Growing a Moon Garden and a Bat Attitude
In Sharon Lovejoy’s book, Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children, she assures us that “Bats have gotten a bad rap for centuries. These gentle bug-eaters aren’t after you, and they won’t land in your hair. Instead, they’ll rid your yard of hundreds of pesky mosquitoes every night.” With that in mind, I’m going to develop a “bat attitude” and use her plan for a Moon Garden.
At the center of the garden will be a pole tent of climbing moonflowers, surrounded by other night blooming, fragrant flowers. My great nephews won’t care that the Moon Garden will smell so sweet but the scent attracts moths and other insects that, in turn, will attract bats. The boys will have fun making “moth broth” (http://bit.ly/atCGMothBroth); and who knows, maybe we’ll get to see the amazing Luna moth or the sphinx moths. The summer night garden will also be lit up by fireflies or lightening bugs. Did you know that the firefly larvae also are luminous?
Lovejoy’s books always have great ideas and tips for making it fun and easy for the kids to garden. From this book, I’ll use her “Seed Tape” idea to make is easier for my great nieces when we plant our flowers. Then we’ll use her “Explorer’s Kit” idea to gear up the boys for our night watching.
The best place in Indiana to see moths and other night critters is on a night hike at Limberlost, the home of Gene Stratton-Porter who wrote A Girl of Limberlost and many books on moths, birds, and nature. This year, there will be celebrations of Gene Stratton-Porter’s 150th birthday at both her homes, Limberlost and Wildflower Woods, which are Indiana state historic sites (http://bit.ly/atCGLimberlostHistory). Check the Indiana State Museum link for family nature outings: http://bit.ly/atCGOutings.
So we’ll see if after time in a Moon Garden I’ll develop that “bat attitude.” And, just in case, I’m going to keep on my garden hat. cg
Nancy’s love of flower gardening intensified while living in Holland and was perfected with Master Gardener courses.
