Over the weekend I spent some time working in my son's garden.
There were a lot of weeds that needed to be taken out before our anticipated frost later this week. While the guys were busy tackling indoor jobs, I made it my mission to eradicate (nearly) every weed I came in contact with. Brett thought I was over calculating when I requested one tall yard waste bag to get started. By the time I was done, five of those bags were filled to the brim.
I saved the largest weed patch for last. It was in full sun and the temperature was 83 degrees. There were many water breaks in the shade. I nearly gave up before I finished, but I persevered.
As I was working on the final stretch, something bright red caught my eye. Growing at the base of the fence it looked like a tiny strawberry. Even the leaves look like strawberry leaves. Strawberries are a spring/summer thing around here so I was mystified by this discovery. Thanks to the plant identification feature on my phone I was able to learn that it is a mock strawberry, Indian strawberry or false strawberry. Apparently the strawberries are edible, although not as tasty as a true strawberry. Either way I think they are adorable and let them stay right where they are. A sweet little surprise at the end of my weeding session.
Back at home I was engrossed in tugging my zinnias out of the pots they had been growing in all summer. I'm not sure who was more surprised when this little guy flung out of the pot. Although they are on the creepy side, this one was the tiniest I have ever seen. He clung to the side of the pot watching me finish the job. I wouldn't think this would be the time for wildlife to be breeding. Between this little fella and the baby snake that was slithering into my herb garden as I was removing the basil, I guess they are still having babies. Oh goodie, more snakes in the garden. Ugh!!
This face about sums up my feeling on that topic.
Actually this is kind of a funny discovery made while moving black eyed susans to new homes. We get these weird fungi that emerge up from the soil and look just like round balls. They can be hard to spot at first in the soil and mulch. I thought this one rather distinctive with his creepy face. Just right for Halloween.
🎃💀👻🎃
Happy Halloween!!
Happy Halloween. Sweet little strawberry surprise! I love little surprises like that.
ReplyDeleteThat little lizard is cute on a picture, I probably wouldn't like him in real lift though. That fungi has the perfect face!
ReplyDeleteYou sure worked hard on the weeding job. Those temperatures were like our mid summer.
ReplyDeleteThe little lizard is pretty cute.
Wow that fungi face is perfect for Halloween. :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour son is lucky to have his parents' help. Five bags of garden waste is a lot. I like the little creature - is it a lizard of some description?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a type of lizard. We see a few different ones here regularly. This one is perhaps the creepiest.
DeleteFive bags of weeds - wow! Are you for hire?! I also can't believe the temps you had - what state are you in? (I forgot - sorry!) We get those mock strawberries growing here, particularly in my butterfly garden. I just leave them alone. They're pretty and don't cause any harm, and insects and bunnies will eat them. Here in northeast IL, it snowed yesterday (ugggh - too early!) and with the high winds and cold temps, it kept a lot of the trick-or-treaters away.
ReplyDeleteWe are in North Carolina. That warm weather is now a distant memory. 26 degrees here this morning. No snow, however.
DeleteYou accomplished a LOT, especially in the heat. The little strawberries do look like spring. Lizards have become invasive in our area in recent years. They love sunning on the edges of the garden.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am new here. I surfed in from Latane’s blog and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Denise! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to let me know you did :).
Delete