I got some Praying Mantis egg cases and put them in jars and wait to release them until they hatch. Today one of the jars was full of newly hatched Praying Mantises. I quickly sprinkled them throughout the landscape, hoping some live to adulthood.
Monthly Archives: May 2016
Iowa Prairie Crabapple
There are a few native Crabapples on my Oasis. They go by the name of Prairie Crabapple. These native Crabapples of Iowa have beautiful pink flowers, but the fruit is not palatable to me.
Mantis Hatch
One of my Mantis egg cases hatched in the jar they were in. There were a lot of newborn Praying Mantises, ready to be released onto my Oasis.
Eurasian Collared Dove
The Eurasian Collared Dove has become a common bird in Iowa towns in the past decade. I am starting to see them appear more often on the farm.
Oasis Islands
I have a couple islands on my ponds so far on my Oasis. This pond dries up often, so the island disappears at times.
Well Test Hole
When it rains a lot, an old test well depression fills up with water. A good reflection happens on this day.
Oriental Limelight Artemisia
One of the most vigorous Artemisias I grow is the Oriental Limelight Artemisia. This plant has a lot of hybrid vigor, combined with outstanding color.
Norway Spruce Growth
New growth on some Norway Spruce cultivars can be stunning. There are many different Norway Spruce cultivars, I mostly only have seedlings.