Community Garden: Garden not only for humans

The tomatoes are turning red and there are bunches of them that will start turning this week with a little heat and not so much rain. That means the weeds and grasses are going to growing just as fast. Time to get real busy and start pulling.

Kimberly planted some more seeds. Remember that it is not too late to plant. Seeds are best because they adapt as they grow but you must still protect them from extreme heat above 95 degrees and too much sun. Plants are usually hardened off and can do well except in the severe environments. The roots need to be able to take off for the plant to survive and produce. You still have time to get those seeds in the ground and have a good crop before the fall temperatures start to lower and the best part is that some of the bugs and insects have been eliminated or have moved on and you won’t be bothered as much by them.

We had three hug worms, or caterpillars or multi-legged monsters on one of the apple trees. They ate all the leaves and left the apples and one was so full and fat he fell to the ground and couldn’t move. We pulled another one off and he was barely hanging on and the third was chomping down on one of the last leaves that were left. They were as big as some of the squirrels around the pecan trees and they were so big the birds were scared to even attempt to challenge them. So we helped them out and made a buffet line so they could get just a little at a time. Now think about this; if you have pets such as lizards and big birds that feast on these things, then you need to come get some. These were the only three we found on the apple trees but in the butterfly garden and bird aviary I know there are some more.

You are more than welcome to come down and get free food for those special exotic pets. But these three were so big that anything would have problems chomping down on them. But please take pictures and share so the garden can take credit for more than feeding people. We don’t deliver but we provide.

Come on down and hunt for lunch. We do not spray the apple trees or the butterfly or aviary garden so your animals are safe to eat from these places. Maybe I should consider using some Miracle-Grow on these monsters and make them even bigger! Custom saddles and rides for a dollar! They are filling up the pond and the mosquitoes that have been living in the grass growing in the pond bed will be looking for a new home. Please use repellant when in the area or go down there on a windy day. They will go after you through your shirt and they will bite so be careful and safe.