MISTAKES

I've sure made a lot of mistakes since I started gardening - the vast majority were small and inconsequential, however two really stand out that make me wish I could have a 'do-over'. The first and most fundamental mistake was not studying the sun's pattern throughout the year as it exposed various parts of the yard to full sun and/or shade. I sure would not have placed various elements and components of our back yard garden where I did - most notably the terrace. So now I'm stuck doing modifications to make it more useful for our summer enjoyment. And the other big mistake - the one every garden book and gardener preaches - AMENDING THE SOIL. Yes we were in such amateurish haste to start planting and enjoy the benefits of our efforts that I never properly amended the soil. Here in the midwest we have the worst soil - because it really isn't soil - underneath 6 to 12 inches of black soil is heavy clay - the kind of stuff NOTHING can really grow in. No wonder the prairie of the midwest is dominated by native plants that are tougher than tough.
So there it is. My major gardening mistakes. I'll comment more on these in future posts and on several of the lesser gardening mistakes I've made. I guess I'm continuing to learn and hope I never stop.

Ah....

Suspicious delight

a graceful flower appears

a weed, determined



One persons weed is another's delight...are weeds the bane of your existence? Just how many monarch butterflies have you spotted this season? Their particular munchies of choice are:

Apocynum cannabinum - Indian Hemp
Asclepias incarnata - Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca - Common Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed
Aster sp. - asters
Cirsium sp. - thistles
Daucus carota - Wild Carrot
Dipsacus sylvestris - Teasel
Erigeron canadensis - Horseweed
Eupatorium maculatum - Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
Euptorium perfoliatum - Common Boneset
Hesperis matronalis - Dame's Rocket
Medicago sativa - Alfalfa
Solidago sp. - golden rods
Syringa vulgaris - Lilac
Trifolium pratense - Red Clover
Vernonia altissima - Tall Ironweed[22]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_(butterfly)

It’s a sure bet not many of these are currently in residence in very many gardens.
I began this journey after a conversation with my gardening consultant and sometimes adversary or advisory (I’ll leave the final determination up to you) on an unidentified plant which took up residence in our garden. We decided to let it grow to determine what it was. It turned in a pretty nice performance with a wonderful delicate flower that butterflies were attracted to. Which lead to my haiku, then wiki search and here we are. Oh, about that “weed” I’m still not sure, but what a journey it has been.