Today is mostly sunny and mild.
I fed the birds. In the forest garden, I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a gray catbird, and a brown thrasher. I also saw a ruby-throated hummingbird, poking into the irises under the maple tree of all places. :D 3q3q3q!!! Fortunately the barrel garden with its fire-colored flowers is already established, so there are plenty of suitable flowers available.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I planted the coleus in the grape pot. This one is dark purple, almost black, with hot pink streaks down the middle of the leaves. I'm hoping to get more coleus in mixed colors to stuff in around it. Home Depot should have those.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I trimmed grass and dug a hole at the north edge of the savanna.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I planted the American plum at the north edge of the savanna.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I cut brush around the pawpaw seedlings.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I sowed Scarlet Runner Bean in a trough pot at the west end of the new picnic table garden.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I got a pretty good look at a bird that doesn't match any description. It had the small red head patch and thick black collar of a
northern flicker, but not the distinctive spotted breast. The
red-bellied woodpecker has a plain breast, but doesn't match the other markings. And nothing else
in Illinois comes close. The bird was drinking from the little trough pond beside the log garden.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I sowed switch grass seed along the westmost of the north-south strips through the prairie garden. This is my first time working with switch grass; the seed is fine and light and slippery, very pleasant to work with. I have a lot of it left, too. :D I also sowed OPN Seed 20th Anniversary Prairie Native Seed Mix there.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I sowed big bluestem seed along the middle of the north-south strips through the prairie garden. I also sowed OPN Seed Fall Pollinator Fuel Native Seed Mix there.
I heard the great horned owl hooting in the trees above the ritual meadow. :D
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I sowed American Meadows Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Seed Patch along the east-west strip and the north notch in the prairie garden. This mix is rated for butterflies, bees, and birds. I also sowed a large mount of foraged zinnia seed from the Charleston Community Garden 10-9-25 in both places.
EDIT 5/14/26 -- I sowed sun-shade grass mix and white clover seed along the eastmost of the north-south strips through the prairie garden. That will be this year's walking path to cut through the middle, kept mowed short.
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