One of the benefits of writing this blog is that it forces me to do some research on a topic before I submit the post. While I some times revel in my failures or lack of understanding, I also like to think I may be able to educate some of you based on real experiences I’ve had. I’ve gained incredible knowledge in the process and you may even respect me a bit after reading. We’ll call it a “win, win”.
I wandered the yard late yesterday afternoon, camera in hand, and found some things I hadn’t noticed before.
I was moving some mulch and soil around for a potential planting spot and was greeted by some familiar creatures:
White grubs! These are usually discovered when they destroy the roots of the lawn but I found these just chilling in the garden bed. There were quite a few in a two foot square area but I didn’t notice any others nearby. I’ll hold off for now on doing anything about it. Maybe throw a prayer in there as well. Best option seems to be releasing predatory nematodes to counter these bastards but that seems too involved for me. And I will not use any insecticides. More to come.
Not too far away from grubville was a big patch of fungi I’ve noticed before but always ignored since it didn’t seem to do any damage.
Brought up Google and determined these to be “bird’s nest” fungi. They look like little nests with tiny eggs inside. They are commonly found in wet mulch or wood piles and from all indications, do not bring on any harm. No sweat and it’s pretty cool to now know the true name. I can’t wait to identify this for someone else and be all smug about it.
OK, your science lesson is now complete. On to some other photos I snapped during my late afternoon jaunt:
Hi Dirt Digger,
Aaaaarrrggghhhhh…. Chafer larvae….Kill them as painfully as possible!
Failing that…Merit Turf is a very safe pesticide that really does the trick. Safe to the handler, plants and animals (other than those *%^$£””! grubs), and on lawns even enhances growth…too good to be true….yep…£250 for 10kg!
Happy hunting!
Your title set a great tone. I was laughing from the start. And LOVED your “smug” comment. heh! I, too, have a large grub population in my landscaping. The grassy part of our yard is in good shape (“Merit in May” is Ryan’s tutelage). But it seems to have trapped these grody grubs in their own little island. Knowing what they do to grass, don’t you think they’d do they same to other plants? I’d LOVE to read some research on that. wink. wink.
I’m pretty sure those little guys turn into Japanese beetles, so you really should have killed them on sight. I like to squish the poor little things.
Research? Wahtever happened to making stuff up?
Those grubs are awful, so destructive 🙁 Love the other pics, especially the hydrangea, their autumn coloring is so striking!
Try nematodes – white powder you sprinkle over your lawn and you’ll see results in 1…2 years. Expensive but effective and worth it. Don’t know how long it will last, but we are into year 2 up here in MA and the Japanese beetles were few and far in between this year – yeahh!
Ewww Grubs… yuck and can do without. Your photos are breathtakingly beautiful. I love getting a lesson on gardening as I’m just now breaking away from safe marigolds to bigger and better things. Hugs. Tammy… thanks for having me.
do the heleniums continue to look good over winter with their black seed heads leaving a good winter structure?
i read they dont look too good over winter but i prefer their blooms to rebeckias.