Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread, October 30

Happy Fall! And Happy Halloween Weekend! We have some interesting content today, some of it sort of Halloween-ish. Some not so much.

Night at Illiniwek's Farm

Don't know that you would want a critter as big as that deer coming up on you when it's real dark. Fun to see with the night cam, though. Who has an I.D. on the second critter?

Thanks to CBD for formatting the video.

Disconcerting and Disconcerted Critters

From Tony Anthoney:

Your chicken coop photo reminded me of a sight I saw at the Merck Farm near Dorset Vermont last weekend. The plastic owl did not deter the red tail. The ladies in the barn are crowded against the back fence mourning poor Sally (who appears flattened under the feet of the raptor).

Bing tells us about Ravens

With their black feathers standing in sharp contrast to the misty Alaskan background, this group of ravens perched on a leafless tree conjures up a fitting image for this spooky time of year. In the folkloric traditions of many cultures around the world, these highly adaptable, intelligent birds have been considered symbols of all manner of unpleasantness. In Chinese mythology, they're blamed for bad weather, while Celts associated them with warfare. In some Native American traditions ravens are often represented as mischievous tricksters, while many European cultures associate them with evil spirits, usually of demonic origin. In English, a gathering of ravens like this is even called an 'unkindness'!

But the truth about these birds is that they are intelligent and sociable creatures, who happen to be very good to each other. They usually forage for food in pairs, are highly communicative, and love to play. Ravens also mate for life and are devoted parents who both fully participate in the raising of their fledglings. These super-smart birds even console each other, offer each other gifts, and recognize other friendly birds as well as individual human faces. So, while they may look menacing, you'll probably get along with them just fine if you treat them with respect. If not, well, these birds have been known to hold a grudge! After all, another term for a group of ravens is 'conspiracy.' Let's try to stay on their good side.

Quote of the day Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door! Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore.' - -Edgar Allan Poe

Chihuahuas (the dogs) hunt birds. Don't know if they hunt these.

More fascinating facts about ravens from the Farmer's Almanac, including differences from crows, such as: Ravens are often seen alone or in pairs, while crows often fly and feed in a group, referred to as a murder.

Why are scorpions flourescent? A rather long exploration into possible reasons. With some illustrations of how to catch scorpions at night.

We're not that far from Bakersfield, but I have never seen a scorpion here. Wind scorpions, yes. I don't think they fluoresce.

Garden Funnies

Monarch Season Coming to an End (in most places)

How cold is too cold for Monarch caterpillars?

First, the simple answer. For Monarchs and those that do not go into diapause as caterpillars, if the lows are above freezing and the day temperatures are above 65-70 F (18.33-21 C), they'll be fine. As cold-blooded critters, if temperatures drop too low, they'll literally freeze. If temperatures don't climb high enough in the day, they can't eat and will either contract disease from their weakness and die or will die from starvation.

Next comes the question of bringing them inside when it is too cold outside. When they emerge as adults, what if it will be too cold to release them outside?

They can be fed indoors and kept contained. We recommend Gatorade (not low calorie) as food. If it isn't too cold, they can be released.

Gatorade. For butterflies.

Puttering

Autumn Friendship Quilt

Last Week

Very nice, late entry from Shanks for the memory:

Hummingbirds love Guara too...I planted a row in front of the veggie garden fence and it's a major battle zone.

It's raining in the Central Valley, thank the Gods, we can breathe again after the almond harvest. I still have tons of Banana, Bell, Marconi & Cubanelle peppers. We have started picking the Manzanillo, mission, and kalamata olives to cure. Seems to be a banner year with nice plump olives. To me, other than a freezer full of meat, nothing says luxury like jars of cured olives.

Deer breached our fences this year and helpfully pruned the grapevines and the climbing roses. I planted a red rose on one corner post and a white on the opposite post of the veggie garden front fence...they meet in the middle of the arbor over the gate. This year York was winning.

Wow.

Gardens of The Horde

Hi KT. We enjoy your post every week.

I think I've commented maybe once or twice at Ace's so you can call me MostlyHarmless.

We needed to move the Brugmansias in because of an early freeze this year. We live in zone 8. They sit in the attached double garage and are safe when the cold comes. When there's light enough I open the door so they can catch as many photons as possible. They've dropped most of their leaves but the blossoms are mostly holding on. The sweet evening aroma is enough to knock one over. Looks like a choir about to burst into song.

These guys have been having a contest this year. One will go way overboard with the blooms then the other says "Oh yeah? Watch this." then poops out an explosion of blooms. Junior is ahead in this iteration.

The one on the left is 3 years old the one on the right is two years old.

Thought you might like to see them but I can't attach that sweet smell.

Thanks for the great details. Impressive plants!

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 the nic by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ,
unless you want to remain a lurker.

posted by K.T. at 01:13 PM

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