Saturday, August 30, 2008

Coneflowers, Milkweed & Monarchs

I'm having a swingin' time with my do-it-yourself irrigation system. They sell you about 100 miles of black hose and a cute little device that works like a paper punch. Then they turn you loose, claiming a monkey could do this without more instruction.
They were right. It's really pretty simple.

Poke holes in the hose, install a tiny sprinkler valve wherever you want to water a flower and... voila! You're done.

Unless, of course, you can't leave well enough alone.

I find a lame excuse to poke a new hole in that thing every time I'm out in the garden. After 3 months of this action, the DIY system behaves exactly like the soaker hose that was there last summer.

But, I still prefer it over the soaker hose. It's loads more fun. :)

Milkweed (right) appreciates the extra water. Monarch Butterflies appreciate that I plant Milkweed so they can lay their eggs.

Baby Monarchs are thrilled with my bumper crop of Coneflowers. (Me, too!)

You can get free Milkweed seeds from this special place.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alrighty-I just bought 5 plants. I'll let you know how they do. (we released butterfly #4 today!) Jane MN Gardener

Wunx~ said...

You're more sophisticated them I am. My many milkweeds aren't on purpose, but I like them anyway.

Long live the monarchs!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Yay! You and Super G have been my inspiration to plant more stuff for the butterflies. :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Lucky you, Wunx. I have to do special plantings. I think it's too dry for them to come back on their own...

Anonymous said...

Well, this is all well and good, but how much water should my aloe vera plant be receiving in the fall?
Sooo curious,
Anonymous