Dill Plant Community

The front yard continues to develop and there is a new area added to the South of the driveway. Pictures will be posted soon on the progress. Today I wish to share the community that has developed in the dill plants that I have been growing as host plants for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. (Click on images to enlarge)

Dill Plant

This plant was started in early January and since mid-February has been a home for aphids, Ladybugs, caterpillars and other folks. It has been amazing to watch the development of the different creatures living there. First the aphids showed up, soon followed by the Ladybugs. At the same time the Black Swallowtail was laying eggs on the plant. Below are photos of some of the activity observed.

Ladybug

Ladybug Eggs and Aphids

Ladybug Larva with Caterpillar

Ladybug Pupa

The Black Swallowtail caterpillars have been growing nicely in community with everyone else. Here are a couple of pictures of their development. I'll post more about them as they become butterflies.

Newly Hatched

More Mature

If you want to save some money plant a dill plant and cancel your cable tv. Dill has much better programing than cable.

Front Yard 20090307

Well, the 12 yards of mulch was still a bit short for covering the entire area. So I'll need more mulch, but that's a good thing, gave me some time to evaluate a walk-way system for the areas. Did spend time the last two days planting plants as a beginning to the planting process. Used grasses from the back yard that needed to be thinned and shrubs from the front of the house where I want to de-emphasize the more formal landscape structure. I have used Yaupon Holly, Mexican Honeysuckle, Zebra grass, silver blue stem grass and boxwood.


This has been a great process, I have interacted more with my neighbors in the last week than in the last year.

Limestone Edging in Place

The edging for two separate planting areas has been installed. I have used most of the mulch that was received last week. Twelve yards of hardwood mulch will be delivered tomorrow. That should be enough to finish covering the two large bedding areas.