FOX

RED TAIL FOX

Living in woodlands and county parks, most humans are surprised
when they see a fox in the wild. 

Most people living in New Jersey would be surprised to know we
share our territory with the 'Red Tail Fox'.

Sadly for many of us the only encounter we might have is to see a Red Tail Fox dead on the roadside. It's heartbreaking when we realize how the fox has adjusted to living beside humans for centuries. Now with new construction enclosing on their habitats and faster vehicles, the plight of the Red Tail Fox is more perilous than ever.

The life span of the red fox in the wild is two to four years.

Although I've never seen a "fox crossing" sign, as a general rule if you have rabbits in your area
you most likely have Red tail fox  also.  

Red foxes are about three feet long and two feet tall. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the red fox is the fluffy white-tipped tail. Red foxes have long snouts and red fur across the face, back, sides, and tail. Their throat, chin, and belly are grayish-white. Red foxes have black feet and black-tipped ears that are large and pointy.

Like a cat's tail, the fox's thick tail aids with balance, but it has other uses as well. A fox uses its tail, called a brush, as a warm cover in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes.

Red tail fox scent their territory to warn others of it's presence and to
find a mate. in winter. 

Foxes like all canines signal each other by making scent posts, urinating on trees or rocks to announce their presence.

If you are lucky enough to spot a Red Tail Fox it is easy to distinguish by sight from other members of the canine (dog) family. Please don't follow it or scare it away. They are justifiably scared of humans, their major predator, especially if they have young. 

Red foxes live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large urban communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

Both male and female fox care for their young all summer until they
go on their out to hunt on their own in the autumn.

Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. Foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms. If living among humans, foxes will opportunistically dine on garbage and pet food. Red foxes have excellent hearing. They can hear low-frequency sounds and rodents digging underground.

Fox, like all wild animals will fight ferociously to defend their
territory and their young.  

In winter, foxes meet to mate. The vixen (female) typically gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups. At birth, red foxes are actually brown or gray. A new red coat usually grows in by the end of the first month, but some red foxes are golden, reddish-brown, silver, or even black. Both parents care for their young through the summer before they are able to strike out on their own in the fall.

The fox is the symbol of the Shinto god of prosperity, Inari.
In Japan, people make offerings at shrines dedicated to Inari in the hope of good fortune in career and business.

In mythology, lore and religions, the fox has been held in high esteem around the world from the time of ancient Egypt. The Red Tail Fox is usually depicted as clever and a cunning trickster, but seldom evil.

A member of the canine family this Egyptian god Horus, bares a strong resemblance to a fox.
Horus is the god of the sky.

Please NEVER feed or approach a fox. They are wild animals and their fear of humans is essential for survival. Once tamed a fox cannot be successfully returned to the wild.

Cute and adorable, young foxes need their natural fear of humans to survive in the wild.
  

Information for the Red Tail Fox from National Geographic                & the National Wildlife Federation  

Drive Safe,                                                                                               

James

Marigolds

    MARIGOLDS 
The Journey from Mexico to America

Today there are dozens of varieties of Marigolds to choose from at your local garden centers and even
more if you decide to start by seeds ordered from catalogs.  

Marigolds are a very popular annual flower native to the New World,  Mexico and Central America.  They were sacred to the Aztec people who attributed magical, religious and medicinal properties to marigolds.   The Aztecs also bred the marigold for increasingly larger blooms.

 In the 1500's, conquistadors brought marigold seeds from Mexico to Spain.  The marigolds were cultivated in Spain and grown in monastery gardens.   In Mexico and Latin America, marigold flowers are still used to decorate household altars to celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  The flower heads are scattered on relatives’ graves which can account for the profusion of marigolds growing in cemeteries.

Marigolds seeds are easy to harvest, store and germinate.
A key factor in their world wide popularity  

From Spain, marigold seeds were transported to France and northern Africa. The taller marigolds, now called African-American, became naturalized in North Africa.

In India marigolds are used during Hindu religious ceremonies.  The marigold flowers are strung together to make garlands to decorate village god statues during festivals.  Garlands of marigold flowers are used to decorate temples, doorways and vehicles, cows and beloved pets.

Temples, houses, vehicles and even cows and beloved family pets
are decorated with marigold garlands during Indian celebrations.

Shortly after the Revolutionary War, three hundred years after leaving Mexico, marigolds were finally introduced to American gardeners.  Marigolds were just one of many plants shipped to the young country from Europe.

In 1915 the time was right for a new flower to make its debut  to the nation. Horticulturist David Burpee, who had inherited his father's company felt that marigolds held promise and decided to feature them in his catalog and funded research.

The pungent aroma of marigolds, especially French marigolds helps deter
unwelcome critters from vegetables gardens. 

Since the 1920's marigold breeding has developed hundreds of new varieties. The odorless marigolds, white marigolds, hybrids and triploids have all been advancements in breeding.

Marigolds are easy to grow from seed.  Plant them in well drained soil with compost and plenty of sunlight.  Watch out for slugs, especially on young plants.

With regular deadheading and basic maintenance marigolds will bloom
 until the first frost of the autumn. 

Happy Gardening,
James

                      

Deadheading

       KEEPING YOUR ANNUALS BLOOMING
'DEADHEADING"

Annuals are plants that grow to maturity, flower, set seed, and die within one year.  Once the flowers are pollinated most of the energy of the plant is focused on producing seeds which will ensure its survival the following year.

The faded flowers of this marigold diverts the  plants energy from producing more flowers to seed making.
Although this task takes time it will keep these plants blooming until the frost.

 In order to "fool" the plant into creating more flowers gardeners use the simple trick of pinching off the old flowers.  This technique is known as 'dead-heading'.  It forces the plant to start over,  produce even more flowers and finally  seeds.

This proven practice works on all annuals from early spring pansies to summer blooming zinnia and marigolds.  Some plants like pansies will even form two new flowers for every one pinched.

Pansies benefit greatly from deadheading.
I keep my pansy plantings limited so I don't get overwhelmed by this chore.

With many flowers you can simply remove the old bloom with your finger tips.  With plants with thicker stems it is wiser to use snips to prevent damaging the plants and new flowers.

The bold flowers of geraniums dry out and become unsightly when left
on the plants. Deadheading keeps annuals looking fresh and robust.

Geraniums can be deadheaded by hand, but using pruning snips prevents damage to the stem
and speeds up the process.

The hardest part of this task is finding the time to do it.  If it's late in the season and your marigolds have more dead flowers than you want to deal with, take a chair and a beverage to where they are and make the task more enjoyable.  This will keep your annual flowers blooming into autumn.

Gardeners routinely deadhead spent flowers when inspecting their gardens.
This practice keeps their displays in peak condition all season long. 

Dead-heading is also beneficial to many other plants as well.  Although most 'perennials' will only bloom for a few weeks during their season, removing the dead flowers encourages the plants to produce new flowers and stronger roots systems.  Since many perennials are best propagated by division (dividing the root system) this practice is very beneficial.

If you are planning on dividing a perennial this year, deadheading the old
flowers will divert energy from making seeds to building a stronger root system.
     

Summer flowering shrubs such as butterfly bushes or roses will also produce more flowers when dead-headed.

Happy Gardening,                                                                                                                 James

   

Monarchs & Milkweed

   NATIVE MILKWEED & MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Handle all butterflies with care. If you would like a photo-op with one, gently catch it.
Then put it in a loose paper bag and refrigerate for only a few minutes. This technique will slow your butterfly
 down long  enough to take your photograph. Soon it will warm up and fly off. 

Over the centuries Monarch Butterflies have captivated humans with their bright colors and annual migration during which they often appear in large groups, called a 'roost'.

  The Monarchs actually migrate alone and not in flocks like birds.  On this journey Monarch populations depend on Native North American 'Milkweeds', the only plant on which they lay their eggs.

A Monarch butterfly egg attached to the underside of a milkweed leaf 

In our area, with modern construction taking more land for development, Milkweed plants are rapidly disappearing.  In rural areas and farm lands, the use of herbicides is also taking its toll on Milkweeds.  

This sadly has a negative effect on the Monarch population.  They have less host plants for their eggs and caterpillars.

Milkweeds (Asclepias) get their name from the sticky white sap that oozes from the leaves when they are damaged.

More than 100 species of this herbaceous perennial are native to the U.S. and Canada.  Many have adapted to different regions of the country and a wide range of climates and terrains, from deserts and rocky areas to marshes and open prairies. Some species grow exclusively in specific regions while others will thrive in just about any habitat.

Milkweed is both a food source and the host plant on which the Monarch lays her eggs, depositing them on the underside of the leaves.

The monarch caterpillar lives its life cycle eating  milkweed plants, absorbing both
nutrients and the toxins that will protect it from predators throughout its life. 

The caterpillars then feed on the leaves after hatching, but cause no permanent damage to the plant. In turn, the toxic chemicals contained in the sap of Milkweed plants make both the caterpillars and adult butterflies unappetizing and even toxic to predators.

The chrysalis is both functional and beautiful, looking more like jewelry rather than a 
cocoon hanging on the leaves.

This technique has worked so well for Monarchs, it was long believed Viceroy butterflies had evolved with similar colors and markings to mimic the Monarch and fool predators that they too are unappetizing.   Recent studies now show Viceroy butterflies are also toxic.

During Monarch migration flight is fueled by 'nectaring' on the flowers and is punctuated by laying eggs on Milkweeds. To grow and sustain each generation, Milkweed is the only food needed.

These migrating butterflies and gathered in a "roost" to feed and mate.
Soon they will disperse and continue to migrate individually. 

Of all the native Milkweed species only one is considered highly desirable for our North American gardens, Butterfly Weed, (Asclepias tuberosa) .

The "common" milkweed is considered very desirable for northeastern gardens..
In hues of orange or golden yellow gardeners are encouraged to find a place for these in their gardens.    

This showy cousin of Milkweed is one of the most ornamental varieties, featuring clusters of vibrant orange flowers.  The blooms are perched atop the ends of the stalks so they create a prominent display even if your plants are located at the back of a flower bed.  Butterfly Weed is slow to establish but will brighten your garden for years to come.  There is also a golden yellow variety.

Butterfly Weed has a deep taproot which helps it survive periods of drought. The downside is that it cannot be successfully transplanted.  When you select a spot to plant it, take this into consideration.  Once in its space you should leave Butterfly Weed where you planted it.  The vibrant color, as mentioned, will stand out in your garden.  If you have space, plant more than one because although Monarchs migrate alone they often gather in route to feed and mate.  These 'roosts' are spectacular when seen.

There are many pretty milkweeds that soon outgrow their space making them
a high maintenance plant.

Milkweed’s highly fragrant and nectar-rich flowers are an enticement for other pollinators as well. Frequent visitors include native bees, honey bees, many other types of butterflies, and hummingbirds.

TROPICAL MILKWEED  
                                     
Plan to Save Monarch Butterflies Backfires

When evidence emerged that Monarch Butterflies were losing the Milkweed they depend on due to the spread of herbicide-resistant crops in the United States, people across the country took action, planting Milkweed in their own gardens.  Many gardeners planted the 'non-native' Tropical Milkweed because of its beautiful bright colors.  This plan backfired in two ways. Since Tropical Milkweed flowers longer into the late autumn and in some parts of the country throughout winter, it fools the Monarchs into staying in our area longer, endangering the butterflies’ iconic migration to Mexico.

Tropical milkweed has brightly colored flowers which makes it attractive to gardeners,
but unfortunately this species has many disadvantages to migrating Monarch butterflies in the Northeast.

Additionally Tropical Milkweed holds onto its original leaves though its entire life causing overuse by Monarchs and increasing the odds of the caterpillars becoming infected with a crippling parasite.

Gardeners are asked to not plant Tropical milkweed, or to pot it up in early
autumn and overwinter it indoors.  This will help keep the butterflies on their long annual
migration to Mexico.

How can you to help solve this problem ? (1) Plant native Milkweeds.   (2) If you have Tropical Milkweed prune half the plants in mid-season, then prune the other half when the first has recovered (3) In late summer Tropical Milkweed can be potted up and overwintered indoors. This is because tropical plants get plenty of rain so they do not require a deep taproot like its North American cousins.

Happy Butterfly Gardening, James

Thanks to the all entomology experts, butterfly organizations  and the photographers whose love of Monarchs made this article possible.Top of Form

The life span of a monarch butterfly is six to seven weeks.

Tomatoes

TOMATOES

The tomato is native to Central & South America.  While its culture is ancient,  tomatoes have only reached their present prominence since the mid-1800's.

Medium sized tomatoes can be grown in a 5 gallon bucket if you have poor soil
or only a small space with 6 hours of sunshine a day.

There are two types of  tomato plants, 'Determinate' or 'Indeterminate'.  Their growing habits, flowering and harvest is the major difference between them.

Determinate tomatoes are low growing plants that require less staking, but they flower only once and are all ready to harvest all at the same time.  If you plan to preserve them you have a limited window of opportunity. 

Indeterminate tomatoes grow taller so they require staking, pruning and care during the season.  The advantages of indeterminate plants make them worth the effort to true tomato lovers.  Most important, the flavor is better in these tomatoes.  Secondly they have a long harvest season, constantly flowering throughout the season and insuring a good harvest from early summer until the frost.

Proper pruning of suckers which are unproductive leaves, forces growth into more valuable
areas of the plant such as the roots and fruit. 

Indeterminate tomatoes need constant pruning, removing the stems which do not produce fruit but absorb energy from the plant.  These stems are called 'suckers' . 

Staking your plants makes it easier to detect problems, to harvest your crop, and will keep fruit from touching the ground where it can rot.  Staking also improves air circulation which helps control disease and fungus problems.

Unfortunately tomatoes can host many diseases that can devastate your harvest just when you are looking forward to it.  There are a few things you can do at planting time to help limit the chances that will happen to you.

Rotate your crops.  Plants your tomatoes in a different spot than you planted them last year.  This practice prevents diseases that can remain in the soil, which can contaminate it for years into the future. 

The first signs of  tomato disease is often in the leaves. This can appear on the bottom or top of the plant,
wilting, yellow or brown leaves should be removed quickly.
Contact your local county cooperative extension for advice.  Photographs can be helpful. 

 If  last year you had a tomato problem don't replant tomatoes, eggplants or peppers  in the same area.

Take a soil test from your county cooperative extension every three years for nutrient requirements.

 You can add ground egg shells to the soil to prevent 'blossom end rot'.

Disease resistant varieties are available. These are marked on the label and your local greenhouse personnel will be able to help you locate them.

Plant several different varieties.  Not only will this help prevent disease from infecting all of your plants, it will also give you more flavor and most likely a longer and more bountiful harvest.

Proper and consistent watering will greatly improve your harvest. Tomatoes require less water than you might think, just one inch a week. Over-watered tomatoes lack flavor and meatiness. 

This water logged tomato could have been saved by proper watering or harvesting before
a heavy rainfall.  Still edible, it will lack firmness & flavor. 

Although we cannot control rainfall, we must take it into consideration when hand watering.  A rain meter, either bought or home-made, can be very helpful. It can be as simple as dipping a ruler into a bucket.

Mulching with black or red plastic, or chopped leaves will control weeds and maintain moisture. This will help keep the soil cool during the heat of summer.  

Although we know tomatoes like it hot and sunny, they stop producing fruit when temperatures reach above 90 degrees. This can diminish your late harvest.

Heirloom tomatoes have regained popularity in recent years. They add flavor and interest
to your harvest but they have not been hybridized for disease resistance. 

Container gardening is a good choice if you have had disease problems in the past.  A simple five gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom can be a good choice for this. This system works best with medium size or cherry tomatoes.

For more information on growing tomatoes contact your 
Local County Cooperative Extension Service. 

Happy Gardening, James

                                                             

COYOTE

COYOTES

Just as deer are now often seen in our area, coyotes have also expanded their range, living and hunting in our parks and woodlands. If you have deer, coyotes are most likely in the area.

If seen in the wild coyotes stand out, looking more like a thin wolf than a domestic dog.

Scared and elusive of humans, most coyotes are never directly seen by the public. In the west, howling is a sure sign there is a pack in the region, but adjusting to their new environments most coyotes do not howl in urban areas. This makes their presence much harder to detect. They can sometimes be heard howling along with fire engines.
Coyotes have been sighted in northern Central Park
 and the Bronx. 

 Coyotes roam our parks and neighbors but are seldom seen by humans.
Their natural fear of humans is essential for survival.

Coyotes are a natural predator to much of the wildlife we find in our area; rabbits, rodents, groundhogs, Canada geese and deer fawns in the spring.  This helps keep down the populations of these animals which can become a nuisance.

Sadly coyotes will also take pets, small dogs and cats. If you live in an area where coyotes might roam take extra caution, especially at night. Fencing in your yard and keeping cats indoors will help avoid heartbreak. Missing cats are one of the first signs of coyotes in the area.

Coyotes are one of the few predators still active in our areas. They help cull the populations of other
animals and are on top of the food chain. 

Some Eastern coyotes have fur that is black or reddish. This hybridization was caused by coyotes interbreeding with domesticated dogs.
Coyotes mate is autumn which is when most sightings occur and they live in packs of as many as six. 

               

IF YOU SEE A COYOTE DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK 

AND DO NOT RUN AWAY

Coyotes can reach a speed of 40 MPH. 
Instead, stand tall and straight and never look away. Clap your hands, wave your arms, scream, shout, and if possible throw rocks and sticks at it. This will scare it away and help increase its fear of humans. Do not chase coyotes.  If cornered they will turn on you. Thankfully, coyotes are afraid of humans and will quickly scurry away. 

Coyote females can mate with domestic adding color to their fur.
They are still wild animals and should be respected and feared as such.