Springtime sees us being invaded by millions of tiny, black grasshoppers. As they age, these things change into huge, three-inch-long, plant-munching, multi-colored menaces. They eat everything in sight. We have found that it is far easier to get rid of as many as possible when they are just hatching rather than wait until they are large enough to cause major damage. Try as I might, I never get them all. Of course, it is ridiculous to think that would be possible considering they are throughout the woods and on the neighbors' property, as well. I do try to get rid of any adult grasshoppers that may evade my first attempts but a lot of them slip past unseen. It is then that I get real aggravated at the critters...which is strange as I usually live by a "live and let live" mantra. If these grasshoppers would keep themselves back in the woods, I would be ok with their presence but, no, they want to munch my garden plants, instead. These are the dreaded Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers. Ugh!
Back in the early part of the summer, I had to keep covering the lily bulbs because the adult grasshoppers were eating the new growth. Once they finished off the top of the plants, they started in on the bulbs even to the point of digging into the ground to get at them. I put some bulbs in pots and covered them with another flower pot to keep the critters out. This did well until I had to uncover the plants. They were too tall to keep covered. The lilies sent up tall shoots with buds and I was so excited! These bright yellow blooms always brighten the fall gardens.
This past weekend, I checked the bud. Alas! A grasshopper was munching away on the stalk! In fact, it had nibbled its way from top to bottom eating just about half of the stalk. The lily had bent over because it could not support the weight of its own buds. Needless to say, the grasshopper had just eaten its last meal. My lily was ruined, however. Brokenhearted, I left the bud and went inside. This morning as I watered the other plants, I noticed the lily. Sheer determination let that lily bloom in all its glory! Even though it was ravaged by the critter, bent over flat and seemingly did not have a chance in the world...it bloomed. Seeing that bright yellow flower that bloomed against all odds gave me a weird sense of strength. If the plant can survive and still provide a bit of beauty, I can lift my head a bit higher and smile a bit brighter. Things are not that bad, after all.
Every now and again, you just have to shake your head at Mother Nature. She has decided to pound the nation with a blast of frigid air this weekend. Yep, this cold has reached all the way down here to the Deep South. The Bayou is a tad chilly, Folks! It is early to have this cold of air here. We are not used to freezing temperatures in November. Our coldest times are usually in January and February. This wintry weather has put a kink in the "fall" gardening. We did not have a fall. We went directly from summer to winter! Not good! All of this fickle weather is confusing to plants as well. My day was spent moving what plants I could into the greenhouse and tucking the rest snugly under blankets. Hopefully, this will protect them enough.
While covering the plants, I came across one goofy thing that is far out of season. A Guernsey Lily decided that it was summer. The bulb was one that I had dug this spring and just never got around to replanting. The bare bulb sat dormant in a wooden box. Today of all days, it bloomed. Why? Why now with the Arctic blast bearing down upon us? And how? How with no soil around its roots did this thing ever even have enough energy to shoot out a bud? Who knows but it is pretty.
Since the lily did its best to provide me with a bit of beauty, I thought it at least deserved to be planted. I stuck it in an empty pot and poked a bit of soil around the bulb. Now it sits snugly in the greenhouse with a variety of other plants. Once I can get shelves built, these will be a bit better arranged. At least for now, they won't freeze. Mother Nature! Stop playing pranks on us! It is too early for this! Nah...actually, I sort of like it.
The arrival of the "Red Hat Ladies" is an assurance that Fall is here. Not to be confused with the lovely ladies of the organization of the same name, the "ladies" to which I refer are flowers. The Coast is covered with the bobbing heads of the flowers which have a tendency to pop up unexpectedly in the oddest of places. One never knows where there will be a splash of red (and sometimes pink or yellow.) Ditches, fields, well-manicured lawns, woods and, lo and behold, even flower gardens can be blessed with the sudden beauty of the lilies.
These lovely flowers can go by the name of Guernsey Lilies, Nerine Lilies or the common names of "Red Hat Ladies" and "Naked Ladies". The latter is due to the fact that when the flowers bloom, they have no leaves thus being quite bare. Since the cluster of blooms have been said to resemble a lady's hat, it was assumed that was all she wore! The name "Naked Lady" stuck and now when some stranger to the area overhears locals referring to the blooms, they might be in for quite the shock. Just imagine overhearing the following conversation!
"Hey, the Naked Ladies are here so I guess Fall has come."
"Do you mean the Red Hat Ladies?"
"Yep, did you see Old George's field? There must have been a thousand of them out there in all their glory!"
"Nah, I'll have to drive over and take a look. That must be some sight!"
"It sure is. They are all out there waving those hats around like crazy!"
Needless to say, Old George's field might become the gathering place for a lot of fellows hoping to catch a glimpse! Won't they be in for a surprise when all they find are happy flowers gently blowing in the breeze.
It always makes me happy to find the "Red Hat Ladies" bobbing their hats in the soft Bay breezes. Fall is here and Old Man Winter is just around the corner!
