Grimm Observations: May 2014

May 24, 2014

I just planted some little milkweed plants in the yard.

The first baby steps to growing a butterfly garden.

I show you around the new plants. Subscribe to the channel and I will share an update in the Summer and Fall.

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.94 mile trip May 24, 2014 at 01:58PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.94 mile trip. At 43.16 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.91 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.94 mile trip May 24, 2014 at 01:58PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.94 mile trip. At 43.16 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.91 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 12.26 mile trip May 24, 2014 at 12:27PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 12.26 mile trip. At 40.93 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.20 via Automatic

May 23, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.53 mile trip May 23, 2014 at 07:45PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.53 mile trip. At 41.15 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.02 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.21 mile trip May 23, 2014 at 12:37PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.21 mile trip. At 42.88 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.97 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.48 mile trip May 23, 2014 at 01:20AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.48 mile trip. At 41.07 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.01 via Automatic

May 22, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 6.25 mile trip May 22, 2014 at 12:23AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 6.25 mile trip. At 35.21 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.70 via Automatic

May 21, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.26 mile trip May 21, 2014 at 03:11PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.26 mile trip. At 41.72 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.98 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 12.30 mile trip May 21, 2014 at 01:33PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 12.30 mile trip. At 35.69 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.37 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 13.27 mile trip May 21, 2014 at 11:41AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 13.27 mile trip. At 40.67 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.29 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 8.40 mile trip May 21, 2014 at 12:21AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 8.40 mile trip. At 43.65 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.76 via Automatic

May 20, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.91 mile trip May 20, 2014 at 02:50PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.91 mile trip. At 43.16 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.91 via Automatic

May 19, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 11.53 mile trip May 19, 2014 at 10:36AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 11.53 mile trip. At 50.88 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.91 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 14.19 mile trip May 19, 2014 at 09:34AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 14.19 mile trip. At 41.28 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.38 via Automatic

May 18, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.96 mile trip May 18, 2014 at 02:42PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.96 mile trip. At 30.48 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.12 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 154.69 mile trip May 18, 2014 at 05:25PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 154.69 mile trip. At 36.16 miles per gallon, fuel cost $16.54 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 246.11 mile trip May 18, 2014 at 02:33PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 246.11 mile trip. At 41.39 miles per gallon, fuel cost $21.93 via Automatic

May 17, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.99 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 05:45PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.99 mile trip. At 29.55 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.12 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.93 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 05:34PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.93 mile trip. At 21.65 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.16 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 4.12 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 05:26PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 4.12 mile trip. At 32.08 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.47 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 5.14 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 05:09PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 5.14 mile trip. At 30.58 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.61 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.66 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 04:24PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.66 mile trip. At 21.07 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.12 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 4.74 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 04:07PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 4.74 mile trip. At 32.04 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.54 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 3.18 mile trip May 17, 2014 at 03:34PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 3.18 mile trip. At 24.15 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.48 via Automatic

May 16, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.70 mile trip May 16, 2014 at 08:18PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.70 mile trip. At 24.35 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.10 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.66 mile trip May 16, 2014 at 08:10PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.66 mile trip. At 29.10 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.08 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 18.02 mile trip May 16, 2014 at 05:15PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 18.02 mile trip. At 40.56 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.62 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 16.51 mile trip May 16, 2014 at 10:51AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 16.51 mile trip. At 39.38 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.53 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 246.33 mile trip May 16, 2014 at 01:28AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 246.33 mile trip. At 44.15 miles per gallon, fuel cost $20.71 via Automatic

May 15, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 161.36 mile trip May 15, 2014 at 08:51PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 161.36 mile trip. At 46.91 miles per gallon, fuel cost $13.36 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 8.03 mile trip May 15, 2014 at 06:01PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 8.03 mile trip. At 29.96 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.06 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.30 mile trip May 15, 2014 at 01:47PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 0.30 mile trip. At 19.94 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.06 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.54 mile trip May 15, 2014 at 01:51AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.54 mile trip. At 43.63 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.96 via Automatic

May 14, 2014

Native Milkweed Plants I found growing along the Truckee River near Reno Nevada

Outdoor Hands-On Search for Native Milkweed Species Growing in my Community.

I went to my local garden center seeking milkweed seed's or plants today. They had no milkweed for sale but they did know a local trail that is know for having milkweed. They called it the ditch trail and said it is near Patagonia. My excitement level went thru the roof to hear Patagonia was closer than I expected. Unfortunately it is a Patagonia Outlet Store they were directing me to and not a diverse secluded region in Southern South America. The ditch trail sounds like the exact place that I would expect to hear about native milkweed growing naturally. So I am packing up for my 9-5 job (actually 3:30-00:00) a bit early to set out in hopes of discovering local milkweed plants growing in my community.

Success on my first walk today. I found exactly what I was expecting!

I parked at Mayberry Park and walked directly to the Truckee Rivers edge. Once I began to look at all the plants growing there I became a bit overwhelmed with the diversity of plants. There are so many plants growing by the river.

Mexican Whorled Milkweed & Showy Milkweed is what I was expecting to find. And Mexican Whorled Milkweed & Showy Milkweed is what I found!

The first Milkweed plants I found were so abundant that I was in slight disbelief that they were there. It was Mexican Whorled Milkweed! It was growing in Droves. To my surprise I immediately saw two butterflies fluttering thru their vertical stalks. It was milkweed paradise. I collected a few dried seed pods and went about on my way down the path looking for more.

With much luck I stumbled right across more milkweed a short distance away. Growing in a slightly different area of loose grass I found another type of milkweed. The Showy Milkweed was in thick clumps a few yards from the rivers edge. In full sun I could there was very young Showy Milkweed growing in between the older, more established plants. It seemed to be very healthy. A few beetles were devouring one of its leaves.

Don't try this at home.

Having not seen any milkweed recently I was not positive it was milkweed. I had read that the sap is milky white and has a bitter taste along with mild toxicity. So I had to check for these traits.

I took a small bite.

From a small leaf tip I could see the milky white sap oozing out. I nibbled on it like a lettuce leaf. The bitterness was very mild. The leaves are very fluffy and light. I couldn't wait to get back to my car where I had fresh water. I discourage eating milkweed. Leave that for the butterflies!

I have creates a website to help you find what milkweed grows natively in your state. It is recommended that you grow native milkweed.
Go to GrowMilkweedPlants.com find what milkweed is native in your state and start a butterfly garden right away.

Toyota Corolla completed a 5.81 mile trip May 14, 2014 at 03:11PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 5.81 mile trip. At 35.23 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.65 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.90 mile trip May 14, 2014 at 02:45PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.90 mile trip. At 34.41 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.33 via Automatic

May 13, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.90 mile trip May 13, 2014 at 02:29PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 9.90 mile trip. At 47.32 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.84 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 14.31 mile trip May 13, 2014 at 12:52PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 14.31 mile trip. At 43.43 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.33 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.70 mile trip May 13, 2014 at 11:29AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.70 mile trip. At 35.70 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.31 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.66 mile trip May 13, 2014 at 11:05AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 2.66 mile trip. At 37.79 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.28 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.47 mile trip May 13, 2014 at 01:05AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.47 mile trip. At 39.92 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.05 via Automatic

May 12, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.00 mile trip May 12, 2014 at 03:16PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.00 mile trip. At 41.62 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.96 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.46 mile trip May 12, 2014 at 01:03AM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.46 mile trip. At 40.98 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.03 via Automatic

May 11, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.01 mile trip May 11, 2014 at 03:06PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.01 mile trip. At 42.72 miles per gallon, fuel cost $0.94 via Automatic

May 10, 2014

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.57 mile trip May 10, 2014 at 11:08PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.57 mile trip. At 37.77 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.13 via Automatic

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.31 mile trip May 10, 2014 at 01:53PM

Toyota Corolla completed a 10.31 mile trip. At 39.80 miles per gallon, fuel cost $1.04 via Automatic

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