07 de septiembre de 2019

Blooms

The summer is winding down and temperatures have dropped slightly, offering a automnal air.
Activity has not decreased yet in the garden, although I find more and more individuals which seem to be on their last leg.
There were three stages for pollinators and those who hunt them.
Early on, the milkweed. Then we had a gap of a few weeks and activity decreased notably. Then the mint bloomed which drew dozens and dozens of wasps, bees, flies and butterflies (Thai basil also seems to be quite attractive to bees). The mint has been a hub of frantic activity. A bloom of onion flowers is now the focus; the mint is still going but declining.
Because we did not have big colorful flowers until mid July, we did not see a lot of big butterflies (we do have a very fragrant bush of white flowers that blooms early and draws them). We now have some zinnias which attract them.
I am thinking of planting more native species next year and ways to fill the gaps in between blooms. It also appears insects like a bit clump, a sizable area of bloom that makes it worth their while.

Publicado el septiembre 7, 2019 10:15 TARDE por raycama raycama | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

05 de julio de 2019

Biodiversity in the backyard: Fireflies

This year seems a good year for fireflies. A friend of mine who lives up the hill confirmed she also observed them in her backyard this June, and this was not a usual sight although she does remember them bountiful in her childhood. I have never noticed fireflies since I moved to this town and two have found their way into our house this June, while many offered us an amazing display at the back of the yard, where the cover is denser and away from street lights. Their number seems to be declining now as July is underway.
We have worked very little in the garden this year, which provides ample leaf litter and decaying matter for firefly larvae; they seem to like their slugs and I wonder if the very wet spring has something to do with it.
It may also be that people are backing more and more away from pesticides. Not sure. In any case, it was amazing.

Publicado el julio 5, 2019 04:00 TARDE por raycama raycama | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

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