Nature Notes: Bee, Squirrel, Basil

Bees were happily flying all about the andromeda shrub in front of my house. My daughter was afraid of the bees, but I told her they were much more interested in the flowers than in her.

Basil and Oregano have Germinated, May 2009

I look forward to making pesto with all the basil I have in my tray. I put in some oregano seeds, too; I do not know what I am going to do with this much oregano. I am working on converting all of my front yard into perennials (with some annuals each year, some shrubs already there) and doing away with trying to establish grass without weeds. Maybe I’ll plant some of the oregano there. Some of my neighbors have no grass at all in their front yards (and instead have ground cover and perennials); others dutifully maintain the green, bright strips of lawn.

A squirrel hopping along the wires in my backyard

Categories: nature, photography Tagged: Andromeda

Ilana-Davita says

Interesting stuff you are showing here Leora. I didn't realize bees were out that early.
Good luck with your plantations.

Carver says

I enjoyed your nature notes post. I have a lot of bees but they definitely focus on the flowers and leave me alone.

2sweetnsaxy says

I haven't grown anything in a long while, not from scratch. Love the bee shot. :-)

Silverstar98121 says

Very ambitious herb garden. I think I would grow oregano just to brush against it and smell it. And once you start using it fresh, you will find lots of uses for it. Even just throwing a few julienne stripes of leaves into tomato soup to make it more flavorful.

ramblingwoods says

I would like to get rid of our front lawn too. But part of it has become moss instead of grass which my husband likes as you don't have to cut it...I should try to grow some herbs...You have given me an idea..but it is too late for seeds I think.. Thank you for your wonderful Nature Notes post Leora...Michelle

Leora says

I love moss. But where I have moss, I get weeds growing, so it doesn't stay just moss.

If it's a perennial, it's not too late for seeds. But basil does have a short season, especially in the north (and you are in a colder zone). You can buy a little one in a plant nursery to have near your kitchen.

Vicki says

That first photo is lovely. Basil and oregano are delightful, and the oregano can be hung in bunches to dry, either for winter use or just to scent the air in your kitchen.