Busy September

The month of September is busy in my garden, and I don't even have to be there. You see, it isn't me that's busy. It's all the little visitors that come here in late summer. The butterflies, moths, skippers, bees, wasps, and flies all seem to arrive at once. It feels so good to see them here, because then I know that my garden is a safe zone for wildlife.

There are still some flowers to enjoy here and there. I did lose a few to the drought, but I know that those that remain are a hardy lot. These diehards will be the basis of my new garden technique. I will no longer assume that rain will fall in summer. Instead, I'll expect it to only be hot and dry, and plant accordingly. I'm trying to convince hubby to take the same approach with the lawn, but I'm not sure he's on board.

 I hear this refrain from many other garden bloggers this year. No more prima donnas will be allowed in the garden. Well, except for my roses. I don't consider them prima donnas anyway, like so many others do.

Any new members of my garden will have to be ever so dependable, like Sedum Autumn Joy. This one will never let you down. It doesn't need water, it doesn't need care, and it attracts every pollinator in town. Sometimes you can't even count how many insects are on it at once.

I do love to see praying mantis in my garden. After all, they are considered a beneficial insect, eating up some of the bad bugs. But I'm not sure I like where this guy has set up camp on the aforementioned sedum. I think he means to make a meal of the various pollinators that come by.

But it's nature's way, and I won't disturb him. He and his nearby pregnant wife are welcome in my garden, anytime!

 All the busy bees and bugs are so very welcome here, in September or any time!