Girl’s Garden throughout the Season

This was the second year that I grew Milkweed in the Girl’s Garden. It really took off. I had no idea that it is propagated by not only seeds, but also by root cuttings. It began to grow all over the garden!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The milkweed was one of the best plants I have grown in a while to attract pollinators. I had bees and butterflies that I normally would not see visiting specifically because of the milkweed. In the garden we also grew sweet potatoes, potatoes, some sunflowers and the beginnings of a fig tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I loved the milkweed, it does take over. I will likely be pulling out a lot of the plants this next spring as they come up. Otherwise, I felt that the girl’s garden this year was a success.

Raising more than just Mustard Greens

I love supporting local wildlife with flowering plants. I also love seeing some insects on my plants. It lets me know that I the plants are healthy enough for other animals to consume. However, there comes a time when enough is enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That time came for me this last winter when my Mustard plants became the breeding ground for several dozen uninhibited harlequin bugs (not pictured). By the time I was able to get to the plot, the bugs had begun multiplying. In order to deter the adults to set up camp, I came back as soon as I could – at night – and chopped down all of the plants. This left a lot of residue, but given the proliferation of bugs and the potential for the Mustard to spread seed, it was wise for me to remove the plants as quickly as possible.

Spiders and Others

Here are some other spiders and insects that I saw throughout the season. I hope that you enjoy.

 

Katydid Nymph

 

Wild Bees in Suisun Valley, California

Plume Moth

Achemon Sphinx moth

Wolf Spider

Adult Katydid on Manzanita

A couple Mantid photos

No season is ever complete without me taking time to enjoy the mantids. Here are a few pictures of some mantids that I saw throughout the season.

2022 Insects throughout the Season

So here are a few pictures of insects that I found throughout the season. The first picture is of a mantid ootheca I found while walking at a nearby creek on New Year’s Day. The next is some ladybugs I found on a walk. Then are some pictures of a mantid on some flowers and some mantids I found nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like one of the mantids made it to adulthood, as I later found this girl molting into an adult. I also happened to find a brown adult female mantid and found another green adult female.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I had a chance encounter with a large jumping spider in my garage carrying babies on her back.