5 <a href="http://ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/symphyotrichumnovi.html">New York Aster</a><br />2 <a href="http://ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/aquilegiacana.html">Wild Red Columbine</a><br /><br />Adding to existing collection:<br />1 <a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=IRCR">Dwarf Crested Iris</a><br />2 <a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FRVI">Virginia Strawberry</a><br />1 <a href="http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/wild_stonecrop.htm">Wild Stonecrop</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJZIFKhof5RtCZLvbvj0XxA5EGzOTfr4oUhUYrT64nZCraQegq5r17Lc4wRqH53IO8gCas0RGG_QNIuAhGYoD0M7dEvcUlqEJSp5maNIgm7kTBUuJZhrPjmhwSYXZ0gvlROVivzsXw0bN/s1600/Eklund-3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJZIFKhof5RtCZLvbvj0XxA5EGzOTfr4oUhUYrT64nZCraQegq5r17Lc4wRqH53IO8gCas0RGG_QNIuAhGYoD0M7dEvcUlqEJSp5maNIgm7kTBUuJZhrPjmhwSYXZ0gvlROVivzsXw0bN/s400/Eklund-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479827684027354002" border="0" /></a>I couldn't resist tasting one of the Virginia Strawberries. The flavor was amazing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZsGHPhR87Tnmw2LZH8Gj0C6sBtnYIK9dLvGe7xja0yuG69i30unBH_hdSXjGcdKgpVnxI5M_LxlmlHIAOgTrFan8LswpH_rbLbtBmwxKNqVGh5gIxpJ4ghP34-X2iR25_3oZ_veRQJk4/s1600/Eklund-5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZsGHPhR87Tnmw2LZH8Gj0C6sBtnYIK9dLvGe7xja0yuG69i30unBH_hdSXjGcdKgpVnxI5M_LxlmlHIAOgTrFan8LswpH_rbLbtBmwxKNqVGh5gIxpJ4ghP34-X2iR25_3oZ_veRQJk4/s400/Eklund-5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479827674668139522" border="0" /></a>Here's one of the new Columbine. This is the color scheme that is found in nature. They were blooming earlier this year at the very top of Sleeping Giant, right out of a rock.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM7nrAryvJSiPPzwADjZgPAMDl8OoCLedaWs-5tsm1QWgMQ_SU_mXq4QZQg_S3Np_HJdGHl9K7IDzhC_BXtSfBes_VJHQL8jjiIJOzSONiPs1e_NGa352n8osHxyC49MLny47mz2Y_EvV/s1600/Eklund+Barred+Owl-2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM7nrAryvJSiPPzwADjZgPAMDl8OoCLedaWs-5tsm1QWgMQ_SU_mXq4QZQg_S3Np_HJdGHl9K7IDzhC_BXtSfBes_VJHQL8jjiIJOzSONiPs1e_NGa352n8osHxyC49MLny47mz2Y_EvV/s400/Eklund+Barred+Owl-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479827668400750194" border="0" /></a>A pair of Barred Owls is nest just outside the gate and they are heard frequently. Last year we had the Ravens nearby, but they are gone this year.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983427039522551683.post-84442575018891537122010-05-02T14:20:00.000-07:002010-05-02T14:36:28.530-07:00In Bloom; Mulch Pile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uVTiFmi4hamTrsi1-h16Ym0qyP2-rG2lsKB5kFtVskcsHMEdFamkonb1ndWctnlvkcRtNmoCBPUVgaTlURPUkqG8Y7cUM-pIX3-gjIDJO41aGxEYe34jA4yOgqBAQ-pDcEx5nmA62oEk/s1600/IMG_8113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uVTiFmi4hamTrsi1-h16Ym0qyP2-rG2lsKB5kFtVskcsHMEdFamkonb1ndWctnlvkcRtNmoCBPUVgaTlURPUkqG8Y7cUM-pIX3-gjIDJO41aGxEYe34jA4yOgqBAQ-pDcEx5nmA62oEk/s400/IMG_8113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786139090610178" border="0" /></a>This is a Pinxter Flower, a native azalea that is often seen blooming in the middle of the woods, even right here at Shelton Lakes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIaE5KIMP3VasjXGnmPBUXDvsHH7cr5S27mtn3X6lbuNnI9ZKlMrO6d4w6P6fdkjwrfkOXDgeiIdshMXQHuEU_aQHwzuJIZc75kSBv9HxOzkkihNMFdhH75wulGOwb34qc-PbWR7m_oqR/s1600/IMG_8118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIaE5KIMP3VasjXGnmPBUXDvsHH7cr5S27mtn3X6lbuNnI9ZKlMrO6d4w6P6fdkjwrfkOXDgeiIdshMXQHuEU_aQHwzuJIZc75kSBv9HxOzkkihNMFdhH75wulGOwb34qc-PbWR7m_oqR/s400/IMG_8118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786128833883826" border="0" /></a>Wild Geraniums are also a common wildflower in Shelton. Widespread, possibly at the edge of your lawn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Yh4ei06FmzEViiGCeQrynevCPnE9ZOiHB1iaXFnQUqo2fCZgXn-ue2ySAUVBX3wRYWdiAIJtQLV8Iu5FSCBnmoeDLqgsP5tsUKcml4GGSgB21fuviDLeH6C5Q-31IOF-OhLD1GqWBt1l/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Yh4ei06FmzEViiGCeQrynevCPnE9ZOiHB1iaXFnQUqo2fCZgXn-ue2ySAUVBX3wRYWdiAIJtQLV8Iu5FSCBnmoeDLqgsP5tsUKcml4GGSgB21fuviDLeH6C5Q-31IOF-OhLD1GqWBt1l/s400/IMG_8123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786127970348674" border="0" /></a>This is the unexpected flower of Wild Ginger, a plant that I have never seen growing in the wild, possibly due to over harvesting (it does smell exactly like the ginger you buy at the store). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj6IWnbp7rbsvzwGH2ZFFWbxxcX9cppZ4WFYglh7BwljyTpIpMyQBfbZeUKPg3abaVwumCakugjZPDUOJuBwR6_2Nm8R4ua2bhqzV8jmlZGw6CFCyMeQaNsaTi8xtttxnvMOV1Q0-YRjI/s1600/IMG_8126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj6IWnbp7rbsvzwGH2ZFFWbxxcX9cppZ4WFYglh7BwljyTpIpMyQBfbZeUKPg3abaVwumCakugjZPDUOJuBwR6_2Nm8R4ua2bhqzV8jmlZGw6CFCyMeQaNsaTi8xtttxnvMOV1Q0-YRjI/s400/IMG_8126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786119164031618" border="0" /></a>This solitary Pink Lady Slipper looks like it's going to bloom again this year. This flower just coincidentally happened to be growing on our garden site. We did not plant it (never, ever, ever, try to transplant a Pink Lady Slipper - they are guaranteed to die over the next few years rather than live for up to 50 years in the wild).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQWVfyjfokfdc6tsSUSZ12A33_jvUooKR-w1LzmvEFz4hYHSC3TMvvkhSZ8-1WWoruavp8nrXW5Krc09MNq_eI2lzHffq7sxf4rESTUx00gAVaJSbP7fTLU9NHeccU0mi2WhCw3DD7FgE/s1600/IMG_8129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQWVfyjfokfdc6tsSUSZ12A33_jvUooKR-w1LzmvEFz4hYHSC3TMvvkhSZ8-1WWoruavp8nrXW5Krc09MNq_eI2lzHffq7sxf4rESTUx00gAVaJSbP7fTLU9NHeccU0mi2WhCw3DD7FgE/s400/IMG_8129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786008724989218" border="0" /></a>Here are some Spring Beauties and Dwarf Ginseng. These grow along the Far Mill River and many other low, cool places.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYQ4ixFl0NQkVTdS5yevvNOrrsJWbnVp4rt_K4SLMugkG4m2oohRPVdompfzrS35Nq_UWm1hwUguQQpzmZ2ozV1FiWL3FrEzisIiAe_7yIGoOvbi_f3awKdz5PLg0UM35RjeJfp9dFO5m/s1600/IMG_8131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYQ4ixFl0NQkVTdS5yevvNOrrsJWbnVp4rt_K4SLMugkG4m2oohRPVdompfzrS35Nq_UWm1hwUguQQpzmZ2ozV1FiWL3FrEzisIiAe_7yIGoOvbi_f3awKdz5PLg0UM35RjeJfp9dFO5m/s400/IMG_8131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786004236167682" border="0" /></a>Merrybells. I don't remember seeing these in the wild.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUWbMAbjqgjowEy-F67OmnBDBjgtWXEX2SCfuis_dSt3sJt4SLUCtaMLawYUG_eTWVNSWthyphenhyphene_0GPDGOa_c28RtS8n5SMnWIXhBMGIdMntgyD-xaJiY6FYsdbTMSHF6AoPce3-R6HeN9C/s1600/IMG_8133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUWbMAbjqgjowEy-F67OmnBDBjgtWXEX2SCfuis_dSt3sJt4SLUCtaMLawYUG_eTWVNSWthyphenhyphene_0GPDGOa_c28RtS8n5SMnWIXhBMGIdMntgyD-xaJiY6FYsdbTMSHF6AoPce3-R6HeN9C/s400/IMG_8133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466785998147139378" border="0" /></a>Woodland or Wild Blue Phlox, another one I've never seen growing wild, probably because it is so very tasty. Some of our Phlox were chewed down this spring, possibly by chipmunks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oWBS54i8MyfBC80jJmBkL8RUD1-TN6jinHCAFkTJfaYIBSvI59Pjo4pu9isn7h7L6YMnPKmvptQNfLApPeK5F13x27Q2L83Hi14gMnULkXLO2YI6nzvy8_6N1W8cGmodv33zgVPxnsQF/s1600/IMG_8134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oWBS54i8MyfBC80jJmBkL8RUD1-TN6jinHCAFkTJfaYIBSvI59Pjo4pu9isn7h7L6YMnPKmvptQNfLApPeK5F13x27Q2L83Hi14gMnULkXLO2YI6nzvy8_6N1W8cGmodv33zgVPxnsQF/s400/IMG_8134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466785994321487778" border="0" /></a>Mayapple can form huge patches in the wild. I don't see it very often in the wild but it is said to grow at Sleeping Giant State Park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJhZF0vUJ3ARKIwYMyWR-pUqaLCCVPBLjJDH9SF7oLg-kk6dwrSCYcOZ-0VC3L-Sej_qsvF_Kpr1er5sOHzEGMys7UbqL_z9VNfIfp2txGO4oCZHt7mc47UtE1h15GHyY_ZY1FQNplJf7/s1600/IMG_8111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJhZF0vUJ3ARKIwYMyWR-pUqaLCCVPBLjJDH9SF7oLg-kk6dwrSCYcOZ-0VC3L-Sej_qsvF_Kpr1er5sOHzEGMys7UbqL_z9VNfIfp2txGO4oCZHt7mc47UtE1h15GHyY_ZY1FQNplJf7/s400/IMG_8111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466786145045696722" border="0" /></a>We built a mulch pile today, which was much more work than expected. The ground was full of rock and it was hot and muggy out. For the mulch pile walls, we used leftover deer netting, so it is nearly invisible, as you can see below. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AewiarBX5uL_irx8VYiTJ2GwnYj57RUAKsQF9F-NFDu6KVF51fJ2bILwHlao4RuvXI-ZPiQiAooYZsD_vfe2bS2u9KHChgVNn4iHp2RO1cdRbu4dF8EQNOwngJs_yUg9XTBodSHgGyWH/s1600/IMG_8142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AewiarBX5uL_irx8VYiTJ2GwnYj57RUAKsQF9F-NFDu6KVF51fJ2bILwHlao4RuvXI-ZPiQiAooYZsD_vfe2bS2u9KHChgVNn4iHp2RO1cdRbu4dF8EQNOwngJs_yUg9XTBodSHgGyWH/s400/IMG_8142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466785984788204978" border="0" /></a>Now we don't have to dump our leaves and garden waste over the bank, but can mulch it and reuse as compost.<br /><br />While working, we kept hearing the call of Gray Treefrogs. And the vernal pool down below was just seething with life.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628471774296555013noreply@blogger.com0