Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Do Butterflies Have Knees?
Monday was a perfect day to get out in the garden as rain was forecast for Tuesday. I had a few more potatoes to plant as well as some broccoli and kale and parsley starts to put into my box beds.
This row of beds above has benefited from the helpful biddies in the chicken tractor which was carefully constructed by John to fit the beds. The girls eat the weeds and weed seeds and bugs and leave behind a bit of high powered fertilizer.
The swallowtail butterflies were knee-deep in the thrift. (Do butterflies have knees? Allegedly, bees do.)
Such beauties -- they seemed almost drunk on all that nectar!
The black butterfly on the purple flowers is breathtaking. That should be a print, maybe note cards or something.
Chicken tractor! I must tell my boyfriend about that awesome idea! He's been considering chickens to help his grasshopper problem, but getting them to condition the soil like that before planting is brilliant.
Butterflies do have knees! Otherwise, how would they manage to kneel before those gorgeous blossoms, begging to be let in and have a glass of nectar? Charm and wings alone take you only so far!
It has been wonderful working outside and getting parts of the garden ready while taking in all the spring beauty, and smells ... aaaah the lilac is enough to make a person drunk this year!
That would be a good, enigmatic, non-confrontational bumper sticker, Rick! I may have to look into that.
Thanks, Martin! So many shades of green on the mountain at this time of year!
Thanks, Tatty! There are lots of plans for and info about chicken tractors on the Internet if your boy friend is interested. I did a blog post last year (or the year before) with some links, I believe.
You have a point there, Merisi!
Our lilac never covers itself with bloom the way I'd like, Pat. One probably gets too much shade and the other suffer from too much pruning -- I think they bloom on second-year growth and I've not left it alone as much as I should.
Thanks, Jean! I've spent a lot of time in plant nurseries, paying attention to plant names.
Mountainwoman - I've neglected the poor garden woefully -- time to get busy!
Whether a veggie garden is time/cost effective or not is a good question, Willow. But when the first ripe tomato appears -- ah! then I know why I bother.
Vicki, you have a serious garden. I love the photos, especially of the beautiful butterfly. I have no idea if they have knees. I can't wait to get home and plant herbs and tomatoes. That's the extent of our garden. Sam
15 comments:
Huge smile on my face just from the title, Vicki! Love your posts and photos. "Do butterflies have knees?"
hum.... maybe THAT should be a bumper sticker or t-shirt!
Rick
I've had a look at your April sequence of photographs at Picasa. The 'tapestry of trees' is among my favourites.
If butterflies do have knees, what better to submerge them in, than the beautiful thrift?
The black butterfly on the purple flowers is breathtaking. That should be a print, maybe note cards or something.
Chicken tractor! I must tell my boyfriend about that awesome idea! He's been considering chickens to help his grasshopper problem, but getting them to condition the soil like that before planting is brilliant.
Chicken tractor!!!! Moveable feast! ;-)
Butterflies do have knees! Otherwise, how would they manage to kneel before those gorgeous blossoms, begging to be let in and have a glass of nectar? Charm and wings alone take you only so far!
It has been wonderful working outside and getting parts of the garden ready while taking in all the spring beauty, and smells ... aaaah the lilac is enough to make a person drunk this year!
love the blue/black butterfly on the pruple flowers...great shots!
That would be a good, enigmatic, non-confrontational bumper sticker, Rick! I may have to look into that.
Thanks, Martin! So many shades of green on the mountain at this time of year!
Thanks, Tatty! There are lots of plans for and info about chicken tractors on the Internet if your boy friend is interested. I did a blog post last year (or the year before) with some links, I believe.
You have a point there, Merisi!
Our lilac never covers itself with bloom the way I'd like, Pat. One probably gets too much shade and the other suffer from too much pruning -- I think they bloom on second-year growth and I've not left it alone as much as I should.
Thanks, Brian -- and I'm enjoying your poetry!
If butterflies have knees, then maybe people have wings? :o) I'm so impressed that you know the names of all your plants. Beautiful photos, as always!
Isn't it wonderful to see the butterflies again? I do love your garden.
This made me miss my little veggie garden. I had one for years, but filled it in some time back.
Bees have knees.
Great pics Vicki! LOVE THAT HEADER PIC TOO!!Great question also. I don't know, do they?? :)
Lovely thought Vicki and such beautiful butterflies...xv
Thanks, Jean! I've spent a lot of time in plant nurseries, paying attention to plant names.
Mountainwoman - I've neglected the poor garden woefully -- time to get busy!
Whether a veggie garden is time/cost effective or not is a good question, Willow. But when the first ripe tomato appears -- ah! then I know why I bother.
Thanks, Carol and thanks, Vicki A.!
Vicki, you have a serious garden. I love the photos, especially of the beautiful butterfly. I have no idea if they have knees. I can't wait to get home and plant herbs and tomatoes. That's the extent of our garden.
Sam
Love the chicken tractor-what a perfect idea!
Post a Comment