The cucumber beetle’s destruction

Posted on June 7, 2012 by curtis

I came home from work a few days ago and did what I usually do. I walked out back to fiddle around in the garden. Watering the pumpkin and watermelon seedlings I spotted this damage done to a Moon and Stars melon plant.

“Crap,” I muttered under my breath. The cucumber beetle was back, or more importantly, it never left. A few weeks ago I witnessed the destruction of three other watermelon seedlings. They died off completely. This time, though, I spotted a would-be culprit and tried to take it’s mugshot but it wouldn’t sit still long enough. So, I squished it. If you want to know what one looks like just Google it.

Hopefully, this little plant will recover and grow up to make some juicy melons!

Untitled

Posted on April 23, 2012 by curtis

I couldn’t come up with a name for this. Just something I put together. Hope you like it.
Music credit: The Head and the Heart.

Saddened by Bluebonnet cleanup

Posted on April 21, 2012 by curtis

The bluebonnets have been hanging around for about the last three weeks without any color. They were beginning to become unsightly. The seed pods were plump enough that it was time to do some cleanup around the mailbox.

I cut the tops off most the plants to hang and let the seeds pods dry.

Unfortunately, during cleanup I discovered where all the butterflies were coming from. It turns out, I ripped up the hiding place where the caterpillars were making their cocoons. I left this one and another one. I didn’t bother looking through the pile of pulled plants to look for more as I was saddened enough.

Through the Looking-Glass

Posted on April 19, 2012 by curtis

Everyday when I come home from work I am mesmerized by the amount of butterflies fluttering around in the front yard. I could sit out there all evening and watch them sit and bask in the evening sun. I was able to get these four on camera. The others are more camera shy.

When I see the sunflower leaves all chewed up, I just remember that soon I’ll be able to enjoy that pesky caterpillars true beauty.

Sitting out there I think of the Bread and Butterflies from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. If you just sit still for a few moments in a small area, there are amazing things going on right under your nose. Sometimes I’ll get down on their level and try to see the world from their perspective. It is amazing.

Caterpillars are not my friend

Posted on April 6, 2012 by curtis

What’s wrong with the picture?

You can see the culprit on the left side of the pot. He has some smaller friends around in there somewhere. I can’t believe the polished off every last leaf.

Guess I’ll have to start some more. Now, where did I put those seeds?

Beetles and larvae. Oh, my!

Posted on March 20, 2012 by curtis

This pretty much shows the varying growing stages of the ladybug. All beneficial in their own way. I also found a few cucumber beetles but I killed them before I could take a picture. Those guys are bad news. I found this colony located at the Common Ground Community Garden where I grow stuff that doesn’t fit in my backyard.

Since the community garden is organic, it is necessary to have as many beneficial bugs as possible. The ladybug larvae are great at getting rid of aphids attacking you vegetables and the adults are great pollinators.