For The Birds

I feed the birds here on the farm. This year because of the drought they never really left my feeders and I fed them year-round this time. A couple weekends ago I got a couple of sweet photos of a bluebird and a turfted titmouse. I share them here. Enjoy the rest of your week!

 Eastern Bluebird

 Tufted Titmouse

The Butterfly Show

This summer had it's bright spots even with the terrible heat and drought. We had an abundance of butterflies. I did studies when I could which mostly consisted of taking my camera with me when I walked every day and capturing what I could of the variety and numbers of them. I hope to have a butterfly garden this next summer. I planted it last week so it really could happen! I planted wildflowers native to Missouri, and they will be mixed, at least at first, with other annuals and perrenials that the butterflies, hummers and birds will like. Below is a slide show of some of my summer's passtime. This is in flash so you will need to have adobe flash to play it. It won't show on an ipad unless you have a work around for that. Sorry.

The Reforming Taker: A Vision of Monarchs

Part of my vision for my new planting involves these guys:

Monarch Butterfly on the way south to Mexico.  

Each year, they migrate over the farm, and a large part of the country on their way to Mexico. It is my understanding from some of my studies this summer (you have to something when you can't get out and garden) that they are having issues with destruction of habitat and host species both here, and in their migration destinations. I want to do something for them in some small way.

So, part of my native plantings in the new bed will be Butterfly weed. The emerging young must have it for food.

The Monarchs also like oak trees and use them in their life cycle including for cover at night on their way south, I've noticed. That part I've got covered, since it is a native tree here that covers a lot of area.  Enjoy your gardening vision, where ever you are.  :) ~JB was here.

After the Drought: The Vision (still) Lives

It was a long, and can I say, horrific, summer this year. Things became not so much about additions or things growing and flourishing, but more just a case of survival. Every day I armed myself with a watering can, sprinkler, and it became almost a full time job. Needless to say, I haven't written anything since.

We (my gardens and I) did survive, and I learned some lessons. Even my little oak trees that I watered every day, and my little Loblolly Pine that I got from the MDC last spring at the garden show lived, so it was worth all my efforts.

Some things provided bright spots in the depressing oppressive heat. I don't think my roses were ever more beautiful. And my garden, while the yields were severely depressed, had terrific flavor and quality to the yield it did give.

I hosted some animal guests, too. I gave help to the birds, chipmunks and rabbits that came to my yard in the way of water and food. They were also a cheerful, funny, and cute respite to the severe prolonged heat. I'm proud of my efforts to encourage bluebirds and this year they had great success in my new nest boxes.

They say there could be another year of this drought. I'm planning accordingly in a few ways.

One way in particular is, I have this one flower bed that needs renovation.  I studied a lot about butterflies this year, photographing and doing something of a "Census" to see what varieties live in my surroundings. I am planning to make the flower bed in question into a butterfly area next year. I'll be using natives in the planting that can handle heat and low water requirements. Yesterday, I ordered my perennial natives, and I sketched my ideas on a sheet of typing paper. It won't be exact but it proves something definitively about my garden enthusiasm AND my vision for the future. The visions lives and is very healthy. As long as this is the case, I'll continue to garden with zeal and vision for a beautiful future with living things. I still love to raise things. Some things never change. :) ~JB was here.

Destination Garden: Springfield, MO Botanical Center/Nathaniel Greene Park

I went to the Botanical Gardens in Springfield, Missouri yesterday. I attended the Butterfly Festival. It is an event focused around of course, butterflies. They have a small “Butterfly House” on the grounds and were conducting tours. There was a long waiting line and it was 100 plus degrees so I didn't actually get to go in. Another time for that, I hope. But they had a silent auction inside the Center, live music, and many vendors, and lots of activities for Butterfly lovers of all ages. I was happy that 1) I got to go and 2) that Springfield has such a wonderful Botanical Garden now.

Here is a view of the path that leads around to the Butterfly House. They have a number of “Feature Gardens” and “Themed Gardens” that grace the grounds here. The gardens, despite the withering heat, looked wonderful.

One of the themed gardens was centered around the kitchen and edible plantings. It was as beautiful as it was practical and, well, edible. It is a Master Gardener's Demonstration Garden.

There was a lily garden. Lilies of every height, color, and variety. These were in bloom.

And an Iris Garden! These of course, had long since bloomed, so there were other plantings to highlight the area. These are just a couple of the dozens of different area designations and features there are there. I was very impressed.

These are a type of sunflower. I think they are called “Teddy Bear”. At the very lease they are that type….I always thought they were sort of odd and never did plant any. However, I found their effect in a mass planting to be attractive and inspirational! Is it a sign that I'm obsessed that I'm already thinking about next year?

Just one more of the absolutely wonderful plantings. Someday I want to go back with my “fancy camera” and take some more. I am so glad this is now in Springfield. What a wonderful thing. Have a great week! ~JB was here.