The first Jack.

Jack 1 Hatches

It happened on July 3 in Muskoka.  And after that every time we saw a Monarch we wondered if that was the one we released.

Introducing Jack 1's Hatch

I  will write more later!

 From Spencer.

Summer garden report, week 1

The thunderstorm on Tuesday saved us a watering trip, but with the hot weather yesterday and tomorrow we wanted to give everything a good soaking.  Campbell helped me water while Harper checked for caterpillars.  She found 2 small monarchs, and named them Susan and Kelley.  We also watched a big fat bee hang out on the anise hyssop.  I am glad to see that the pussytoes are coming back after the American Lady invasion of a few weeks back.  Wonder if we'll get more eggs this summer?

I got a report from Jackson that the grade 3 butterfly did make it (even though the chrysalis was a bit misshapen), and a report back from the grade 1 family that one Jack also made it to butterfly stage.  In total, we raised 7 caterpillars and released 6 of them this Spring/Summer in classrooms, each one just as amazing as the last.  I am hoping to get pictures of the 2 remaining butterfly releases posted.

Summer watering

Thank you to all the families who have volunteered to water the garden this summer.  Our week started today, although I did stop by the garden on Friday to water and again on Saturday to mulch.  By Saturday, the rain barrel was completely empty - in fact, it was slowing down so much by Friday that we didn't get a really good water in (and Mr. Nelson wasn't in to help out).   So, after a nice hot weekend, I decided to load up my trunk with water and give everything a deep soaking today.  Lesson:  Always make sure the rain barrel is full going into a hot weekend (or make sure you get the garden watered well beforehand).

While I was in the garden, a white cabbage butterfly came by to check out the verbena.  If you look at the picture carefully, you can see its proboscis sipping nectar.    

Everything is in great shape!