We are honored to be able to report that on June 9th the 11th known Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) colony in the state of Maryland was spotted by Pat Durkin at Red Wiggler.
When this orange-and-black checkered butterfly was named the official Maryland State insect in 1973, the species was common throughout the region within its wet meadow habitat. In 1980 there were 14 Maryland counties with 30–plus known colonies – By 2005 the population had dwindled to only nine colonies in five counties. Researchers had believed the butterfly disappeared from Montgomery County years ago. Over the past year, our site and another only one mile from our gardens have been identified. – Now with 11 colonies, there is budding hope that the Baltimore Checkerspot will find what it needs to survive. It needs one specific host plant to feed on, the White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) which is found in open wetlands and along the banks of slow moving streams.
The Washinton Post reported the sighting on June 13, see the article.
This week we are harvesting:
- Summer Squash
- Carrots
- Turnips
- Arugula
- Kale
- Collards
- Chard
- Radishes
- Onions
- And Blueberries (from Butlers Orchard)
In the pick your own there will be a limited amount of basil for the first time this season! -Woody
Thanks, Woody!
Valerie and Tom
Hurray for the butterfly! That’s neat!
Thanks again for posting the list of the harvest! I am planning yummy menus for the coming week.
Diane
We’ve accepted the Red Wiggler RideOn Challenge for a few of our pickups now! Our round-trip takes us roughly 2 hours — not bad, considering that this includes the approximately 45 minutes we spend on the farm, gathering our week’s share and visiting the PYO area to snip our goodies.
Thanks for the “bonus” items we received for our efforts to use transit. Our blueberries were a useful (and delicious!) “bribe” to coax the boys to the bus stop for our trip back home.