Saturday, August 23, 2008

Tomato score: Squirrels 8, Sandra 0

Andrew was here last weekend and brought his digital camera, so now I have pictures to post! Nothing too exciting, but I did want to give an update on my little "practice garden". Occasionally I have an alert, squirrel-chasing guard cat:



but Madeline would have to be on duty 24/7 to keep the little thieves away. They have gotten at least 8 of my tomatoes, but the hearty little plant is producing more, so I must do something to protect them!



After Andrew left I built a chicken-wire fortress around my tomato plant. So far it's working, and my tomatoes have grown noticeably! Also, my marigolds have begun to produce flowers! This was after Andrew and his camera left, though, so I don't have pictures (I am still clinging to my broken digital, hoping somehow it might just start randomly working again). Also, my basil is being eaten less by insects and more my me. The mint is flourishing as usual.

Here are some pretty purple flowers from the side of my house. I've seen these all over the Raleigh-Durham area. Does anyone know what they are? I am awful with plant ID!



Andrew, I wonder if the large red and black beetle we saw was a type of carrion beetle (that's what it looks like in my Peterson insect guide). Do you remember it looking like this?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, I think it was a "velvet ant". I googled "large hairy red and black ant" and this was the first hit. It is not really an ant, but a type of wasp. do you agree:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef442.asp
The pictures look great!
CG

Sandra Cookie said...

You're right, it was more ant or wasp-like, not a beetle, although I don't remember it being hairy.

Anonymous said...

YOU are awful with plant ID?

Now that gave me a hearty, bold laugh this morning, Ms. Sandra. :)

Bold and hearty like the French Roast in my cup...

Glad you and Andrew could be together and that you're enjoying your garden - but sorry about your tomatoes!

Happy trails,

Connie :)

Tom Rice said...

Madeline as garden guard. Strikes terror in my heart.