The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Purdy (my cat) will snatch a sprig of Knotgrass as if she were a profession venom collector grabbing a cobra in mid strike. A tendril will be pulled onto the patio, flipped into the air, twisted, and pounced upon before sharp tiny teeth gnaw on the green leaves. Sated, she will lay down on top of her prize and groom in self adoration. Unapologetic belches may be forthcoming. I know she is supplementing her diet with fiber and amoeba, via the grass diet, to keep her intestines healthy. The rare, basket woven hairballs are proof enough for me.
My lawn has never entered into any “Yard of the Month” club contests. There is a green border between the street and the house that resembles a golf course fairway (the fringes at times) but in reality, is a trimmed meadow or pasture. Here is some proof.
Scattered throughout the Centipede and Fescue carpet are tall islands of Florida grass (pictured above). I confess, I don’t mow but three times a year to encourage the swathes of white clover to flower all spring. Also, I let other wildflowers reach full height, bloom and reseed in the summer. If the Oak leaves create too much of a carpet, I might mulch them with a quick pass of the mower. I am not a diligent keeper of a manicured lawn.
But, I do have a distraction for those passing by. I tend to two varieties of ornamental grass planted near the road. Tended means I let them live there unmolested.
Both of these were house warming gifts from my late mother-in-law. They, like her, are loved, admired by many and unique to the rest of our surroundings.
The slim border between the Holly hedges (in front of the house) and the yard is a row of Mondo (aka Monkey) grass.
In the picture above, the Monkey grass is the lighter shade with Bermuda and Winter Rye grass surrounding it. This small eco-mass is covering where I had cut a trench to lay a new water line.
On the borders of the backyard-tree line and road ditch, grows a variety of different meadow / forage grasses. I have shown two in the above photo but must include Common Carpet grass, Axongus affiniis ‘Chase and Eastern Gammagrass, Triscum dactylodes. These helpful plants deter soil erosion, and nutrify the poor land I live on. The fact that there is a marked difference in color, plant structure and flowering heads makes me happy and appreciate the mixture of grasses in my yard.
This is just a moment of time with simple items in the large scheme of things. Yet, the greenery comfortably prolongs the time I spend outside.
I hope a stroll around your own yard is pleasant. Thanks for stopping by.
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What’s up in nature in your area today?
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