My Army of Gastropods!

Disclaimer: You'll have to forgive my lack of great pictures for this post. 

Growing up in the country meant finding snail shells all the time. In the woods, by the creek, in the creek, everywhere. I've seen snails. I've seen slugs. I've marveled at both with childlike curiosity. But it wasn't until I moved into my house in the suburbs of the south side of Indy that I saw armies of snails (live ones, not simply shells). 

The first gastropod I saw at my house was a particularly large leopard slug (Limax maximus), also known as great gray garden slug and tiger slug. These guys grow up to about 4 inches (sometimes more) and, as their common names suggest, are gray (sometimes yellowish) and spotted. 

Then I started to witness my massive army of snails coming out after the long, brutal winter. When I say "army," I mean anywhere from 10 to 20 in sight (I tend to exaggerate a bit). On humid or damp nights, I'll see my snails. Two nights ago I counted 16 within a 1' by 3' area just outside my sliding door. Being the curious girl that I am, I began to study them to see where they were hiding during the day. 

There is a huge crack between my patio and house. Many of my snails use this crack as their barracks. Others are fond of the area underneath my deck. Still others were hiding under a cooler and cardboard we had by the house. 

So, the girl that some have claimed may have an army of spiders at her command now has an army of snails. Spiders and snails: unlikely allies in the fight against whatever.

Control

Yes, snails and slugs can be quite problematic for home gardeners. If you've got them in your yard, forget about hostas or strawberries! However, opening up the area they're in to allow air circulation and reduce the moist, damp habitat they require can greatly discourage slugs away from a particular area. Beer or fermented foods make efficient, homemade slug traps (although I'm not a fan of killing anything!).

Discovering Nightshade

While waiting patiently to see everything that was going to emerge in our yard, my roommate and I made a startling discovery around our fence. Beautiful, 4-foot tall stems with gorgeous blue-violet and yellow flowers. Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara).

Bittersweet nightshade along my fence.

There's a lot of talk about nightshade and almost everyone has heard the term before. While this isn't belladonna (Atropa belladonna), the plant most commonly referred to as "deadly nightshade," it is still something I don't particularly want in my yard.

If you want to read a little about the differences between the two species, check out this link!

Bittersweet nightshade can reach heights of up to 6' 6" and is often a vining plant. The flowers are more than gorgeous; it's no wonder why the plant is introduced in the U.S. While it's not considered invasive in Indiana, it is in several other states. It's also poisonous to people and animals, although the toxicity of this particular species is often debated.

I haven't gotten around to ripping it out yet -- unfortunately it's not going to be an easy task. Fortunately, however, there isn't too much of it around my yard. A few scraggly vines growing here and there around my fence.

New House, New Fish

In the past two(ish) years I have moved three times. I hate moving, but I love the fact that every move is a new beginning. Instead of being in the Fort Wayne area, I am now a resident of Indianapolis. New home, new fish, that's for sure!

While I grew up in the country, I have spent most of my adult life in a city environment. I hate it, but it's what I can do at the moment. I live with a great couple and am now only 25 minutes from my boyfriend's house (as opposed to a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive). That part's great! I have tons of neighbors, however, which isn't so great.

While I would love to turn the yard of this house into my dream landscape, I can't. You see, it's a rental. It's not a great rental, but it is in a decent part of town and it is a cute house. However, the yard leaves much to be desired.

Yes, I could spend all of my hard-earned money on landscaping plants; I could go to native swaps and dress up the yard to my liking; I could, I could, I could ... But I'm not. That's too much money and time to spend on a house that someone else owns.

Don't get me wrong, I've planted a few things. Some woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), some liriope and a pretty yellow carnation plant that I just couldn't resist. I also have plans of transplanting a large peony growing on the east side of my house where nobody can appreciate its gorgeous, deep pink blooms.

I was also pleased to find out that the massive shrub that was growing in our backyard is an overgrown lilac that sends off pale, pinkish-purple flowers. They didn't last long, it seemed the flowers stuck around shorter than even standard lilacs. However, it is a 15' (or so) shrub with beautiful blooming potential and one that will look even more spectacular if I truly decide to give her a haircut (yes, I know, I should have pruned her a couple weeks ago if I was going to do it at all).

Huge wild strawberry patches grow along my fence and the massive pit where an above-ground pool once sat. Unfortunately, I have some nightshade growing along my fence as well. Pics and a post about that to come.

What else have I discovered? Oh, the usual. Little jumping spiders making their ways to my window sills, a few house spiders, one sac spider inside, and a huge army of snails waiting for my command. OK, I doubt they're waiting for my command, but there sure are a lot of them that live between my foundation and the patio.

Back at It!

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything on this blog. For the past two years (OK, quite a bit longer than that, really), my life has been a whirlwind of emotion, change and figuring myself out. I've gone through quite a lot, but I'm anxious to get back at my baby (this blog!). 

Expect some new posts in the near future. I'm excited to share some of my experiences and how this urban fish out of water is (still) adjusting to city life! New bugs, new plants, new problems and new everythings! I temporarily gave up this blog because I had so much on my plate, but I miss it. It was still in its infancy when I left it, so it's time for a new start (I'm all about new starts these days). 

Great Backyard Bird Count 2012

I'm really excited about this event. Are you? What is it? Well, it's pretty self-explanatory. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a 4-day event in which everyone is encouraged to tally up the species of birds they see in their backyard -- or anywhere! The event goes on this year from February 17 - February 20.

Although I'm not really a bird watcher like some, I do enjoy looking at the different species and take notice when I see a new one or one I haven't seen in a while. The Great Backyard Bird Count relies on bird watchers of all ages and skill levels to help determine some pretty important aspects of bird life and the ecosystem.

This is a great family event and wonderful way to get your kids involved in nature, even during the colder months like now!

Here are some things the Great Backyard Bird Count helps determine:

• Did this winter's snow and temperatures affect any populations?
• Were there any irruptive species this year (irruptive species are those which appear in large numbers some years, but not others)?
• Do the migrations of this year compare with years past?
• Are bird diseases affecting various species in different regions?
• What's the diversity differences in rural, urban, suburban and natural areas?
• Are any species in decline?

Pretty cool when you think about it. Science is relying on regular, every-day citizens to help keep track of really important data. 

How Can You Participate?

Participation is easy. Simply set up shop in your yard, or from the comfort of a warm house in front of the window and tally the different species you have in your yard. You should plan for at least 15 minutes of bird watching per day. Once you're done with your bird count, enter your results on the GBBC Submission page here. 

Need Some Resources?

The GBBC site gives you regional bird checklists and tally pages you can print out for easy viewing -- especially if you don't have a field guide or other handy resource. 

Local parks and natural areas across the nation are getting in on the fun, too! See if one of your favorite parks is having an event dedicated to the GBBC! The GBBC website also has a "Local Events Page" here.

Getting to Know: The Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are a favorite perennial of many. You often see them in giant clumps of flowers throughout landscapes and even while enjoying a nature hike.

The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is among the most common and has several different varieties to choose from. The 'Magnus' variety is very common and won the coveted Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1998. Aside from the purple magnus, the purple coneflower also comes in varieties showing off white, cream-colored, rosy or yellow petals, among many other newer, brighter, more vivid hues.

Most have the tell-tale "coneflower" shape: a cone in the middle surrounded by downward-pointing petals. Some, however, have petals that lay horizontal, almost perpendicular to the cone.