Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread, August 15, 2020 [KT]

Fireweed in Homer, Alaska

Man, it is hot here in Central California! Fortunately, we have some photos from Jerry in Alaska! And from other members of The Horde. I love the photo above. Love the ones below, too.

Hope this finds you getting your hands dirty in the garden sans mask. Attached are a few early season pics. We are having an unusual season in Anchorage. Things are blooming out of order and then a few of our plants have taken serious nutrient supplements like our 9 foot Delphinium!

Wow! Here's that Delphinium with more of those Maltese Cross blossoms. You don't think of Maltese Cross as blooming in Alaska. At least I don't.

Here's a close-up of the delphinium:

Love thinking about this White Lilac right now:

This looks like an Alaska-type flower to me. Shooting Star. From June!

And here's some garden wisdom from Jerry. We have a few more pics from him for later. If he can garden in Alaska . . .

Critters

From MarkY:

lliniwek, and others, have great pics of critters, so I thought I'd send some. Quality isn't there, but the sentiment is. From this spring, a fawn in clover. Note the size of the clover... fawn is probably just a day or two old.

That really is clover!

Twins with Mom and yearling. Out the office window this week.

Turkey hen with poults. Last week. Every week she's short another poult. Tough neighborhood.

This was the best pic I had of this monster til I bagged him. A true bruiser. Heaviest deer I ever got.
That rack looks little on him. He grossed a bit over 175". He never showed through the summer. Came up from the River in the rut.

Again, tough neighborhood.

Impressive. Thanks, MarkY!

From the Nevada Department of Wildlife, a creature found in some back yards.

Today we feature the burrowing owl. If you happened across this small bird, your first thought may be that you found a baby owl. Averaging between 8 and 11 inches in height, the burrowing owl weighs under 10 ounces at maturity and is one of the smallest owls in North America. You are most likely to see a burrowing owl perched low on fences, tree limbs, or even on the ground. When on the ground they are often mistaken as injured, when in fact it is very normal behavior.
Fun Burrowing owl facts:
-Some burrowing owls live in Northern Nevada during the spring and summer and migrate south for the winter, while others reside in southern Nevada year-round.
- Unlike most owls that are nocturnal, the burrowing owl is active during the day and at night.
-As hinted to by their name, these owls nest in underground burrows instead of up high in trees or other elevated locations. - Rather than building their own burrow, they will move into an abandoned burrow made by other species like ground squirrels, badgers or gophers.
-A female owl will lay a clutch of eggs in the burrow and incubate them for one about month. Meanwhile, the male owl stands guard outside and brings her food.
Loss of important habitat due to urbanization, wildfires, and drought is a growing concern for these burrowing birds. Conservation strategies, such as constructing manmade burrows, are a priority in Nevada and many other states.

More on this species from the Nevada Department of Wildlife

Gardens of The Horde

Ponds and Mosquitoes, Local Report

I'm not sure we fully answered the inquiry we got about installing a pond. Any tips on installation, maintenance or mosquito control?

Here in Central California, our little freestone Pluot is becoming sweeter three or four weeks after we thought it was ripe. Tastes somewhat apricot-y.

The front yard toad is grateful for one of the garden kitties' water bowls. Watering bowls are the closest thing we have to a pond. May be a good thing. Seeing dead birds by the highways. Pigeon size and larger. Could be West Nile Virus. Reports of day-flying mosquitoes in the area. So, we are being extra vigilant about cleaning water bowls.

It is VERY hot and predicted to get hotter. Sort of humid, too.

Ohio Report

Greetings from Central Ohio!
We (Bozo Conservative and I) moved into our house last fall, and weren't sure what was planted. This summer, the garden below the kitchen window appeared with a host of beautiful flowers. The pictures are two of the ones that are in bloom now.
Shibumi

Nice surprises! Do you know what the are?

As for the mushroom, those have appeared in our somewhat wet back yard. What are they? I don't know. Mushrooms of death? Mushrooms that taste like chicken? Something else? Inquiring minds what to know.

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at that g mail dot com place

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:58 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Shibumi....looks like coneflowers.

Posted by: BignJames at August 15, 2020 01:05 PM (X/Pw5)

2 I found a five-leaf clover once. Of course, I tore off a leaf to make it a four-leaf, because who ever heard of a five-leaf clover? I was seven.

(Still have it laminated!)

Posted by: Dr. Varno at August 15, 2020 01:06 PM (vuisn)

3 Great photos as always for the thread. That close up of the blue delphiniums is spectacular. And the group shot of the owls is a hoot. (Get it? Hoot? Sometimes I crack myself up.)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2020 01:09 PM (7EjX1)

4 Rookie mistake...

Posted by: Charles the Simple at August 15, 2020 01:11 PM (HuH1F)

5 Great pics, as per usual.

It's way to hot to be outside right now. Heck, up until a couple of days ago, the mornings, at least, were pleasant so my wife and I could enjoy coffee outside.

Not any more.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at August 15, 2020 01:13 PM (WEBkv)

6 The tiny fawn in the clover is astonishing. Can't get over the size of the blossoms vs. the size of the creature.

Posted by: KT at August 15, 2020 01:18 PM (BVQ+1)

7 I am having some shoreline work done on my place in Door County WI. Since the soil is all turned up, I am thinking about doing some landscaping. Anyone have thoughts on what might work in very rocky soil along the shoreline? I am thinking Potentilla or Hydrangea, but am open to suggestion. Thanks!

Posted by: Scanner Dan at August 15, 2020 01:19 PM (CfI1q)

8 Last hour been running my 27 year old string trimmer, still didn't get around everywhere but it was a good start.
Good Afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2020 01:19 PM (OjZpE)

9 This is probably the last week for the summer veggies. The tomatoes, especially, are looking ratty although there is a good amount of green ones. They should ripen on the window sill eventually The leaf lettuce is starting to bolt. The serious heat these last weeks have taken a toll.

However, the herbs, the crepe myrtle and other flowering shrubs are doing fine.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2020 01:20 PM (7EjX1)

10 I am having some shoreline work done on my place in Door County WI. Since the soil is all turned up, I am thinking about doing some landscaping. Anyone have thoughts on what might work in very rocky soil along the shoreline? I am thinking Potentilla or Hydrangea, but am open to suggestion. Thanks!

Posted by: Scanner Dan at August 15, 2020 01:19 PM (CfI1q)

kudzu

Posted by: BignJames at August 15, 2020 01:21 PM (X/Pw5)

11 Shibumi's pink flower is echinacea and the gold one is rudbeckia.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:24 PM (4JM5Y)

12 Lovely pics as usual. I've been puttering with the cleanup, decluttering efforts still. Luckily I still have some easy "just burn this" stuff left but soon I will have to deal with things like my mom's sheet music that I need to put on ebay in hopes of finding it a new home. But its nice to have reclaimed space and knock wood, I think I've made finding just a few things to get rid of each day, a habit. I used to always burn out and not try again for a year or more after 1 or 2 days of bigger effort that still barely made any dent so the sustainable small trickle has been good for me.

Posted by: PaleRider at August 15, 2020 01:24 PM (NOk+L)

13 Hail gardening horde!

Cherry tomatoes are coming in fast and furious...

I made a burst cherry tomato pasta last night... garlic and oil and shrimp.. it was delish!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at August 15, 2020 01:25 PM (CjFDo)

14 kudzu
Posted by: BignJames at August 15, 2020 01:21 PM (X/Pw5)

I have read that all kudzu is essentially the same plant genetically.

Posted by: Fox2! at August 15, 2020 01:25 PM (qyH+l)

15 My cucumbers might be giving up, never had overwhelming amount at once but been eating what I have.
Tomatoes are coming in, wife made sauce to have with spaghetti tonight. And while have gotten a few Jalopino peppers ripen no Anaheim peppers ripe yet, never get the first ones to ripen.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2020 01:26 PM (OjZpE)

16 That fireweeed is incredible color!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at August 15, 2020 01:26 PM (CjFDo)

17 1 Shibumi....looks like coneflowers.
Posted by: BignJames at August 15, 2020 01:05 PM (X/Pw5)

Also correct. Common name for echinacea.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:26 PM (4JM5Y)

18 I have read that all kudzu is essentially the same plant genetically.

Posted by: Fox2! at August 15, 2020 01:25 PM (qyH+l)

I think it can hybridize w/bamboo.

Posted by: BignJames at August 15, 2020 01:27 PM (X/Pw5)

19 Beautiful fawn! So sweet.

Posted by: California Girl (not Caligirl) at August 15, 2020 01:28 PM (BXQDh)

20 I used to always burn out and not try again for a year or more after 1 or 2 days of bigger effort that still barely made any dent so the sustainable small trickle has been good for me.
Posted by: PaleRider at August 15, 2020 01:24 PM (NOk+L)

Good to hear, PaleRider. Sounds like a good idea that I should try.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:28 PM (4JM5Y)

21 LOVE burrowing owls! I used to zone out on youtubes of the adorable little critters. Vids like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMtrewM3PDw

Posted by: kallisto at August 15, 2020 01:28 PM (DJFLF)

22 I love royal blue delphiniums! I had one, and it was glorious, until it died.

My little flower garden is in a shaggy state right now but I'm too lazy and it's too hot. Tomorrow morning for sure.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 15, 2020 01:29 PM (Dc2NZ)

23 Here, everyone calls those "prairie owls" because they tend to live in prairie dog holes.

Posted by: irright at August 15, 2020 01:30 PM (pMGkg)

24 Veggie question -- I cut off turnip tops and placed them in water and the leaves are continuing to grow (no roots yet). Can I plant the tops to get greens?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 15, 2020 01:30 PM (Dc2NZ)

25 IMPORTANT INFO ON THE SWAMP.

ShadowGate: Watch the Film That Got Infowars Reporter Millie Weaver Arrested by the Deep State.

https://youtu.be/JkMNy6doH6s

Posted by: Paul Davis at August 15, 2020 01:30 PM (+sVpj)

26 Does outfitting a camper (for the MoMe) count as "puttering"?

I have purchased a Solo Stove Titan for alternative outdoor cooking. It runs on sticks.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:31 PM (4JM5Y)

27 Shibumi, looks like coneflowers and rudbekia, which butterflies and bees love.

We have a propagating group in town (stop it) that hands out free milkweed to plant for the monarch butterflies.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 15, 2020 01:33 PM (Dc2NZ)

28 I have purchased a Solo Stove Titan for alternative outdoor cooking. It runs on sticks.
Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:31 PM (4JM5Y)

I'm also expecting delivery of camp chairs today. Our current folding chairs do not fit in any of the storage spaces in the camper.

I'm trying to start up with the minimum items that we will want for our first trip and collect the rest over time.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:38 PM (4JM5Y)

29 I mentioned this in the coffee thread this morning. We found a good selection of canning supplies at our local Food Lion. We have an old style hardware store in town and they have the supplies as well. Perhaps the smaller venues aren't depleted yet while the major outlets are getting bought out. We have most of what we need but we're letting others know.

Also, the Food Lion had a big amount of yeast for the first time in a couple of months. Not sure if we just got lucky or if supplies are coming back in stock.

Posted by: JTB at August 15, 2020 01:40 PM (7EjX1)

30 hiya

Posted by: JT at August 15, 2020 01:40 PM (arJlL)

31 Tap-tap-tap.....is this thing on ?

Posted by: JT at August 15, 2020 01:46 PM (arJlL)

32 31 Tap-tap-tap.....is this thing on ?
Posted by: JT at August 15, 2020 01:46 PM (arJlL)

I think this is the time of day when people run errands.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 01:48 PM (4JM5Y)

33 Glad to hear you got a camper. Did you get the kind you wanted.

Posted by: AlmostYuman at August 15, 2020 01:51 PM (fP8Xt)

34 Had lots of fun as a kid camping, mostly remember nights sitting around campfires, cooking hotdogs and marshmallows.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2020 01:57 PM (OjZpE)

35
I think this is the time of day when people run errands.
Posted by: Emmie

Or do *stuff* outside before the heat *really* sets in... It's only 102F here right now.

Congrats on the camper!
Drip coffee maker, cooler, mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, adult consumables. What else do you need in a camper? Oh, okay, water, food, fire.

Posted by: AZ deplorably isolated at August 15, 2020 01:59 PM (gtatv)

36 The IQ on just one of those owls is higher than Joe Biden's....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 15, 2020 01:59 PM (0jfkF)

37 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: We've realized that we can plant the little onion starts they sell for green onions, leave them most of the season, and they'll turn into something, well, *almost* like real onions. They don't have the papery skin of yellow onions, and I doubt they'll overwinter, but the bulbs are large enough to cover at least part of our onion usage.

I'm continuing to feed the last leaves of bolted lettuce to my neighbors' chickens, but this is probably the last week of doing that. (The escape artist chicken had her wings trimmed, so now she stays at home instead of visiting our backyard!)

We're still harvesting bush green beans, and the second variety of corn (we think we'll increase the percentage of this one next year compared to the first variety, because the plants look stronger and are more productive). The red raspberries are starting their main summer season.

I tried sticking in a few radish seeds and green onion starts, to see if they'd grow in summer, and both came up. Hope they don't get blasted by the next heat wave. We just had a decent week, but some triple digits are predicted for the start of this coming week.

Getting impatient for our tomatoes to get ripe... I actually had to *buy* some this week!

Indoors, I did a chest freezer inventory. We still have some 2018 green beans (plus the 2019's) - looks like we'd better eat more of those. And carrots... I'd miscounted - I got *sixteen* pounds of carrots frozen this year - plus I just found the last bag from 2019. Definitely lots of carrot soups and stews in our future.

Our neighbors to the north are moving. We do hope we like whoever the new folks are. We certainly got lucky with the neighbors on the south, who moved in last August.
***
Hope everyone else is staying safe, staying well, and *staying prepared* for whatever craziness may show up before the November election.

Posted by: Pat* at August 15, 2020 02:03 PM (2pX/F)

38 @34 Skip-Nothing like roasting your wienie and warming your buns around a summer campfire.

Posted by: JROD at August 15, 2020 02:07 PM (lULct)

39 Isn't shibumi's gold plant called a Brown Eyed Susan?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at August 15, 2020 02:08 PM (q2K0j)

40 Jerry in Alaska, thanks for the lovely pictures. Homer, Alaska is one of the best places on earth. Flowers, greenery, views, and people are all tremendous. We were there last year and returned this year. Stayed in a rental that probably isn't far from you, also overlooking Katchemak Bay. If you like beer--Moose's Tooth shirt says you probably do--have a Red Knot from Homer Brewing for me.

To the other members of the Horde, if you get a chance, definitely visit the Kenai Peninsula. However, since the (Democrat) mayor of Anchorage is nuts, now is probably not the best time. You pretty much have to go through there first.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 15, 2020 02:09 PM (fTtFy)

41 Global warming

Posted by: Kurt at August 15, 2020 02:14 PM (+55Gx)

42 Nice buck Mark ... a guy here got a 186 with a bow two years ago, the biggest to come off my place. They got a 10 point and 12 point the same year, but the 186 was the biggest even though an 8 point. Coyotes are rough on the turkeys ... or maybe it is the bobcats, but not many turkeys around now.

And I worry about "my" little fawns ... saw a coyote tearing after something the other day, then one doe seemed to only have one fawn with her. Need to remove that coyote (had three pups this spring), that got seven of my eight chickens a two weeks ago, and thinks this is her hunting ground now. (already got 15 more chicks to replace them, but will keep them all in the garden)

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 02:23 PM (Cus5s)

43 To the other members of the Horde, if you get a chance, definitely visit the Kenai Peninsula. However, since the (Democrat) mayor of Anchorage is nuts, now is probably not the best time. You pretty much have to go through there first.
Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 15, 2020 02:09 PM (fTtFy)

---

Lots of places that I'd like to visit, but never will.

Ah well, it is what it is.

Posted by: SMH at August 15, 2020 02:23 PM (RU4sa)

44 Thanks for the camper congrats! It's not in my possession yet, but I'm pretty sure it will work out.

My top two picks were Little Guy Mini Max or a Casita Liberty. These met my criteria of (1) within vehicle tow limit of 3,500 lb (2) inside shower (3) bigger-than-full-size bed (4) husband can stand up inside.

I found a 2020 used Liberty from someone who is abandoning the landlubber life for a sailboat. The bathroom is better for my husband's mobility limitations. I was in love with several features of the Mini Max (gorgeous windows and kitchen!), but I think the Casita will be more practical due to the bathroom setup.

Posted by: Emmie at August 15, 2020 02:26 PM (4JM5Y)

45
That fawn was so little, I almost mowed it!
I picked about 4 gallons of okra last night, and 3ish gallons of green beans this morning. The beans, after snapping and cleaning, are right at 9 qts.
Wife is canning tomatoes this weekend. 20 quarts yesterday, more later today.
It's actually cool here today.
Did y'all read about Iowa and the crop loss?

Posted by: MarkY, committing 3 felonies per day. at August 15, 2020 02:26 PM (JbTDu)

46 Shibumi, those mushrooms look like the above-ground "fruit" of a fungus that grows underground. Are they "woody" rather than soft? I had one for years in the front yard; it fed on the decaying roots of a tree the previous owners removed. I'd periodically remove them so they wouldn't damage the lawnmower.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at August 15, 2020 02:29 PM (/+bwe)

47 Illiniwek, can you shoot there?
Loads of folks around here like distance shooting at yotes.
186 is impressive. This guy weighed so much I had to have a son come help turn him over. He went down between two trees.
Used power to get him to where I hang them.

Posted by: MarkY, committing 3 felonies per day. at August 15, 2020 02:30 PM (JbTDu)

48 on the pond ...last week someone noted that fish would probably control the mosquitoes. Seems to work for me.

There is probably some formula for size of pond and how many acres your land should drain. My little ditch became a pond, drains about 25 acres. It must depend on how much rainfall you get as well. Probably need to drain at least 12 acres for a one acre pond, around here.

Assuming they are hiring someone to do the work, that bulldozer person would have a decent idea on site requirements. One neighbor of mine put one in and she only had seven acres of drainage ... never held enough water. Hitting rock can also mean the pond would leak ... there are some solutions for that too .. it all depends on the site.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 02:31 PM (Cus5s)

49 Damn those black-eyed susans. We pull out more than a few just to get rid of them because they become invasive.

Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:34 PM (xSRCx)

50 Did y'all read about Iowa and the crop loss?
Posted by: MarkY, committing 3 felonies per day. at August 15, 2020 02:26 PM

Oh, dear...

Posted by: NaughtyPine at August 15, 2020 02:35 PM (/+bwe)

51 the brown eye susan is some sort of Rudbeckia

triloba maybe

tough as hell

the only flowering plant I have found to comeback after winter in a whiskey barrel pot

I'm in zone 5a

Posted by: REDACTED at August 15, 2020 02:38 PM (O+AcM)

52 yeah, we can shoot, but the early bow guys get the worm ... and the big bucks I guess. We have two shot gun weekends usually, with some other special firearms weekends, or special weekends for kids. Bow hunters get a few weeks head start.

I had twice when tiny little fawns crawled out from under my tractor when I was mowing, straddled them with the front wheels fortunately, so was able to stop and let them get away. The second one didn't get up, I was afraid I'd hit it ... but I got off and helped him up, and he awkwardly ran off.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 02:38 PM (Cus5s)

53 Deer are really cute until they eat all of your shit.

Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:41 PM (xSRCx)

54 that picture of the fawn looks like maybe two fawns? I saw the smallest I'd ever seen this spring ... momma ran off as I rode by, they just sat there together.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 02:43 PM (Cus5s)

55 I have never heard of a derecho until today.

That is what hit Iowa.

Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:44 PM (xSRCx)

56 Deer are really cute until they eat all of your shit.

I don't have to put up with them here, but my sister in Wyo. does. She don't like them.

Posted by: Ronster at August 15, 2020 02:45 PM (90/c2)

57 While I was away in a cabin, the zucchini and delicata decided to make a run for it. Vines everywhere, but not much squash started.

I introduced myself to the new over-the-fence neighbors and invited them to take the ones that are on their side of the chainlink fence.

As of today, the big producer - that stayed in a nice mound formation - is the Black Beauty zucchini. Three last week, one today. I also picked a small delicata because I have a taste for it today.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at August 15, 2020 02:46 PM (/+bwe)

58 Gorgeous pictures of both flora and fauna. Jerry from Alaska, you're a great gardener! And the colors of the plants are so vibrant.

That baby deer is adorable, and those burrowing owls are so darn cute!

Posted by: bluebell at August 15, 2020 02:46 PM (/669Q)

59 I don't have to put up with them here, but my sister in Wyo. does. She don't like them.
Posted by: Ronster at August 15, 2020 02:45 PM (90/c2)

I had one kill a small tree by rubbing its antlers on it.

They almost make me want to get up at 5:30AM and shoot some of the bastards during deer season.

Almost.

Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:49 PM (xSRCx)

60 Beautiful pics! Homer, Alaska is an amazing place, one we might consider retiring to... Hey KT, what part of central CA are you in? I was born and raised in San Luis Obispo / Morro Bay area. Miss it so much, but, you know, California these days

Posted by: Michele at August 15, 2020 02:50 PM (LuDKg)

61 "Did y'all read about Iowa and the crop loss?" Posted by: MarkY

wow, didn't know it was that widespread ... saw news of the high winds. I had big winds a few years back ... corn was up like now, and the field was waving like an angry ocean ... but mostly stayed up. Prices jumped last Friday, they said it was on strong sales, but maybe it was partly on the Iowa losses. I sold over half of my (little) fall crop into the price jump ... still kinda low.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 02:50 PM (Cus5s)

62
I'm not growing anything I want to preserve from deer. They wander into my yard, don't bother me none. I don't understand why the cat is so indifferent to them, however.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 15, 2020 02:51 PM (G51Gf)

63 Managed to mow the lawn today even though it has rained the last three days. I have never seen it so green in August. Amazing. Now the forecast is showing rain again tomorrow.

Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:52 PM (xSRCx)

64 Deer: We have them, but I don't see the adults. The kids hotrodding on the street in a golfcart (don't ask) startled a fawn a couple weeks ago. It took off through an open yard and disappeared into the grade. About the size of a small dog.

The dragonflies have disappeared, which were our mosquito control, and there are wasps everywhere. Caught them nest-building in the shed.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at August 15, 2020 02:52 PM (/+bwe)

65 It's sooo dry around here. Choke cherry and lilac bushes are suffering.

Posted by: Ronster at August 15, 2020 02:54 PM (90/c2)

66 A large doe strolled up the sidewalk across the street early one morning a few weeks ago. She walked to the end of the street and crossed in the crosswalk! Caught me by surprise as they aren't usually in this part of the village. Wish I had thought to record her but I was enjoying the moment and didn't think of it.

Posted by: My life is insanity at August 15, 2020 02:57 PM (Z/jzm)

67 There is at least 8 deer that circle around here, but nothing much gets chomped that I notice. Supposedly tomatoes are not deer food but some years ago everything higher than the fence was gone one night. But I grow my cucumbers on the fence and some of course are outside the wire but they don't get bothered.

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2020 02:58 PM (OjZpE)

68 Shibumi, looks like coneflowers and rudbekia, which butterflies and bees love.

We have a propagating group in town (stop it) that hands out free milkweed to plant for the monarch butterflies.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes

We also get hummingbirds occasionally. We were sitting out on the back deck a few nights ago, and a hummingbird came to feed.

Shibumi, being a City-girl, had NEVER seen a hummingbird before. They are possibly the most amazing creatures to watch. I used to get them at my old house, feeding off the flowers on my clematis vine that grew over my pergola.

Exit Question: WHAT ARE THE MUSHROOMS??

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....living on the prison planet at August 15, 2020 02:58 PM (ZCiJZ)

69 39 Isn't shibumi's gold plant called a Brown Eyed Susan?
Posted by: Bandersnatch at August 15, 2020 02:08 PM (q2K0j)

Dammit! Wish I would've thought of that!

Posted by: Van Morrison at August 15, 2020 02:58 PM (9PG/A)

70 Cloudy, breezy a little and 81 here, not bad

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2020 02:59 PM (OjZpE)

71 Between the fireweed and the Moose's Tooth t-shirt, I'm homesick for Alaska now. Awesome garden!
This year in Texas, I have managed to keep half my herbs alive, and the tomato plant produced one tomato that made it past the ants, caterpillars, and birds to actually be eaten. This is an improvement over last year, but I still haven't gotten the concept of gardening in 7b instead of 4a.

Posted by: Not From Around Here at August 15, 2020 03:00 PM (pRCiG)

72 Shibumi, those mushrooms look like the above-ground "fruit" of a fungus that grows underground. Are they "woody" rather than soft? I had one for years in the front yard; it fed on the decaying roots of a tree the previous owners removed. I'd periodically remove them so they wouldn't damage the lawnmower.
Posted by: NaughtyPine

Thanks. Our yard is full of decaying wood. The back third of the property is a forest.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....living on the prison planet at August 15, 2020 03:00 PM (ZCiJZ)

73 55 I have never heard of a derecho until today.

That is what hit Iowa.
Posted by: jsg at August 15, 2020 02:44 PM (xSRCx)\
----
We had one hit Maryland some years back and it was the strangest thing, just like a solid half hour of lightning and high winds. A mini hurricane.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 15, 2020 03:01 PM (Dc2NZ)

74 I have never heard of a derecho until today.

That is what hit Iowa.
Posted by: jsg

There was one that passed through Central Ohio some years ago. It knocked down a lot of trees, crushing houses. It knocked down wooden power and telephone poles, knocking down a dozen in a row.
It was pretty awesome. What happened in Iowa this week was pretty bad.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....living on the prison planet at August 15, 2020 03:02 PM (ZCiJZ)

75 Partly sunny, 83 here with a light breeze to keep the mosquitos away.

Just finished cutting mom's lawn. I think I'm holding off on the trimming and flower garden pruning til tomorrow. I am already wiped out!

Posted by: My life is insanity at August 15, 2020 03:04 PM (Z/jzm)

76 PET NOOD IS UP

Posted by: Skip, the guy who says NOOD at August 15, 2020 03:04 PM (OjZpE)

77 Rain tomorrow I think so still need to get tractor going if have to jump it with the truck

Posted by: Skip, the guy who says NOOD at August 15, 2020 03:05 PM (OjZpE)

78 The weather here in the NE (upstate NY) has been quite normal. Cooling down next week into the 70's for a high, rather usual. Very little rain, but not especially dry. Looking at all the rain in China, wow, most of that country is seeing exceptional rain. Nature..unpredictable as always.

Posted by: Colin at August 15, 2020 03:05 PM (lsxVG)

79 I guess the farmers can chop the downed corn for silage, but that won't pay the bills.

Posted by: Ronster at August 15, 2020 03:05 PM (90/c2)

80 Great photos. Thanks. I've always loved fireweed. It even looks pretty on the edge of a lake in suburban N.J. but it that setting in Alaska-breathtaking.

With all the rain I've been noticing all kinds of fungi while walking in the woods. One fungi that looks like the fungi version of a sea anemone. Another one that was a striking pink color, and yet others that were orange. It's really fascinating.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2020 03:06 PM (WkPC9)

81 With all the rain I've been noticing all kinds of
fungi while walking in the woods. One fungi that looks like the fungi
version of a sea anemone. Another one that was a striking pink color,
and yet others that were orange. It's really fascinating.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2020 03:06 PM (WkPC9)

Ah, another treat for the pot along with a juicy steak. Unfortunately it might be your last good meal...

Posted by: Colin at August 15, 2020 03:12 PM (lsxVG)

82 "I guess the farmers can chop the downed corn for silage, but that won't pay the bills."

the pics I saw, it was not all the way down. if it is not broken, it might come back up still, or they might get most of the crop even if laid down like that. I don't have a combine, but what I hear is that it is slow going, but they can still combine ... corn was pretty far along. But ... it all depends on each case. Some probably goes to silage ... haven't seen detailed reports yet.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 15, 2020 03:17 PM (Cus5s)

83 Posted by: Colin at August 15, 2020 03:12 PM (lsxVG)

Pink fungi would add a dramatic touch to the steak, but right now I'm not planning to do myself or anyone else in.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2020 03:24 PM (WkPC9)

84 Michele at August 15, 2020 02:50 PM
We're about halfway between Fresno and Bakersfield. Out in the sticks, pretty much. A little closer to Fresno.

Posted by: KT at August 15, 2020 04:05 PM (BVQ+1)

85 I knew they grew some big cabbages in Alaska, but that delphinium is yuge!

Posted by: KT at August 15, 2020 04:06 PM (BVQ+1)

86 Loved Alaska and Homer and around Homer, Halibut cove was beautiful. We visit around this time of year this many years ago and saw that lovely fire weed.

KT, maybe there could be an occasional travel thread at the HQ? I bet we have experts in many amazing places!

Getting back later today from a long east coast vacation. Kind of scared to see what happened to the garden.....

Posted by: keena at August 15, 2020 04:31 PM (SyXkh)

87 dear shibumi

the 1st flower should be called purple coneflower. a/k/a echinacea,
used in herbal medicine

Posted by: lunatic fringe-i know i'm out there. at August 15, 2020 07:48 PM (Mce6+)

88 If you see this, Illiniwek, I meant can you shoot the yotes?

Posted by: MarkY, committing 3 felonies per day. at August 15, 2020 08:34 PM (JbTDu)

89 On burrowing owls, Arizona has a project of making artificial burrows for them using drain tiles.

Posted by: Mike K at August 15, 2020 08:57 PM (4s/ci)

Posted by: martin at August 15, 2020 09:33 PM (dgQnp)

91 re 87
the second of the un named flowers are black eye susans

Posted by: martin at August 15, 2020 09:35 PM (dgQnp)

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Posted by: kam ray at August 17, 2020 09:48 PM (D9E0b)

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