Earthly Garden

Mornin’, friends!

It seems that I was one of the first to report on the disappearing bees story, a few weeks ago. Since then, the story has blazed across the ‘net like wildfire, and many experts are getting worried that there might not be enough bees to pollinate all the food crops in the US. This is a serious matter!

I’m getting news items from all over the US. It seems that garden groups, and beekeeping groups, are urging home gardeners to keep a hive or two of bees. I’ll admit that the idea crosses my mind every once in while, but I really didn’t want more chores to do around here. As is, it’s a full time job taking care of the garden, house, cats and Husband . But now it might make sense for me to do so.

Sure, I have a swarm of honeybees that stay around my garden. They love the rosemary, especially, and were “on the job” with my blooming fruit trees. I’m not sure where they live, though…perhaps in a dead tree on the property. A friend suggested they might live in the walls of my house. Eeek. Of course, I’m really curious about where they are hiding the honey….

All I know is that the swarm has gotten larger over the last five years when they appeared here. I hope they stick around, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure they do. Which means being extra careful in the garden. We never spray anything in or near our property, but I also want to make sure they have a good supply of blooming plants for them to forage on. That, and a good water supply.

I’m not suggesting everyone rush out and start a beehive, although, if you can, that would be great! But you can do other things….do not spray pesticides in your gardens, make sure there’s at least a small water source (see my previous article about the low cost birdbath), and plant things that bees love. They really love the rosemary, that would be a good start!

Until tomorrow,

dig it!

bobbi c.
Copyright ©2007 by Bobbi A. Chukran

disappearing bees, beekeepers, beekeeping, bee plants, water source in garden, inexpensive birdbath, low cost birdbath, rosemary

After years with my office in the back of the house, I convinced Husband to switch rooms with me. His office was at the front of the house, overlooking the gardens; mine was at the back overlooking a rocky gray hillside covered with scrubby cedars. I can’t tell you how much difference that move has made to my mood everyday, my level of inspiration and general well-being.

I’m convinced that looking at flowers and plants releases endorphins in our system, much like smelling good food cooking does. And for sure, smelling the fragrance of an antique rose HAS to do something good to our physical bodies.

My garden comforts me. When I see the heirloom onions popping up that a friend back in Austin gave me years ago, or when I see a plant bloom that was just a tiny seed just a few months before, or when I hear the chirping of birds at the birdbath or the buzz of bees in the rosemary bush, I’m comforted.

Take comfort in a garden. Doesn’t matter what size, shape or form. Plant a few herbs, attract some bees, plant one tomato plant and when it fruits, stand out in the garden in the sunshine and eat one off of the vine, and let the sweet acid juice run down your chin.

I guarantee you will be comforted.

dig it!

bobbi c.

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When we first moved out here to the country, I thought it odd that there weren’t many birds other than the native roadrunners and a few sparrows. But when we hung a few birdfeeders and added a few birdbaths to our yard, they came. Slowly, but surely. Now, ten years later, we commonly get birds such as hummingbirds, tufted titmouses (titmice?), cardinals, mockingbirds, painted buntings and some of the native endangered or rare birds such as cedar waxwing and golden cheeked warblers.

In order to get a good look at these birds, I placed a birdbath right outside my office/studio window. Yesterday I was treated to a cardinal pecking at the small piece of ice in there, and another as-yet-unID’d bird that I’ve never seen here before.

I have several cement birdbaths, and one beloved cast iron one, but you know what? The birds don’t care what they’re made out of! I even have a few that are cheapy galvanized pans I found at the local hardware store for less than $5 each. Filled with water and a rock for the birds to stand on, they make great birdbaths for the birds who like to drink their water lower to the ground. Here’s an example of one I made:

Birds make great additions to an organic garden, since many of them eat their weight in bugs!

Dig it!

bobbi c.
Anxiously awaiting spring…
Copyright ©2005-2008 by Bobbi A. Chukran

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