Here in the UK we are in a period of drought and unseasonable weather and this has has an effect it seems on our insect numbers - which have plummeted. I say this because I grow tomatoes, beans and Kohl Rabi in our tiny garden and fight a never-ending battle with cabbage white butterflies and black bean aphids. Last year my strategy was the elimination of the pests, and accept no loss.
However, this year I have taken a different (and much more ecological) stance. I realise that my plants not only provide me with food but also the creatures I share my garden with. God has given me these crops to steward for the whole of creation and in a time of particular need for the little creatures (not pests - for God does not call them pests) around me that means leaving some plants to become more infested than I would otherwise have liked. In turn, this provides food for the blue tits, wrens and blackbirds that I enjoy seeing, who prey upon the insects that feed upon my tomatoes.
I am still thinking about the conflict over the starlings, feeling so badly for those poor birds but empathizing with the people struggling to coexist with them. Though I am afraid of anything with a stinger, I do so love bees. Maybe I will dive deeper into learning about them to complete my exercise for this week. And, I do look forward to the webinar :)
I particularly enjoyed this challenge: “Here’s my outdoor challenge for you all this week: spend some time learning about one creature (insect, arachnid, bird, or what-have-you) that you share your home/garden/community with. Maybe learn about a creature that particularly annoys you.” I tend to be scared of insects and run from bees, but the more I study nature, the more my view of them changes. I want to know them as one knows a friend. My morning walks are no longer solitary, but I feel that I am being accompanied by the life of creatures. I think I will study bees and seek to appreciate them more. Thanks for sharing. I just picked up the book by Dillard, so I’m not on chapter 3 yet, so I will have to catch up.
Here in the UK we are in a period of drought and unseasonable weather and this has has an effect it seems on our insect numbers - which have plummeted. I say this because I grow tomatoes, beans and Kohl Rabi in our tiny garden and fight a never-ending battle with cabbage white butterflies and black bean aphids. Last year my strategy was the elimination of the pests, and accept no loss.
However, this year I have taken a different (and much more ecological) stance. I realise that my plants not only provide me with food but also the creatures I share my garden with. God has given me these crops to steward for the whole of creation and in a time of particular need for the little creatures (not pests - for God does not call them pests) around me that means leaving some plants to become more infested than I would otherwise have liked. In turn, this provides food for the blue tits, wrens and blackbirds that I enjoy seeing, who prey upon the insects that feed upon my tomatoes.
Such a hard but important commitment when it comes to gardening! I have had similar battles with aphids, cabbage moths, and squash bugs.
I am still thinking about the conflict over the starlings, feeling so badly for those poor birds but empathizing with the people struggling to coexist with them. Though I am afraid of anything with a stinger, I do so love bees. Maybe I will dive deeper into learning about them to complete my exercise for this week. And, I do look forward to the webinar :)
I particularly enjoyed this challenge: “Here’s my outdoor challenge for you all this week: spend some time learning about one creature (insect, arachnid, bird, or what-have-you) that you share your home/garden/community with. Maybe learn about a creature that particularly annoys you.” I tend to be scared of insects and run from bees, but the more I study nature, the more my view of them changes. I want to know them as one knows a friend. My morning walks are no longer solitary, but I feel that I am being accompanied by the life of creatures. I think I will study bees and seek to appreciate them more. Thanks for sharing. I just picked up the book by Dillard, so I’m not on chapter 3 yet, so I will have to catch up.
Hi Gracy,
Will the webinar be recorded? I’m an Australian subscriber, but would love to listen to the conversation 😊
Warm wishes,
Gabi