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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
dinner time
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Monarch SOS
Recently, I have noticed a decline of monarch butterflies in our garden. The milkweed plants grew and flowered, yet there was no activity on the plants. In prior years, there were always a flutter of monarchs (danaus plexipus) in our garden; then suddenly one day they were all gone! For two years, we waited, and waited, then today I spied a familiar face, gliding and floating lazily from flower to flower. Aha! They were back, at least one was. I screeched (bawled out) with excitement (more like a Chhaaaakk) and I quickly ran to the house to give Chuck the good news.
We later decided to go to a nearby field where we had previously seen many monarchs, to collect a few caterpillars to get the colony going. I was really disappointed with the scarcity of monarch larvae. The field had many of their larval food plants present, yet I spotted one lone monarch. What had happened? Could it be that the heavy and indiscriminate use of pesticides, had finally taken its toll on the population? Or, could it be due to some type of virus? Or had some predator developed an appetite for these bad tasting creatures? After carefully searching under the leaves of their larval host plant, (the giant milkweed) we found about six caterpillars varying in sizes, the largest measuring around 4cms.
We brought them home and they are now happily chomping away on the milkweeds in our garden.
The absence of these creatures is a strong indicator that all is not well in our environment. Without these delightful insects, our food supply will be affected as well as the survival of other important insects in the food chain. These insects are some of the pollinators necessary for food crop and fruit production. I feel a sense of urgency, that unless we do something immediately, we will be in very serious trouble. We have to act now to:
- drastically reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides
- preserve native species of plants that are used for nectar and larval food
- to encourage and educate homeowners on how to start butterfly gardens
- introduce butterfly gardens into schools where good habits for a healthy environment can be cultivated at an early age
Monday, July 12, 2010
Kitchen finale
Sunday, July 11, 2010
the tea party
The tea party was on Saturday. It was good to see old friends and meet new ones. Garden blogger Nicole from a Caribbean Garden, was in town on business and was able to be here. It was really nice to meet up with her again. We also had in spirit, garden bloggers Andrea, Autumn Belle, Kanak, JC, Lotusleaf, Shailaja, Stephanie and Bangchik.
Special thanks to Valerie (the fourth photo down searching her purse) who assisted me in the kitchen, slicing cake, frying the accras, (cod fish cakes) and flying fish fingers. Special thanks to my sister Sandra who helped preparing the fish and with the washing up. There was enough food to feed an army and everyone had some to take home. I am still enjoying the remaining iced tea this morning with the chicken salad on toast.
Friday, July 9, 2010
tropical fruity friday
Tomorrow, I will be having some friends over to tea, to celebrate my birthday which happens to be today. If you recall, I had sent out invitations to many of you to attend this important event. Many of you have accepted, and I, will be placing your name cards with your blog addresses on my table. Many of my friends will get to meet you and I will have a surprise guest attending.
Tomorrow will also be the official opening of my new kitchen, so stay tuned.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Rambling update
I have been reading about this tree on some of my gardening friends' blogs in India and Florida. I thought that might be the tree I bought many years ago (about 3 years). I waited impatiently every year to see buds. Hola! This year I am rewarded with some buds and blooms. Not many, just on what seems to be the older branches of the tree. The tree is still quite young and still has many years to grow into the magnificent specimen that it is meant to be . I have seen a few of these trees on the island, one is located in the car park of the Foundation school in Christ Church, and another from Caribbean Plants in Gibbes where this one was purchased.
My garden ramble, which was held over the weekend did not come off as I would have wanted it to. On Saturday, I was competing with the World cup and Wimbledon, and on Sunday it rained buckets. Some people came and bought some plants after the events . Next time, I will do a thorough check before confirming a date. I however, cannot control the weather.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Garden Ramble and plant sale
Friday, June 25, 2010
baobab in Barbados
tree with a girth of 44.5 ft (13.6m) is believed to have been brought from Guinea, Africa around 1738 making it over 250 years old. Its jug-shaped
trunk is ideally suited for storing water, an ideal adaption in the dry savannah regions of its native Africa.
This tree is located in Warrens St. Michael on the outside of a huge construction site. Local preservationists and historians made it clear that this tree was not to be touched. Just recently, another tree was destroyed by developers who just didn't care that there were fewer than four of these on the island. Its trunk has been used as a guest book for visitors wishing to leave their mark.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
flower showers
P.S. I am noticing more of these trees as I drive around. There is also a very pale yellow with cream flowers as well.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
showing off
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Garden bloggers bloom day June 2010
I am on a pink cloud of zephyranthes whose shady origins are thought to be South American or Mexican. They are also known as rain lilies in North America or thunder lilies in India (thanks Sunita). We recently had a day of rain (yes rain) and never have I seen this amount of plants and flowers in bloom at the same time. This stunning display has given me the inspiration to plant more borders of these around the garden. For more information on the culture please go to Floridata.
To see more blooming gardens please visit Carol at may dreams gardens who gave birth to this event. See you soon!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Garden spaces
My birthday is next month and am toying with the idea of a small celebration, and why not have it here? The yellow mandevilla, now known as the vine alamanda has finally covered half of the pergola, thus providing me with some shade during the hottest part of the day. It is a lovely spot to relax in the evenings.
As you can see my adirondack chairs have not been painted since I started two years (more like 17 months) ago. I don't know if I will ever finish this job or delegate it to my garden helper. I know, I am the world's greatest procrastinator and some times I need to have fire under my rear end to get some things going.
To all my fellow garden bloggers, I will not name you but you know who you are, please join me for tea and crumpets on Saturday at 4.00pm. Please dress appropriately.
P.S. Happy belated birthday greetings Virginia!
