PREVIEW OF PLANTS FOR SALE AT GREENHOUSE

We have been busy in the Master Gardener greenhouse repotting our little plant babies in preparation for the spring sale in April. We have a nice variety of plants so far and will also try a couple of new items such as herb pots and hanging baskets. I was gratified to see a lady bug busy among our transplants and so far we have not had any insect or fungus problems. Everybody cross their fingers now!!

HERE'S WHAT I THINK OF SNOW

Yesterday it snowed all day on and off with only a little accumulation fortunately. Having lived in New England for a good portion of my life I am not as enchanted by it as the locals. To the left you can see what I think of snow. Although in New England we refer to it as "poor man's fertilizer". My one lone daffodil is blooming courageously despite the weather.

The Prince’s Rainforest Project

GARDEN FRIEND FOUND IN POTTING SHED

Yesterday, I got inspired to clean out my potting shed/greenhouse in preparation for Spring and I found this interesting abode inside an old pot. It appears to be a nest of some kind of Mud Dauber Wasp of which there are several species. Most are in the family Sphecidae or Crabronidae. Their favorite food is the black widow spider so I would consider these wasps to be my friend in the garden. They are rarely aggressive and can be identified by their very long skinny waist. Actually, most wasps are beneficial and will usually leave you alone if you leave them alone. "Live and let live" is the policy in my garden.

A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY IN THE HILL COUNTRY

THE BEAUTIFUL (ALMOST 70 DEGREE) WEATHER HAS INSPIRED ME TO CREATE SOME HANGING BASKETS FOR MY FRONT PORCH. IN THEM I PUT PANSIES, RED LETTUCE AND ALYSUM. IT WAS SUCH A NICE DAY, I ACTUALLY CAUGHT A COUPLE OF FLIES SUNBATHING AND SOME OF THE FLOWERING TREES HAD BEES BUZZING AROUND THE BLOSSOMS.

I RECEIVED SOME FUNNY FLY PHOTOS IN AN E-MAIL FROM A FRIEND. SURE WISH I KNEW WHO WAS CLEVER ENOUGH TO DO THOSE DRAWINGS. THE E-MAIL HAD ABOUT SIX PICTURES OF FLIES DOING DIFFERENT SUMMERTIME THINGS. AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH LOTS OF DIPTERA AND TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS!!!

Howdy Fellow Bug Lovers, I am a newly certified Entomology Specialist with the Hill Country Master Gardeners who is eager to share information and experiences with other insect enthusiasts. As you can tell from my photo, I tend toward the silly and irreverent. That said, I will always strive to impart factual and correct information regarding our six-legged friends.