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Raising Monarch Butterfly

by Angela

Help save the Monarch Butterfly! One of the easiest ways to help save this butterfly is to plant Milkweed in your yard and/or Garden. This act alone increases their chances of survival greatly! 

The Milkweedplant is a host plant for this Butterfly meaning, the Monarch will lay its’ eggs on this plant, after the eggs hatch the baby caterpillar (larva) will feed from this plant as it grows and finally it will go through its entire transformation into its “cocoon” (chrysalis/pupa) and then into a beautiful Monarch butterfly. 

It is an awesome transformation and to have a hand and be a part of it is very rewarding. If you wish to raise these butterflies then let’s get started.

Let’s talk about some important key points that you will need to know if you decide to raise the Monarch Butterfly.

EGG STAGE is 1-5 Days. Identify and locate the eggs: you can locate the eggs on the underside of the Milkweed leaves. The Monarch butterfly does not lay eggs in clusters but rather a single egg. The egg will be small and white. See the video for more details.

CATERPILLAR STAGE is 9-16 days. Keeping the baby caterpillars (larva) safe once they have grown is very important as this is a vulnerable time for them. They need to stay Dry. I carefully remove them from the Milkweed and put them in a mesh habitat that I purchased from Amazon, you can find a habitat for under $15. 

When handling the caterpillars or butterflies ALWAYS have clean and dry hands. It is best to try and refrain from touching them if possible. Only touch them when necessary.

Feeding the caterpillars is important as they will need a constant supply of fresh Milkweed (not dried out). They will also need to have their habitat cleaned daily. You will realize that they eat a poop a lot! Keeping their environment clean, dry, as well as well ventilated is very important for their health and helps to increase their chance of survival.

CHRYSALIS STAGE is 10-14 days. The caterpillars will locate a spot in the habitat to hang from and when they start to hang into a J-Shape then you will know they are approaching the (chrysalis/pupa) stage. Do not touch the chrysalis when it is newly formed as it will need time to dry. 

Once the chrysalis turns black in appearance after several days it will be approaching its’ final moments before the adult butterfly emerges.

Once the new Adult butterfly emerges DO NOT TOUCH IT. Allow it to hang for at least 2-3 hours allowing its’ wings to dry. 

If you notice it has fallen down from the chrysalis stage and if it is having trouble climbing up to hang upside down then you may assist it by allowing it to climb on you to relocate it. 

If you assist do not touch their wings as you can damage the wings which can cause them to lose their ability to fly.

t is important to have flowers with nectar handy or make your own nectar to feed the butterfly before its’ new journey. I chose to ensure that the butterfly had the best possible chance to survive by making a homemade nectar and feeding them before I released them. If you choose this route then you will need a few items: Fresh water, 100% Real Honey, toothpick, and a bottle cap. 

Homemade Nectar Recipe ratio: 1 teaspoon honey to 6 teaspoons water then mix well. See the details in the video for the feeding technique.

WASH AND DRY YOUR HANDS BEFORE HANDLING THE BUTTERFLY.

Be sure that you release the butterfly on a dry/sunny day when the conditions are favorable. If you are not able to release them within 24 hours then you will need to continue feeding them until you do. Releasing the butterfly is a wonderful and rewarding experience as you have put much love, time, and care into raising these butterflies. Releasing the Monarch Butterflies is quite easy. Just open up the door and they will come out. Or you can allow them to climb on you and fly from there.

I want to thank you in advance for taking the time and care in saving this beautiful creature called Monarch Butterly! A collective effort will help to save the Monarchs!

 

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Blog

Planting a Fruit Tree in Poor Soil

by Angela

Planting a fruit tree will probably be one of the most rewarding things that you decide to do…One of the benefits to planting fruit trees is the continuous production it gives year after year.

In this video I am planting a FlordaPrince Peach Tree LPrunus persica) which will be one among many varieties of fruit trees that I am adding to our backyard. I’m so excited! I chose this particular variety of peach tree because it only requires 150 chill hours and it can be a very prolific producer. To understand chill hours let me try and break it down for you. A chill hour is equal to an hour that the fruit tree is exposed to cooler temperatures. These temperatures range from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. So, my FlordaPrince Peach tree will need to spend 150 hours annually in-between this range of temperature in order to produce an abundance of fruit and to help maintain a healthier tree as it keeps natures cycle in balance.

The two most important things that I want you all to remember is HIGH & TIGHT! I learned this from watching Pete at GreenDreamsFL.

Let me explain…. You will want to plant the tree (root system) high. Planting it HIGH allows the roots ample *enriched-amended soil to feed from before reaching the sand or other less desirable soil that you may have to work with. This also helps to alleviate the roots from just sitting in water as this is called “Wet Feet” and fruit trees do not like to have wet feet as this can lead to root rot and other diseases. 

Now, the next important thing to do is to pack the soil around the root system nice and TIGHT as it needs to be compact and pressed tightly in order for the roots to maintain proper contact for feeding and support.

Fruit trees will want to have full sun as this encourages blossoms and in return fruit. Plant your tree in a location that allows for a minimum of 6/8 hours Full Sun Daily. 

Before planting your new tree be mindful of trees and other structures that may cast shadows upon your newly planted fruit tree which could inhibit its’ growth. Plant it in the Sun and watch it Grow!

It is important to keep the roots moist initially after planting until the tree is established and “taken root” so to speak. Keeping the roots and the soil around the roots moist (NOT WET) as it encourages growth.

Once established you will want to research the water requirement for the particular type of fruit tree that you are planting.

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Blog

How a garden changed my life.

by Angela

I am forever changed! How can a Garden change someones life you may ask?  Well, it all started with a small garden, composting, then we got a few chickens…. Next thing I knew we started planting fruit trees to create a food forest in our back yard, but before I get ahead of myself let me go back to the beginning, my childhood. My childhood had such an influence in my adulthood as I will soon explain.

Ever since I was young I have just loved nature…. One of the memories that stands out most is playing in my grandmas’ garden and digging for earthworms with my cousin under the heat of the summer sun. Ahh.. I can still remember the texture of the rich black soil in-between my fingers and all the different smells of the garden veggies. I can hear the crisp snap of the green beans and that noise that only corn can make when it’s being shucked and I can just taste the juiciness of those brightly colored tomatoes still warm from the sun picked off the vine. I remember the night sky lit with fire-flies…. I can tell you without a doubt that I am blessed to have experienced the many different and beautiful miracles that a garden and rich soil can bring. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to experience this as a child as it made such an impact on me as an adult I now realize.

I hold dear such fond memories of visiting my grandma in the Midwest and having so many wonderful summers there as it will always be my starting point and where I go back to for inspiration. This is where I was taught the value that the earth has and that it is a relationship that we have with it and with ourselves. Little did I know just how much this would mould my passions in the future. Now fast forward about 30 years…

I have been saying for so too long… I know the difference between a home grown and a store bought tomato and I say no more tasteless “perfect” tomatoes that offer practically no nutritional value to our bodies! So it finally begins…. A Garden is Born…. A new person is reborn…. A new Passion for Life and Nature has been rekindled! So my new journey begins, an evolution of a Chef and Gardener turned permaculturalist. It was actually a natural progression.

A Pandemic called Covid-19 had us on lockdown. Believe it or not, being locked down and taking a break from “business as usual” was a blessing for me, I just hadn’t realized it yet. Sometimes what seems to be a negative can actually be a blessing in disguise. You never know what life has in store for you just beyond the horizon. 

So, time to turn home grown lemons into lemonade and add some fresh strawberries and basil from the garden, shall we? Let’s begin! I am an Artist and Chef by Profession. Although it is very rewarding it doesn’t come close to being truly connected to and in touch with nature. I have a spark that has ignited in my soul once again and my heart smiles! So much so that it has caused me to rethink my purpose and direction in life. The people in my life tell me that they can see a change in me and say I glow when I talk about the future and all that is to come.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about how my life has changed since I started a garden and how the light bulb went off like a lightning bolt as one bit of information has lead me to the next, like digging for the treasure of a lifetime. Having this relentless desire to reconnect with nature has lead me to a path of uncovering the keys to living a balanced and healthy life, working alongside and with nature, giving back in ways that make a difference beyond measure, tapping into a more simplistic way of life, as well as learning that there is possibly a simple solution to our global crisis of hunger and climate change.

The wealth of experience as well as knowledge that I have learned in such a little amount of time is amazing as nature is such a beautiful teacher. If you really observe and pay close attention, nature can really teach you so much! Realizing that there is a whole ecosystem involved with having a balanced and healthy garden blew my mind. There are so many organisms seen and unseen that have a crucial role to play as we are all important and need each other. Healthy soil is our answer.

There are a couple of films-documentaries that I watched that opened my eyes to so much as it helped me to discover and put a name to the “calling” and pulling that is within me. I didn’t realize it but Permaculture is my answer, my passion! I watched both of these films and cried like a baby the whole time, realizing the yearning that I have inside me is to create a living sanctuary. Realizing the dream, I believe that we can experience a real life Garden of Eden right here on this planet if we take a small step collectively and heal our soil. The clock is ticking…

The Biggest Little Farm (2018)

The Biggest Little Farm: The Return (2022)

Kiss the Ground (2020)

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Recommendations

Composting worm farm for your garden.

by Angela

Composting is a great way to reduce your household waste and give something back to the earth, but let’s be honest – it’s not always the most pleasant activity. Most people don’t like dealing with smelly piles of rotting food, and it can be difficult to find a place to store a compost bin out of the way. However, there is a simple tool,  that can make composting a lot less unpleasant.  I felt compelled to put it into action.

Sitting quietly at the back of my garden, my Subpod is easy to overlook. But this in-ground compost system is really one of the most valuable components of your garden.

The worms that live within the Subpod convert all of your food scraps, coconut peat, and other waste materials into rich compost, giving your plants all the nutrients they need to thrive. And as the compost continues to develop over time, it will help to enrich and improve the quality of your garden soil, making it even more fertile and productive than before.

So if you’re serious about growing healthy, vibrant plants, then investing in a Subpod is essential. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your garden plot to the next level, this little-known technology will help you reach new heights and achieve all of your green gardening goals.

What is a Subpod? A Subpod  is an in-ground compost system. The worms live inside the Subpod and turn all the materials you feed them (food scraps, coconut peat) into rich compost.  Over time, nutrients from the compost will feed your garden soil and help your plants thrive.

Aside from the ones stated above, one of my favorite aspects of the subplots is how easy it is to set up. You don’t need any fancy equipment or tools, and the process is really simple. Just place your Subpod in the desired location, add some worms and waste materials, and you’re good to go. The Subpod will do all the work for you, and you’ll be able to enjoy rich, nutrient-dense compost in no time.

So if you’re looking for a simple and sustainable way to give your garden an extra boost, why not invest in a Subpod today? Your plants will thank you for it!

FIND THIS PRODUCT ON AMAZON

Affiliate Disclaimer: 4TheLoveOfGarden may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post.

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How To

First time growing sweet potatoes.

by Angela

This was my first attempt at growing sweet potatoes. I couldn’t believe how easy it was! I used organic store-bought sweet potatoes to grow the slips and I got tons of slips from just 4 sweet potatoes. So many slips that I am giving the remainder away to my friends and family.

If you are new to gardening or have a newfound passion as I have in the garden then tag along with me on this journey. I am happy to share what I have learned. If you would like to see the step-by-step process of growing sweet potato slips leave a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was!

I started with organic store-bought sweet potatoes to grow the slips. In the video below I will show you the process step by step and how you can grow your own sweet potato slips at home.

I was amazed at how many slips I got from just four sweet potatoes! I ended up with so many extras that I gave some away to friends and family.

This is just the first of many videos to come! I am in love with gardening and want to share the joy of growing my own food with you. I would like to inspire you to rekindle your connection with nature and grow your own food. It’s so rewarding and easier than you think!

 

If you are interested in learning more about gardening or need advice on your garden, leave a comment below, and don’t forget to subscribe on my social media channels (Tiktok, YouTube, Instagram, etc)  so that you never miss out on the latest tips and tricks. Happy growing!

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Blog

What is Permaculture?

by Angela

 Is Permaculture the answer to sustainability… to our permanence as a society… as a world? Is it the answer to world hunger? To our climate crisis? Could it really be that simple? I have been asking myself these questions and I recently discovered that it just may be. 

This discovery gives me hope and excitement but also gives cause for great concern as to why so many don’t know about this?!? Why, when we have information at our fingertips and immediate access to the latest… Why doesn’t the world know about something that is so important and so impactful as our very existence as a whole depends on it…. Why?

Well, It is time to share before it is too late! I believe I have been called, my purpose! My Passion!

(more…)
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