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Posts Tagged: spring
Aphids--It's What's for Dinner!
"Well, yes, I would like some aphids for dinner," said every lady beetle (aka ladybug) everywhere. With the lush green growth of spring, come aphids...
A multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, chows down on an aphid while other aphids suck juices from the rosebud. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A multicolored Asian lady beetle on a rain-soaked rose leaf on the first day of spring, March 20, in Vacaville, Calif. Note the aphids below the beetle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Rain-soaked lady beetle eggs on the first day of spring, March 20, in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bee-hold, the Bumble Bee Nest!
You've seen bumble bees in flight. You've seen the heavy pollen loads. But have you ever seen the ground nest of a bumble bee? You will if you...
Bumble bees, Bombus vosnesenskii,are nesting in a ground cavity at the Loma Vista Farm, Vallejo. (Photo by Rita LeRoy, Loma Vista Farm)
Going in! Coming out! There's lots of activity at the bumble bee nest at the Loma Vista Farm, Vallejo. Farm keeper Rita LeRoy discovered the nest of Bombus vosnesenskii. (Photo by Rita LeRoy, Loma Vista Farm)
Ah, Spring!
It's a glorious day, the first day of spring, and what better time to mark the occasion by visiting the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery on Garrod...
A honey bee foraging on ceanothus in the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A painted lady, Vanessa carduii, finds a cut-leaf lilac, Syringa × laciniata, quite attractive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Check out the pollen on this honey bee foraging on ceanothus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A mournful dusky-wing butterfly (Erynnis tristis) on Spanish lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Mother Earth, a mosaic ceramic sculpture by Donna Billick of Davis, overlooks the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A torrent of emotions on the face of Mother Earth, the work of artist Donna Billick. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Is It Spring Yet?
These freezing temperatures we're experiencing make us yearn for spring. True, it's still autumn and winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 22,...
The freezing temperatures make us yearn for almond pollination season. This photo was taken Feb. 10, 2013 in the Matthew Turner Shipyard Park, Benicia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Summer Reflection
Those of us of a certain, vague age know--really know--time speeds up as we mature. Another birthday, already!? Christmas shopping, already!? I just put my fall/Halloween decorations away, and it is time to plan my family Easter dinner, dye eggs, and place those cute bunnies in appropriate places throughout the garden, already!?
So we arrive home after a week of summer RV camping and the garden is overflowing with zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and chard; but what is in my mailbox? Seed catalogs telling me it is time to start my fall/winter garden. Already!?
My bell peppers are just coming in, but I am being told it is time to plant broccoli. A ton of chard is available in my garden, but I am being told to get those kale seeds in the ground, not to mention twelve varieties of lettuce. Apparently, I need to get beets in the ground where my egg plant is just getting ready to hatch.
When does a veggie gardener rest? When can I just take a break from planting, picking, watering, mulching, composting, planning, pruning?
At the beginning of every spring, looking forward I say, "no winter garden this year. Let's take a break". Every fall, still looking forward, I say, "no summer garden this year. Let's take a break". My husband just looks at me, smiles, and says, "Give me a break."
So which garlic should I plant this winter?
Raised bed riches. (photos by Cheryl Potts)
Morning glory misbehavior!
