March came roaring across the Southeast yesterday. This is my garden at dusk. It snowed all day and we ended up with about 3 inches of the beautiful white powder. I checked Walter Bee this morning, and although the bees have not been out since Friday, I can hear that nice hum coming from the inside. I put the boardman feeder on today, but I think it will be tomorrow before the girls venture out for some relief and food. Temps should return to the 40's and low 50's for the rest of the week. When I walked to the garden, I noticed juncoes on the entrance to the hive. I suspect the are eating the dead bees they can reach. Thankfully, I didn't see too many dead on the top of the screened botton board.
My little garden angel is once again wrapped up in her snow hat and coat.
I think the mystery of the critter in my garden is solved. After checking my trusty Google search engine, I learned that skunks do indeed love bonemeal. When skunks forage in the soil, they make a very distinct circular pattern and this is what I observed around my pansies. Looks like mini alien crop circles. :) I like to use bonemeal, but will consider using super phosphate instead. It accomplishes the same thing - strong roots and blooms.
3 comments:
Pretty snow picture! I really like the month-by-month pictures on the sidebar; it's neat to see how the garden changes over time.
I'm so glad that the hive is doing well! Can't wait to see the bees again...
Following Walter Bee is certainly becoming an educational experience. How else would I have learned that skunks consider bonemeal a gourmet treat. Tell me please, do they also favor cottonseed meal? Please say no!
I can't find anything that indicates skunks like cottonseed meal. I've used bonemeal for a long time and not had a problem, but I suspect they were drawn to it this time because I spread it on top of the soil around some daffodils that were close to the pansies. Next time I'll be careful to work the bonemeal into the soil around my emerging bulbs. Skunks also love to raid bee hives. My hive stand is tall enough that a skunk would have to stand on it's back legs and reach high to get into the entrance. By doing this he risks being stung on his tender belly. I don't think I'll have a skunk problem around Walter Bee.
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