The annual block party for my block (and a few people from nearby blocks) was Saturday. It was a nice low-key thing, potluck food, conversation, and children running around. Two different neighbors asked if they could have seedpods from our milkweed plants*. We said sure, and I suggested to one of them that she take it right then, but ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cattitude said it would be better to let the seedpods dry first.
However, yesterday morning we noticed a seedpod had split open and the seeds were drifting on the wind. So, after I took the trash downstairs yesterday and moved the bins to the sidewalk, I picked up two seedpods and went to call on those neighbors. The one right across the street wasn't home, and I left a seedpod on the edge of their grill, next to an unopened can of soda. Then I went down the street, rang the bell, and got an "aren't you sweet" thank you for the seeds. I am considering whether I want to deliberately plant milkweed in the back yard, or just let it sprout wherever the seeds land.
I mentioned this torysmiel, who said they hadn't heard of milkweed being something people actively want. The plants aren't very attractive to humans, but they're what monarch caterpillars eat; monarchs are attractive, interesting, and suffering serious population decline due at least in part to habitat loss. This is part of gardening for wildlife, a bit more actively than leaving the volunteer pokeweed because birds like the berries.
Today I stopped at Pemberton Farms to get some lettuce for dinner, and noticed they had six-packs of lettuce and kale plants in the garden center part of the store. I talked to the woman behind the counter, and told her I don't know the local seasons yet and had no idea when the first freeze was likely. She said that one of the few advantages of New England for gardening is you can grow cool-season crops twice a year.
So I bought some lettuce seedlings, brought them home, and did a bunch of weeding to make room in the front garden for the lettuce. I talked to at least three people while I was doing so, including![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
42itous and a passing child who asked what I was planting, then said it looked like lettuce, and when I agreed expressed approval. Best case, I will get some really fresh lettuce; worst case, it cost me $3.50 and less than an hour's work, including some extra weeding elsewhere in the yard.
*our meaning they are growing in front of our house; the landlady planted them last fall, I think.
cattitude said it would be better to let the seedpods dry first. However, yesterday morning we noticed a seedpod had split open and the seeds were drifting on the wind. So, after I took the trash downstairs yesterday and moved the bins to the sidewalk, I picked up two seedpods and went to call on those neighbors. The one right across the street wasn't home, and I left a seedpod on the edge of their grill, next to an unopened can of soda. Then I went down the street, rang the bell, and got an "aren't you sweet" thank you for the seeds. I am considering whether I want to deliberately plant milkweed in the back yard, or just let it sprout wherever the seeds land.
I mentioned this to
rysmiel, who said they hadn't heard of milkweed being something people actively want. The plants aren't very attractive to humans, but they're what monarch caterpillars eat; monarchs are attractive, interesting, and suffering serious population decline due at least in part to habitat loss. This is part of gardening for wildlife, a bit more actively than leaving the volunteer pokeweed because birds like the berries.Today I stopped at Pemberton Farms to get some lettuce for dinner, and noticed they had six-packs of lettuce and kale plants in the garden center part of the store. I talked to the woman behind the counter, and told her I don't know the local seasons yet and had no idea when the first freeze was likely. She said that one of the few advantages of New England for gardening is you can grow cool-season crops twice a year.
So I bought some lettuce seedlings, brought them home, and did a bunch of weeding to make room in the front garden for the lettuce. I talked to at least three people while I was doing so, including
42itous and a passing child who asked what I was planting, then said it looked like lettuce, and when I agreed expressed approval. Best case, I will get some really fresh lettuce; worst case, it cost me $3.50 and less than an hour's work, including some extra weeding elsewhere in the yard.*our meaning they are growing in front of our house; the landlady planted them last fall, I think.