Pray for solution to invasive species?

At Invasive Species Blog:

There's an interesting little piece in today's Christian Science Monitor about an invasive species control method that I must admit I have never considered: prayer. The author of the article notes that global efforts to manage invasive species are stalled by politics and by social issues, and goes on to suggest praying as something that can be done right now and that could inspire folks to come up with potential solutions and lead to greater cooperation.

Hey, why not? What with local nurseries selling invasive Ligustrum (privet), there's a lot of material to pray about.

Dear Lord,

I never thought I'd ask you
To strike the shrubbery dead
And brown the foreign fescue
Which fills my heart with dread.

While you're on this killing spree
Please smite the nasty tallow tree.
If you're inclined to really hustle,
Zap to death the zebra mussel.

Formosan termites need a blast,
As does that thug called Johnson grass.
Fire ants, kudzu, Ligustrum vulgare,
A list too long for this brief prayer.

Take no prisoners, leave no seed,
Thanks for helping in my hour of need.
Amen.

Global warming?

That's what must be to blame for this unseasonably cool weather, huh? LOL.

Possibility of sleet was predicted, but I didn't see any - though we weren't up all night. Gentle rain falling on the hacienda now.

We spent a lot of time spreading mulch over the newly sprouted beans and such, to save them from being beaten to death by falling ice. I'm glad it wasn't needed, although the kids sure would like to see weather weirdness.

NWS screen shot this a.m. - click to enlarge:

My eyes! My eyes!

I can tell every year when spring is well underway; the populous areas of Washington Parish turn a screaming, bilious hot pink.

Azaleas. They're everywhere. The South is overloaded with 'em, along with crape myrtle (more pink!) and Loropetalum (even more pink!). I won't get into those dang Bradford or Callery pears, which should all be torn out (they're invasive). Thank goodness they aren't pink, y'know?

We have many charming native shrubs which are waaaay underused.

If you've gotta go with azaleas, choose native cultivars. They are a shy but lovely ballerina next to the big, blowsy hot pink things that hurt my eyes. And they're often fragrant.

MSU Extension Service published a nice page with pics detailing 30 native shrubs for your landscape. Some are fragrant; many provide wildlife food.

And they don't hurt my eyes ;-).

Coming soon: A rant on invasive plants.

Garden planning

I usually spend my "seed money" at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

They ship promptly. Their prices are decent.

And they've got the most interesting stuff!

Cassabanana or Melocoton:

The fruit are brilliant, flaming red and are about 2' long, one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen! They have bright orange flesh that is sweet and is used in drinks, jellies and other desserts, it has a unique tropical fruit taste. The fruit are so fragrant and keep for a long period, like squash, making this a hot item for fall sales for pumpkin growers. Huge vines can grow to 50' and are quite ornamental, but they do require a long season.

Guess I'll need to put up one heck of an arbor, for a 50-foot vine. Yikes.

49 varieties of heirloom tomatoes - and that's just the red ones!

We'll be canning white tomato sauce this year.

They also have gardening forums.

Note: I am not connected with nor an affiliate of Baker Creek. Just a satisfied customer.