Surprises In The Garden

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I spent some quality time in my garden this evening observing, listening, and embracing the brief moments of a cool breeze.  The last few weeks have been very hot and humid.  It's not been the kind of weather that would make you want to stay outside for long.  Tonight was a different story.   Absolutely beautiful weather and a brilliant sunset.   I was pleasantly surprised to find exciting activity in the garden tonight.   I will let the pictures tell the story.

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Ladybug

Granddaddy

Bee

Bumblebee

Sunflower

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Mimosa

Hyd

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These represent beneficial insects in the garden.  It is good to see all of these creatures in your garden.   A single ladybug can consume up to 5000 aphids in its brief lifetime of about four to seven weeks.  Ladybugs are attracted to bugleweed, butterfly weed, cilantro, coreopsis, dandelion, dill fennel, hairy vetch, oregano, thyme, yarrow, and Queen Anne's lace.  Provide ladybugs with a diversity of plants with clusters of many small flowers.  You can also purchase ladybugs and release them into the garden. Daddy Longlegs (Harvestmen)  are scavengers.   They eat aphids, mites, flies, small slugs, snails, and spiders. Bumblebees,  honey bees, and butterflies are all pollinators and necessary for your plants.  They are so important to our survival.  Please take care of the bee population.  Invite them to your organic garden.  Provide a wide variety of flowers, plants, and fruit trees.   Please refrain from using pesticides and chemicals in your garden. What surprises are lurking in your garden tonight?  Share with me the beneficial bugs found in your garden. City Girl