Out in the Garden

Fungus Gnat and a New Blog!!!

I enjoy studying insects and their role in the synergy of a garden. I do not believe in chemical insecticide because there are many beneficial insects that are killed along with the pest insect you have sprayed. Call me weird, but because of this interest in garden insects, I try to photograph them whenever possible. Take a look at my posts from this summer titled "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" or "Space Alien or Garden Pest" to see what I mean.

Well here is one more insect picture for you: A Fungus Gnat living in the soil of our Hippeastrum flower.

What, you don't see it? Then let's zoom in to a close up!

You might think this picture is gross or weird, but it was very difficult to take. A Fungus Gnat is only 2-3mm in length - very small! The adult females (pictured above) lay eggs in the soil and the larvae feed on fungus in the moist soil. They are a small nuisance indoors, but outside they help in organic decomposition.

Now, do you want to see a picture of the giant Hippeastrum flowers that are blooming far above this little gnat? If so, I'm going to make you wait a little. Pictures of the flowers will be added to our next post on our new family blog: Little House and The Big Garden!

I am very excited about this new blog. It will still discuss our garden, but it will also deal with our other family interests. The best part about it is that my wife and daughters will also be writing posts. They already have in fact. Come on over to Little House and The Big Garden and leave an encouraging comment on my wife or daughter's first post! Then stop back by tomorrow to see the beautiful Hippeastrum (without the gnat!). Blessings to you all!

Have fun!

12:05, Saturday, February 10, 2007 .. Posted by Purewater

I am enjoying your new blog! I guess we won't miss this one if you all keep the new Little House one going.

You know, if you combine the names of these two blogs in the wrong way you can come up with some unflattering combinations....

It's a good thing you are not using the words "in", "the" or "out" from "Out In the Garden", because if you did it might have wound up "In the Little Out-house and the Big Garden"!

(can you tell that it is very late? Please don't take offense. I'm just being goofy. I love you guys!)