Nostr notes by Marie Kung

My local indie family-owned nursery is celebrating a big ...

2026-06-07T13:59:58Z

My local indie family-owned nursery is celebrating a big milestone with free hotdogs. Just another indicator of why I vibe so well with them. 🙂 #gardening #food

Looking forward to hearing your experience. They help fill out a ...

2026-05-27T12:47:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…xh8u
_________________________

Looking forward to hearing your experience. They help fill out a spring part-shade area here. 🙂

I've tried to solve the Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) ...

2026-05-24T14:23:35Z

I've tried to solve the Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) flopping over challenge for a couple of seasons. They tangle up and the flowers aren't as accessible that way. Last fall, I close planted some (Carex blanda) sedges, who are totally doing the job. Credit to Benjamin Vogt for recalibrating my thinking about #NativePlants #gardening. #BloomScrolling

The library plant swap resulted in some surprises. Guess I'm ...

2026-05-19T04:17:51Z

The library plant swap resulted in some surprises. Guess I'm going to attempt celery and asparagus for the first time this year too. #gardening #GrowYourOwn

People are constantly surprised at how well I know the extended ...

2026-05-10T15:11:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…220p
_________________________

People are constantly surprised at how well I know the extended forecast. 🙂

The baby rabbits in the compost bin are so much bigger in just a ...

2026-05-06T00:30:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…gz5l
_________________________

The baby rabbits in the compost bin are so much bigger in just a few days. Eyes still closed but a lot more hair. And did I mention bigger? #BackyardHabitat

oh, dear 😄

2026-05-04T01:38:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…zyrx
_________________________

oh, dear 😄

Went to turn #compost bin A but found a rabbit nest. Guess it ...

2026-05-03T13:42:40Z

Went to turn #compost bin A but found a rabbit nest. Guess it will stay unturned for the next week or two. 🙂 #BackyardHabitat

Thanks! They are new to me and I'm not sure what to expect ...

2026-05-02T23:45:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…dahp
_________________________

Thanks! They are new to me and I'm not sure what to expect yet.

I'm definitely seeing the self-seeding in action. I was ...

2026-05-02T23:41:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…vacq
_________________________

I'm definitely seeing the self-seeding in action. I was hoping for ground cover so it is still okay for now. 🙂 I have plenty of undesirable weeds to push out.

Are they something you could mow over? Or are you in a woodland setting?

I only see two potato tops so far but I'm excited! #gardening ...

2026-05-02T15:31:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…pqjv
_________________________

I only see two potato tops so far but I'm excited! #gardening #GrowYourOwn

The wild geraniums (Geranium maculatum) are 3x larger than last ...

2026-05-02T15:17:08Z

The wild geraniums (Geranium maculatum) are 3x larger than last year. I'm also finding their catapulted seeds germinating all over lol. I'm glad they're in a happy place. Such lovely color and doing great in part shade. #gardening #NorthernIllinois #NativePlants #BloomScrolling

Last year, I added some woodland sedge (Carex blanda) to help the ...

2026-05-01T02:25:10Z

Last year, I added some woodland sedge (Carex blanda) to help the Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) stay more upright. It's working better so far but there's still a lot of growth to come. #gardening #NativePlants

I didn't listen to the good advice. Next time. 🙂

2026-04-27T17:53:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…mxlm
_________________________

I didn't listen to the good advice. Next time. 🙂

One neighbor is dropping off fallen tree branches. The other ...

2026-04-27T12:55:49Z

One neighbor is dropping off fallen tree branches. The other neighbor contributes coffee grounds and banana peels to the #compost. #Gardening is contagious! 🙂

Sharing a new Anjou pear tree this #ArborDay weekend. I'm ...

2026-04-26T20:37:10Z

Sharing a new Anjou pear tree this #ArborDay weekend. I'm trying for a backyard #orchard following Grow A Little #FruitTree by Ann Ralph.

Unfortunately, the nursery already psyched me out of the brutal first cut. I regret not doing it just like the book said I would. It's already so much larger in just 10 days. Any hashtags specific to this part of #gardening?

Amazing!

2026-04-25T14:40:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…3vzj
_________________________

Amazing!

Do you use the white flags as garden markers? I finally put some ...

2026-04-23T13:17:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…huer
_________________________

Do you use the white flags as garden markers?

I finally put some potatoes in last weekend and of course the rain immediately stops. 🙂

I probably should have gone that way, but I have Russet Burbank, ...

2026-04-17T01:00:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…6jnm
_________________________

I probably should have gone that way, but I have Russet Burbank, standard brown, instead. 🙂 They're roaring for soil. I'll cut some up tomorrow for the weekend trial planting. Please let us (me) know how the bag method works for you. #gardening

Thanks to everyone for the good advice! I have reserved a loose ...

2026-04-15T13:01:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…j564
_________________________

Thanks to everyone for the good advice! I have reserved a loose soil area for the potatoes experiment so I'll try putting some in this weekend. Perhaps I'll hold back some of the seed potatoes just in case a replacement batch is needed. 🙂 #gardening

Seems like everything in the #garden shot up by inches over the ...

2026-04-15T12:57:51Z

Seems like everything in the #garden shot up by inches over the last three warm and rainy days. Feels nice to have some spots of color around and the rain barrels filled. #BloomScrolling #tulips #gardening

Requesting #gardening advice. I want to try potatoes this year ...

2026-04-14T18:13:13Z

Requesting #gardening advice. I want to try potatoes this year but it has been so rainy. I'm reluctant to put the seed pieces in. Am I being too cautious? More storms are coming in this week. #NorthernIllinois

The more intense storms this year have brought down all the ...

2026-04-13T15:02:31Z

The more intense storms this year have brought down all the squirrel nests in my neighborhood. (And sent plastic up there instead) With otherwise bare trees, they're using the soft evergreen leaves of arborvitaes (Thuja occidentalis) for temp housing. Unsightly for the yard, but I'm glad the ecosystem provides. Sometimes I forget #gardening with #NativePlants is more than flowers for pollinators.

A weekend of almosts in #NorthernIllinois. Hit 80F and the bees ...

2026-04-12T23:51:08Z

A weekend of almosts in #NorthernIllinois. Hit 80F and the bees are out but the plants aren't ready for them yet. Pictured: marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and tulips. #gardening #NativePlants

Michigan State has plant lists split by geography. ...

2026-04-12T14:29:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…gtha
_________________________

Michigan State has plant lists split by geography.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/local_info/index

You may have a local Wild Ones, botanic garden, or master gardener org as well. Their websites should be helpful.

I find #NativePlants very rewarding and relatively easier to grow once I got out of the "cultivated" mindset. I hope you'll enjoy too!

A DIY #RainBarrell system waiting. The garbage cans, bungee ...

2026-04-08T04:29:49Z

A DIY #RainBarrell system waiting. The garbage cans, bungee cords, and screening material work so well together that I'm not bothering to "upgrade." Eventually, they'll all be right-side up with the downspout redirected over top.

Still with freezing overnight temps here in #NorthernIllinois, ...

2026-04-05T23:08:24Z

Still with freezing overnight temps here in #NorthernIllinois, but the #perennials are doing well. Re-located and re-spaced the green onions (yes, perennial in my #Zone5b) today. Also found the second flower of the yard: a small bit of yellow on a Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea). The 2025-added Carex blanda sedges seem happy and are expanding. #NativePlants #gardening

Will our mysteries be solvable? We'll entertain ourselves ...

2026-04-01T03:24:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…6s8t
_________________________

Will our mysteries be solvable? We'll entertain ourselves staring and wondering. 🙂

I'm happy for the garlic. I'm sad for my brain. 😄 ...

2026-04-01T03:19:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…fj3x
_________________________

I'm happy for the garlic. I'm sad for my brain. 😄 Maybe this will be the year I label properly. Ha ha

Garlics are coming along. I didn't record my fall plantings ...

2026-03-31T12:22:58Z

Garlics are coming along. I didn't record my fall plantings correctly and now I have a section of mystery #garlic plants I have no memory of putting down. Note to #NewGardeners: You will not remember, no matter how "obvious" it seems that you will. 🙂 #gardening #GrowYourOwn

I now know the plantain-leaved sedges (Carex plantaginea) will ...

2026-03-30T02:05:22Z

I now know the plantain-leaved sedges (Carex plantaginea) will provide the first flowers of the #garden. Eventually, the rabbits move on to other meals but these sedges are very popular right now. #NativePlants #gardening #NorthernIllinois #BloomScrolling

Took off some leaf mulch layers over the garlics about two weeks ...

2026-03-23T01:39:11Z

Took off some leaf mulch layers over the garlics about two weeks ago. Put a layer or two back today. Here comes a freeze. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I really hope nothing starts sprouting in ...

2026-02-16T14:56:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…s0z7
_________________________

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I really hope nothing starts sprouting in this hot week.

Greetings from an above 50 F February weekend here in ...

2026-02-16T04:45:17Z

Greetings from an above 50 F February weekend here in #NorthernIllinois. Had it on the schedule to prune the pear tree anyway, but I sure wasn't expecting to not need a jacket.

The birds were loud. A single bee flew by. Cold is back in the forecast for next weekend but for now, I kicked off #gardening season 6.

In past years, I've been thankful for the winter #gardening ...

2026-01-11T05:53:28Z

In past years, I've been thankful for the winter #gardening break and don't get antsy to get back at it until later in February.

This year, I'm missing it already, just a few days into January. As the news keeps coming, I'm missing the centering that comes with being outside, being active, helping things grow... trying to make something better.

So the leaves turn into soil, like compost? 🙂 I'm glad I ...

2025-11-24T00:58:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…vf38
_________________________

So the leaves turn into soil, like compost? 🙂 I'm glad I don't have to plant a lemon tree first. :)

I'm going to try potatoes next year. Besides the hill-ing, is ...

2025-11-23T18:32:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…rnhh
_________________________

I'm going to try potatoes next year. Besides the hill-ing, is there more I should keep in mind?

One of the nice things about the increasing #NativePlants market ...

2025-11-17T05:09:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…w38n
_________________________

One of the nice things about the increasing #NativePlants market is having a selection of spring plants available at the end of the season. I added some marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) and nodding onions (Allium cernuum).

For the leaves, I also use them to mulch. A lot of it gets stored in various ways to feed the #compost through the next year. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Activity from an almost-70F mid-November Saturday: emptied and ...

2025-11-16T18:02:12Z

Activity from an almost-70F mid-November Saturday: emptied and spread the rest of the finish compost, finally put the tulips and final garlics in, finished planting the clearance #NativePlants...

Talked to north neighbor about using leaves from that side (already getting leaves from south neighbor), harvested the fallen leaves from the front yard. I don't clear the back so I really need all the leaves I can get. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Now it is a mid-40F Sunday. Time to head outside and put the tools away.

We'll check in on results next summer. 🙂

2025-11-05T03:19:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…5sjv
_________________________

We'll check in on results next summer. 🙂

I'll be curious on the results because space is limited for ...

2025-11-05T03:17:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…yuwc
_________________________

I'll be curious on the results because space is limited for me.

Great point! It's prime on-sale time. I could do with another ...

2025-11-04T14:26:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…lqd6
_________________________

Great point! It's prime on-sale time. I could do with another one. Hmm

You have the same reaction as I did when getting the ...

2025-11-04T14:22:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…tkf0
_________________________

You have the same reaction as I did when getting the recommendation to plant garlic. 🙂 Really? That's how it works? It did turn out to be as easy as they said it would be though.

Put (seed garlic) cloves in the ground. Wait for spring for the above ground part to show up...

The trees are in color right now. I'm antsy waiting for the leaves to fall. That's how #gardening has warped my perspective (in a good way). That's my mulch and compost browns up there! 🙂

This is the third year for #garlic and I may be overreaching, ha. ...

2025-11-04T14:10:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…k894
_________________________

This is the third year for #garlic and I may be overreaching, ha. I think I did 8 inches apart before but I'm going 6 just for the sheer number of cloves going in.

I have some German Red carrying through from harvest. The family ate all the Music before I could set ones aside. So from the garden center- more Music and new-to-me Duganski. #gardening

Do you also do garlic?

It is the Fiskars garden basket. I use it all the time so was ...

2025-11-04T13:47:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…8wlt
_________________________

It is the Fiskars garden basket. I use it all the time so was worth the higher price to me. Holds a lot of weight, very sturdy, and the three compartment system works well. Two of the sections have holes to handle wet things. Could definitely use to rinse outside but overall too big to put under a sink inside. #gardening

Closed up the 2025 veggie season this weekend. Here's my ...

2025-11-03T14:09:44Z

Closed up the 2025 veggie season this weekend. Here's my final harvest basket. Plus half of the garlics are in. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

There are still more out there but I cleared some areas for ...

2025-10-29T01:03:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…zhzf
_________________________

There are still more out there but I cleared some areas for garlic. Intake pic from this weekend. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

The selections are few out there. The hoverflies are finally ...

2025-10-28T05:41:40Z

The selections are few out there. The hoverflies are finally resorting to the unpopular pink mums. #pollinators #BloomScrolling #gardening #NorthernIllinois

There's a declining maple tree in the yard that was hosting ...

2025-10-22T04:25:37Z

There's a declining maple tree in the yard that was hosting #woodpeckers. Unfortunately, their diligent home building weakened this junction, and a storm toppled that whole section. I hope they are doing okay without their shelter. The marks are fascinating! #BackyardHabitat

(An arborist did visit previously and said it was fine to leave up. Nothing overhangs the house, sidewalk, or neighbors' driveways.)

I'm finding out these cooler-temperature grown beans are more ...

2025-10-19T16:27:44Z

I'm finding out these cooler-temperature grown beans are more tender than the summer ones. Really delicious! The fall radish was also a welcome peppery hit. #gardening #NorthernIllinois #GrowYourOwn

We're not quite done yet. Harvest basket from this weekend. ...

2025-10-12T16:13:14Z

We're not quite done yet. Harvest basket from this weekend. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

I believe the perennial mums get labeled "hardy" or the ...

2025-10-12T15:53:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…lep4
_________________________

I believe the perennial mums get labeled "hardy" or the tag will note the temps. Reliably available at the end-of-season clearances happening soon for me. Even if they don't look great when I buy them, things go well the following year. 🙂 #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Yes, the mums are perrenial where I am. They're great ground ...

2025-10-12T02:09:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…0z8g
_________________________

Yes, the mums are perrenial where I am. They're great ground cover in the spring, and then they flower after the goldenrods are done.

Not all are good #pollinator helpers though. I knew the orange/yellow ones would be because the bees were on them at the nursery, but the purple ones, while pretty, are not being visited. #gardening #BloomScrolling #NorthernIllinois

One wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) flowering stalk deciding ...

2025-09-29T13:24:39Z

One wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) flowering stalk deciding to bloom with the mums. #gardening #NativePlants #NorthernIllinois

Life's been busy. A quick catch-up post with harvest basket ...

2025-09-23T04:16:42Z

Life's been busy. A quick catch-up post with harvest basket pics. (Right, this past weekend. Left, two weekends ago.) Thus ends the yellow squashes. Still cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and peppers out there.

This year, I went through the experiment of just going with the volunteer cherry tomatoes as they show up. I'm happy to say it was a success. No effort or cost on my end. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Wow, that is some dedicated problem solving. Is the shark one ...

2025-09-16T12:43:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…x0sl
_________________________

Wow, that is some dedicated problem solving. Is the shark one working better?

The cat tribunal is not going to have any mercy on whoever came ...

2025-09-15T23:22:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…4yul
_________________________

The cat tribunal is not going to have any mercy on whoever came up with that collar. 😄

That's a jalapeño? 😯

2025-09-15T22:58:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…y5er
_________________________

That's a jalapeño? 😯

That's great! This is the first year there is a nice flush of ...

2025-09-11T00:27:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…k439
_________________________

That's great! This is the first year there is a nice flush of those. They do seem pretty sturdy and it is good to know they'll be around for a bit. 🙂

I'm impressed with the long-blooming season of the false ...

2025-09-10T13:15:05Z

I'm impressed with the long-blooming season of the false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). The yellow started peeking out late June and new ones are still opening now. The purple/pink around them (wild bergamot, blazing star, obedient plant) cycle through. Yet the yellow remains! #NativePlants #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Harvest basket picture from this past weekend. Lots of beans. ...

2025-09-09T13:25:26Z

Harvest basket picture from this past weekend. Lots of beans. Yikes! I like the little teeth marks in the rejected pepper. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

I'm flattered to be considered knowledgeable but I think the ...

2025-09-09T13:07:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…qwc3
_________________________

I'm flattered to be considered knowledgeable but I think the details will make a difference. What kind of flowers, seeds or starts, how big are the rocks... that kind of stuff.

If you put the tags on it, people who have those flowers or ground conditions may also jump in to provide their experience.

Generally, when I do native plants, I do very little ground prep but I do try to match up the preferred conditions from the start. Annual flowers get more babying.

Ha, as much as I enjoy being out there, I am gloved and in long ...

2025-09-07T15:59:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…032w
_________________________

Ha, as much as I enjoy being out there, I am gloved and in long sleeves. Too many jump scares. 🙂

An experience of biodiversity connectiveness- A society of house ...

2025-09-07T14:47:52Z

An experience of biodiversity connectiveness- A society of house sparrows lived near by, centering on a nest hole in a neighbor's garage. That garage got repaired and now the sparrows are gone. It's noticeably more quiet. Even the other birds aren't around as much, which was a surprise to me.

I'm also seeing more caterpillars. Like this fluff ball (ID says tiger moth) on a nightshade weed I was removing. I guess I'll leave the spot as is for a bit longer. #insects #BackyardHabitat #pollinators

Dr. Internet 🙂 says the large milkweed bug basically slurps ...

2025-09-07T14:19:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…4vtw
_________________________

Dr. Internet 🙂 says the large milkweed bug basically slurps milkweed (the sap and through liquefying), but this doesn't really do any damage. From what I'm seeing, this is true so far. It's nice to be able to leave things alone.

I'm blurring this one because it is a lot of milkweed bugs ...

2025-09-01T21:55:52Z

I'm blurring this one because it is a lot of milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus). Nothing wrong with them, of course, but a lot of something, especially insects, can be a bit... sensation-inducing. The nymphs remind me of football players. #insects

Do you also give the neighbors the prettier ones? #gardening ...

2025-08-31T14:27:05Z

Do you also give the neighbors the prettier ones? #gardening #GrowYourOwn

Couldn't find the swallowtail butterfly #caterpillars on the ...

2025-08-30T23:47:23Z

Couldn't find the swallowtail butterfly #caterpillars on the carrots today. 🙁 Hope they are doing okay under that mess somewhere. Found two #monarch ones though. 🙂 On swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). #NativePlants #gardening

I've been checking for swallowtail butterfly #caterpillars on ...

2025-08-25T23:46:24Z

I've been checking for swallowtail butterfly #caterpillars on the golden alexander plants (carrot family) all season and coming up empty. But on the garden carrots, all of a sudden, there are some nice fat ones. #gardening #pollinators

Sounds like you are doing a lot of things well and according to ...

2025-08-24T23:08:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…w9gf
_________________________

Sounds like you are doing a lot of things well and according to advice. One thing that helped me with root vegetables is to really make the soil fine. Not just loose but extra worked through. It made a difference.

That's wonderful! Thanks for letting me know.

2025-08-24T23:00:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…mfpn
_________________________

That's wonderful! Thanks for letting me know.

Looking forward to a weekend when the heat index is not over 100 ...

2025-08-23T16:09:03Z

Looking forward to a weekend when the heat index is not over 100 F. This is the scene that greeted me as I opened the door and managed to snap a quick picture. #Hummingbird visiting cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) admist the gone-to-seed golden alexanders and the up-and-coming mums. #gardening #NativePlants #NorthernIllinois

Yes, I grow in the backyard. Thank you!

2025-08-23T01:01:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…pn3m
_________________________

Yes, I grow in the backyard. Thank you!

Spent a bit of time in the #garden today because a couple of ...

2025-08-22T04:41:23Z

Spent a bit of time in the #garden today because a couple of really powerful storms came through. Most things are now topsy-turvy out there. The fabric I put up as shade covering for the hostas shredded away. Metal supports tipped over. Plant stems snapped. I need to further adapt my stuff for #ClimateChange. #gardening #NorthernIllinois

The speed at which this happens continues to catch me off guard. ...

2025-08-18T13:50:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…zvq8
_________________________

The speed at which this happens continues to catch me off guard. I'm in anticipation mode since I've seen the cucumber beetles around now.

I'm in awe that you keep up with your journaling. I wish I ...

2025-08-18T13:21:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…ynfg
_________________________

I'm in awe that you keep up with your journaling. I wish I were as disciplined.

The heat has sun-scalded the Early Girl tomatoes. I think ...

2025-08-17T15:28:46Z

The heat has sun-scalded the Early Girl tomatoes. I think they're going into a less exposed position next time. #Garden basket from this weekend. #gardening #GrowYourOwn #NorthernIllinois

That's so great to hear! I hope today continues to go well.

2025-08-12T17:32:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…7s4j
_________________________

That's so great to hear! I hope today continues to go well.

The difference in the eyes of that last photo is so stark. ...

2025-08-12T13:07:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…fjk0
_________________________

The difference in the eyes of that last photo is so stark. I'm glad things are turning around.

I think my experience will match both of yours. The bush beans ...

2025-08-10T14:49:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…29tp
_________________________

I think my experience will match both of yours. The bush beans produced plenty. I'm going to rethink next season. 🙂

Michael, did you find something you like growing in the shadier conditions?

Yes, I will need to make a better trellis next time. I only have ...

2025-08-10T14:37:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…asht
_________________________

Yes, I will need to make a better trellis next time. I only have one metal pole and it is not enough. I underestimated these beans!

Your system looks great! I like how the panels can move around.

Instead of bush beans, I thought I'd try pole beans this year ...

2025-08-10T01:05:52Z

Instead of bush beans, I thought I'd try pole beans this year to save space. Ha! The now invisible trellis is falling over. I'm sticking random poles wherever to spread things out. I have to cut constantly to expose the flowers. This is fun but a lot of work. #gardening #GrowYourOwn

He's lucky to be neighbors with you. TNR 👍

2025-08-02T03:39:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…k8ca
_________________________

He's lucky to be neighbors with you. TNR 👍

Too dark to see who found a tucked-in napping spot underneath the ...

2025-07-31T13:33:11Z

Too dark to see who found a tucked-in napping spot underneath the nicely curled coneflower petal. #gardening #pollinators #NativePlants

I'm glad I like them because they're the captains now. ...

2025-07-30T13:11:47Z

I'm glad I like them because they're the captains now. High heat, windy storms, and tall plants make for a lively, topsy-turvy view. #NativePlants #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Front: Mountain mint (white) at waist level, stiff goldenrod (green and waiting), Joe Pye (purple) is over 8 ft tall. Back: some kind of Asiatic lilly (orange), wild bergamot (pink), cup plant (yellow). Grass and wild violets.

Aw, bummer. A family member used some scent sprays, I think, on ...

2025-07-29T03:54:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…f6kg
_________________________

Aw, bummer. A family member used some scent sprays, I think, on their roses.

The first ones that didn't split. 🙂 The rain also busted a ...

2025-07-28T14:19:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…8fe3
_________________________

The first ones that didn't split. 🙂 The rain also busted a bunch of tomatoes.

I didn't know deer liked tomatoes. My area is too congested to have them come through.

Harvest basket this weekend- Cleaned up the garlic. The cucumbers ...

2025-07-27T21:28:54Z

Harvest basket this weekend- Cleaned up the garlic. The cucumbers got a bit out of control. These are going to be over ripe.

It feels like we're getting so much rain but the monitor says we're still in drought conditions. Really emphasizes how dry it's been the last several years. The rain sure is pumping up the sizes. #NorthernIllinois #gardening #GrowYourOwn

It's a challenge because they are only an inch or two and ...

2025-07-23T12:37:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…ffr2
_________________________

It's a challenge because they are only an inch or two and dart through the flowers so fast. Their wings are blurs already. The automatic focus doesn't know what to do and I'm not good enough to do manual focus. I basically click a lot and look at the results later. 🙂

I keep trying to photograph this year's hummingbird clearwing ...

2025-07-23T02:56:23Z

I keep trying to photograph this year's hummingbird clearwing moths but only managing blurry takes so far. Resharing this lucky snap from last year instead. #NativePlants #pollinators #moth #gardening

It's nice they are easier to spot and so pretty, isn't ...

2025-07-21T12:43:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…eu7l
_________________________

It's nice they are easier to spot and so pretty, isn't it? A change from all the camouflaging that goes on. 🙂Great looking petunias!

Black swallowtail on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) ...

2025-07-20T23:51:17Z

Black swallowtail on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) #NativePlants #pollinators #gardening #NorthernIllinois

Summer veggies hitting the kitchen now #gardening ...

2025-07-20T01:44:21Z

Summer veggies hitting the kitchen now #gardening #NorthernIllinois

A photo that's making me laugh- the bumblebee makes me think ...

2025-07-16T13:50:31Z

A photo that's making me laugh- the bumblebee makes me think of Gonzo shyly peeking out from behind the gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnatal) stem. #NativePlants #pollinators #gardening #BloomScrolling

The background gives a sense of the height and thickness of the wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) patch.

White for the summer #NativePlants #pollinators #gardening ...

2025-07-15T14:15:07Z

White for the summer #NativePlants #pollinators #gardening #NorthernIllinois

The wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) decided to vigorously kick ...

2025-07-14T03:04:48Z

The wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) decided to vigorously kick off this week. I'm glad I tried the Chelsea chop. Even had a too-fast-to-photograph hummingbird stop by for a taste. #NativePlants #pollinators #NorthernIllinois #gardening

FWIW, I also wanted to avoid the soaring stems and test shortened ...

2025-07-14T02:36:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…jswl
_________________________

FWIW, I also wanted to avoid the soaring stems and test shortened some last month. Didn't affect the blooming at all. They're going gangbusters.

They have no shame and no fear.

2025-07-13T02:05:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…cn3z
_________________________

They have no shame and no fear.

You have a nice amount in the picture and I thought you may have ...

2025-07-11T15:29:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…kk46
_________________________

You have a nice amount in the picture and I thought you may have found the elusive answer. 🙂 I don't know how asters survive in the wild. Ha

How do the asters escape the rabbits?

2025-07-10T19:32:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…e8zu
_________________________

How do the asters escape the rabbits?