Sept. OBF: Bugs - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This swap is for members of Our Blooming Friends. If you're not already a member, you can find out more about joining by contacting Shirley (brittneysgran).
I'm a day or so early with posting this for September, but I don't think anyone will mind. The word "bug" is being used loosely here to indicate any small creature in the garden: ant, worm, ladybug, dragonfly, bee, butterfly, snail, etc.
We will be a bit "buggy" In September. There will be bug related games and what you send to your assigned partner should be related to one or more "bugs". There are all kinds of bug items - it's especially easy to find spider items this time of the year... and bats eat bugs ... and then there are seeds with names related to bugs, not to mention things like ladybugs, bees and the other designs featured on all kinds of items. If you and your swap partner are in a location where fall planting is advisable, it's fine to include a perennial plant or two. It's also fine to send a handmade item if you are a "crafty person".
Sign Up by Sept. 9.
Mail out by Sept. 20.
A priority padded envelope or medium priority size box should be the maximum size for what you send. We want to keep the expenses reasonable. It's relative to how you shop. I know some members are very good at finding things on sale or skilled in spotting flea market finds. Just send the type of package you would like to receive. Please include at least 3 items in your package. If you are sending seeds, all of the seed packets will count as only one of the items. I think we would love to see things in addition to seeds.
When you sign up, please include some "buggy" advice - anything you like: how to attract good bugs, how to control the bad bugs, saving the bees, something about a specific type of bug, etc.
I'm signing myself up ... and here's my buggy advice:
Dragonflies, one of the oldest known insects, are attracted to boggy, wet areas and are often found hanging around garden ponds and fountains. They are water creatures for the first part of their lives. Fortunately some come to live in my garden each year.
In prehistoric times, they were much larger than they are now - measuring over two feet long! Dragonflies help to keep the fly, gnat, aphid and mosquito population in check by consuming their own body weight in bugs each half-hour! Obviously the exotic jewel colors make the dragonfly even more fascinating and there are many types - about 500 species in North America.
Dragonflies need sunlight to fly and will land even if the sun goes behind a cloud. When resting, they hold their wings spread out. They use their legs for clinging and climbing and are very skillful at capturing their prey in mid-air.
(I'm not a "bug expert" so you can do what I did for your bug information - just search a few sites on the internet or consult a book and give a brief summary of what you find ... or your personal experience is equally good.)
Just a review of the group rules:
1. Send your swap by the posted deadline for each swap.
2. No bickering. This is meant to be fun for everyone.
3. Send things that you yourself would want to receive.
4. Include a Delivery Confirmation number and post it when you send the package.
5. Always post what you receive from your swap partner (and pictures are nice).
6. You will be required to replace a swap package that does not make it to your partner for any reason. Also you'll be required to replace any items that arrive broken or lost in transit.
7. New members will be required to send their trades first for the first two swaps.
Jeanne
Comments (195)
dragonfly20210
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
The good, the bad, & the ugly
Comments (15)Christin, congratulations on the Penstemon and the Helenium. I know what you mean about growing something from seed. [g] Nice to have some success when other plants are disappointing you. I almost tried a Sambucus this year, but at the last minute I accepted the fact, I had no place to put it. I got rid of my Knock Out Rose probably four years ago, I’d guess. Don’t miss it. Sounds like most of you are pretty happy with your gardens this year. I’m not liking a lot in our garden this year. [g] I’m still out of action, and DH is keeping up with the vegetable garden and staying on top of the weeds and that’s about all that’s going on here. Lesson learned. Never rip out plants without having plants ready to replace them, right then. :-) I pulled plants out last year in the fall, planned on redoing two major beds this spring and haven’t been able to do that. So they all look okay, but not great. I just gave away Perovskias and ‘Purple Rain’ Salvias, that I’ve had for a long time. I was having more flopping than I liked and so out they went. I ripped out a lot of echinaceas, but I saved a few and those are doing very well this year. Especially a white ‘Fragrant Angel’. Kept ‘Orania’ Lilies which have multiplied, but they are not as large and gorgeous as they were last year. I think it was the difficult winter. I did add new Buddleias and two new Baptisias last fall, ‘Purple Smoke’ and ‘Carolina Moonshine’, but they were small quart size plants that just made it through the winter by the skin of their teeth. They are all in the wrong place and need moving too. Oh well. The PS Baptisia did have a few branches of bloom this year, and I was really happy with what it looked like. So if I can rearrange them where they need to be I think next year, I’ll be very happy with them. I’ve given up on Salvias and Agastaches. My clay soil is just not giving them what they need even with amendment and adjustment, so, they’re out. I had a 'Lipstick' Salvia and an 'Ava' Agastache that never came back this spring. Ferns are doing well this year too. ‘Ghost’ and Japanese Painted Ferns are filling in a few shady areas. How much more carefree can you get. I am happy with annuals that are growing in pots and starting to rev up with the sun and the heat. A sunflower from last year, reseeded and two volunteers came up [in the wrong place (g)] and are looking very happy with pristine foliage, for a change, so I left them where they are. We added a Kolkwitzia ‘Dreamcatcher’ in 2009 in an area that has been difficult and it’s doing really well. I’m pretty surprised about that, because it’s a new cultivar that is supposed to have gold foliage and I was prepared for disappointment but it did not let me down. Back in 2006, when I was winter sowing, I started some grape seeds, just as a lark, because someone sent them to me in a trade, and I had it growing in too much shade for a few years, then moved it to a sunny position two years ago. I was doubtful that it was going to be enough sun, not a full day, but lo and behold, we have grapes this year! So I’m pretty excited about that. We just covered it with bird netting. That's about it. Hope everyone is enjoying pleasant summer weather!...See MoreThe good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Comments (10)Jo- I planted the cucumbers around early to mid February. It was a little cold so the first batch struggled and I replaced them with these. I think I figured out the best thing to do is start really early and keep replacing them until they take. Seeds are cheap. tinael01-I don't think it is nematodes because they are in containers. Once I did have nematodes in a container of okra that was sitting on pavers. Nematodes sure love okra. Today the curly tomatoes have somewhat improved, so I have hope that it is not some dreaded virus. The tall purple flower in the second picture is larkspur. It grew from seed. I was shocked it turned out so well. I think you never know what will do well here until you try. Thanks everyone for your kind comments....See MoreThe Good, the bad, and the ugly...
Comments (4)I also have better luck with cukes in containers. Eventually they succumb to wilt but late in the season. Our growing season is too short for limas I've tried. I have the same problem with the pods not maturing. Tomatoes were fine. I gave up on melons. I can't seem to water evenly enough and always end up with cracked fruit. My bell peppers green, yellow and red color up just fine but they never look like the ones in the grocery store. I HATE STINKBUGS!!!!!! I literally had thousands in the yard this summer. I couldn't even sit by the pool without the little "stinkers" landing on me but I didn't find much plant damage caused by them. Now I'm trying to get rid of the ones that are wintering over in my greenhouse. At least they didn't make it into my house. Besides the fact that I don't use chemical controls I don't think they are susecptable to most insecticides. I had resorted to occasionally schlepping the shop vac outside and sucking them up but that really didn't seem to make a dent in their numbers....See MoreThe Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Comments (3)That is a great website. I love to be able to identify the bugs in the garden and the diseases on the plants. It is nice to find a website with such great pics of plant diseases. kendra...See More
canyonwind
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years ago
bluee19
7 years agodragonfly20210
7 years ago
smitties
7 years agoMy box from Susan arrived today and she went above and beyond the call of swapping. Her box was a bee theme including the decorations on the inside of the box. In this box I found a wonderful array of bee things.
Bee balm that is happily soaking and will be planted soon.
Bee venom cream
Tupelo honey lip balm
jar of honey
bee honey and orange blossom wipes
bag of dk choco with hazelnuts candy yum
a info sheet of 15 plants to attract our much needed bees
graffity tango lily bulbs with a marker for them
a to top it all off, she included a cute bee outfit for soon to be born granddaughter Olivia
This was a very thoughtful box and a huge thank you goes to Susan. My box is going out tomorrow. I will post the DC when I get home from work.
smitties
7 years agoWanted to show you all the dresser I painted for Olivia. I chalk painted a vaneer finish. Three coats of paint and two coats of top coat. A lot of work but worth it. Turned out just the way my daughter wanted
sandlapper_rose
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years ago
EricaBraun
7 years agoRuth -- I received your buggy package today. It was absolutely fabulous (and yes, everything arrived safely)! Thank you so much!
Ruth sent me a totally customized pack: 2 beautifully buggy tea cups with tea and honey sticks, a scented candle in a butterfly tin, and an awesome tile that features a rare solanacea (which I love) as well as butterflies -- it's a two in one! Super adorable pack. I love it all!
ruthz
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
amybabyboy3
7 years ago
skyblue52
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agoOf course, the package from Shirley is wonderful so thank you so much. Shirley made a really cute card with bees on it. Even the package itself had butterflies on it. I'll be posting a picture, but here's the list: a sign that says "Plant Seeds of Happiness" and a sign that says "Garden Enjoy Life" both of which are wonderful sayings, a crochet butterfly pin (Did you make this, Shirley?), a bee pin from Avon that is also very pretty, 2 tiny gourds. I don't know why but I get fascinated by the ones that are really tiny. A 'Tropical Sunrise" canna and my garden can use that after all the plants that declined over our hot dry summer, and a tiny hummingbird feeder. (Maybe you also made that, Shirley?) I think I will use it as a Christmas tree ornament or I may adapt it to go in a fairy garden. Either would be a great use for it!
Thank you so much for everything. These buggy swaps are all such fun. I'll update the sent and received list next.
Jeanne
sandlapper_rose
7 years ago
brittneysgran
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agoruthz
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agobrittneysgran
7 years agosmitties
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agosmitties
7 years agobrittneysgran
7 years agoMargo send us some of that Cool weather, it was super hot today. Yes unfortunately Margo if you once get vertigo chances are you will get it again. Sometimes I go years and then sometimes I have it twice a year.....you never know.
Believe it or not I did go to work today. The vertigo is on my right side so I don't dare roll over on that side in the bed. The whole bed starts spinning.....horrible.
Jeanne, it worked with me sending it to my e-mail at work and then back to my home e-mail....
sandlapper_rose
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoruthz
7 years agoEricaBraun
7 years agoamybabyboy3
7 years agoruthz
7 years agoWhat an
Awesome package Annie put together. I
love all of it.Hope my
picture and description can do justice to all her thought and creativity on
this package.Red Cow
creamer & rooster/hen salt & pepper shaker(Roosters
snack on bugs, Cows can die because of bugs)Butterfly towel
(Today is a good day to BEE happy)Cute Ladybug
buttons (Annie puts on crocheted hats for chemo patients. What a wonderful
thing to do.) I have some on my clown outfit.A Yummy for
my tummy Bug free Dove chocolate barA large bug
free doggie bone for Gracie, along with Bounce wipes and a note about them
keeping mosquitoes off . Gracie says Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Her favorite things are food, rides in the car and walks, in that order.A Butterfly
& Bee decorated Starbucks cardSeeds from
my want list that bugs like or maybe don’t like: Tansy, Dwarf Fernleaf dill, Mammoth
dill, chives, Lavender, Midnight pepper,
Padron pepper and Super Sugar Snap peas.The peas are
perfect timing and I’m excited to try them. I planted seeds I had but I think I
should have waited for us to cool off a
little more. Several of the vines have died already so I was going to replant.
skyblue52
7 years agobluee19
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agobluee19
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agodragonfly20210
7 years agodragonfly20210
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years ago
Here's my coffee cup that I have been drawing the bingo words from. I think it may be meant to portray Julia Child, but I'm not sure about that. Anyway, Nicole is our winner in guessing the colors, etc. She has 8 points! I think the food item is a loaf of French bread, but I'm not sure. Nicole won with the clothing colors, type of food (carb) and the hat - incredible guesses!
I'll get prizes sent out to you and Ruth soon.
Now I'll be rechecking the "sent" and "received" list.
Jeanne
bluee19
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoskyblue52
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHello Girls Yes it was on my porch after 6 last night. My package from Margo got me ready for fall. It had Bath and body works wallflowers holder with a caramel pumpkin swirl scent. French lavender and honey shower gel,. A beautiful blue butterfly canvas picture,solar dancing butterfly, insect repelling band{always use these} sour watermelon worms 2 cute bug rocks { I want to make these} poached egg seeds
fleabane seeds
dwarf toadflax seeds
Mixed columbine seeds
Margo I love all items Thank you for another great month in this friendly group.
sandlapper_rose
7 years agoEricaBraun
7 years agosmitties
7 years agoamybabyboy3
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agosandlapper_rose
7 years agobluee19
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSandlapper_rose ~ THANK YOU for the lovely prize and hosting this month!! It came with caramel apple, cinnamion spice, and cranapple cider.
thanks for letting me know Sandlapper_rose!!! I found them in the bubble envelope! They are cute!!
sandlapper_rose
7 years agoruthz
7 years ago
canyonwind