Category: General

An Unwelcome Visitor

While we were out there discussing the ideas for the new raised gardens yesterday, this is what we saw in the neighbor's backyard behind me...a very healthy coyote! And while I know coyotes can jump a fence, I hope it acts as a deterent to keep him from coming in my yard! The coyote population … Continue reading An Unwelcome Visitor

To Add More Gardens or Not???

I am really in need of a new area for vegetables. For years, I've struggled with too many plants in a too small of a place. But, I also don't have a good spot for adding more vegetable gardens, either due to too much shade or existing plants in the way. So I am contemplating … Continue reading To Add More Gardens or Not???

…and the Ugly, Not!

It was brought to my attention that following the good and the bad should be the ugly. But since I thought the bad was ugly enough, I thought I'd spare you the ugly! Instead, I thought I'd just continue to post some of the beautiful Michigan fall photos from Peggy.  Gray Dogwood Winterberry or Michigan … Continue reading …and the Ugly, Not!

The Garden in Fall: The Bad

It's the beginning of October and the days are getting shorter, the nights growing colder. While yesterday I posted about the good things in the fall garden, there are also a lot of plants and beds that are really past their prime.  Whether it's overgrown, or the plants need to be trimmed back, or just … Continue reading The Garden in Fall: The Bad

More Hawk Moths

After I saw the very cool White Lined Sphinx Moth last week in my backyard, I heard from my mom and other family members that they too were seeing similar Hummingbird Moths in Michigan.  My mom was able to get a picture of this Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) feeding in her backyard. I am … Continue reading More Hawk Moths

White Line Sphinx Moth

The other night I was outside helping grill around dusk. Right next to the grill, I have planters with geraniums, petunias and coleus. Flitting around the petunias that night was this hummingbird-dragonfly-bug-like thing. Its wings were beating so fast, I really couldn't get a handle on what it was. All I could really tell was … Continue reading White Line Sphinx Moth

Pelicans in Illinois?

We were down at Detweiller Park in Peoria, IL this weekend to watch a huge high school cross country meet.  As we were standing around after watching our team race, we noticed a huge flock of birds up in the clear blue sky. First thoughts that were tossed out by people were Sandhill Cranes, Canadian … Continue reading Pelicans in Illinois?

Plant Breeding In Progress

I was out riding my bike earlier this week at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, when I came across a few plants and trees with paper bags on them. Paperbark Hazelnut Corylus fargesii Shrubby St. Johnswort Hypernicum prolificum I assumed they were either doing pest control or trapping.   But, because the Arboretum is … Continue reading Plant Breeding In Progress