Garden

Hello, goldfinch!

August 7, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner 4 Comments

Hello, Goldfinch!

This week, American goldfinches have begun feasting on our withering coneflowers. Each one is like a tiny celebration, a bright spot in lethargic midsummer. Goldfinches are found in northwest Arkansas year around, but I always notice them this time of year when their plumage is brilliant yellow. Goldfinches molt twice and year and because of that, they don’t always look as bright as they do now. And as is common in the bird kingdom, the males have the brightest plumage—it helps in attracting a mate.

With mad acrobatic skills, they are entertaining birds to watch, perching on dried stems, sometimes upside down, and then flitting into tree branches, still visible even waaaaaay up high.Continue Reading

(highly) Scientific Garden Experiment re: Japanese Beetles

June 28, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner 5 Comments

Well, what do ya know? The Japanese beetles have returned. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been conducting a highly scientific garden experiment regarding the Japanese beetles that are incessantly eating our roses and cherry trees. Today on the blog, I bring you the steps of my research leading to a conclusion with commentary thrown in for good measure.

Something a little different, I guess you might say. Something inspired by 5th grade science class.

Or Mystery Science Theater.

Remember that greatness?

Or maybe my efforts were inspired by a childhood spent only a few fields away from the UofA Northeast Research and Extension Center (aka The Experiment Station). That’s probably it.

We survived Garden Tour! (Party Crashers and all…)

June 10, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner 10 Comments

Garden Tour

Hey everyone! Sorry I’ve been MIA this past week. MIA as in Missing in Arkansas. A few days after participating on the garden tour, I set out for the Delta Arts Festival and spent two days in the Batesville / Newport area with fellow Arkansas artists and authors. Now I’m preparing to spend five days in Piggott at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center with a group of authors and Ernest himself if he decides to inspire us with his presence. Just kidding about Ernest but it is an inspirational place to write.

This morning before I forget, I want to share my thoughts on the recent garden tour.

(FYI – This post is sponsored in part by The Sweet Bee Company which provided the t-shirt in the last picture.) Continue Reading