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.