Caterpillars in the Garden

This is the milkweed plant called "Hairy Balls".

I'm pretty sure you can guess why.

And you'd be right to guess that I bought these for the Monarch Waystation

simply because they're called "Hairy Balls".

What can I say? 

I have the humor of a 12 year old boy.

The "balls" are the seed pods and form in late summer/early fall.

They're perennial only in Zone 8 and above, so just an annual here

but you can save the seeds for the following season.

Sadly, I haven't noticed any Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed, 

though I've seen some actual butterflies stopping for nectar.

I do have Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars.

I planted bronze fennel just for them (their favorite food).

While I've been mainly concerned with helping the Monarch population, 

I also want to help butterflies in general because really, 

the world can't have too many butterflies.

In other news, 

I've nearly finished weeding the jungle garden.

With all the hot weather and lack of rain, 

I let the garden go way longer than I should have.  

I'm 3/4 of the way finished cleaning it up.  

And Big E cut down the last of the shrubs we needed to remove.

We still have some stumps to dig out, 

and a large pile of brush to haul to the mulch plant

but it's all coming along.

And once I clean the kitchen, 

I'll share pictures of the new floor.

Garden for Wildlife

May happens to be "Garden for Wildlife" month.

And so, I share with you the beginnings of a wildlife garden. 

I've mentioned before my intent to make my gardens a certified Monarch Waystation

and a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

In between rain showers, 

I managed to get things started.

The back 3 plants are Swamp Milkweed, the 2 in the middle are Tropical Milkweed

and the one in front is sedum which serves as a nectar plant.

More importantly, the sedum was my grandmother's and 

I've managed to have it with me at every place I've lived.

Anyway, it doesn't look like much yet, but I'm almost there.

To be able to have a certified Monarch Waystation, there are some specific things you need to have.

1. Space:  There is no minimum space requirement, but having at least 100 square feet of habitat has been deemed the least amount you need to be effective. 
2. Sun: Your Monarch Waystation needs at least 6 hours of sun per day
3. Host Plants: Milkweed plants are the host plants of Monarchs.  You need to have at least 10 plants comprised of at least 2 types of milkweed or 10+ plants of one variety.
4. Nectar Plants: You need at least 4 annual, biennial or perennial nectar plants that the Monarchs can use as a food source.  You probably already have them in your existing garden.
5. Shelter: Milkweed plants should be planted close together to offer some cover for the Monarchs, their eggs and caterpillars.  
6. Management Plan: This means you have plans to thin out your plants to prevent overcrowding, mulching to conserve water, etc.  Basically the things needed to keep the Waystation in good shape year after year.

I technically have the nectar plants I need, so I'm just 5 milkweed plants short of the 10 required.  

But, I did plant some seed in a planter, 

and I'm awaiting the local nursery's plant shipment this week to get some more Swamp Milkweed. 

 I am also considering ordering either seed or plants of another milkweed variety off the internet. 

To certify your garden as a Wildlife Habitat, there are also a list of requirements

1. Food: You need 3 from their list of Pollen/nectar plants, berries, birdfeeder, squirrel feeder, hummingbird feeder, butterfly feeder, nuts, etc. (I have 2 out of 3)
2. Water: You need 1 from the list of bird bath, water garden/pond, stream or butterfly puddling area. (I have this category covered)
3. Cover: You need 2 from the list of wooded area, ground cover, rock wall or pile, dense shrubs or thicket, evergreens or water garden/pond. (I have 1 out of 2 so far)
4. Places to Raise Young: You need 2 from the list of mature trees, nesting box, host plants for caterpillars, dense shrubs or water garden/pond. (I have 2 out of 2)
5. Sustainability: You need 2 from the list of soil/water conservation, controlling exotic/invasive species or organic practices. (I have 2 out of 2).

While I will be able to get my Monarch Waystation certification this year, 

the Certified Wildlife Habitat might have to wait until next year.

One of the items listed for 3 of the requirements is a water garden/pond.

I plan to install one, but it won't be until next year.

Of course it's possible I fulfill the rest of the requirements without it,

and then I'd probably go ahead and get it certified.

So, if you have some space, 

consider gardening for wildlife.

A Monarch Waystation is simple to do-

if you already have a garden, all you need are the milkweed plants

and they are easily found online or even at your local nursery.

Happy Gardening!

 

Diggin' It

Now that Spring has Sprung,
or at least since it's shown up once or twice in between freezing temps,
snow showers and 60 MPH winds,
Big E and I have been working on the outside of the house.
I was anxious to tackle the areas in front of the garage
where two large piles of bricks had been sitting for who knows how long.
Bermuda grass had grown up through the bricks
and snaked its way into the garage.

 I plan to make the area part of my Monarch Waystation,
which will host Common Milkweed and various plants
popular with pollinators.

 Both sides of the garage housed the brick piles. 
Thankfully they're all gone now.

 This side will also be a part of the butterfly garden.
Not that the butterflys, bees and humingbirds won't have other areas of the garden
to enjoy as I'll be planting things all pollinators love,
 I just wanted to provide a quiet corner without a lot of activity from the family.

 The digging up of the new garden beds is going to be pretty labor intensive.
The area we've outlined so far runs the length of the yard which is about 110 ft.

 We also managed to get all the grass dug out from around the tree.
I have already planted some lilly of the valley and transplanted some of the hostas
Miss Bertha had in one of her gardens.
I'll need to put down some landscape fabric in area
and then it will be time to mulch.

Hoping the weather improves so I can keep getting my hands dirty!