If you’re new here, welcome! To ensure you never miss an issue of The Weekly Dirt, click here to subscribe 👇 Hi, guys! I had a wild week — after writing about why folks should “leave their leaves” and leaving my own leaves (above), I was interviewed by Scott Simon for yesterday morning’s Weekend Edition Saturday on NPR. If you missed it, you can
Hi Jessica! I’ve been enjoying your columns since Newsday’s Sunday paper, which I looked forward to and now miss. Regarding my leaves, I have been “ blanketing “ my beds for years. It makes the Spring cleanup more laborious, but I think the benefits outweigh the work. Can’t put ALL the leaves in beds, so there is still plenty of bagging to do. Happy Autumn 🍂
The first year, my milkweed had many caterpillars and grew large. The second and this year, I didn't see any caterpillars and it didn't do well but is still alive and attracting monarchs. I didn't do anything different. but maybe should have. Fertilizer, water??
I have planted milkweed this fall and assuming it grows next year and attracts some Monarchs, can you show me photos of what the eggs look like and how to identify them. I would love to show my grandchildren as they develop but have heard the eggs are super small and hard to see. Thankd
Hi Jessica! I’ve been enjoying your columns since Newsday’s Sunday paper, which I looked forward to and now miss. Regarding my leaves, I have been “ blanketing “ my beds for years. It makes the Spring cleanup more laborious, but I think the benefits outweigh the work. Can’t put ALL the leaves in beds, so there is still plenty of bagging to do. Happy Autumn 🍂
were you talking with Scott simon about leaving the leaves?
What I do is leave the leaves that fall on garden beds, and rake the leaves that fall on the grass.
Yes, that was me talking with Scott Simon. And you’re on point with the leaves!
The first year, my milkweed had many caterpillars and grew large. The second and this year, I didn't see any caterpillars and it didn't do well but is still alive and attracting monarchs. I didn't do anything different. but maybe should have. Fertilizer, water??
I have planted milkweed this fall and assuming it grows next year and attracts some Monarchs, can you show me photos of what the eggs look like and how to identify them. I would love to show my grandchildren as they develop but have heard the eggs are super small and hard to see. Thankd