Bee Watching in Your Own Backyard
There's a whole diverse world of tiny critters that call our backyards home that I find quite fascinating to watch, especially when I can get up close and really observe their behaviors.
August Days of Note, and an Egyptian Snake Goddess
To the Ojibwe, this month brings the ricing moon; in Minnesota the wild rice harvest season begins August 15, in accordance with the 1854 Treaty Authority—but only if it's ripe, and only for those who have the proper permits. To the Anglo-Saxons, the new moon visible on Aug. 24 begins Weodmonath, meaning month of plants.
Snake Holidays This Month Nurture Understanding, Quell Fears
This is the Year of the Snake, and July 16 was World Snake Day. July 29 brings another snake holiday, Nag Panchami. I'm going to tell you a little bit about both of them, but first let me tell you why I'm calling attention to these particular holidays.
Garden Plans Must Adapt to Uninvited Guests
The garden box was going to house three tomato plants, but when I saw all the poppy volunteers, I realized there was only room for one.
Catnip—A Surprisingly Useful Herb
Catnip has long been known to have medicinal benefits for humans, mainly as a soothing tonic when made into a tea, but new to me are its insect-repellent properties, which may explain why natural selection favored cats that like to roll on it.