When I began cutting down the giant Joe Pye pom-poms, the first problem was the trashy look of large, decaying leaves on the ground. When I was young and foolish, I would haul the green debris to a chicken wire circle for composting. I did that for a time in this location, and the compost kept shrinking down to the ground. That was good for the nearby mimosa tree, but did not distribute the wealth the way socialists dream. Looking at the empty chicken wire circle, which he had filled often, Mr. Gardener said, "May I have that unused chicken wire?"
 |
| "I don't always scratch my staff, but when I do, they deserve it!" Sent by a reader. |
To end the Joe Pye season, I cut the flowered stalks and piled them behind the maple tree. Each plant produced 10 or more stalks, and each stalk a globe of hundreds of flowerets, the kind bees love to work through, like librarians straightening the shelves. When the vanilla scent of the flowers was strong, butterflies flitted from flower to flower. Tiny beneficial insects also worked the plants.
This pile seems quite large, but it will shrink down into the soil as mold, bacteria, and soil creatures feast on it. Green leafy matter heats up in decomposition. Upon cooling, the earthworms invade and the entire cast of soil-makers work the pile. The hunters become the hunted when birds perch on the pile, cock their heads to spot a fat creature, and take it away. I had a chicken wire compost bin in Midland where birds stopped by to choose the latest bug wiggling near the top, leaving a deposit to pay for the food.
 |
| No pictures? |
I will scatter borage seed on the top, since the plant grows and flowers fast. Yes, I bought a large bag of it, like I was getting into borage futures. The problem is, each larger package is only a bit more expensive, and the cost per ounce goes down dramatically. Sow abundantly to reap abundantly, as the Apostle Paul said.
Some readers are clucking their tongues and saying, "There he goes again. That sounds like a big mess." That is the fun part. Last fall, Ranger Bob piled bags of leaves in the central part of the rose garden, which was grassy. The composting began slowly and continued until that same area in the spring was like a waterbed - typical of soil saturated with organic material. The Great Plains were like that long ago, and the soil shimmied like pudding when people jumped down from their wagons.
Neighbors on their way to work enjoyed the spectacle of Joe Pye being reduced. One asked the name of the plant and I extolled its virtue. She said, "That was at the nature center, and you have cornered the market." Another neighbor has grown increasingly happy with the flowers and roses. She stopped, rolled down her window, and spoke some Spanish, grinning.
The hidden Butterfly Garden gets the most sun and the least attention, but it boasts Chaste Tree, Joe Pye, Comfrey, Butterfly Weed, and Yarrow.
Bird Bonus
The Hummingbirds make a point of getting near me in the front and back yards. I give them food, showers from the sprinklers, and places to nest and feed.I saw Papa Cardinal in the Elderberries. He was probably having a snack when he spotted walnut pieces on the recycle barrel. I was watching from the kitchen window, hoping to see him come closer.
Instead, Mama Cardinal zoomed in first, looked each way for safety, and left with her morsel. He came next, checked every direction, and picked his piece, leaving quickly. The demo encouraged me to drop a few pieces on the lid each afternoon. Who is teaching adult education? - The birds are way ahead of me.
 |
| Running out of toner |
