Wildlife - Gardening with Local Critters in Mind

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Monarch butterflies' Territorial behavior
by applestar, Sun Aug 12, 2012 1:03 pm

Replies: 3

It's Monarch butterfly season again. And since July, I've been bringing in eggs and newly hatched caterpillars. We've already released 4 butterflies, we have several chrysalises waiting to eclose,...

3 Replies

9951 Views

Last post by applestar
Tue Aug 28, 2012 1:26 pm
Native Bees for Pollination
by NEWisc, Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:25 pm

Replies: 20

The decline in commercial honey bee populations has shed a lot of light on the importance of pollinators. Beyond the imported honey bees, there are thousands of species of native bees that play a...

20 Replies

22985 Views

Last post by Sage Hermit
Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:45 am
2013 Backyard bird and butterfly (and dragonfly too) watching
by applestar, Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:38 pm

Replies: 24

One of the positives about our forum is that I get inspired by the enthusiasm of other energetic gardeners to push myself and get those gardening milestones done even when I'm feeling like I have...

24 Replies

1972 Views

Last post by applestar
Mon Dec 16, 2019 4:47 pm
2019 Backyard Birds, etc. Wildlife Watching
by applestar, Wed Jan 30, 2019 6:32 pm
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Replies: 68

— starting the annual thread for backyard/neighborhood wildlife watching — :D

...I heard an unusual chirping sound outside and started looking, first without aid, then with my binoculars. I spotted...
68 Replies

2892 Views

Last post by TomatoNut95
Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:41 pm
where are the birds?
by HoneyBerry, Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:31 am

Replies: 15

I put out 3 bird feeders full of sunflower seeds but no birds are showing up. In previous years, I put out just 1 sunflower seed bird feeder and it attracted all kinds of finches. I am concerned that...

15 Replies

506 Views

Last post by imafan26
Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:54 am
A SNAKE! What kind is it?
by applestar, Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:18 am

Replies: 26

I found a snake hiding in a dark space next to a black plastic edging in my garden! :D (I was weeding along there -- just pulling weeds with my bare hands when it moved and startled me :shock:)...

26 Replies

3278 Views

Last post by TomatoNut95
Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:13 pm
Butterfly action
by Ksk, Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:28 am

Replies: 2

I walked out today and saw 7-8 black swallowtails on my dill. Now there are little beads on all the dill plants that I assume are butterfly eggs. Maybe 50 eggs I can see after a quick look. I...

2 Replies

230 Views

Last post by PaulF
Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:12 pm
Habitable places (frogs and toads)
by shadylane, Sat May 09, 2015 4:28 pm

Replies: 39

I have been working on a natural habitat for a few years, it's not easy. But this made my day.

39 Replies

3919 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:49 pm
Making a bat house
by pepperhead212, Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:16 am

Replies: 5

These last few days I've been busy in my workshop making a bat house! In the garden on and off, while waiting for glue or a coat of stain to cure, but that's what I've been up to. I just dug out some...

5 Replies

253 Views

Last post by pepperhead212
Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:33 pm
does anyone recognize this bird?
by HoneyBerry, Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:37 pm

Replies: 2

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This is a woodland creatures resin plant stand that I intend to paint. I don't recognize the bird. I need to know what kind of bird it is in order to get the colors...

2 Replies

234 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:30 pm
They are eating my yuccas
by tomf, Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:13 am

Replies: 1

Some kind of rodent has been eating some of my yuccas. I think I will try the egg and pepper mix on them.

1 Replies

270 Views

Last post by applestar
Sun Jun 02, 2019 11:27 am
Armadillo bait?
by TomatoNut95, Sun Jun 02, 2019 2:01 am

Hello all! I'm having trouble with a stubborn armadillo. He digs under my puny backyard fence and tears up my backyard, making very mad! I finally purchased a live trap and placed it directly in...

0 Replies

179 Views

Last post by TomatoNut95
Sun Jun 02, 2019 2:01 am
What kind of wild birds are nesting in your garden?
by applestar, Thu May 04, 2017 6:07 pm

Replies: 13

Aside from occupied birdhouses, I have two wild nests in my garden this year so far. One is definitely a robin's. Robins are such familiar sight -- maybe not so wild?

This bird was having a fit...

13 Replies

943 Views

Last post by applestar
Sat May 04, 2019 7:55 pm
Yellow Garden Spider
by HoneyBerry, Mon Oct 22, 2018 1:10 pm

Replies: 7

My friend took these spider pictures. I am amazed by the web making skills. The egg sack is huge. Yellow Garden Spider is the name for this type of spider. These pics were taken in the Summer. I need...

7 Replies

526 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:56 am
Where are the Finches?
by jal_ut, Mon Nov 07, 2016 5:24 pm

Replies: 9

I walked out and put some seed on the bird feeder. The House Sparrows and Eu. Doves are all over it. No House Finches. They were year round birds here and used to be quite numerous. Wonder what...

9 Replies

1097 Views

Last post by PaulF
Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:06 pm
Bald Faced Hornet's Nest
by HoneyBerry, Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:41 pm

My friend with the Yellow Garden Spiders also had a rather large but cool looking hornet's nest in her yard.
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0 Replies

616 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:41 pm
2018 Backyard Birds, etc. Wildlife Watching
by applestar, Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:15 pm

Replies: 23

One of the best about regularly looking out of the window to Gardenwatch is that you get in the habit of rapidly scanning the landscape and focusing on “unusual” activity or movement. Often I see...

23 Replies

1841 Views

Last post by applestar
Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:25 pm
2018 Monarch Butterflies
by applestar, Tue Jun 26, 2018 12:24 am

Replies: 13

So excited! There was a large (migration size) female Monarch Butterfly visiting my common milkweed stands around the pond this afternoon :D

13 Replies

940 Views

Last post by applestar
Tue Sep 25, 2018 3:51 pm
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars disappearing and dying
by Dollface, Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:52 pm

Replies: 2

I have a large planter pot on my patio that I transferred a bunch of parsley to in early August. 2 weeks ago I was watering plants and noticed 6, rather large and identifiable, black Swallowtail...

2 Replies

405 Views

Last post by applestar
Wed Sep 12, 2018 2:44 pm
Birds MIA
by jal_ut, Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:32 pm

Replies: 3

The Eu Doves and House Finches are MIA. Wonder where they went?

3 Replies

425 Views

Last post by imafan26
Tue Sep 11, 2018 5:22 am
Please help ID this bug/critter
by applestar, Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:34 pm

Replies: 3

Doe anyone know what this is?
- It looks caterpillar-ish, has huge compound-looking eyes, so am thinking moth?
- Not apparent, but has sort of forked/pincered end to abdomen....
- it is very...

3 Replies

470 Views

Last post by rainbowgardener
Sat Aug 04, 2018 1:18 pm
Startling (might be scary) but harmless garden visitors
by applestar, Sat Jul 21, 2018 1:57 pm

This large flying insect came up from behind me and then proceeded to hover in mid-air.

It was right in front of me — large ... about 1 inch. Making loud humming noises. I couldn’t see the...

0 Replies

605 Views

Last post by applestar
Sat Jul 21, 2018 1:57 pm
Spider in a quarter-sized hole - ID?
by applestar, Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:36 pm

Replies: 2

I found a spider in my garden (SFH). At first all I saw was the hole and a lump of sandy-dirt that moved. Then when I kept weeding, the lump moved down the hole, then turned around and came back up...

2 Replies

410 Views

Last post by Danausplexippus
Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:51 pm
various Southern critters
by rainbowgardener, Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:08 am

Replies: 36

People warned me about palmetto bugs and we do in fact have some in our house (ick!)

We have only seen them one at a time, but four different ones in the six weeks we have lived here. Per something...

36 Replies

3352 Views

Last post by rainbowgardener
Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:03 pm
2017 Backyard Birds, etc. wildlife watching
by applestar, Thu May 11, 2017 12:36 pm
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Replies: 42

Hm... didn't start this thread for this year?

Well, this morning, I heard the tweeting whistle of finches in great excitement and picked up the binocs to look around -- almost by intent, a male...
42 Replies

3639 Views

Last post by pinksand
Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:05 pm
Black Swallowtail caterpillars
by pepperhead212, Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:57 am

Replies: 2

I have a BUNCH of these out there now! I see why they're the state butterfly of NJ.

Originally, I thought there were just 3, in my parsley/dill windowsill SIP box on my deck, but I found 6 there...

2 Replies

775 Views

Last post by applestar
Mon Sep 11, 2017 5:38 pm
2017 Saving Monarch Butterflies by raising caterpillars
by ButterflyLady29, Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:09 am

Replies: 8

Since this hasn't been started for 2017 I'll be the first.

I saw a few tiny little caterpillars on some potted milkweed a few days ago. Yesterday I looked again and didn't find anything except a...

8 Replies

1028 Views

Last post by applestar
Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:49 pm
Black swallowtail caterpillar leaves plant and dies
by Kris0p, Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:36 pm

Replies: 7

I've been raising several black swallowtails this year for the first time. I have a net enclosure. I have a potted plant sitting in a Styrofoam tray, on a paper plate. A couple cats have left the...

7 Replies

4178 Views

Last post by applestar
Tue Aug 29, 2017 10:36 pm
My first clearwing photo!
by LIcenter, Mon Aug 07, 2017 12:54 pm

Replies: 4

I've been trying for two years to get a photo of these cuties. Yesterday all the planets aligned!

Hemaris deffinis
DSC_0041.JPG DSC_0034 (1707x1072) (2).jpg

4 Replies

529 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:55 am
Don't make the same mistake I made.
by SQWIB, Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:33 pm

I feel terrible so I wanted to post this.
Earlier this year I had a nasty slug problem in one of my Hugelkultur beds and fought them for a week or so.
In my defense, I thought a slug was a slug....

0 Replies

897 Views

Last post by SQWIB
Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:33 pm
Ticks now active
by ButterflyLady29, Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:30 am

Replies: 4

At least in my yard. Found one on one of the pet rabbits today. Now I feel stuff crawling on me. Of course there is nothing there but I feel something crawling all the same.

4 Replies

823 Views

Last post by thanrose
Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:36 pm
Insect Killer That Won't Harm Lizards?
by miagardener, Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:51 pm

Replies: 11

I have a beautiful south florida garden in zone 10b, and I absolutely love all of the lizards and chameleons that call my yard home but I am also having a small insect problem. What kind of insect...

11 Replies

12957 Views

Last post by imafan26
Wed Jun 21, 2017 2:19 am
Need help naming a bird by call.
by ID jit, Thu May 04, 2017 11:00 pm

Replies: 13

Have be trying to figure this out for years. Am in SE MA. Local bird has a rather loud call which sounds like cheeseburgercheeseburgercheeseburgercheese . Generally here 2 to 4 of those and then it...

13 Replies

774 Views

Last post by MTC
Thu May 11, 2017 6:54 pm
How to Protect Flowers from Deer?
by pikafan, Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:14 pm

Replies: 8

I want to plant a pretty garden with lots of flowers (this will be my first garden ever of my own). So, there is a family of deer (about 8-9) that hang out in the yard all night long. Where I plan on...

8 Replies

1589 Views

Last post by jaylousantiago
Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:17 am
How to Stop Cat from Relieving Itself in Flower Beds?
by PD2012, Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:34 pm

Replies: 5

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this forum. I've been searching for a forum on gardening mainly due to one of our children moving back home who happens to own an outdoor cat. I'm happy about everything...

5 Replies

941 Views

Last post by imafan26
Sat Apr 15, 2017 4:59 pm
Shrews
by ButterflyLady29, Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:25 am

Replies: 7

I thought my terribly disruptive tunneling critters were voles. I have seen voles in the garden before. So I set a mouse trap in the vole tunnel hoping to get rid of the ones that were tearing up my...

7 Replies

788 Views

Last post by ButterflyLady29
Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:40 am
2016 Saving Monarch Butterflies By Raising Caterpillars
by applestar, Wed Aug 03, 2016 7:44 pm
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Replies: 71

Continuing adventures from ...
Subject: 2015 Saving Monarch Butterflies By Raising Caterpillars

I was actually contemplating NOT doing this project this year because I was starting to feel...
71 Replies

4386 Views

Last post by ButterflyLady29
Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:53 pm
Can you ID this BIG black spider in the house -- now outside
by applestar, Sun Dec 07, 2014 10:44 am

Replies: 11

We found this spider in the house. Body about size of a nickel and generally bigger than size of a quarter when moving around. It was near the entry so it could have come in from the outside when the...

11 Replies

1506 Views

Last post by ButterflyLady29
Thu Jan 26, 2017 4:56 am
What are these mutant yellow-jacket type hornets???
by Dogpatch318, Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:17 pm

Replies: 21

My back yard is wooded, partially heavily-wooded, and I seem to have these gigantic huge hornets that are attracted to my lights at night. I thought bees and wasps/hornets were still at night. What...

21 Replies

102925 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Sat Jan 07, 2017 12:44 pm
2016 Backyard bird and butterfly (and dragonfly too) watchin
by applestar, Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:05 am
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Replies: 115

Early yesterday morning....

...and current temperatures.

Brrrr!

My pond had frozen over clear with black ice except near the edges where thin floating ice had been piled up and above the aerator...
115 Replies

7214 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Sun Dec 18, 2016 2:16 pm
Gardening with this in mind
by Taiji, Sat Dec 03, 2016 7:36 pm

Replies: 3

To do any gardening around here you have to think about these guys:

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javel.JPG

Fencing is the only way. Sometimes when my frig needs to be cleaned out, (pretty often) :roll: I'll toss...

3 Replies

766 Views

Last post by Taiji
Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:07 am
BIRDHOUSE thread
by applestar, Thu Jun 16, 2016 8:58 pm

Replies: 3

I can't seem to find a dedicated thread for birdhouse discussion though it is mentioned here and there, some with really good information but mixed in. So I'm going to start this one and post a...

3 Replies

1420 Views

Last post by jal_ut
Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:42 pm
Swallowtail!
by Susan W, Wed Jul 06, 2016 1:54 pm

Replies: 25

I had noticed one black swallowtail the other day checking out and feeding off various flowers. Yesterday saw same or different nectaring on flowers then hovering around the parsley pots. Looked like...

25 Replies

2383 Views

Last post by ButterflyLady29
Tue Sep 27, 2016 2:42 am
Are Possums Good or Bad to Have Around?
by Susan W, Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:29 am

Replies: 17

Not sure what category this is. Not organic, veg, insect, so here goes! I was looking for OK Kitty to come in(after dark), finally saw her herding a possum. I thought I may have had possums around,...

17 Replies

64449 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:36 am
Food!
by Susan W, Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:45 pm

Replies: 1

As the days get shorter, sigh, and evenings cooler (we just broke a record of 83 days not going below 70), make sure there is FOOD for our flying friends! Our gardens tend to languish in August, but...

1 Replies

892 Views

Last post by hendi_alex
Sat Sep 03, 2016 2:47 am
Garlic chives: pollinator magnet!
by Susan W, Mon Aug 29, 2016 4:05 pm

Replies: 5

I have a number of garlic chive pots around here and there on deck, yard etc. They've gone into bloom (white) and a pollinator magnet! Bees and butterflies love it. The 1st plants left from when I...

5 Replies

922 Views

Last post by pepperhead212
Tue Aug 30, 2016 4:24 am
Monarchs & more
by Susan W, Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:24 am

Replies: 2

Set the stage. I want a friendly urban garden and working towards more plants for myself and others

I start many plants from seed, including the milkweeds both tropical and swamp, sell at the...

2 Replies

882 Views

Last post by Susan W
Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:10 pm
Hummmmm
by Susan W, Tue Aug 16, 2016 4:56 pm

Hear that Hum?! There's the lone hummingbird making frequent visits to the yard for food. I did notice 2 in the air last week, so perhaps there is a nest somewhere.
Next to the bird is the...

0 Replies

922 Views

Last post by Susan W
Tue Aug 16, 2016 4:56 pm
2015 Saving Monarch Butterflies By Raising Caterpillars
by applestar, Fri Aug 21, 2015 7:41 pm
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Replies: 61

Look, look, look !!! :-()

I mentioned elsewhere that I had seen Monarch butterflies flitting around in the garden -- one each day a few to several days ago. And today when I was checking under the...
61 Replies

5384 Views

Last post by applestar
Wed Aug 03, 2016 7:45 pm
cactus growing crooked
by erica84, Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:30 pm

Replies: 1

hello, I am wondering if anyone can help me, I am trying to figure out how to get my cactus to grow straight. it doesnt seem to be rotting

1 Replies

930 Views

Last post by erica84
Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:32 pm
Our linden has wasps. Shall I just ignore them?
by Backroads, Sun Jun 26, 2016 12:00 am

Replies: 1

We have confidently described the winged critters floating around one of our trees as a species of wasps. They've been here since early May... and haven't bothered anyone yet despite the fact Husband...

1 Replies

1052 Views

Last post by ButterflyLady29
Sun Jun 26, 2016 5:36 pm
The Monarchs have returned!
by ButterflyLady29, Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:50 pm

Replies: 5

I came home from the store Thursday to see a Monarch butterfly flitting around my milkweed plants. I haven't had the chance to look for eggs because I had to have stuff for the swap meet but I'll be...

5 Replies

1416 Views

Last post by Susan W
Sun Jun 26, 2016 2:44 pm
Spiders - How do you deal with fear of spiders?
by Shrub, Mon Jun 13, 2016 1:09 pm

Replies: 8

Okay first i grew up in Australia, sometimes can feel like anything can kill you, specially the giant spiders that chase you through the house... So i have arachnophobia and i always have, ever since...

8 Replies

1616 Views

Last post by pepperhead212
Tue Jun 21, 2016 9:14 pm
The butterfly, bee, hummer bed is waking up.
by LIcenter, Sat Jun 18, 2016 11:54 pm

Replies: 5

Three types of milkweed reside in this bed. Tuberosa,Incarnata and common milkweed, along with monarda ,and various other plants that I would have to look up due to CRS. The bed is now three years...

5 Replies

1173 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:58 pm
spa shower
by Susan W, Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:11 am

I was doing a late PM spot water. I know not wise but with the current temps needed for some plant inventory. Sprayed/watered the mint pots, about 15 in 2.5 qt pots, mostly shade, (market inventory)....

0 Replies

1941 Views

Last post by Susan W
Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:11 am
Huge bee
by Brown Thumbs, Fri Jun 10, 2016 7:48 pm

Replies: 5

What's this guy? I've seen it on my squash before and it's much bigger than our normal bumble bees or carpenter bees. Can't believe I got a close up before it flew off!

5 Replies

983 Views

Last post by Brown Thumbs
Fri Jun 10, 2016 11:12 pm
Raccoons...
by BartJY, Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:37 pm

Replies: 2

Hi Folks,

I had two large, I thought unmovable, containers overturned by a Raccoon last night. I think I was able to salvage three of the five watermelon plants, time will tell. My question, is...

2 Replies

866 Views

Last post by sweetiepie
Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:50 pm
Deer repellent reviews
by Brown Thumbs, Sat Jun 04, 2016 2:56 pm

Replies: 3

Our place is in the woods and I know deer will hit our small garden later on. I'm contemplating a fence or at least an electric one, but wanted to see if anyone had good or bad reviews on those...

3 Replies

1021 Views

Last post by Brown Thumbs
Sat Jun 04, 2016 11:05 pm
Cardinal in the sage
by Susan W, Tue May 17, 2016 12:34 am

Looked out, and there was a red male (redundant?!) cardinal in the sage (culinary) on the deck. Plant total about 2 . I let it bloom as it is pretty and the pollinators like it, and usually cut the...

0 Replies

981 Views

Last post by Susan W
Tue May 17, 2016 12:34 am
Rabbits
by ButterflyLady29, Wed Apr 20, 2016 6:30 pm

Replies: 9

The bane of many gardeners, the common cottontail rabbit. We have had good results just fencing them out or growing plants in containers since the rabbits don't dig under fences or jump up into...

9 Replies

1225 Views

Last post by Lindsaylew82
Sun May 15, 2016 2:35 am
birdbaths for birds and amusement
by Susan W, Tue May 10, 2016 2:12 pm

Replies: 3

Birdbaths are excellent for birds and of course our amusement. I have 3 active ones in the urban yard, and they are used! I try to keep filled 12 months, and they sometimes freeze a bit in winter....

3 Replies

867 Views

Last post by applestar
Fri May 13, 2016 10:14 am
Makeshift Bird Baths
by HoneyBerry, Thu May 12, 2016 2:27 am

Replies: 3

I worked in the yard today and made these bird baths out of misc things that I already had. Large plastic pots with plastic garbage can lids weighted down with rocks and filled with water. I have...

3 Replies

1045 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Thu May 12, 2016 2:54 pm
Planting Milkweed
by HoneyBerry, Sun Mar 27, 2016 5:50 pm

Replies: 10

I did a little research and found that Showy Milkweed is the type of milkweed best for the Pacific Northwest region of Washington, which is where I am located. I don't know where to find Showy...

10 Replies

1205 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sun Apr 24, 2016 4:03 pm
Barn lot turtle
by AnnaIkona, Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:03 pm

Replies: 2

What a beauty! :) I have a large pond around my homestead filled with all sorts of wildlife...turtles, raccoons fishing for fish, frogs, toads, etc. But not once has a turtle come that far out of...

2 Replies

868 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:53 am
little friend
by roseycheeks, Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:42 pm

Replies: 2

This is the flying squirrel that my hubby discovered on our peanut feeder, I did not think that I could get a picture at night, but the camera that my hubby gave me has a heck of a flash. And I got...

2 Replies

1016 Views

Last post by applestar
Tue Apr 19, 2016 6:49 pm
TED talk about disappearing bee crisis
by HoneyBerry, Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:52 pm

This is an excellent TED talk about the bee situation.

0 Replies

1484 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sat Apr 16, 2016 2:52 pm
peanut feeder
by roseycheeks, Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:00 am

Replies: 3

My hubby got me a peanut feeder and we have already had quite a few visitors on it. We have a nesting pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, I have yet to see any of them, but I have heard them. Will post...

3 Replies

1016 Views

Last post by rainbowgardener
Fri Apr 15, 2016 2:48 am
Permaculture - Food Forests
by opabinia51, Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:47 pm

Replies: 19

I think this is a great new forum because it has given me a chance to open up a thread on food forests. A food forest can be thought of as a mega guild of companion and nurse plants.

The difference...

19 Replies

50083 Views

Last post by Porchlight
Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:48 am
Novelty Nest Boxes
by HoneyBerry, Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:53 pm

Replies: 5

I want to share this article because I care about the welfare of birds.

5 Replies

988 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:52 pm
Black swallowtail butterfly
by Susan W, Sun Mar 27, 2016 2:32 pm

Replies: 13

I had a black swallowtail butterfly emerge from its chrysalis yesterday. I was aware some wintered over in the wild, and a few are seen on the first warm pretty days of spring. This one in a zippered...

13 Replies

1633 Views

Last post by applestar
Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:37 am
Glow Worm
by HoneyBerry, Sun Dec 20, 2015 12:43 am

Replies: 9

This glow worm picture was included with an educational writing about luminescence, in my physics newsletter. (I have a small nerdy side.) It was interesting to read about this subject and the glow...

9 Replies

1236 Views

Last post by PunkRotten
Mon Dec 28, 2015 12:03 am
Monarch, life cycle
by Susan W, Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:54 pm

Replies: 10

I am trying to connect some of the dots on the life cycle of the monarchs, at least as it pertains to W TN. I am on the e-list for Texas butterfly ranch (Austin) and Monarch butterfly garden...

10 Replies

1379 Views

Last post by applestar
Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:57 pm
2015 Backyard bird and butterfly (and dragonfly too) watching
by LIcenter, Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:37 am
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Replies: 80

Not all birds at the feeder are interested in seed or suet. I knew this male Cooper's hawk was stalking my feeders for quite some time by the way all the birds, and squirrels would scatter at the...
80 Replies

3299 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:33 am
Bird related birthday presents?
by BirdLover82, Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:40 am

Replies: 5

My husband really loves looking at the birds and as it's his 40th birthday soon I'd love to buy him some bird related products for our garden! Came across this site and thought it looked good but I...

5 Replies

1206 Views

Last post by imafan26
Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:10 pm
HOW TO GET RID OF ARMADILLOS!
by rsrey, Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:56 pm

Replies: 17

I would like to ask for advice on how to repel an armadillo.

An agressive armadillo is attacking my mulched flowerbeds and shrubs nightly.

I have tried trapping but a bait-stealing raccoon always...

17 Replies

156934 Views

Last post by JJordan
Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:03 pm
Susan's cat house - Black swallowtail caterpillars
by Susan W, Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:15 pm

Replies: 11

Black swallowtail caterpillars. 3 on parsley, 2 on rue, 1 chrysalis. In laundry hamper.

11 Replies

1318 Views

Last post by Susan W
Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:25 pm
I might start stealing the squirrel's cache
by applestar, Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:51 pm

Replies: 1

i wrote in another thread:
Subject: I hate squirrels.

I don't often see the squirrels digging UP anything I planted.

What I do see is signs of squirrels BURYING their cache of tree seeds for...

1 Replies

1115 Views

Last post by Asica
Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:10 am
Meet one of my garden geckos
by Beverly, Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:15 pm

Replies: 2

I love these little guys. They eat insects (lots of ants i hope) including mosquitoes. Sometimes they are in the garden and sometimes they are in the house. No one i know seems to be bothered by...

2 Replies

766 Views

Last post by Beverly
Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:53 pm
An assortment of critters that show up in my garden
by Beverly, Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:28 pm

Replies: 4

Zebra Heliconian (aka Zebra Longwings) feeding on Mexican Flame Vine . This butterfly is among a very few that feeds on pollen as well as nectar. The photo below shows her feeding on pollen. The...

4 Replies

902 Views

Last post by Beverly
Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:57 am
Wild thing, you make my heart sing: egg to adult
by Beverly, Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:58 pm

Replies: 20

Greetings, I am new here and in this my first post, i would like to introduce you, in a small way, to my small garden. The other day i was emailing with a friend in India who lives in the same...

20 Replies

1656 Views

Last post by Beverly
Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:36 pm
First Fall Hummingbirds
by ElizabethB, Sat Aug 29, 2015 4:06 pm

Replies: 3

Hello All,

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see a pair of hummingbirds flitting around the patio. I am surprised because my containers of hummingbird attractant plants are suffering from...

3 Replies

932 Views

Last post by catgrass
Thu Sep 03, 2015 6:35 pm
What Animals Steal Ripe Tomatoes?
by hdaviesmt, Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:03 pm

Replies: 10

Does anyone know what animal would steal ripe/ripening tomatoes??? I've asked around the area (NW Montana) and no one has a clue. It's as though they are carefully plucked off the vine. I thought...

10 Replies

17643 Views

Last post by imafan26
Wed Aug 26, 2015 5:34 pm
First time planting Tithonia 'Mexican Sunflower'
by LIcenter, Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:30 pm

Replies: 6

I gotta say I am quite impressed with this plant. Total height is roughly 4 feet, and the stalks are thick, so no need to tie them off. I never thought it, but it is a absolute magnet for hummers,...

6 Replies

855 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:20 pm
Round up ready crops vs. Monarch butterflies
by rainbowgardener, Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:34 pm

Replies: 5

Fields are now planted with genetically modified corn and soybeans resistant to the herbicide Roundup, allowing farmers to spray the chemical to eradicate weeds, including milkweed....

Monarchs lay...

5 Replies

2025 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:35 pm
Garden Snakes for a Phobic
by wodentoad, Sun Aug 16, 2015 1:55 pm

Replies: 1

Okay, so here it is, the problem that has been plaguing me for years about gardening, and the outside in general. I have a terrible phobia of snakes. :oops: It used to be worse, but it is triggered...

1 Replies

673 Views

Last post by wodentoad
Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:03 am
Wild Hare or Feral Rabbit?
by merrycat, Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:09 pm

Replies: 1

So I've seen a bunch of little black bunnies around the neighbourhood lately, which don't really look like our wild rabbits. And today I saw this guy:

I was able to get really close to him, and...

1 Replies

642 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:44 pm
Bat house advice?
by applestar, Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:26 pm

Replies: 17

I've been looking around for a bat house. So many choices out there, most of them in the $60~$70 range -- I'm getting sticker :shock:
There are also kits and blueprints. Some kits as low as $20, but...

17 Replies

11358 Views

Last post by applestar
Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:11 am
what are honeybees liking best in your garden right now?
by rainbowgardener, Sun Aug 09, 2015 3:56 am

Replies: 10

In my garden a little bit ago it was the wild grape vine. But now the big patch of iron weed is blooming and honeybees LURV it!

ironweed 8-2015.jpg

ironweed 3.jpg

I don't know how visible it...

10 Replies

1128 Views

Last post by imafan26
Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:49 pm
spider attacked
by HoneyBerry, Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:10 pm

Replies: 8

I was watching a spider try to manage a large broken spider web. He was suspended in mid air wrapping his web material into a ball. Then suddenly this wasp appeared and visciously attacked the...

8 Replies

766 Views

Last post by JohnnyB60
Tue Aug 11, 2015 2:53 pm
Grow your own on-site garden remedy for stings â€¢ bites
by applestar, Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:07 pm

Replies: 7

I posted in this thread --
Subject: Backyard bird and butterfly (and dragonfly too) watching
I'm so excited :D
I was looking up for corn to harvest -- the Bloody Butcher corn all bore ears on...

7 Replies

1309 Views

Last post by applestar
Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:57 pm
Hummingbird food
by HoneyBerry, Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:14 pm

Replies: 14

There are different opinions on hummingbird food. I have been using the 4/1 water-sugar recipe, C&H sugar, sucrose I believe, and I filter then boil the water. I don't use the powdered products with...

14 Replies

1187 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Tue Jul 28, 2015 3:14 am
Bats!
by GardeningCook, Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:45 pm

Replies: 2

Am ecstatic since last night I saw TWO (yes, two) bats flittering around when I went out to water/hay the horses.

I'm a HUGE bat enthusiast, & have been very dismayed that since WNS (White-Nose...

2 Replies

642 Views

Last post by Allyn
Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:25 pm
Cardinal family
by Susan W, Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:51 pm

Replies: 1

I have had fun watching a pair of cardinals set up housekeeping. I noticed them in the camelia outside my window. The home site is high, above people noticing, and in the thick of some leaves. First...

1 Replies

492 Views

Last post by ElizabethB
Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:57 pm
Wild Turkeys
by GardeningCook, Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:28 pm

Replies: 9

Finally saw a group of our wild turkeys the other day. Only six - two mature females & four younger ones, but not all that much smaller than the two adults so couldn't tell if they were an early...

9 Replies

606 Views

Last post by GardeningCook
Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:10 pm
Great Backyard Bird Count: Coming to a Backyard Near You!
by Charlie MV, Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:20 am

Replies: 15

I will be playing this one. Take a second or two and see if it looks like fun to you.

15 Replies

5766 Views

Last post by LIcenter
Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:16 pm
Mister for the birds
by HoneyBerry, Sun Jul 19, 2015 5:54 pm

Replies: 1

My outdoor birds - chickadees & finches - love my mister. Nothing fancy, just a spiral tube with a cap on the end with a small hole that spews misty water. I bought 2 of them at the hardware store...

1 Replies

628 Views

Last post by HoneyBerry
Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:10 pm
grow wild grape vine!
by rainbowgardener, Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:08 pm

Replies: 6

Just want to recommend that everyone should have some wild grape vine somewhere! It is a common native vine, that grows as a weed. I have mentioned before how effective it is as a trap crop for...

6 Replies

678 Views

Last post by GardeningCook
Thu Jul 16, 2015 2:57 pm
Plants attracting Hummingbirds
by Biscuit, Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:56 pm

Replies: 10

For whatever reason, my new mission is life appears to be attracting Hummingbirds.

I put out a feeder at the very end of March. At the end of April, I had a frequent visitor! He/she came often (or...

10 Replies

1081 Views

Last post by CharlieBear
Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:15 pm
toxic plants and pets do you worry?
by onlylobster, Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:38 am

Replies: 4

Do you try to avoid plants that are known to be toxic to cats and dogs in your garden? My neighborhood has a sizeable stray/ feral cat colony and they are often in my yard. I have a lot of plants...

4 Replies

706 Views

Last post by rainbowgardener
Sun Jun 28, 2015 6:08 am
Be careful how you use and store deer netting
by hendi_alex, Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:39 pm

Replies: 16

About 20 years ago, maybe longer, I wadded some deer netting and temporarily stored it in the corner of our old barn. Went to deal the netting a few weeks later, and at least six large rat snakes...

16 Replies

1079 Views

Last post by webmaster
Thu Jun 11, 2015 3:15 pm

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