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| From In the Garden |
The swallowtail was invited to a garden club party and it brought a few friends along...
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| From In the Garden |
To gather around tables with little piles of sand and disposable gloves to make a special garden ornament that took...
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| From In the Garden |
lots of concentration and lots of 'making of mud pies' with a reward of some delicious....
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| From In the Garden |
cantaloupe picked fresh from the garden. And of course....
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| From In the Garden |
the stars of the show-the leaf castings themselves!
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| From In the Garden |
Finally, here is a friend to the swallowtail. This is one of many gray hairstreak butterflies enjoying some 'wildflowers' in my garden. In this case the 'wildflower' is an unidentified weed...
in the garden...
in the garden...
A special thanks to Gardener on Sherlock Street who told me how to determine if a cantaloupe is ready to be picked (pick it up gently from the ground and if it separates from the vine it is ready!). Another special thanks to Rose for saying you must pick cantaloupes when ripe or insects get them-I got them in the nick of time! The cantaloupes were very good but are now done for the season.
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
Wow! Looks like you had a lot of guest. Sounds like a superb time.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could have joined this party!!
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteLovely party, wish I could have made some leaf castings! Your swallowtail is a Pipevine Swallowtail and not as common as some of the other swallowtails, unless you are in the mtns.
Dawn, It really went well. I was ever so relieved everyone of the 15 leaf castings unmolded fine-whew!
ReplyDeleteDarla, That would've been great!
Randy, You would've been welcomed too! We would all have you identifying butterflies for us I am sure. Thanks so much for the ID on the pipevine. I try to learn them but have difficulties. There are quite a few of them here. I think because of the tulip poplars and hackberries? Not sure but this year has been splendid for the butterflies!
Looks like you had a great time. I always enjoyed going to my gaden club events, everyone brought a little knowledge to the table and you always learned something. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Tina, What fun~I recommended that PPS offer this as a class to members! Wouldn't it be grand for you to teach it! gail
ReplyDeleteLeaf castings ... what fun and with beautiful butterflies flitting around ... a lovely day it seems to me! Great captures of the butterflies. ;>)
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I wish I new enough gardeners to have a party!-- Randy
Sandy, Hello and yes, garden clubs are such a wonderful venue for gardeners.
ReplyDeleteGail, Hmmmm. Didn't know PPS was planning classes. Would be interesting to see that. No need to really teach the class, more like mixing:)
Carol, The butterflies were nearby so enjoying the jumping verbena in nearby pots. Gotta love that.
Randy, I bet you know tons of gardeners but in case you wish to know more the master gardener program is awesome. It's so nice to talk with and be around other gardeners for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe leaf castings look great! I should do a few with the kids sometime.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fun day, Tina! I wish I could have been there to learn how to do leaf casting from the expert. Your melons look delicious! Thanks for the link, but all credit goes to my Dad, who's the canteloupe expert:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun party! Love the leaf castings--wish I could have come and made one with you all!
ReplyDeleteIt almost made me sad when I read "they are done for the season." I am so ready for fall, but just the passing of yet another season...sigh.... :)
Happy Weekend Tina!
You always get such good photos of the butterflys and I do so enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sweetie to have all those wonderful people over to do such a thing. I just bet they had a great time and learned a lot and will ejoy their castings for a long time. I know I enjoy the one you gave me and have it on my deck table as does Terri-Lynn. Can you believe that your sister that does not understand why anyone wants to garden enjoys hers!!!!
It looks like so much fun! What a great group of gardeners you had there too. Nice to hear you enjoyed ripe cantaloupe!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the butterfly picture! I mentioned on a post a while back that the lady that owned the nursery has a plant with huge leaves and she makes those and sells them. I'll bet Mr. Bob could show me how cause he can do anything! I'd love to have a few for stepping stones in the gardens.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterfly picture.... So clear that I can count the dots... A nice gathering, playing with sand turning mud pies into leafy ornaments.... ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteButterflies, crafts, good friends: Looks like you had a satisfying day all around. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very fun party! Carla
ReplyDeleteTina, I filled out the PPS questionnaire and they asked for ideas and I suggested a hypertufa class~gail
ReplyDeleteDave, They are pretty easy-just like making mud pies.
ReplyDeleteRose, Tell your dad a hearty thanks from me in Tennessee please! I got them in the nick of time.
Linda, I get so melancholy to know another year is nearly gone. Where does all the time go? It is disappearing most fast but it makes me appreciate each day even more I guess.
Mom, Are there an overabundance of butterflies in your garden? Down here they are like everywhere. I love them but some never sit still long. Thankfully I get a few shots. Glad you are enjoying the leaf and that Terri is too! Have a great weekend! Skeeter just stopped by for a sec. She says hi. Everything is fine.
GSS, Thanks for your tip. I will remember it always now as I plan to grow cantaloupes each year. They were so good.
Linda, It is really easy to make leaf castings. Anyone can do it really. The trick is to pick the right leaf and mold it.
Bankchik, That was us exactly! It was fun!
W2W, You too!
Carla, Yes indeed!
Gail, I must've missed it. Their programs have been awesome the last few months.
Everyone have a fabulous weekend!
Looks like a great party. I like the leaf castings. It looked like fun and something your party goers will do again on their own. I think I will have a garden party soon, you gave some inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHad I been closer (and heard even a HINT of this party), I would have CRASHED it for sure! Those leaf castings are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a lot of those swallow-tails here, too. They've been hanging out on the flowers of my sedum which are just turning from green to rose-color.
That looked like so much fun. Sure wish I could have been there.
ReplyDeleteThat cantaloupe sure looks like it was enjoyed by all. I will try to grow some next yr.
So glad Skeeter is ok. I was most worried about her.
What a fun project you had for your garden guests. Glad you were able to enjoy your melons in the nick of time. Have a nice weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun looking project.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you could enjoy your cantaloupes. Yum!
The leaf castings look great and fun, too! Love the butterfly visitors. :)
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is INCREDIBLE Tina. I think I actually whistled when it popped up.
ReplyDeleteLucky, lucky ladies ~ I would have loved to have joined in on the fun too. I've always wanted to try this and having someone like you instruct would make it all the better.
The cantaloupe look great. I bet they tasted pretty amazing too.
Looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like my kind of party. How fun! The leaf casts turned out so great. The butterfly in the first picture looks like it must be really big, great picture!
ReplyDeleteNow that looks like fun! I've been playing around with mosaic flower pots and stepping stones, and have wanted to try leaf casting. But my hostas are dried up and bedraggled, I think I'll have to wait till next spring when they look better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to gather a bunch of people and have some creative fun. The results look super!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun Tina! I'm glad the castings turned out well. Sounds like the party was a resounding success.
ReplyDelete