On Monday, I mentioned I was going to Brookgreen Gardens for a lecture on insects. So, let’s start off the year with a gate to a lush demonstration garden in the Low Country where I attended the lecture.
What were the top three things I learned from the Clemson Extension agent on insects? They have many of the same bugs we deal with in New England, bugs are becoming resistant to insecticides, and read the label carefully or you’ll kill the bees and butterflies as well.
It was a good learning opportunity, and if a picture is worth a thousand words, and this one does the job pretty darn well.
Photo credit: Researchgate.net
Have questions about insects and chemicals? Look up your local Cooperative Extension and contact them. In NH, we have Ask UNH Extension, and we can walk in, email, or call, and a volunteer staff of Master Gardeners will do the research for you and get back with an answer. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Before I left, I also grabbed the first shot of the turtles. Have a great Thursday. 😎 🐢
Like doors, or gates in this case? Check out Norm Frampton’s,
Thursday Doors, January 9, 2020.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
I love that gate! And the information about the insects is good to know.
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We all want to combat insect damage, but it’s not always as easy as they advertise. 🙂
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Wonderful gate! And yes, good information about insects.
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We don’t want the grubs and the Japanese beetles, but we do want the native pollinators and butterflies – delicate balancing act.
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Sure is! And in the past, we humans have been very ham-fisted. Time for another approach.
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You made my day with the photo of the turtles on the log! I love these guys.
That’s a spiffy looking gate. Sounds like you picked up a lot of good info on insects and chemicals. Good to know. Brookgreen Gardens has provided you with a wealth of information….many thanks for passing it on to us.
🐾Ginger 🐾
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It’s not bad being 20 minutes from a botanical garden that has instituted a ‘university’ program that the public can take advantage of. 🙂
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It looks like a nice well kept garden, making me wish for the growing season. Love those turtles!
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The turtle parade always makes me smile. The warmer it gets, the more turtles there are on the logs.
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Wonderful turtle shot, Judy. 🙂 Love the rustic gate and the informative research image.
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🙂
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You’re right: that diagram is worth a thousand words and perhaps is even scarier than words could be. Of course all of us who follow your blog know that those turtles have been watching for you and were ready with their pose. I love the reflections, and I think the turtles do too. I also love those garden gates, not to mention the garden within. I can almost forget it’s January!
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I think that is the reason for visiting Brookgreen weekly – I forget it’s January at home. 🙂 It always baffles my mind to see annuals still blooming. It’s like I’m on another planet.
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OMGOSH! THE TURTLES! 🙂 – what a life – while you go back home and deal with weeds and bugs and replanting, these lil guys just chill in the sun on their community log and wait for you and your camera to return! Yep – what a life!
But seriously. The loss of pollinators and now resistant pernicious insects – scientists who warn of a threatened food supply are not kidding. We all need to do our share. You are educating us right here, and I pass on what I learn from you to my grandchildren and they are very receptive.
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I was thinking of you while trying to get a decent shot of the turtles. I actually went there three times to finally get one I could use. 🙂 Yes, the entire subject of spraying for pests has reached an entirely new level. Instead of just grabbing the container, we need to read the ingredients, do a little research, and then make a ‘good’ decision. I’m certainly not saying it is easy because it is not. Hand picking Japanese beetles is not something I enjoy, but I have been doing it to avoid spraying. We really have boxed ourselves in, and I certainly hope there is help coming for our grandchildren’s generation.
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One simple little infographic that shows how our actions are all connected. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome. Happy growing in your very special garden.
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Not sure if the turtles were sunning themselves or posing for you… I’m going with posing just for you. That is a great-looking gate, and the diagram is a good reminder to us that our actions have consequences.
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They make it seem easy to combat pests, but it is anything but.
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Good looking gate, but the turtles and those reflections!!! Love those!
The information and visual was great!
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Oh, LOVE the turtles…the others just make me long for the growing season.
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Cute turtles…and yes always think of the bees before using chemicals
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Love those turtles on a log! Great way to start the year!
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You could estimate the temperature and the amount of sun by the number of turtles out on the logs. 🙂
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Nice gate, but I love the turtles. Good diagram as well. I know you’re enjoying it all.
janet
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From spring to fall, I’m outside some small to large portion of the day. I miss being outside when the cold weather comes in for five months. I am happier being able to be outside and walk around in nature.
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I’m with you on that, Judy!! I do go outside during the cold months, but mostly for walks in the morning, not extended periods of time.
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Lovely 🙂 Turtles are wonderful and cute, sunbathing turtles are especially cute!
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Great info share on the Extension offices. We began our reliance on them back in my 4-H days and still hang on to their expertise. Great folks!
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A lot of folks don’t know you can send photos and questions, they research, and get back to you with answers – research based and free. Can’t beat that. 🙂
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Love seeing these kind of garden gates in a residentiai neighborhood. – so homey – my daughter has one that looks similar. This one is higher though. The turtles? Priceless. A happ New garden Year to you!
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Happy New Year to you too!
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Ohhhh, my attention was shifted to those turtles. 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢
Teresa
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I know – those turtles do it every time. 🙂
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They’re so cute.
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Beautiful photos for the challenge. Garden gates are a lovely subset of doors. Plus it’s great to see a sunflower in January when they are just a dream around here.
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A warm gate, not blocked by snow and ice – how nice, Judy. The infographic on pesticides is simple, but it really does make you think. I love the picture of the turtles. Keep enjoying your extra spring.
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I love that garden gate but I have to say the turtle convoy is big time smile-inducing 😀
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Gates make wonderful Thursday Doors as they are usually found in interesting settings. That shot of the turtles is fabulous.
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The gate is cool, but the turtles are cute.
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The gate is perfect for Thursday Doors! Sorry that I am so late for the party but… it’s been a busy week here! Hugs!
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And those turtles! ❤️
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Love how the turtles all line up in a row facing the sun. UNH Extension helped us so much when we had our apple orchards…they were invaluable. Hope you are having wonderful sunny days.
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