Morning Bees

This is actually self-portrait #6. I have been trying to figure out how to capture the amazing swarm of honey and bumble bees that visit my weeds each morning as I sit on the porch and practice. Video was the way!

Amaranth is a prolific weed in Phoenix.  It is easy to pull out when it is young, but once it goes to flower it is covered with stalks of prickly flower/seed heads.  The bushes get about five to six feet tall with about the same diameter width.  Weeding them once they are full grown means enduring scratches.

Despite the unpleasantness of dealing with mature amaranth, at TESLI some of the amaranth is left to seed because it supports the ecosystem.  The video shows bees busily harvesting the pollen and the seeds are a welcome treat for the birds.

I think this is a facet of gardening that people miss out on. Many people are focused on production of a crop and/or the garden looking good.  These are not bad choices, but imagine what is possible when you let nature do the work and you can enjoy the co-creation of a balanced ecosystem.  Simple living is about increasing awareness in regards to what our choices create.

Grape Leaf Skeletonizer

I know the “Grape Leaf Skeletonizer” sounds like the perfect ghoul for Halloween. Indeed, this unwelcome trick-or-treater did come dressed in the most fabulous costume.Harrisina metallica  Grape Vine Skeletonizer

I was outside arranging my grape vines and enjoying the cooler weather when I came upon these lovely caterpillars.  They are Grape Leaf Skeletonizers (Harrisina metallica).  Despite their beauty, they are unwelcome visitors to my garden.  (Especially since I spent the summer picking caterpillars off my defoliated passion vine.)Grape Vine Skeletonizer Harrisina metallica

This Morning’s Harvest

A good day already.

I picked up my broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower seedlings yesterday from the Cactus Farmer’s Market. Planted most of the seedlings this morning. The weather is perfect!

cabbage, cauliflower, kale, arugula

Kale in rear of bed (left). Cauliflower and Cabbage to the front (right). That big plant near the bottom left is a volunteer arugula.

I harvested mint, portulaca, and kale from the garden for salads this week. Portulaca (aka purslane) is a fantastic weed in this area. It is a little crunchy and somewhat salty. Good in salads and in smoothies.

Mint, Purslane and Kale from the garden.  Phoenix 24 Aug 2014

Mint, Purslane and Kale from the garden. 24 Aug

Purslane

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a common weed and tasty snack

Purslane at a more mature stage.  This variety has little pink flowers

Purslane at a more mature stage. This variety has little pink flowers