Greetings, Steemians! I originally planned on doing this post at the beginning of the week, but well, life happened. As it often does. Even the best laid plans often go awry.
I've actually had several rather interesting things going on in the garden this week that I wanted to share with you all.
First up, a bit of good news. I've had a batch of swallowtail butterfly caterpillars in my carrots. They're getting really close to being mature. I expect most of them will be gone by Monday. Off to find a place to build their chrysalis. I took this picture earlier today.
I love these little guys so I have tons of pics that I plan on using for a future post.
More good news, the bees have finally started finding the Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). They seem to really love the flowers on this plant, and visit them in droves, hopping from flower to flower. I keep trying to get pics of them, but still haven't managed to get any good ones. Honey bees seem to be the most numerous bee visitors, but there are a few larger species of bees that visit them as well.
Next up is a bit of bad news, I've had wasps trying to dig holes to nest in, in the "soil" around my plants in the garden, YIKES. I keep flooding the entrances until they fill in and then using a mulch fork to try to disrupt any tunnels. But new ones keep popping up in other beds. If you look closely at the base of the white sign in this pic you'll see one of the holes I'm talking about.
And I know that it's wasps because I keep seeing them emerging from the holes shaking dirt off their wings. Have I mentioned that I have a bit of a wasp phobia? Oh and that the owner is actually allergic to wasps?
Bright side, I've had a feathered friend nesting in the potting shed this year that appears to have served as a deterrent in regards to wasps building nests in there.
I've just left it alone after discovering the nest. I prefer the birds be in the area anyways since they help with pest control. If you're wondering what is in the bottle, it's a basic root stimulator. I'm not super happy with them nesting next to it, but I'm concerned that moving it may make them abandon the nest.
The rest of the pics are just stuff around the garden that is setting fruit or starting to produce.
Like the scarlet runner beans I experimented with this year. I've been really happy with the way they've turned out. And they're producing some really nice looking pods. I actually have a future post about the different bean varieties I've been growing this year planned and will be giving more info and pics on this particular variety there. (I have a purple podded variety I'm trying out this year as well)
Thanks for visiting my post. As always, if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. leave them below. If you liked this post please consider upvoting, following, and resteeming.
Until next time
