Seed Saving!

Never understood the significance of seed saving and seed propagation till recently.  I'm beginning to understand that the quality of crops largely depends on the genetic strengths of the seed. By saving and replanting the seed of the fruit you just grew, you are creating a stronger offspring, especially if the yield was good!

Here I saved the seeds of the green beans for next season.  As well, I have removed some corn kernels from the three strongest fruit,  and hopefully my technique proves to yield a nice new set of crops!

Fly, Butterfly!

MY friend and neighbor just discovered these beautiful monarch caterpillars in her yard, and created an amazing haven for them to flourish into winged beauties.  She placed the caterpillars on 'milkweed' plant, which is their primary food and sustenance.  They then took refuge in the makeshift home she created, as they transformed into pupa(chrysalis).  The metamorphosis from caterpillar to a gorgeous butterfly has been immortalized in so many stories and legends, and teaches kids and adults alike to appreciate the wonders of our world, up close, in detail.

Currently, the caterpillars are in the "chrysalis" stage(2nd and 3rd pictures),  which is between the larva and the adult stage. When they reach adulthood, and grace our gardens, they will be one of the important pollinators in our food chain.

Simply amazing!

Friday Funnies

Sometimes we need to lighten up and just have a laugh.  I thought this was pretty cute.  It illustrates so vividly, both the wondrous beauty of vegetables, and also the humor surrounding its consumers.