Irene

Today we spent the day getting ready for hurricane Irene.

While George spent the day making sure our greenhouses

don't go flying off in the wind,

I spent the day putting away anything that could do the same.

It's not always easy to have a business so exposed to the elements.

But we handle it the best we can.

You would not have been able to tell by the weather today that in less then 48 hours  we will go from 80 degrees, sunny and calm to

heavy rains and winds over 80 mph.

While I was putting some perennials under the benches out popped a praying mantis.

Obviously he had been enjoying the day too.

They say that praying mantis symbolize peace, quiet and

calm in our lives.

I need that right now.



I need to not panic but stay focused on getting through this storm.

I have few more things to do tomorrow morning ( in the rain)

and then we will hope for the best.

I hope any of you in the path of Irene

stay safe!

It's a Bugs Life

Ok, Now I'm going out on a limb and hope you stay with me here. You probably didn't notice anything yet... just a branch with a few puny leaves.

..Do you see them now????? I know what your thinking ( and feel free to click me off if you must) ..... why is she showing us BUGS.....I thought this was a pretty blog about flowers and gardens?????
In this business we're always scouting for the next thing that wants of damage or eat our product.....aphids, mealy bugs, scale, thrips etc etc...
Sometimes I'm amazed that my husband doesn't always see things. I'm always saying
" Didn't you see that"
" What????"
That!!! right there!!!
....you know ladies how men are.
"I didn't see those socks lying beside the bed, under my bureau, by the sink???" for a week!!! Urrrr!!!
But he is Goooddd at spotting praying mantis. The baby praying mantis had just hatched and when he called me to get my camera. There was supposedly hundreds on this one plant. I of course didn't come fast enough and when I got over to it I could barely see them. He had already walked away. I kept looking and looking but I just couldn't see them. "I know he told me they were here"....

...Oh now I see them. They blended so well with the bark I couldn't find them, and when they're little they move rather quickly not like when they're adults.

They seemed to know I was there and every time the camera clicked they seemed to run away more. When they are adults their heads move back and forth like they're looking at you and trying to figure you out, but they rarely move unless you really scare them. Which I don't of course. I do try moving them to where I know there are bugs I want them too eat. Unfortunately they eat EVERYTHING- so they eat the good bugs too including ladybugs and honey bees.

At this stage they're as big as the tip of your finger. I don't know what they eat now? teenie weenie bugs I suppose? They didn't stick around long enough for me to find out.

This is what their cocoons look like that the females lay in the fall. When we're pruning our plants before winter we have to be careful not to through them away by accident. We've been able to get so many to come back every year because we don't over spray with pesticides.

I was starting to write about customers and chemical sprays but I'll spare you that..........this time.

I think I left my soapbox back home *^%:) lol

Well I hope you still want to come back and visit.

I promise next time it'll be prettier,

But we do like our bugs around here so you may see more in the future.

Have a good night

Don't let the bedbugs bite!!!!