Legacy Oaks

Like a lot of our nation, very early on in settlement days, this area in South Central Missouri was highly exploited of natural resources. They were thought to be endless by the European immigrants, and they were treated that way. This country and a lot of Missouri became devoid of most wildlife and basically, deforested. That really is not an exaggeration. It makes a case for a balanced approach when providing natural resources for development and for protecting or encouraging wildlife.

It is interesting to me, that in the 1940's when Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" was released he even mentions that one of the most endangered and most troubled areas in the nation at that time was the Ozarks. My dad talks about never seeing a deer or a turkey in the wild until he was nearly grown. That's sad. Today he and all of us can enjoy great populations of both and hunt them during season. We gladly follow the rules set by the Missouri Department of Conservation, whose efforts over the years resulted in these and many other "comeback stories".  We may not agree with everything they do, and everything they do isn't always right. But, they do some great things.  

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.

Drought, My Guests in the Garden and Resilience.....

We are in the throes of a real drought here now! Fireworks were cancelled. It is truly serious. I have been watering almost non-stop to try to save my young trees and have something from my garden for a little while, at least!

As I think I've mentioned, we have taken steps to encourage wildlife in a way that we can co-exist happily and enjoy watching them. You may imagine, and you'd be correct- this involves some compromise. But it's working! We left some “cover” for the rabbits and birds this year near the house so they can hide their young, and hide from predators. We have fed hummingbirds and birds over the years and that continues. Strangely, the birds never left my feeders so I am still keeping those full. I assume they have some food supply challenges.

I want to show you some of the rewards of taking these actions. Sure, you are going to sustain some damage in your garden. Sure you are. One must decide the level they can handle and plant enough to share…..one of my main concepts. But they are so beautiful and fun to watch, and I can't help but notice that the bug issues don't seem as bad as back when I didn't have the bird populations, specifically.

Here is a regular guest of mine.

This is one of several. They seem to really not do much to my garden as long as I keep the bird feeders full and put some out on the ground. They really are sweet.

I am struck during weather challenges by the resilience and adaptability of our wildlife. The animals and birds seem to somehow know I'm not going to hurt them. I can get quite close. Or it could be that they are just that desperate, I realize. Anyway I'm going to help them if I can. More visitors portraits arriving soon. Wishing you a great weekend! ~JB was here.

On My Mind: Wildlife Habitat

I can't believe I spent most of my life until now, taking a bunch of this stuff, sadly, for granted. One needs to try to be a part of the environment and ecosystem instead of always trying to bend everything to be about THEM. I've always been on the fringes of this and didn't know it, living on a farm and trying to be a benefactor to living things that share the space I'm in, but, having taken on a new awareness over time, I now do try to be even more conscious of everything I'm doing, that I'm not always taking from the earth, which after all, sustains all of us. I want more than ever to try to be a part of the solution, as opposed to a part of the problem.

Now, with that rather vague introduction out of the way, I'd like to talk about a way everyone can make their surroundings, no matter where they are, more friendly to wildlife. Whether you live in a rooftop apartment or in the middle of the country like I do, there are ways you can make it easier for your little world to be…..where the wild things are. Birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects as well as animals are highly adaptable. They wouldn't still be here if they weren't, to a degree.  

One way is to create a wildlife habitat. Really there are four things that are the underpinning of a wildlife friendly area, and a lot of them are much the same as we humans need. 1. Food 2. Water 3. Cover 4. A Place to Raise Young

There is a lot of information pertaining to this at the website of the National Wildlife Federation www.nwf.org Below is a screenshot the area they have where you can certify your own back yard. I don't think I necessarily need to pay a fee and buy a sign to figure out if I have a good place for wildlife or not, but the information there is very useful.

I checked off the areas in which I am strong right now, and it can show you the things you can improve on as well.

With the extreme early dry weather we have had, I have noticed a lot of the birds and other wildlife definitely “needing help” and it made me renew my own efforts in this area.

Besides being something we can all feel really good about doing, it is fun to watch the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife as well.

And you know what I say about the possible damage to your garden crops……Always, always plant enough to share.  

Have a great weekend. ~JB was here.