What to do with all these leaves?

Fall is here and leaves are everywhere. The variety of shapes and colors is amazing. There’s an inspiring children’s book called Look What I Did with a Leaf by Morteza Sohi. The book describes how to make pictures with a variety of leaves. 

I used old books to flatten my leaves and mounted them on card stock. Below are photos of my leaf artwork.

A leaf project could be used to teach art as well as leaf identification.  I found working with leaves very relaxing. 

The cow is one of my favorites.  The head is made from a Tulip Poplar leaf. (I optimized the photo for quicker web page loading, and lost some color depth in the image.)

The narrow leaves on the butterfly are from a Willow Oak. The dark dots were punched from a leaf.

This aquarium scene has an oak leaf representing seaweed in the bottom right. Remember that White Oaks have rounded lobes and Red Oaks are pointed.

This parrot is perched on a branch made with fern leaves.

The body of the owl is a Birch leaf.

A Ginkgo leaf makes a nice tail on this fish. I laminated the scene on a small piece of card stock and hung it as part of a mobile.

NC State Fair Entry

The theme of the 2013 graphic contest is "A Healthy Forest is a Happy Forest." Below is my entry.

Ghoulish encounter between mole and snake (video)

Just in time for Halloween scariness, I spotted a small snake writhing in the yard. Upon closer inspection, I found a mole attacking the snake. The mole must have thought he had stumbled across the biggest “earthworm” ever!

I've loaded two videos showing the struggle.

Great Information at Gluten-free Workshop

Did you know that body lotion can contain gluten? That’s one of many interesting facts I learned at the “Learn to live gluten free” workshop at Novant Health Franklin Medical Center in Louisburg, N.C.

Some people have celiac disease which causes an immune response to gluten, and breaks down the microvilli in their stomach lining. If you have stomach discomfort and suspect you could have celiac disease, it is best to be tested before eliminating gluten. The tests are unreliable once gluten has been removed from your diet. It is estimated that 97% of Americans with celiac disease are not diagnosed.

Gluten is found in a class of grains that includes wheat, barley, and rye. Grains like oats are often contaminated with the gluten protein during processing so they need to be avoided as well.

Less obvious gluten sources found on ingredient labels are malt, modified food starch (unless corn is specified), caramel coloring (soft drinks), and citric acid (the imports have gluten). When “natural flavor” is listed, gluten cannot be ruled out.

Some lesser known gluten-containing foods are taco seasoning mix, coated French fries, couscous, and turkey (some are basted with gluten containing solution).

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of gluten-free nutrition. I have previous posts with gluten-free peach cobbler and eggplant recipes.

Interesting gluten-free websites:

www.glutenfreely.com

www.gluten.net

http://www.celiac.org/

Thanks to the organizers and presenters of the gluten free workshop: Julie Kephart, Lori Peele MD, Sasha Dunbar, and Susan White. Thanks also to Chef Bobby for preparing the delicious gluten free luncheon.

Russeting of Tomatoes

About 10% of my tomatoes have hard, brown patches on the surface. This is called russeting, and is caused by a number of factors. It is a well-known problem with greenhouse-grown tomatoes.

An expert has told me there are many factors that can cause russeting. I've been unable to find a list, but will update the post when more information is available.

In the meantime, know that if you have tomatoes that look like this,the problem can be identified as russeting.

Gluten Free Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (Includes Video)

Eggplant

This is a delicious way to prepare eggplant. We grow our own, and eggplant prepared this way can be frozen and eaten later.

Ingredients:

Olive oil
about 8 small eggplants
2/3 cup gluten-free soy sauce
2-3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons minced garlic

Directions:

Peel eggplant and cube. 

Diced Eggplant

Cover bottom of large non-stick saucepan with olive oil.

Use medium heat to warm oil. When test piece of eggplant starts cooking, add the diced eggplant.

Sprinkle with salt and cover. Stir frequently. If pan seems dry, add more olive oil.

When eggplant becomes soft, add soy sauce and sugar.

Stir and continue cooking. Leave lid off now to reduce the sauce. Add minced garlic to taste.

This is delicious served with rice or by itself. You can garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.

Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

Below is an 8 minute video demonstrating this recipe. Enjoy!

Camellias

             

Camellia sasanqua

            Camellias are perfect for filling in the gap between late summer and early spring flowers.  Starting in October, Camellia sasanqua begins a delightful show of rose-like flowers.  Blooming continues through January. Later in the winter season, Camellia japonica starts its show and blooms as late as April. Under ideal conditions, camellias can bloom 6-8 weeks and survive for generations.
       

     Most plantings in my yard were experimental. 19 years after they were planted, my camellias are a success story. I planted 3 Camellia sasanquas in different locations around the house. Due to varying microclimates, each camellia blooms at a different time. This allows us to enjoy each bush individually in its glory. Microclimates are caused by location-related variables that affect plant growth.  Examples are sun and wind exposure, warmth or protection from a brick wall, rain off a gutter, and soil drainage or slope conditions.

     Camellias are available in white and various shades of pink and red.  Select the healthiest plants from reputable suppliers.  New cultivars and hybrids with double blooms and increased winter hardiness may be available.  Alternatively, camellias can self-seed near a mother plant.  Check with your gardener friends to obtain a free plant.

     Camellias are perennial evergreen bushes. Each year the number of flowers increases with the size of the bush.  Keep the future tree-like proportions of a camellia in mind when choosing the planting site.  Like azaleas, camellias prefer acidic soil of 5.5-6.5 and partial shade. Many area soils are naturally acidic, but you can have your soil tested through your county extension office. 

     I have found camellias to be low-maintenance plants.  There is little deer or insect predation.  They grow big enough to offer cover for birds visiting a bird feeder. Place the feeder far enough from the camellia so it can’t be used as a launching pad for squirrels.  Prune wayward branches and unwanted growth after blooming in late winter or early spring.

     If you’re already a camellia owner, take the time to appreciate this winter color, and, if you’re not, plan on obtaining one soon.

This article is an update to one I published in the Franklin Times on January 6, 2012.

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Stunning White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

     This colorful caterpillar feeds on a wide-variety of trees. Severe defoliation of trees can sometimes be attributed to this species. An allergic reaction may result from touching the hairs.

There are several caterpillars with "tussock" in the name. This refers to tufts of hair. Their appearance features tufts of hair rather than a uniform covering of hair.

     The White-marked Tussock Moth is related to the Gypsy Moth so a fungus introduced to control the Gypsy may affect the Tussock.

Ipad viewers: see video on you tube.



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Saddleback Caterpillar: Beautiful Camouflage and Painful Sting

The Saddleback caterpillar has a striking appearance with a bright green body and a brown saddle. Horns point upward on either end. Spines on the horns and other hairs secrete painful venom.

I’ve brushed my leg against a Saddleback and can attest to the discomfort. Upon stinging, the spines can become lodged in the skin which causes more venom to be released and additional irritation. Loose spines can be left on surfaces or be inhaled posing further hazards.

I photographed this specimen on a Japanese maple tree. The caterpillar’s movements were slow, but deliberate. It's about 1 inch long. The Saddleback’s host plant list is lengthy.

This caterpillar is classified as a slug caterpillar because it does not have prolegs and moves in a sluglike manner. [Prolegs are fleshy protuberances that aid with motion in other caterpillars.] It is the larvae of a brown moth called the Saddleback Caterpillar Moth.

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My Favorite North Carolina Wildflowers

Asiatic Dayflower

The bloom on the Asiatic Dayflower is only 1/2 inch long. Upon close inspection, it's a beautiful royal blue flower resembling an orchid. The foliage consists of healthy green leaves that tend to be invasive. My crop appears in clusters along my gravel driveway.The name alludes to the fact that blooms appear only during the day .

White Yarrow

I seldom see the blooming on my White Yarrow, but the feathery, fern-like greenery is a favorite of mine. I had a cluster start along my garden gate, and transplanted some of it to other areas. I've heard it described as invasive, but that hasn't been my experience. One of my reference books calls this plant Common Yarrow.

MYSTERY PLANT-CAN YOU IDENTIFY?

This plant has small delicate lavender flowers mounted on top of a triad of fuzzy leaves. It is blooming now (August in North Carolina).

At the base, large leaves lie flat on the ground. A stalk grows about a foot tall and holds the flower stems.

This image shows a group of the flowers clustered among my azaleas.

I have checked my reference materials, and have been unable to identify this plant. It may be in the Plantain family. Please comment on this blog if you know the name. 

White-tailed Deer Fawns in North Carolina

We have observed four fawns on three separate occasions in our yard this summer. In all cases, the fawns were alone. I was guilty of having a fantasy idea of deer parentage where the mother stays close to her offspring. This is very far from the truth.

For the survival of the fawn, the mother deer spends very little time with it. Does hide their fawns, return to feed them quickly and leave them alone. This helps the fawns remain scentless-the way they are born, reducing the chance a predator will sniff them out. Once the fawn is strong enough to keep up with the mother, they will forage together.

Sometimes fawns will bleat for their mother. The sound reminds me of a toy car beeping. One year, I heard the beeping sound for a couple of days before spotting the fawn. I thought the young children next door had a new toy.

Many people think a lone fawn is abandoned when this is normal deer behavior. The best response is to stay away from the fawn, allowing the mother to return on her schedule. Try also to keep any dogs from upsetting the fawn.

Other interesting facts:

White-tailed deer have 1-3 young

Twins are often hidden in separate places

Fawns are weaned after 8-10 weeks

Female young stay with the mother for 2 years

Male young leave after 1 year

If you are interested in hearing the fawn’s call, this video has 3 bleats recorded. Sorry for the shakiness and background talking.

Rabbits exhibit the same behavior towards their young. They leave them alone in the nest except to nurse so they remain unscented.

Auburn University has a good publication on fawns.

Leaffooted Bugs: Bugs all over my Yucca Plant

Their movements were in slow motion so I almost didn't notice the brown and red shapes on the yucca pods adjacent to my deck.

Leaffooted Bugs - the red ones are nymphs

In the enlarged photo above, the leaf shape of the hind leg is visible. These bugs are known for emitting a foul smell when disturbed. They suck plant juices. 

The activity on the yucca pod resembled more of a family reunion than a feeding frenzy. If the individuals moved at all, it was very slow.

Reference:

http://ipm.ncsu.edu/ag295/html/stink_bugs_and_leaffooted_bugs.htm

More birdwatching while on vacation in North Carolina

This year we vacationed between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. We were entertained by some amazing birds.

Barn Swallow

Barn swallows are stunning little birds with forked tails. This one flitted around and under the dock we were standing on, and  posed on a nearby pylon. I've observed barn swallows around lakes as they swoop up insects, and my neighbor has a colony in his old barn. They build mud nests under bridges and in barns. This is the first time, a barn swallow has been still enough for me to photograph. Interestingly, barn swallows migrate to South America for the winter. 

Willet

Small groups of Willets worked the shore looking for tiny crabs. This bird is native to the Eastern Coast of the United States.

Least Tern

Like many other tern species, the Least Tern migrates from South America. They are endangered in many North American locations. We observed this feisty little bird diving into the water after small fish. 

Laughing Gull

The Laughing Gull has a completely black head. They constantly call to each other which I suppose explains the laughing reference.

Carolina Wren: A Strange Place for a Nest

The other day, I was surprised to find a bird's nest in our golf cart.

Upon closer inspection, I spotted a small egg.

I went to the house to get my camera.

When I returned, I found a bird incubating the egg.

This is a Carolina Wren. It is common for them to build nests near homes and amongst people things. I have a previous blog about a nest in a milk jug in my greenhouse. Over the years, they have built nests in our winterized sailboat and under the pool cover.

Update: Day 2

The nest contains 5 eggs.

Update: 12 days after the first egg was observed, baby birds are in the nest.
It looks like 3-4 chicks.

Update: We went on vacation and found an empty nest 21 days after the first eggs was observed.

Tick Hotels

Tick Hotels

Along with the beautiful warm days come creepy and dangerous ticks. Our yard seems to have an abundance of them. What do you do when you find a tick crawling on your arm or leg? Grab it and throw it down so it can jump on another family member or pet? No, you want to make sure that tick is not going to live to bother another person.

It's not always convenient to smash the tick with a rock. They are really quite indestructible. I have flushed the little devils, but, they're so ridiculously hardy, I envision them navigating our septic system and resurfacing in the yard. One solution is to make containers we call tick hotels.

These tick hotels are small cosmetic jars and vitamin bottles with lotion in the bottom. We have them labeled and placed strategically in the kitchen, garage, deck, and greenhouse. Once a tick is discovered, it can be dispatched to the nearest tick hotel.The lotion in the bottom of the container slows them down and kills them. Also, it is easier to identify the type of tick with a white background.

Prevention

I'll list some general guidelines that I use to prevent tick bites. There's a lot of specific information available on the topic from experts. If needed, please consult those sources for additional information.

Protect yourself from ticks by spraying insect repellent on your shoes and clothing. Even for a quick walk to the garden, I'll spray my shoes.

For extended stays in long grass, in wooded areas, or other known tick areas wear long pants and liberally spray the lower pant legs and shoes to create a tick barrier.

If possible, remove tick-exposed clothing in a garage or utility room to avoid introducing ticks into the house. Bag the clothing and wash immediately.

Be alert to itchiness or tickling on your skin. These are signs of tick movement. Inspect the itchy area closely. Small ticks resemble freckles. If a tick is found, drop it in the nearest tick hotel.

Herbs I Know????

As a Franklin County Master Gardener, there have been several opportunities to talk to groups about herbs. Unfortunately, I am not a herb expert. My family has ferocious appetites, but no requirements for delicate flavoring. Let's just say that if ketchup were an herb then I might be a herb expert. Growing herbs, therefore, is not a priority in my garden. Growing tomatoes and squash to fill growing kids' bellies has to take priority.

PEPPERMINT

There are a few herbs that are familiar to me.  For years I have let peppermint run rampant around my bay window and deck. These were places with poor drainage where nothing else seemed to grow. The peppermint is winter hardy, and revives with warmer weather. I had heard that rodents avoid peppermint hence the planting around the house foundation. I have flavored my ice tea with peppermint leaves. When my stomach felt off, I have chewed on the leaves. I love the peppermint aroma when I pull up spreading vines.

BASIL

Basil is easy to grow and compliments tomato-based dishes like spaghetti or tomato salad. I have grown it in pots on the deck and alongside vegetables in the garden. It seeds readily so there's almost always baby plants popping up the next year. I have saved dried basil for winter soups and spaghetti sauce.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary is a grass-like herb on a stem. You pull the thin leaves off the stem and flavor chicken or potatoes. There seems to be a trend in using rosemary as a landscape bush.  I can literally pick sprigs of rosemary after I visit the local shopping center.

LAVENDER

The lavender scent has a reputation for encouraging relaxation. It is dried and used in potpourri.  I do like the smell of lavender, but my patch has very little scent.

CHIVES

Chives offer an onion-like flavoring to foods such as baked potatoes. They are easy-to-grow in pots or ground, and return yearly. We rarely use chives so we are rewarded with beautiful purple flowers.

I hope you enjoyed my brief herb summary.

An Easy Garden Fence aka "The Fortress"

Protect your garden from deer by installing an easy fence. Here's how:

1. Drive 10 foot t-posts along the perimeter of the garden. We spaced the posts 10 feet apart. Place the corners first (read step 2). Run a string from corner to corner to line up the t-posts.

t-posts

Use a level to drive the posts in straight.

Use a measuring tape to drive the posts in the same depth. We used 96 inches for our exposed post height.

post driver

2. If desired, use 4 X 4 (inch) wood posts for the corners to add stability. Place the hole in a 16-18 inch hole. Straighten the post with the level. Pour Quikrete or a similar product to hold the post.

corner post

3. After all the posts are in, place the insulators that will hold the wire. We started the bottom wire 9 inches from the ground and subsequent wires 16 inches apart. Our top wire was approximately 7 feet off the ground. (Remember deer are high jumpers :). )

 insulators

4. Run the electrical wire through the insulators around the perimeter. Leave an opening for access and close the wire perimeter with gate handles. This opening can be wide enough for lawnmower or tractor access. It depends on your needs.

gate handles

In the past we have constructed a 4 foot t-post fence and taken it down after the summer garden. This fence has been designed to be permanent so we have allowed for an opening wide enough for a tractor.

One disadvantage of a permanent garden fence is that you can't easily move your garden location if pests get out of control. Moving the garden is an effective pest control method since many garden pests overwinter in the same area.

We have decided to compromise on the insect pest aspect in order to eliminate the deer damage since that has been a huge problem with our vegetable garden. See previous posts about our deer problem.

5. Hook up electric fence to fence charger.We use an electric charger mounted in a small greenhouse near the garden. Alternatively, you can use a solar fence charger mounted in the open.

electric charger

completed fence around garden

Thanks to our dear friends, Mary Pat and Joe, for giving us the t-posts. We appreciate your encouragement and advice on garden fencing.