Memorial Day... summer dawns... the best time of year... unless you're as obsessed with Halloween as I am. Nonetheless, it's up there... And if you're like me, you've been sweating over your garden for a few weeks already. Coming into their own are tomatoes, zucchini, snap peas, peppers, basil, squash, and plenty of other items that I could have procured from a grocery store for less than the startup cost. Regardless, it's fun. Even zen, some would say. And, it's a joy to manage with my kiddos.
Among the many important things to consider when the garden hits full speed – aside from soil conditions, water, sunlight, taming of vines, etc. – is pest control. Often neglected by the amateur gardener are exercises to control the inevitable predator. Sometimes your primary contenders are large rodents, birds, lizards, and others depending upon your geo... Other times, bugs - like Aphids - which overtake kale plants among other leafy greens.
To take the power back, it is highly advised to hire mercenaries. The Triple Canopy of the insect world – Lady Bugs.
That's right, these lucky little ladies often portrayed as delicate, lovely little creatures... or cigarette smoking tough guys as they were in Disney's "A Bug's Life..." are menaces when it comes to Aphids and others. As of today, nearly 1,000 of them call our garden home.
Breaking free from their tiny styrofoam cup, they navigated their way through tangled vines, up metal tomato scaffolding, and around splitting bamboo. All the while, showing off their eye catching red backs and splashy black spots, begging for their close up. Of course, I had to oblige.
For today's venture, we deployed a Nikon Telephoto PC Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D Manual Focus Lens... While not the easiest to shoot with, the product is awesome - when you can get'em clear and crisp, that is.
