Summers Garden Diary #SGD
@sgdbsky.bsky.social
Over the past few years I've morphed my yard into a suburban island with a focus in attracting pollinators and gradually allowing nature to check itself, as new insects and small predators discover a welcoming habitat.
Monarch larva on the giant milkweed.
October 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Monarch larva on the giant milkweed.
Pulled up the Seminole Pumpkin vines today, as I did a bit of fall clean-up. This is the last harvest, grown from a single seed. All will ripen with time.
October 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Pulled up the Seminole Pumpkin vines today, as I did a bit of fall clean-up. This is the last harvest, grown from a single seed. All will ripen with time.
Found a fall visitor on the Giant Milkweed--a Monarch larva.
October 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Found a fall visitor on the Giant Milkweed--a Monarch larva.
My nails stay spotless while gardening since I started using washable, cotton glove-liners beneath my Lanon, 8 ml, disposable utility-gloves. In addition to grabbing any incoming dirt, the liners absorb perspiration. Drier hands means less skin chafing and cracking.
September 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
My nails stay spotless while gardening since I started using washable, cotton glove-liners beneath my Lanon, 8 ml, disposable utility-gloves. In addition to grabbing any incoming dirt, the liners absorb perspiration. Drier hands means less skin chafing and cracking.
The baby Aster plants planted last year are now in bloom. Even when shaded, they offer a neon glow.
September 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The baby Aster plants planted last year are now in bloom. Even when shaded, they offer a neon glow.
Noticed this Lovebug feeding on the honeydew produced by mealybugs.
September 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Noticed this Lovebug feeding on the honeydew produced by mealybugs.
Scentless Plant Bugs are beneficials in my garden. These small insects prefer mallow seed, and help check the prolific seed production of these plants.
September 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Scentless Plant Bugs are beneficials in my garden. These small insects prefer mallow seed, and help check the prolific seed production of these plants.
Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) larvae, and underside of leaf showing what an infestation looks like without magnification. I initially suspected an acid deficiency in my hibiscus, until I spotted sooty mold on the leaves, which indicates an insect outbreak.
September 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) larvae, and underside of leaf showing what an infestation looks like without magnification. I initially suspected an acid deficiency in my hibiscus, until I spotted sooty mold on the leaves, which indicates an insect outbreak.
Fire Ants swarmed my hands. A number bit at once, some between my fingers. After knocking them off my hand (and shoes) I went inside and made a slurry of baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I put it all over my hands and waited 15 min. Today, most of the bites are barely visible. None are painful.
September 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Fire Ants swarmed my hands. A number bit at once, some between my fingers. After knocking them off my hand (and shoes) I went inside and made a slurry of baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I put it all over my hands and waited 15 min. Today, most of the bites are barely visible. None are painful.
Mushrooms indicate a healthy ecosystem. It took several years of pollinator gardening for these to appear in our yard.
August 31, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Mushrooms indicate a healthy ecosystem. It took several years of pollinator gardening for these to appear in our yard.
Trying out the photo options on my new iPad. For these I used a clip-on macro lens, and moved the ipad closer to the subject incrementally, so it might be interpreted as a leaf. The fly is half the size of the ladybug.
August 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Trying out the photo options on my new iPad. For these I used a clip-on macro lens, and moved the ipad closer to the subject incrementally, so it might be interpreted as a leaf. The fly is half the size of the ladybug.
Blanket flower variety, thriving in a hot, dry, area where everything else had died, including all grass.
August 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Blanket flower variety, thriving in a hot, dry, area where everything else had died, including all grass.
This year, the hot, dry, sandy area in the yard, where everything else died, became one of my favorites. In the foreground, covering the ground, is blue lantana. Midground, eastern dune sunflower. Beyond, a variety of blanket flower. Never expected such profusion. Next year, more wildflowers!!
August 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This year, the hot, dry, sandy area in the yard, where everything else died, became one of my favorites. In the foreground, covering the ground, is blue lantana. Midground, eastern dune sunflower. Beyond, a variety of blanket flower. Never expected such profusion. Next year, more wildflowers!!
Sometmes the unexpected happens I corraled frogfruit into a section of the back yard, but had read that it didn't take foot traffic well. True, it doesn't grow 18 inches tall when regularly stepped on, but the runners nevertheless survive and, in this case, are allowing it to expand.
August 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Sometmes the unexpected happens I corraled frogfruit into a section of the back yard, but had read that it didn't take foot traffic well. True, it doesn't grow 18 inches tall when regularly stepped on, but the runners nevertheless survive and, in this case, are allowing it to expand.
Large pollinator garden, but few butterflies or hummingbirds. I'd estimate an 80% decline from the last 2 years. Fewer dragonflies as well. Anyone else noticing changes this year?
July 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Large pollinator garden, but few butterflies or hummingbirds. I'd estimate an 80% decline from the last 2 years. Fewer dragonflies as well. Anyone else noticing changes this year?
Gray Hairstreak Butterfly--a new visitor to the yard, attracted by a patch of frogfruit. These butterflies have false antennae on their wings, which move up and down as the tiny butterfly feeds.
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/...
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/...
Gray Hairstreak
Family name: Lycaenidae/Gossamer Wings
General description: dark gray; hindwing with two short tails and red-capped black spot. Ventral hindwing light gray with relatively smooth black and white p...
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu
July 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Gray Hairstreak Butterfly--a new visitor to the yard, attracted by a patch of frogfruit. These butterflies have false antennae on their wings, which move up and down as the tiny butterfly feeds.
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/...
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/...
Everglades tomatoes are the size of large blueberries. I pick them when they are orange or red-orange, because they split to spill seeds immediately upon ripening. There's no need for a zillion plants, since they seem to be perrenials in my area. Although tiny, they have lots of flavor.
June 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Everglades tomatoes are the size of large blueberries. I pick them when they are orange or red-orange, because they split to spill seeds immediately upon ripening. There's no need for a zillion plants, since they seem to be perrenials in my area. Although tiny, they have lots of flavor.
It worked! Trail cams revealed that geese have been passing through, yanking grass and plowing down the frogfruit. Yesterday I installed 17" no-dig fencing around the frogfruit and at the animals' favorite yard entry-points. Today they went back the way they came (right past the coyote decoy).
June 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
It worked! Trail cams revealed that geese have been passing through, yanking grass and plowing down the frogfruit. Yesterday I installed 17" no-dig fencing around the frogfruit and at the animals' favorite yard entry-points. Today they went back the way they came (right past the coyote decoy).
A fierce thunderstorm highlighted the need to work on this section of the yard, which tends to get soggy from our downspout, plus the neighbor's downspout and sprinkler system. Yesterday I finished planting a variety of species known for sucking up water. I also established a jungle trail. #SGD
June 8, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A fierce thunderstorm highlighted the need to work on this section of the yard, which tends to get soggy from our downspout, plus the neighbor's downspout and sprinkler system. Yesterday I finished planting a variety of species known for sucking up water. I also established a jungle trail. #SGD
I've been using these dollar-store baskets for years. They can completely shield seedlings, or protect small plants from digging animals and trodding feet. The blue flags are helpful reminders as well. At one time, I used little butterfly ornaments as markers, but they broke apart too easily.
June 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I've been using these dollar-store baskets for years. They can completely shield seedlings, or protect small plants from digging animals and trodding feet. The blue flags are helpful reminders as well. At one time, I used little butterfly ornaments as markers, but they broke apart too easily.