Bee Sleepy (but not on SAGBUTT Saturday)

When the cat sleeps like this, we call it hanging 10 (or 20 if she found a really good spot). You can bet this photo will be showing up whenever I'm feeling tuckered!

I have very odd bee behavior in my garden this year, but no leads on interesting tomatoes for the SAGBUTT Tomato Show going on Saturday at Molly's. My tiny almost ripe tomato split in the rain this week. Tomatoes or not, I'll be there!

What's this?

Rain! Yes, I went out and made sure it was raining in every part of the garden. No pictures. The outside seems to be holding its breath so as to not scare away the rain. Enjoy!

Warning! Petunia at Work

Really... you've been warned! These photos are really bad quality and they might even be a little scary. But if you make it through the first two, the third will leave you with a more pleasant sight.

DH called me out to the garden (I was in the barn hanging a curtain, but more about that later). We saw a sight we've never seen before. Petunia (the snake) at work! She had captured a large slug and was pulling it through the herb bed. Well, I did always assume they were eating slugs.

I didn't want to scare her from her task, so I tried to zoom in without getting too close or taking time to see if it was focused.

In the middle of the photo you will see the spotted slug and the striped Petunia. The slug is bigger around than Petunia. She has it in her mouth about in the middle of the slug.


Below, even a worse photo, but looks for the spotted slug and the striped Petunia.

Later, I checked this bed again and heard dry leaves rustling. Two smaller Petunias where scouting around. I take it that the big slug hunter wouldn't share and sent them off to find their own slugs. Who am I to complain.

Ahhh.... I just cannot get enough of the echinacea color this year (& the drunk bees).

August Garden Photos

A nice cool, gray day for a little garden clean up. I actually hoped these plans would bring on the rain, but no luck. I removed the peas after last week's heat ended any remaining harvest. Also removed many huge borage plants that were just too darn big &/or finished blooming. The other side of the blue trellis (photo left) has a cucumber plant that reached the top. The one on this side isn't there yet. Click on this link: Garden-Monthly Photos , to see other months.

Above, the pumpkin patch. A young visitor made this sign for me 4 years ago. I've hung it up by the entry to the pumpkin patch to keep the pumpkins inspired. There are some large pumpkins underway, but only one or two on each plant so far.

The greenhouse has only had basil, peppers and a tomato during the summer. The heat last week about did in the tomato and sent the basil into flowers. I don't know if it is this warm summer or the extra heat in the greenhouse, but the basil has been going strong all summer.

And I just discovered this lilac sweet pepper in the greenhouse! I had seen some small green peppers already, but hadn't seen this one yet.

Garden Dish

A few years ago I found this plate at my favorite charity shop. I put it in the garden to water birds or critters who happened to find it (maybe even Petunia). I could tell how much rain was still in the garden by the water in the plate.

In the heat of this summer, though, it frequently dried out. Now I've scooted it under one of the soaker hoses. Based on how it fills up and dries out, it give me perspective on the water situation. I don't know if birds find it, but assorted insects think it is just right.

Pretty Patty

Pattypan squash are the perfect size for dinner... and so darn cute!

There are lots of blossoms, so hopefully more patties are not far behind.

Bee Careful!

The bees were in a frenzy yesterday, especially around the echinacea. There were often 2, 3 or even 4 bees on a flower at a time.

You might not be able to tell, but there are two bumble bees and a honeybee (I think) in that squash blossom.

Later in the evening, I noticed many bees crashing out for the night on the flowers. Maybe the hot weather has made the echinacea especially intoxicating to them.

Notice the poor little guy with his feet up in the air! He was still moving an antenna, so I turned him over. Still, it may have been his last night. He looked like he'd had many a trip through the garden, so maybe this going out in high bee style.

I did look to see if the spider in this link might have been the cause. Unless the spider was off stalking others while this guy faded, I didn't find evidence of the spider at work.

Think Snowmen

"We are blessed with memories so we may have jolly snowmen dancing in August and sweet roses with winter snow."

And when it is really hot, revisit those December (18 degrees) & January & March snow photos!

Surely, these hot temps will put an end to some of the slugs.

Be safe!

Cascara Berry Season

The Cascara tree berries are ripening and no sight or sound of the Cedar Waxwings yet. I watched another bird family educating the youngsters on these berries. They were very small birds, but not chickadees. I'll try to identify them when I see them again. Once the Waxwings arrive, the berries will disappear quickly.

Above, more to ripen. Looking back at prior year posts, they may be ripening a little early this year. It has been warm and dry.

Back around May 25th a flock of cedar waxwings showed up to check on the status of the annual Cascara berry crop. At that point, they were only tiny blossoms, below. The birds like to sit way up high in this nearby tree absorbing the evening sun. The bees and hummingbirds love these blossoms but it isn't want the waxwings are looking for. I hope they'll be back soon! They are beautiful and cheery birds. I love being in the garden when they are around. Here is a link with a better photo.

Leading Beans

Some of the beans have climbed to the top of the bean structure (aka 10 feet tall). They still have some filling out to do. Lower on the structure, every vertical wire has 1 or more vines so many are still working their way up.

I like to check on them each day when they are growing so much. Some catch on quickly to the whole climbing thing. Others need a little guidance.

These are the first beans I've noticed on the climbers. The bush beans start a little sooner and we may be picking the first of them tomorrow. I planted all of the left over pole bean seeds I had. I can't really tell which is which until they grow a little more (other than the red flowering runner beans... and maybe the purple beans - this one is neither of those!).

Above, the structure is made from two movable fence sections left by prior owners - one is 7 feet x 4 feet wide and the other is 10 feet x 4 feet. We attached them together with hinges at the top of the 7 footer.

See this August 2006 photo to see a side view of structure.