Rain started falling around 4 PM yesterday, and continued heavily for about two hours. Overnight, the Thunderbirds woke us up, and again the rain poured down. This morning there is a good 3 inches in the gauge, an ankle deep puddle in front of the solar panels, and it is very squishy, rubber boot walking, elsewhere along some trails. It has been less than a week since the last deluge of 1 ½ inches. The bird chorus is in full swing this morning, and the sun is striking sparkling prisms off of all the raindrops that are still on leaves. There are mud splatters on all the garden plants that are not mulched.
I did a meander down along a trail that is the home of the biggest thimble berries (blackberries), and they are progressing nicely. We are in hopes that there will be a blueberry crop this year as well.
This summer, we
are having a Lymantria dispar moth caterpillar invasion in eastern Ontario. (Previously
called Gypsy Moths) They are just becoming noticeable this year
in our area, although other more southerly regions are much more
affected. The worms have been munching on some of our trees, oaks,
poplars, and the old gnarly apple tree by the propane tank was
stripped bare. It doesn't have too many branches, as we'd pruned all
the dead stuff out a few years ago, but, the old tree is re-leafing
out! We thought this might be the end of it, as branches keep dying
off. Its fruit is not great, but I love the gnarly shape of the old
tree. I was over squishing the moth cocoons on the tree, and look
what I found!
This monarch worm had to travel at least 31.5 feet from the nearest milkweed plant, across mown grass, and then climbed 4.5 feet up the tree! I'll be watching to see the Monarch emerge.
The rain last night was so intense, it pushed some of the climbing beans off of their fence. My herb bed is filling in,
and this morning, the first gloriously coloured Calendulas are opening up
and my Shasta daisy clump is starting to bloom.
I hope the rain will slow down soon, but everything sure looks like it's coming along beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAn inch per week is ideal, but this year Ma Nature is being a little excessive!
DeleteLove that calendula, and Shasta daisies are my 91 year old Mom’s absolute favorites. I have tried unsuccessfully to grow them for years. Good for you ! We have finally received some rain, of which my garden is extremely happy! That monarch story is fascinating and profound! Have a great week, and hope your garden is prolific!
ReplyDeleteI've only ever grown yellowish coloured Calendula before, so these burnt orange and ochre coloured ones are a delight. I guess if a Monarch can fly those thousands of miles to Mexico each fall, a little jaunt across the yard is nothing to it!
DeleteDon't cha just hate it when the mud splatters up on your veggies? That's almost the main reason I mulch so much of our garden. Of course, if I hadn't mulched everything like crazy this year (of our drought) everything would be looking much worse by now! Good old mulch. Can't beat it. Sounds as though you might want to keep your water wings handy.
ReplyDeleteYes. If you don't get them washed well enough, grit in your teeth!! Ugh!! I swear by mulch. In a 'normal' year, it keeps the moisture in our sandy soil longer. Kinda' wondering if Ma Nature will be slapping us down come August. Surely this excess of moisture can't last all summer? One good thing though, the worm denuded trees will not have to suffer from drought, as well as from being eaten bare!
DeleteI wish we could get some of your rain. We have gotten some, with cooler than normal summer temps to boot, but I'd be happier with an inch a week.
ReplyDeleteThe monarch chrysalis is very neat! Your flowers and potential berries are looking good too.
Wish we could send some of this rain to where it is really needed! We have had far more than our share this summer! We are hopeful of a berry harvest this year. We are shortly heading over to the blueberry fields to see how they are coming along. It is a good year for Monarchs here. I just checked one small area of our milkweeds, and counted 11 worms there!
DeleteWe are lucky there are none of those awful caterpillars in our immediate area. My brother in law lives out at Lake Clear where there are huge swaths defoliated but the awful things. Our garden is really booting along. My partner cut the grass the day before we left on vacation. A week on it's ready to mow again. WOW!
ReplyDeleteMowing grass has become a weekly thing this summer because of all the rain. Next year is going to be bad for the caterpillars unless we get a good long session of cold weather this winter to freeze the eggs.
DeleteYou will notice a big difference in your garden after being away. I notice a difference every day with all this moisture!
Look at your herb bed!!! Wow! Lucky to see the monarch worm! I hope it's safe and sound while it emerges!!! :) Lovely flowers Rosalea! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Monarch emerged yesterday, so gloriously orange and black!
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