the bark tree

Migrating monarchs

Our large Abelia shrubs have provided nectar to migrating monarchs.

At one time, I counted up to seven butterflies.

Since the spring, the large old-fashioned Abelia has lured bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to our yard.

Compost completed

With almost no effort, my first batch of compost is ready!

Using my lazy method it took about a year.  I simply dump yard debris and kitchen scraps as they accumulate.  Last fall, I saved two large brown paper bags of leaves so I layer them over mushy kitchen scraps to keep a decent carbon/nitrogen ratio.

This pile was turned just once when I moved my first bin farther back in the yard, but otherwise it has broken down on it's own.  I added a second bin so I could leave one alone to rot.  The lazy process would be somewhat faster if I could keep the pile moist.  I occasionally leave a sprinkler on the bins, but they are generally out of sight, out of mind.

In all my flower beds around the yard, I dumped about six buckets of mostly finshed compost.  At one point, I noticed an anole lizard on the wall of the house watching me as I spread.  He jumped down twice and gobbled small beetles that were mixed in with the other organic matter.  To make plants and other creatures happy with what once was unwanted debris is very satisfying indeed!

Coleus

This random coleus did beautifully this summer. 

A couple of other ones I planted squinted in the sun for a few weeks, then died.  This one got more shade and thrived.

Even though it looks unbalanced I can't pull it up.

Ugly reality

This is my horrible looking post-summer garden.

Though I showed some annuals that looked ok all summer in close up photos, the big picture is rather ugly.

Drought stressed new plantings...

chlorotic foliage...

rotten flower buds...

fungal spots, rot...

more drought stress...

lawn issues...

thriving weeds...

and faded blooms.  Overall, not a pretty picture.

But there are now signs of recovery: Lantana is blooming again.

My Julia Child rose, whose blooms were faded all summer, now have a lovely rich color.

New Salvia guarantica 'Black and Blue' planted to replace the gorgeous Centaurea that croaked in that spot. After deadheading, S. Mystic Spires' is pretty once again.