PhoneJoe has helped himself to buttercuos for the last 46
Joe has helped himself to buttercups for the last 46 years and they ain't killed him yet. I cannot possibly get rid of them. The clematis likewise.
PhoneJoe has helped himself to buttercuos for the last 46
Wow!Phone
Joe has helped himself to buttercups for the last 46 years and they ain't killed him yet. I cannot possibly get rid of them. The clematis likewise.
This is so true! It's one reason I have so many options available for my Steve. He's becoming more open-minded with his tastes too (something which I refuse to do ). Buttercup, I think, is one of those plants that tort keepers have mentioned feeding and not bothering the torts at all, while there's at least one story of a tort dying that happened to have eaten some buttercup before its death. I have so many other plants that I know are safe that I can easily skip this one and not worry about it. But "everything in moderation" is perfect to describe the tort diet as a good variety is generally the key. Well said!Everything in moderation is the key.
Thanks!! I'm glad spring is finally here!! Got my baby mulberry in the mail today and planted it. I like it so far.
View attachment 170310
Awesome! I covered my mulberry with a bucket last night to protect it from the frost. I can't wait for him to start growing!! It's almost time I've planted my many seeds as well...
OH CORNFLOWER! I had to google what the heck you were talkin' 'boutPlanted some Centaurea cyanus seeds in the enclosure today. Hopefully they grow and provide some good color whenever they flower. I'd have put more seeds down today but I'm pretty whipped from work!
Hehe!!! I'll try to remember to include generic names as well. My fiancé is going for "master gardener" so we talk about plants in with their scientific names now. Also, it's how I can ensure that I'm planting safe plants for my baby.OH CORNFLOWER! I had to google what the heck you were talkin' 'bout
A Master Gardener! Sounds like a keeperHehe!!! I'll try to remember to include generic names as well. My fiancé is going for "master gardener" so we talk about plants in with their scientific names now. Also, it's how I can ensure that I'm planting safe plants for my baby.
Oh, he definitely is!A Master Gardener! Sounds like a keeper
Sounds like a nice collection of flowers.Oh, he definitely is!
Today I planted seeds for Campanula americana (tall bellflower), Viola sororia (common blue violet), and Viola pedatifida (prairie violet). These are all native Michigan species. I'm hoping the baby mulberry bush I recently planted bounces back. It looks like it will. It seems to be a little "in shock" from being in the mail for a day and being transplanted. I put down some tasty manure for my plants too. Still waiting for the last frost to officially pass though.
In other tortoise garden news, Steve is still pacing along the walls (mostly the northern wall). The link shows his crazy behavior, but I realize it's more serious now. My hope is that when the plants grow bigger, he won't be pacing as much since they'll be sight barriers. Waiting for that is the hard part. He looks absolutely unnerved as if he's more comfortable indoors. Hopefully things really start growing soon!!
Yeah, we were covering it for a little while but the buds look like they're finally starting to come around. I think tomorrow I'll really be able to tell. He's been getting extra water too. I named him Morris since his scientific name is Morus rubra. XD I know, I'm terrible!Sounds like a nice collection of flowers.
Since you planted the mulberry directly from the box, it may not be used to sunlight. What do you think...Stick and umbrella over it for a while and see if it perks up?
Impressive!!! I love it!I've had a cold for the last few days and am just now starting to feel better so I can post some updates on the tortie garden!
We recently visited Wildtype Nursery in nearby Mason, MI, to purchase several native plants for the yard (hubby bought more than I did). He was taking so long looking at all the plants that I just started grabbing a few more tortoise-safe plants. I also got a milkweed and Michigan lily plant for the butterfly garden in our front yard. Here's most of what I bought:
Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis)
Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
Tall bellflower (Campanula americana)
Heart-leafed aster (Aster cordifolius)
Sand coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Short's aster (Aster shortii)
Hairy hawkweed (Hieracium gronovii)
Big leaf aster (Aster macrophyllus)
Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Russian hunger gap kale (veggies were $1)
Because I got sick right when we arrived at home, I didn't have the energy to put the plants in the ground for a couple days. A few plants were drooping a little but they've all perked up since. Go natives!
Here's the evidence: I once had cute little pansies! They're gone now. ^_^
View attachment 174218
Using old bricks, I tried to make a small sight barrier and wall so he doesn't walk in straight lines as much. He kind of uses the spot to stop and make sure the coast is clear before moving on. Or for destroying some dandelions.
View attachment 174223
The monkey flower (Mimulus ringens) came back like an absolute nut. I did not see that coming in its second year. Stevie can officially "swim" in his greens now.
View attachment 174224
View attachment 174225
Still waiting for my hibiscus to come back. I guess I was only supposed to prune the edges of the branches?
View attachment 174226
He's getting more used to his cinder blocks tunnel.
View attachment 174227
Got a terra cotta pot with a small crack in it? Not useless anymore!
View attachment 174230
Here's the view from my little mushroom bench. I thought potential gardeners might enjoy some handy labels!
View attachment 174229
The clover is clearly everywhere.
When I bought this aster, there must have been some grass growing in the same pot with it. I finally separated the grass out; hopefully the little guy grows bigger now that he doesn't have to compete.
View attachment 174231
More photos of Steve exploring:
View attachment 174232
View attachment 174234
View attachment 174235
When the tortoise heads for cover under the Spirea bush, it may be time for bed.
View attachment 174233
Thank you!! All worth it for my Stevie.Impressive!!! I love it!