Ladybug Outbreak

Most folks are seeing more ladybug larvae, and ladybugs, than usual. It's likely connected to a plentiful food source: aphids. Because we had an abnormally dry spring, aphids were a problem much earlier than usual. Aphids are a ladybug favorite. This collage above shows ladybug larvae in various stages of morphing into beetles.

Overwintering Chocolate Cosmos

I purchased two chocolate cosmos this summer to use in planters. They were about $6 a piece. I loved the chocolate-scented, red velvet blooms on long stems amid airy foliage. But in our climate, I don't think they would have survived the winter. So, I chopped off all the foliage and re-potted them to bring them inside. At first, I assumed I had killed them, but new stems are growing. Below is a picture of one of the flowers from this summer. 

Prepared for Frost

The first hard frost is expected tonight or Thursday night. Let me say for the record: This was not a good summer for tomatoes.

Late Season Adoption

I usually try to pick up a few end-of-season plants now that the nurseries are clearing things out. I wanted an interesting vegetable. But this strange shrub caught my eye, instead. It's called a trailing flowering maple. The tag says hardy to zone 7 - which cuts it close for us, so I'll pot in a way so it can overwinter indoors.

Zinnia Patch

They're coming along nicely since the temperatures warmed up. The zinnias struggled in the cool weather, partly due to slugs. Below is a photo of the babies, planted one month ago.