At least I can say I accomplished three of my goals for this year. I got my rose garden started. I have to expand it a bit as I have one more rose bush to move. I also planted my first vegetable garden, which was kind of neat. Again, I may expand it a bit. Best of all, I exposed my daughter to gardening in a more hands-on way by letting her “help” mom. In retrospect, I guess it’s been a pretty successful summer. And there are still at least a few more weeks of warm weather coming. Yahoo!

Here are a few of my favorite memories – to date! – of this summer.

My day lilies didn't produce too many flowers last summer. This year, they just went nuts and were gorgeous!

I caught this bird cooling off under the sprinkler. I guess "running through the hose" isn't just for kids!

This may be an "Easter Lily" but it sure looked and smelled wonderful this summer.

I love it when my hybiscus trees bloom. Just beautiful!

My little gardener...she prefers to water by hand!

Uh-oh! Out of water. Mommy, can I have a refill please?

Heading home after a great day at Meijer Gardens with friends.

Until next…Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Mary Gold

In my past life, I worked in the communications department at a behavioral health organization. Because of that, I did a lot research on ways to relieve stress, combat depression and keep your mind sharp. One of the more regularly referenced activities was actually gardening.  I can’t say I’m surprised; my own experience tells me that.

Think about it. First, who couldn’t use a little more physical activity in their lives? Plus, while I hate pulling weeds in the garden but yanking those invasive little buggers out by hand makes me focus and helps clear my mind. (After I pull them, I put down Preen to keep them away.) Some studies suggest just being outside in the sun can help improve a person’s mood because it causes the brain to release serotonin. And there is something about turning the soil over then smoothing it out and making the bed look “pretty” that gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Then there is the whole “planning” aspect to keep your mind sharp. How’s that, you ask. Well let’s take my garden renovations as an example. Once I decided to add another flower bed, I had to research the best way to get rid of the grass that was there, gather the necessary materials then execute. Thinking through the steps (sequencing) makes me organize my thoughts. Next I took a look at the plants I have and tried to visualize what would look and fit best where and whether additional plants were needed and/or would fit in the allotted spaces. These activities keep my visual and spatial reasoning sharp. And I will use logic to determine if I should move or give away a plant that isn’t working.

Finally, when it’s all done I can look out my kitchen window and know I created that. That’s definitely a mood-booster.

May is Mental Health Month as well as Older Adult Month. Let’s celebrate our good fortune by getting outside – with your kids or your parents, if you’d like – and playing in the dirt. Admit it; it makes you feel good when you do.

Until next time!

Mary Gold

It is almost impossible to see this Praying mantis hiding in Japanese Silver Grass. They can easily blend in to their surroundings color scheme.

Praying mantis (also known as Mantids) are a great predator to have in the garden. Both the European and Chinese Mantids were introduced about 75 years ago to control native pest populations. A Mantid diet consists of crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders and in South America, where they can reach up to 12 in, even Hummingbirds (Sorry Sunshine). Mantids hunt with their  compound eyes, and are thought to be able to see movement  up to 60′ away. They have a free-turning head that has 300 different degrees of movement, making it the only insect that can look over its shoulder. They are also the only insect that can turn their body 180 degrees in one full movement.

Large compound eyes of the Mantid let them detect movement up to 60' away. Photo courtesy of Wiki.Â

Mantids also have ultra-sound ears on their metathoraxes. Some species have hollow chambers within their bodies. It has recently been discovered that these chambers are used to pick up the sonic vibrations of the bat, one of the Mantids worst predators. If the Mantid is in flight, and picks up the vibrations, they will hurl themselves out of harms way.

Mantids have natural color camoflauge. Note the green eyes, and striping on this Mantids head.

Breeding season for Mantids in Michigan is late summer, into early fall. Females mate with the male, and if in captivity or stressed, begin a cannibalistic ritual. Often, even while still in the act of breeding, the female will begin to devourer the male.  It was once thought that this behavior was standard, but has now been challenged by the scientific community as laboratory bias. Further studies need to be done to determine if this is truly a routine behavior in the wild.

Egg cases, called “ootheca”, and are often layed on the sides of buildings, or other flat surfaces. In other species, they are layed on leaves, tree bark and even the ground. Some species even guard their egg cases for some time.  In late spring, nymphs begin to hatch. This process takes several hours depending on the temperature. Often the nymphs will eat a sibling as a first meal.

The ootheca egg case can hold up to 400 eggs, and depending on the species is layed on a flat surface, plant or ground.

Praying mantis are an organic way to help control pests in the garden. Their egg cases can be ordered in early spring for placement in the garden. They can also eat beneficial insects as well, so it is best to keep only one or two egg cases per yard.  The young are extremely small when they hatch, so be sure not to put them in an area with heavy traffic.  It is only legal to purchase the native Carolina species, as others have been deemed invasive. At temperatures of 68-78 degrees, it takes about 3-6 weeks to hatch. If you purchase your egg cases in January, be sure to keep them cool. You can keep them in your garage, or in the refrigerator until the time is right.

Next time you are out in the garden remember the amazing Praying mantis, and its beneficial attributes!

Happy Gardening!