Comments on: Betelgeuse http://blog.blithewold.org/editorial/betelgeuse/ a garden journal about public garden maintenance, seasonal tasks, garden events, stories about gardening, volunteers, flowers, bugs and wildlife Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:23:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Blackswampgirl Kim http://blog.blithewold.org/editorial/betelgeuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3264 Blackswampgirl Kim Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:29:52 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/editorial/betelgeuse/#comment-3264 I have been pretty lucky... I see occasional JBs here, but nothing like my folks do "out in the country." That said, I do try my best to coexist as a gardener with the local wildlife, which includes the squirrels, chipmunk, and my own canine companion who likes to run through the gardens in pursuit of all of the former! One thing that really struck me about your post, though, Kris, is how you mentioned trying to "do no harm." I have often told people that I think that the Hippocratic Oath is mostly applicable to my idea of gardening, too. From "first, do no harm," to not forgetting that it is art, and not just science, to prevention being preferable to a cure, to not being ashamed to ask for advice from experts. I am sure that my DSIL, herself a Doctor of Osteopath, gets a kick out of this grandiose proclamation of mine, but I think it's true! :) <em>Well said, Kim! It's all about being care-full. -kris</em> I have been pretty lucky… I see occasional JBs here, but nothing like my folks do “out in the country.” That said, I do try my best to coexist as a gardener with the local wildlife, which includes the squirrels, chipmunk, and my own canine companion who likes to run through the gardens in pursuit of all of the former!

One thing that really struck me about your post, though, Kris, is how you mentioned trying to “do no harm.” I have often told people that I think that the Hippocratic Oath is mostly applicable to my idea of gardening, too. From “first, do no harm,” to not forgetting that it is art, and not just science, to prevention being preferable to a cure, to not being ashamed to ask for advice from experts. I am sure that my DSIL, herself a Doctor of Osteopath, gets a kick out of this grandiose proclamation of mine, but I think it’s true! :)

Well said, Kim! It’s all about being care-full. -kris

]]> By: Digital Flower http://blog.blithewold.org/editorial/betelgeuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3239 Digital Flower Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:05:50 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/editorial/betelgeuse/#comment-3239 We have a lot of JBs this year. I have come to the conclusion that insect pests are cyclical with nature generally balancing itself out in the long run. Using an Integrated Pest Management program is a good and easy approach to having a healthy garden. I try and coexist with the insects and wildlife however when the population become destructive it is time for action. I guess I am really just another predator in the scheme of things. <em>DF, I'm sure you're right that everything comes in cycles and waves. I only hope we're seeing the last of the beetles... -kris</em> We have a lot of JBs this year. I have come to the conclusion that insect pests are cyclical with nature generally balancing itself out in the long run. Using an Integrated Pest Management program is a good and easy approach to having a healthy garden. I try and coexist with the insects and wildlife however when the population become destructive it is time for action. I guess I am really just another predator in the scheme of things.

DF, I’m sure you’re right that everything comes in cycles and waves. I only hope we’re seeing the last of the beetles… -kris

]]> By: wiseacre http://blog.blithewold.org/editorial/betelgeuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3238 wiseacre Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:44:31 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/editorial/betelgeuse/#comment-3238 Maybe it was the heat and drought last year that did the Japanese beetles in. It's been quite a change this year and I've hardly seen any. The last couple years my wife needed more than a can of soapy water. She used a bucket. I'm pretty tolerate of wildlife in the gardens. I might lose some things to the deer but it's nice to look out the window and see a Doe with her fawns. I've had to pretty much give up growing some plants like daylilies but then I get to plant more coneflowers. And it seems I have more 'wildflowers' growing than garden perennials. I say wildflower - you say weed :) <em>Wiseacre, buckets of dead beetles aside, it sounds like you coexist with the critters quite happily! -kris</em> Maybe it was the heat and drought last year that did the Japanese beetles in. It’s been quite a change this year and I’ve hardly seen any. The last couple years my wife needed more than a can of soapy water. She used a bucket.

I’m pretty tolerate of wildlife in the gardens. I might lose some things to the deer but it’s nice to look out the window and see a Doe with her fawns. I’ve had to pretty much give up growing some plants like daylilies but then I get to plant more coneflowers. And it seems I have more ‘wildflowers’ growing than garden perennials. I say wildflower – you say weed :)

Wiseacre, buckets of dead beetles aside, it sounds like you coexist with the critters quite happily! -kris

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