Been working on a wildflower garden in back yard last month or so. On phase 2 of building up natural fencing when my wife pointed out the 42 pieces of 3/8" rebarb I've cut and using as support has some sharp edges. Found a few Martin decoys and wanted some opinions on yea or nay. Figured it would serve the purpose for the wife's concern and add some decoy's for weary travelers in the spring and fall as a home that's "Martin Friendly"
May be a little over the top but trying to figure out and wanted some positive or negative feedback on the idea....downside if I do use the decoys I'll have to buy about 36-40 depending on whether I can find the other 4 laying around in the house somewhere. Thanks for any negative or positive replies as I'm uncertain.
Attachments
wildflowergarden.jpg (325.79 KiB) Viewed 312 times
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Apologies for a little off topic here but I found immense excitement with my first sighting of a Monarch caterpillar today, not in the newly developing wildflower garden above but in the fields I've been expanding common and butterfly milkweed the past 3 years. Many searches for zero eggs on the undersides of leafs the last 2 and 0 caterpillar sightings until today on a walk to the pond I spotted this beauty chomping on a butterfly milkweed. Excited like a first time Martin enthusiast when you get your first pair and eggs.
The population is in such decline and now listed as endangered and with a real possibility this creature facing extinction, I'm encouraging PM enthusiast to plant a few milkweeds in and around your home or a dedicated garden spot. Monarch's must have milkweed to survive as it's the only plant they eat and lay their eggs during their annual migration and life cycles...who knows you may even find similar enjoyment as you do with your martins and it's for a great cause...they also add color and bring life to empty yards and fields, not to mention the butterfly milkweed offers a brilliant orange display of flowers in summer into Fall.
Attachments
MonarchCatepillar.PNG (305.81 KiB) Viewed 208 times
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
No apologies necessary sir. Think we all find nature rewarding, and really glad you have your caterpillar! You did alot of work and have results. Glad you found them or did they find you? Haha.
My attempts at milkweed netted zero here, last summer was brutal and ravaged the growth. Trust you will soon find more!
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered. 24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
Definitely no apology necessary. Recently read they are at a 80% decline since the 1990s. I would second encouraging others to plant native milkweed. The monarch lifecycle is very interesting and their migration is just as incredible as our amazing martins!
We have a butterfly garden. Not to the scale of yours Jones but every little bit helps. All our milkweed was already eaten to the ground once this season and back bigger now.
Congrats on finding that first Monarch caterpillar!
Thanks Tom and Phil! I went back 3 times to observe and flower buds completely devoured on one shoot. Nest checks today...been about 15 days...so far behind on everything...
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
bumping this old thread on the wildflower project this season final update....She's really starting to pop and looking at doing about 2 acres of field and 1 additional backyard plot during the winter and into 25'. I'm converting from plantings to total wildflowers as it's the vibe that connects with me. Other than the labor with picking the forest dead hardwoods low cost idea for about 40.00 (seed). Pollinators are all over it now.
Best wishes and thanks for allowing to share.
Attachments
IMG_6151.jpg (127.53 KiB) Viewed 77 times
IMG_6150.jpg (123.89 KiB) Viewed 77 times
IMG_6148.jpg (123.85 KiB) Viewed 77 times
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Definitely no apology necessary. Recently read they are at a 80% decline since the 1990s. I would second encouraging others to plant native milkweed. The monarch lifecycle is very interesting and their migration is just as incredible as our amazing martins!
We have a butterfly garden. Not to the scale of yours Jones but every little bit helps. All our milkweed was already eaten to the ground once this season and back bigger now.
Congrats on finding that first Monarch caterpillar!
Phil
When I saw you and your wife's efforts on the news link you shared I thought I'd add another layer to this and build a dedicated Milkweed and sunflower addition like this one for next year. I have alot of butterfly milkweed in the fields with a 2 year cut concept for undergrowth and ground layers. I'll continue that but, I do find enjoyment in the cause for the Monarch and not to mention the butterfly milkweed's brilliant orange that blooms for months is easy on the eyes and calms the nerves.
I'm going to do that in the photo below where you see the shade area from the house over to the corner (that little concrete bench on the corner is where I sit and observe the Martins and back yard habitat). It would also give me a natural area walkway to the pool area and in the process eliminate a bunch of dormant grass that I'm getting tired of. It would also be nice to see the monarchs by the house and not have to wander through the poison ivey and tall grasses to search for em ...kinda stealing from ya'lls idea Phil..and thank you... I saw one other member reply in here a few years ago about milkweed and they shared a picture of it in about a 3 acre field up in PA that was stunning to me and got the ball rolling...It's great when others give you ideas that you hadn't envisioned before and I'm always thankful for that in here when people share their ideas and photo's. Best wishes
Attachments
IMG_6154.jpg (279.04 KiB) Viewed 73 times
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered. 24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
Man, that’s one BEAUTIFUL property you have there Jones! Wish I had that much land to work with! Yes, the milkweed is very beautiful when it’s blooming. SO relaxing! Sunflowers are gorgeous when in full bloom as well!
Of course sir. The area by that bench looks perfect for a sitting area to watch the martins from and to add another butterfly garden to hang out with the monarchs! We added that garden about 3 years ago, the lady at the nursery we bought most of our plants from gave us a good tip. We weren’t sure what shape we wanted…. She said to take a garden hose and lay it on the ground in the area in the shape you want.. You can kind of visualize how it’s going to look and move it around so it’s exactly what you want before you start digging and ripping up grass… putting some curves in it makes it more interesting I feel, plus it hard to get an exact strait line. It’s easy to get creative with the shape that way based on what you want.
When our martins come gliding into the housing the monarch’s being territorial, chase them sometimes, it’s funny. Don’t know what they plan to do when they catch them.. Martins could care less.
Good luck with that project. Post some pics when you’re done, would love to see them!
Phil
Man, that’s one BEAUTIFUL property you have there Jones! Wish I had that much land to work with! Yes, the milkweed is very beautiful when it’s blooming. SO relaxing! Sunflowers are gorgeous when in full bloom as well!
Of course sir. The area by that bench looks perfect for a sitting area to watch the martins from and to add another butterfly garden to hang out with the monarchs! We added that garden about 3 years ago, the lady at the nursery we bought most of our plants from gave us a good tip. We weren’t sure what shape we wanted…. She said to take a garden hose and lay it on the ground in the area in the shape you want.. You can kind of visualize how it’s going to look and move it around so it’s exactly what you want before you start digging and ripping up grass… putting some curves in it makes it more interesting I feel, plus it hard to get an exact strait line. It’s easy to get creative with the shape that way based on what you want.
When our martins come gliding into the housing the monarch’s being territorial, chase them sometimes, it’s funny. Don’t know what they plan to do when they catch them.. Martins could care less.
Good luck with that project. Post some pics when you’re done, would love to see them!
Phil
Thanks for that tip and will do!!
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Jones that is awesome! I love the natural border. I have planted milkweed also. It comes back every year, but by the time it begins to really flourish, the Monarchs have already moved on. I also place sunflower seeds throughout my property (only .6 acres) and most grow. Keep up the great work!
Jones that is awesome! I love the natural border. I have planted milkweed also. It comes back every year, but by the time it begins to really flourish, the Monarchs have already moved on. I also place sunflower seeds throughout my property (only .6 acres) and most grow. Keep up the great work!
Appreciate it Thomas...I like that old school look too from a bye gone era. Problem is wife loves it and has more plans for me...lol
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
...kinda stealing from ya'lls idea Phil..and thank you... I saw one other member reply in here a few years ago about milkweed and they shared a picture of it in about a 3 acre field up in PA that was stunning to me and got the ball rolling...It's great when others give you ideas that you hadn't envisioned before and I'm always thankful for that in here when people share their ideas and photo's. Best wishes