Winter Garden

The winter rye grass we planted in the garden is a thick and luscious carpet of green. I took a picture one morning of a heavy frost on it and one several days later with snow. I'm wondering if we could plant the winter rye grass in the spring around our vegetables to keep the weeds down, or will it only grow in the winter?

Pennsylvania Leather-wing

I finally took the time to find out what this insect is. It is a Pennsylvania Leather-wing. I see them all over the place lately and they seem particularly attracted to the Crown Beard and Goldenrod plants. This is a GOOD BUG! Do not kill! According to what I read on the internet, it may control the corn ear worm, and it eats cucumber beetles, caterpillar eggs and other things you don't want around if you have a garden. These guys are mating and making more good bugs! :)

Pussy Willow Bush

Our pussy willow bush is popping out in catkins. Recently on a rainy day, I took some close-ups. Until you look at something up close, you really don't see all of its beauty. Up close, the catkins look even softer than they are. I like the way each raindrop in the one picture reflects the rest of the bush.