Red Lily Beetles

Yesterday I went to my neighbours to compare gardens and chat plants. While I was touring her garden beds, I noticed her lily pant was full of holes.. I pulled up the leaves and there were a handful of red beetles on the plant so I told her I'd find out what they are. Well it turns out she's got a problem with Red Lily beetles and that sent me into a tizzy.  I lost a family member to cancer 2 years ago and had promised to plant lilies for her and the 2 lilies I picked out promise to be beautiful. I'm sure she would be delighted with them. That being said I don't want those beetles killing my lily plants. Yesterday I found 1 beetle on one of my lilies.  From what I have read, they seem to be hardy little creatures and the only real way to rid yourself of them is to hand pick them (ewwww!!!!!) off your plants and drop them in a bucket of water or to use dichotomous earth... any suggestions??

Ants in my pants

You know that expression "ants in your pants".. well that happened to me the other day. I was digging out one of my garden beds when I got chased out of my backyard by mosquitos. I drove down to the corner store for some bug spray when the ants started their biting. Let me tell you - trying to keep the car in a straight line with biting creatures in your pants is quite a challenge. When I was finally able to pull over, I did get out, run around in circles - all the while smacking my pants and generally making a fool of myself in public.  I have  new healthy respect for ants and never want them in my pants again.

Frost

Last night on the news, I heard we were in for Frost.. which of course sent me into a panic for my plants.. my mother suggested throwing a bed sheet over them.. having just moved to Alberta from Ontario, I didn't pack my sheets that can be sacrificed.. but hey.. I worked hard on this garden.. so I took my duvet cover, a couple of towels, some good sheets and covered everything up. Garden survived... duvet cover didn't.

Here it is, my first post

I've started this blog because of a suggestion from a co-worker..

I  moved to Calgary a few months back to be closer to family and because I landed a great job. I've found a perfect little house with a patch of grass. In my mind I wanted to build a graceful little garden with wavy pretty plants and had it all laid out.... until I heard about a rescue bumble bees mission. On a shoestring budget, I decided "I can do that!!".... here's the kicker... I'm terrified of wasps and sometimes bee's scare the hell out of me.. so essentially I've built a little garden that could quite possibly make me jumpy.. But I'm thrilled with it and when I see the bumble bees come visit, I'm totally proud. That being said, I have no idea what I'm doing.. my little garden promises to be chaotic and probably strange.