but the African Blue Basil that’s been feeding them since early spring still has no seeds.
- Curious about something you saw while walking in the woods? Spot the coolest bug ever? The prettiest flower and butterfly? Stumble on a rock and found a fossil? Or was it? This is the place to show your discoveries and share in the knowledge of the natural world right outside our doors. Join in the fun everyday at The Daily Bucket.
December 2016
Last month's bucket was all about the Bumblebees on the African Blue Basil. They have mostly died off and for any left outside their groundnest, tonight's "upper 20s" should finish them off. A few butterflies stop by the flowers now and a honeybee or 2. No idea where honeybees are coming from, could be a long way, or maybe even a wild nest.
Now's my turn to make use of the basil, my favorite part - the flower stems. I used to harvest the branches each year and dry the leaves and flowers but that was back when I had potted plants. Now that I grow them outside and 2 plants can cover a 4' fence, I use only the flowers. Easier to pick, simply cut the tops and let them air-dry for a week or 2. Strip when dry. Very fragrant, pungent even.
Here's the finished product, a fresh jar to get me thru 2017
A quick bucket to get things started today. I'm headed out to the Jotul to burn some wood and finish up some walking sticks. See ya later in the comments!
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