Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
So nice to see! I'm still looking for some milkweed plants. I'm probably going to have to drive to other side of Columbia to find them which will be a 100 plus mile round trip - which I really don't want to do.
@marlboromaam It's taken me three years, but it's been easy to grow them from a $5-6 packet of Burpee seeds. I just planted a few more, and while all the caterpillars became a food source for other life forms, the flowers are busy with pollinators now!
@marlboromaam We learn by screwin' up! My $5-6 seed packet had 50-60 seeds. I planted them all. Got 3 plants to survive. Turned out I put the seeds too deep in the soil. I did a much better job a year ago when I planted the new bed and got a super high germination rate and obtained a garden that attracted mama Monarchs this year … even if I didn't protect the babies. :-(
@rhoing We do what we can. I'm still working on the snake baffle with your idea for the bluebird house in the tree. I'm working on three more different ones for the power poles and the ones on the fence. BTW, I've seen first hand a rat snake go out of his way to avoid the sulfur powder I put around the fence and poles where the houses are located. I was very pleased about that! I want to get more plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, but that might have to wait until next summer. Other financial priorities are in the way.
@marlboromaam I’ve wondered how that project was going!
Since none of “my” caterpillars survived to spin a chrysalis, I’ve been researching bird deterrents. Unfortunately, they seem to figure out that scary-looking things aren’t necessarily a threat if they don’t move and don’t exhibit any motion. I’m thinking about mosquito netting when I see eggs or caterpillars to give them a fighting chance.
@rhoing It may be old-fashioned but aluminum pie tins tied to poles so they can flap in the breeze are still pretty good to scare off some birds. Worked for my grandparents. Otherwise, the netting sounds like a plan to me! =)
Since none of “my” caterpillars survived to spin a chrysalis, I’ve been researching bird deterrents. Unfortunately, they seem to figure out that scary-looking things aren’t necessarily a threat if they don’t move and don’t exhibit any motion. I’m thinking about mosquito netting when I see eggs or caterpillars to give them a fighting chance.
If they work, they work.
If they don't, it's on to a Plan B!