Sunday, June 26, 2011

Just Because

 One of my favorite lavenders for length of bloom time is Lavandula pinnata buchii. It blooms many of the months of the year here, partly I think, because it has lived next to the potted Meyer lemon for a number of years. The lemon is protected on the coldest winter nights with piazza lights and I am quite sure they have played a part in the bloomingness of this lavender. I have now moved the lemon and am wondering how the lavender will fare this winter. So I potted up 7 starts just in case of disaster. Of course, I have nowhere to put 7 lavenders that want to be 4 feet by 4 feet but I started them just because I wanted to be safe.

This caterpillar  made a lightweight cocoon on a bike wheel. On the tread. Some would say I should let nature take its course but I have moved it to a jar, just because I want to see what, if it survives, comes out of that cocoon.

This little unknown cucurbit is a result of my low heat method (as in lazy pile it up and leave it) of composting. Probably a pumpkin, take a look at the big leaves in the next photo, I let one out of the 20 or so plants survive  just because I was curious what I would get. Even if it is weird and inedible.


Coriander has dried and been collected. I wanted the cilantro but am not so sure I will use the coriander. I may simply save it to plant next fall but collected it just because it was there.

This black widow and possibly her mate/potential meal were collected last week in a little magnifier jar. I tell people that if they'd like to see a black widow give me 15 minutes and I'll find one. Black Widow Central...that's us. I popped it in the jar just because I think everyone who lives near here should know what they look like. The day care kids thought it was great and I'm happy they've seen a REAL black widow and not just a photo. Just because I think their safety is pretty important.

12 comments:

Fairegarden said...

A truly educational post, Leslie, in so many ways! Good luck with your lavenders, and may the mother plant live on, too. That does have the looks of a pumpkin, don't know the cocoon but appreciate your reverence for life, even for a black widow.
Frances

Robin Ripley said...

Of course, the extra lavender could also be an excellent gift to a garden-loving or garden-wanna-be friend. Good move, I say.

Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence said...

Good luck with your Lavender, Leslie! You can't have to much.

truthunter said...

Beautiful and serendipitous! My favorite kind of garden!

growingagardenindavis said...

Thank you Frances but I must admit the black widow is no longer with us. I will allow any other spider to share space here but black widows must be the exception. Too many little ones running around to take that chance.
Good idea Robin! I did tell my friend she could have extras. Helen...in my little garden there actually IS such a thing as too much!
Thanks Tana! Looking forward to seeing more of your greenhouse!

Dee said...

Goodness yes,, you're providing a public service my dear friend with that Black Widow. I like how you moved the cacoon to a jar just to see.~~Dee

Kathy said...

I have left seedlings just because I wanted to see what they would grow into. Usually I am just introduced to a new weed, but I have been pleasantly surprised a couple of times.

Commonweeder said...

You certainly have a lot going on. I love lavender!

Carol Michel said...

Just because is always a good reason in my book, along with why not!

Unknown said...

You could always try a couple of potted lavenders indoors, too! And good going with that black widow. I love spiders, but... like you said, too many little ones around those parts. :)

Meems said...

Hi Leslie,
Yikes. Black widows in 15 minutes. It's good you are 'showing' the children the real thing so they can be on the lookout.

I've a meyer lemon in a container, too. Funny ... purple sage is the herb growing in the container beneath it now that I think about it.

Lavender is one of the nicest plants. I'm cheering on your starts to root. Lavender does well here in winter and spring but perishes in July with the rise of intense humidity.

A wonderful "just because" post. Every reason made perfect sense to me. :-) Meems

Kate said...

I am shocked there aren't more black widows at my current house. My last house was a farm for them! You have courage to catch one. I'm also the same with spiders - they all get to live (outside), but Black Widows are the exception.