Frond:
The branch and leaf structure of a fern or members of the palm family
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Archive for September, 2011
2011 October Events
September 28, 2011
This old straw hat blends in with the dry weeds so well it’s easy to miss while driving by, unless you’re a gardener. What do you think; did the wind sweep the hat away when the owner tilted his or her head out an open car window? Did somebody toss the hat out the car window on purpose? Did the hat just happen to land on this makeshift roadside hat rack? Was it placed there—then forgotten—by one of the road crewmen while weed eating the dry fire hazard?
Whatever the story is of this old straw hat, there are other ‘gardening’ things to think about–fun, educational, family activities and much more–listed on the October Calendar of Events. Click on the sidebar on ‘today’s date’ on the little calendar or on ‘Events’ under Page.
If you decide to attend a bright, sun-lite, outdoor activity, I know where you can get a free hat!
Why You Shouldn’t Kill a Mantis
September 26, 2011
I’ve heard it said that praying mantids (plural/refers to entire group) are a sign of good fortune. Since I’ve spotted four or five the past couple of months, I expect an incredible future in and around my garden, and in my life. How about you? Have you spotted a mantis (singular) lately?
This California mantis clung to my screen door for three weeks. Its milky-white color indicates that it just completed one of the ten molting stages mantids undergo before achieving adult size.
Here is a California mantis creeping along the garage floor. I left the mantis to find the nearby plants where it will prey on bad and good bugs: grasshoppers, ants, moths, crickets, gnats, mealworms, grubs, termites, maggots, katydids, aphids, most flies, mosquitos, butterflies, ladybugs, spiders, worms.
Mantids Facts:
- Type: Bug
- Diet: Carnivore. Mantids sometimes eat the male while matting or immediately after.
- Average life span: In the wild, 12 months. In captivity, up to 14 months.
- Size: ½ – 6 inches (1.2 to 15 cm) long. In 1929 in Southern China, the world’s largest mantis measured at about 18 inches long.
- Color: Green or brown for camouflaging as they wait to ambush prey.
Other Interesting Facts:
- More than 2,000 different species exist worldwide.
- There are no ‘praying’ mantids in California.
- Mantids were named for their “prayer-like” stance.
- Mantids do not have a larval phase. They are born fully formed as nymphs.
- Mantids can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes with three simple eyes between.
- They use their front legs to snare prey and can crush their prey in half.
- Their legs have spikes to help snare and pin their prey.
- Female praying mantids mate in late summer and lay hundreds of eggs in a small case in autumn.
- Mantids live in all parts of the world where there’s mild winters and sufficient vegetation.
- Male mantids are attracted to artificial lights and often fly at night making them a good meal for bats.
- If threatened, mantids will make themselves appear larger by standing upright with their forelegs spread, wings fanned wide, and mouths open.
- In some states, killing a mantis is against the law because they are a natural mosquito control.
Tip: When doing your fall pruning, look for mantids eggs on branches, twigs, walls, fences or eaves. If possible, don’t prune the branch or place it in a protective area of the garden, off the ground where ants quickly consume them. Follow the same procedure if you remove mantids eggs from a wall. The nymphs will survive.
Seeds of Hope
September 21, 2011
If you’ve been following my blog, you know of the recent computer failure, the immediate need to raise funds for a new PC (the one I’m using is seven years old, slow, and tired), and the special friend who donated a carload of goods for last weekend’s garage sale.
Saturday’s sales were slow. Ninety-five percent of the people were men. Of course, I didn’t have ‘guy’ merchandize so the sale was a bust.
Sunday morning, another special friend—who loves garage sales—showed up early, filled several bags, then gave me a sizable donation that nearly started a brawl. We argued for some time. In the end, she won. Then she offered to look at my printer and external backup drive that also went on the blink. Within twenty minutes, both were working! No brawl, just hugs. Lots of hugs!
Although sales were low both days, I met the most interesting people. One couple talked about the old town buildings in their backyard and the fun they have hunting for more structures.
A big guy tossed a lace tablecloth over his shoulder, gave me fifty cents, and said with a flushed face, “It’s for my mother, honest. She loves these things.” Another man, after seeing the computer speakers for sale talked for thirty minutes about his internet woos and being a tech dummy. I knew how he felt and wished I could help.
A true country dweller walked into the garage asking if I had a sickle bar mower. “I plow my fields with a team of horses, he said proudly. “There’s not one tractor on my place.” Amazing! Somebody actually lives on manual mode. Love it!
Then I met a genuine American Picker, the last person before closing. A well-dressed man with hair white as snow and a gentle voice with such clarity I clung to every word. He sells all over the world through other dealers, people, he said with so much integrity they’re honest enough to tell him when one of his hundred-dollar items, for example, goes for $1,400.
Hearing about the integrity of others seemed to go with the weekend’s theme of special friends planting seeds of hope. I have a long way to go before earning enough for a new computer. Nevertheless, the donations and sales will allow me to make a modest contribution to the Susan G. Komen Beast Cancer Foundation, buy a heavy-duty surge protector, and start a small fund for a PC.
Small beginnings lead to big finales. Can you hear the fireworks?
Direct Sowing Cool-Weather Seeds
September 19, 2011
If you’re a little behind schedule like me, there’s still time to get cool-weather seeds in the ground. Growing from seed is the most economical way to bring ‘healthy’ food to the table, and there are more available seed varieties than seedlings. Although starting seeds indoors provides a jump-start if done earlier, sowing seeds directly in the garden takes less work and avoids transplant shock. All you need to direct sow cool-weather seeds is a little time for soil prep, garden tools, gloves, and water.
Soil Prep for Direct Sowing Includes:
- Working in amendments. Loose soil is especially important for root crops. Hard compacted soil can stunt the growth and clumps create odd-shaped vegetables, but they’re still edible so don’t toss them.
- Removing all weeds, pebbles, and dirt clumps.
- Leveling the soil so water will distribute evenly.
- Deep watering so the soil is moist below the top layer.
Once the soil prepared it’s time to direct sow seeds. Here’s a list of cool-weather seeds sown in September:
- Beets
- Bush Beans
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Collards
- Corn Salad
- Head Lettuce
- Kale
- Mustard
- Onions
- Peas
- Radish
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
Follow seed packet instructions for depth and spacing. Seeds sown directly on top of the soil need light to germinate. To keep these from washing away, use a hose wand set on a gentle ‘shower’. Buried seeds require less caution while watering but need moist soil. Label what you planted where and watch your crop grow.
Note: Most seeds need warm soil to germinate and grow to a sufficient size. If a cold spell is in the forecast during germination and early seedling stage and you have a small garden, cover the soil with clear plastic. Be sure to ventilate or uncover if the temperatures are warm in the afternoons.
For a list of September gardening chores check out “Monthly Tasks” on the sidebar.
Soulful Plotting
September 16, 2011
Cyme:
A flat-topped or domed flower head in which the center flowers open first.
