Sunshine Days
The power of sunshine.
A Sunny Day
After a long winter a blessing in Ohio.
Hearing the chirping of the birds.
The smell of spring is in the air.
Take today to enjoy this early treat of warm weather.
And do whatever makes you smile!
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Seeds For Monarchs
Fall gardens and the monarch butterfly.
The growing season is about to begin.
However, it’ll continue long into autumn.
The pollinators that you grow during fall are very important to the migrating Monarchs.
Those Monarchs that winter in Mexico are the superstars that get the cycle of life restarted every spring.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Tough Odds
Monarch butterfly reproduction.
Did you know that only about 5% of Monarchs successfully hatch and survive in nature?
You can boost those odds by 90% if you monitor their nurseries in your gardens. Foster them.
As for indoor breeding. I still don't support the idea. Keep a healthy garden and stay natural
Monarch Cycle:
Eggs (4-7days)
Caterpillar (2 weeks)
Chrysalis (8-14 days)
Monarch (Fall migrators over 8 months)
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Salvia's Relationship To Nature
The importance of flowering herbs in early spring.
Salvia or Sage, there's a serious romance of sorts with the pollinator posse.
If you want a Monarch to "super like" your garden. The milkweed/salvia duo will not disappoint.
One of the first blooms in my garden is my blue bedder salvia. It never disappoints.
It's my "calling card" that the garden is open for pollinators
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Monarch’s Need Nectar
A variety of flowers and the monarch butterfly.
The Monarch is on the decline.
Non-native plants are essential to regaining the Monarch population.
Planting native is a great idea and practice.
However, it's not going to help the Monarch if you remove helpful non-native plants. If they are providing a strong nectar supply.
A better solution. Figure out how to add native plants around the non-native plants. If those plants are beneficial to the Monarch.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Bread Eggs & Milkweed
Milkweed and the monarch butterfly.
Planting a variety of milkweed guarantees a viable milkweed leaf is always available for caterpillars who need one.
What kind of milkweed do you want to plant?
Common and Swamp milkweed are a double Ohio delight. All have the nectar for butterflies and their leaves are the perfect nursery for their caterpillar kiddos
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Thinking About Monarchs
Benefiting the Monarch butterfly.
Nothing keeps me warmer than thoughts of the Monarch.
We can help them.
Beginning with planting your garden early.
You've heard that in Ohio you plant, starting Mother's Day weekend. But, you actually have an entire season of other planting before.
The "cool crops" are planted beginning on the 1st day of Spring and throughout the early season. It will be those crops that entice the pollinators and Monarchs to your garden.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
A Monarch’s Winter
Where the Monarch migrates in winter.
Did you ever wonder when we discovered where the Monarchs settle in Mexico for winter?
Were you ever curious who brought this haven for the Monarch to the world?
Catalina Trail.
She's the founder of Monarch roosting sites.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Butterfly Seeks Zinnia
Butterflies and zinnias.
Did you know that butterflies adore the Zinnias?
What does a butterfly look for in a Zinnia?
The bright yellow center of the tallest flowers.
Zinnias are the perfect flower for butterflies to munch.
Do you notice how clear the ring of nectar?
Butterflies like easy access to the flower's nectar.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
The Gift of The Monarch
The beauty of the Monarch
What is so spectacular about the Monarch butterfly?
They fly into your yard and pick their favorite flower. It feels like you have called the Monarchs just to your garden.
In my opinion. The gift the Monarch is Hope.
Until Tomorrow! Smile On!
Five Little Monarchs
The endangering world for the Monarch butterfly.
Five little Monarch sitting on the fence.
The 1st one said, 'Oh glad we didn't migrate too late."
The 2nd one said, "A lot smoke was in the air."
The 3rd one said, "We really do care!"
The 4th one said, "We're running out of places to fly.
The 5th one said, "We're ready for clean air fun tonight!"
Woo went Mother Nature greatest wind ever! Out went the polluted air! And the 5 little Monarchs, flied cleanly out of sight!
Until Tomorrow! Smile On
