A patch of no-mow lawn

Even though I have been having my lawn treated the past several years, I asked them to skip the side yards. The area on the south side of the house is now almost completely no-mow, thanks to clover and creeping charlie. Most consider creeping charlie to be an invasive weed and it can choke out other plants (like turf grass), but I think I will let it go for now, to see how it holds up over time.

Would it make sense to let the whole yard become creeping charlie? Probably not feasible, as CC likes some shade and most of my lawn receives a lot of sun. While the experiment on the south side of the house continues, I'll meditate on that idea.

I don't know why this bird is called a red-bellied woodpecker; the red patch is on the back of its head. I'm glad to see it visiting, though.

I'm still mowing grass but only a few leaves. On this morning's dogwalk I noticed some of the neighborhood maples are *finally* turning. The temps are cooler and yesterday we received a surprise but short-lived downpour. Otherwise, the forecast is for more dry days, although we *might* get some frost come Wednesday. I'll believe it when I see (or feel) it.

Still not safe for elms

Ever since I planted a Triumph Elm (Ulmus 'Morton Glossy') in my backyard in 2016, I have been a fan. It's a gorgeous shade tree that grows relatively quickly and is resistant to the evil Dutch elm disease. Alas, that does not mean it is impervious to other ills.

According to a recent article in the Purdue University Landscape Report, the elm zigzag sawfly (EZS), Aproceros leucopoda, a non-native insect, has recently been detected in several midwestern states, although not Indiana (yet). Initially, the EZS larvae chew zigzag patterns into elm leaves, thus the common name of the insect; however, as it grows larger, it skeletonizes the leaves. While most trees will survive defoliation, years of feeding by EZS will weaken a tree and increase its susceptibility to other pests and disease.

If you suspect this pest is on your tree, at least in Indiana, please contact the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab for identification. There is still much to learn about EZS.

As if that were not enough, there has also been an uptick in reports of black spot of elm. It favors cool, wet conditions, so maybe our recent hot dry weather will discourage it.

On a happier note, the asters and goldenrod are not discouraged this year. Both are covered in pollinators of various sizes and types. I'm always happy to see that.

Halloween is coming. I'm not big on holiday decorations, but a few lights here, a seasonal flamingo there, is right up my alley.

Previously, our first frost date was October 6. That came and went with temps in the 70's. Today it is cooler, but still no frost in the forecast. I am SO done with summer. Bring on the hot cider!

A walk in the woods

My SO and I took a little hike in the Lindenwood Nature Preserve this past week. I'm always on the lookout for unusual fungi. Most of what we saw we had seen before, but not this blue sample. I haven't been able to identify it. Any guesses?

We also saw some fruit here and there. This is white banebarry, a.k.a. doll's eyes.

Something unusual was this beehive in the ground. (If you look closely at the photo, you can see some honeycomb in the wall of the hole.) We were puzzled about the hole, but then noticed some honeycomb scattered around it, as though something (raccoon?) had tried digging up the hive.

Closer to home, the Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' goldenrod is peaking while its taller cousin on the other side of the house is past its prime.

I attended a harvest festival yesterday and could not resist this flamingo bird house made from a gourd. It will winter inside.

We have been having some rainy days plus lower temperatures, so it *almost* feels like fall. The lawn is happier, as am I, the master waterer.

Front porch menagerie and conifers at the mall

Speaking of spiders (as I was in my last post), my front porch and yard sport quite a few funnel spiders. From the Illinois Department of Natural Resource: "They have long legs and can move quickly. The body is light brown with some dark markings. These spiders sit at the end of their funnel-shaped web as they wait for insects. Webs are often seen in late summer and early fall close to the ground and covered with dew."

Every year I debate over whether to clear these webs off the porch before or after Halloween. If I wait too long, cold weather causes the spiders to try to sneak through the front door into the house.

Foggy dewy mornings are great for spotting the webs in the lawn and beds. I am fine with spiders being OUTdoors, not so much INdoors.

I used to have a lot of paper wasps making nests on the soffits and porch roof, but updating both mostly eliminated that issue. My son pointed out that this wasp nest is probably from a mud dauber.

New topic: miniature conifers at the mall. For some reason, one of the local malls replaced some of the indoor houseplants with miniature conifers. They are in pots they will probably outgrow, so I am curious to see how long they last.

My research has revealed that just because the name of a plant includes "miniature" doesn't mean it will stay miniature in size. Sometimes it means it just won't get as big as its larger cousins, which may still be too big for its intended location.

Today we *finally* got some rain. Not enough, but maybe the grass in the lawn will become less brittle. Lots of Canada geese have been using our neighborhood as a stopover on their way south; a few mallards do the same down by the pond. Even the starlings are beginning to change to their winter plumage. Winter will be here *someday*.

(If you miss seeing ice and snow, I recommend watching "True Detective: Night Country". It takes place in Alaska, north of the Arctic Circle, but was filmed in Finland. Brrr!!!)

More August-like weather

The forecast is for at least ten days of 80+ degree temperatures, and no rain in sight. I've been watering plants that ordinarily are on their own, especially ones that look a bit peaked. At least the nights are (relatively) cool.

This past week I've been helping my daughter at her new house. The property had been uninhabited for a year, so while a neighbor kept the lawn mowed, not much of anything else was done. While daughter works on the inside (removing carpet, etc.), I whack weeds, then spray them. With this heat, I last about three hours before having to call it a day. I saw a couple of butterflies and a praying mantis - no pix because I am not fast enough - and spiders.

The yard contains "mature trees" which is another way of saying "call the tree service". They look like fast-growing silver maples and locusts that have been there for probably sixty years. My inclination is to get rid of all of them, but we'll have an arborist give us some advice first. I hate to cut down trees, but these are not exactly the most desirable ones to have, especially regarding sewer lines and electric service. For replacements, I'd recommend some elms in the front yard, Japanese maple and redbud in the back.

There are garden beds all around the house, just aching for something besides pachysandra. I'm pushing dwarf conifers for the front of the house proper, heuchera for a narrow bed that runs along the garage, hostas on the north side, then natives in the backyard, as we can source those from my yard.

I make it sound like this is *my* property. Right now my daugher is too busy with the house itself to give much thought to the yard. She likes to garden, though, so I know she will want to do *something* with the outside.

On my own homefront, there are still weeds to contend with, although they seem to recognize that the growing season is coming to an end. There have been some different visitors to the birdbath this week. A downy woodpecker has discovered the "wildlife" tree as well, but it is too shy to photograph.

Northern flicker

Blue jay

Something I have completely forgotten about are the wild strawberry and wild petunia seeds in the refrigerator. They never sprouted, so I think I will scatter them outside come December, and let Mother Nature have her way with them. Maybe I should put a reminder in my calendar so I don't forget about them *again*.

More autumn-like

The temps are moderating - again - but the forecast calls for another hot spell later this week. Last Friday we did get about a half inch of rain, which was welcome, but none is expected in the foreseeable future.

The other day I was examining the oak tree to see if there were any acorns. No nuts, but lots of oak galls. And wasps! That is a phenomenon that I had not observed before. Mother Nature is simply fascinating!

I mowed today, even though it wasn't strictly necessary. The past week has been busy, so I feel like I need to get caught up, or even a bit ahead of myself. Who knew retirement would be so FULL?

Changing seasons

August wasn't done with us last week, as the temps soared into the 90's with plenty of humidity. Today, it is more autumn-like. But it's not time to put the gardens and yard to bed for the winter yet. Rain has been scarce, so I continue to water, plus control weeds.

When my son and his girlfriend were here a few weeks ago, we strolled around the yard. She commented on the lovely scent of the hydrangea. I had never noticed it before - it is rather delicate - but now I sniff them whenever I am in the yard. As the blossoms age, the scent becomes less and less noticable.

Fruit on some shrubs is beginning to turn red. I was suprised to find some berries on the spice bush - it must be a female and someone else nearby must have a male.

Most of the winterberry holly is bearing fruit, but not all. Of course, the male bushes don't, but some of the female randomly don't as well. I noticed this phenomena last year. No real reason that I can discern.

Of course, the goldenrod is putting on a show. This tall variety which I have no memory of planting may be Solidago altissima, known as Canadian goldenrod. Or it may be Solidago gigantea, Giant goldenrod. I'm planning to swap the shorter fence in this photo with the taller fence around the 'meadow'.

The Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks', also known as Rough goldenrod, is a bit behind its big brother.

My daughter is moving to a new-to-her house that has not been occupied for a year. I asked if there were any way I could help that didn't involve stair climbing or heavy lifting. She suggested I take on weed control in the yard. That I can do!