Dark Plants

As the sun sets the darkness emerges. Thus begins the moon's time to light the world. It may not be as bright as the sun's rays but the moonlight carries a haunting glow, even if it's only six in the afternoon. It's just that time of the year again when daylight savings comes to an ends and the day's sun tanning time is cut short. My observations take place around six  and what I've discovered is that it's hard to see details in the plants and the ants crawling up my pants leg in the dark.  Which led me to begin observing with a flashlight and made me feel like Sherlock Holmes. Although I don't have his amazing observation powers,  I did observe that since November second some of my plant's conditions have improved. Which led me to wonder is the moonlight helping my plants regain their strength?
After some research, I stumbled upon the website, Gardening By the Moon, it provided me with information about "lunar planting." Also known as agricultural astrology which is when the moon's phases are used to determine when planting, cultivating and harvesting of crops can take place(Catterall). Based on the site, on a particular phase of the moon the soil takes in more moisture with helps seeds and plants grow easier.  And during a full moon plants will absorb more water than normal.  That got me thinking that perhaps  there is still some hope to save my plants from dying, I will water my plants  every full moon while following the lunar calender for the rest of the year  and observe  if it made a difference (fingers  crossed).

http://thegardeningapprentice.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-vegetable-gardeners-guide-to.html

                                                 Work Cited 

Catterall, Caren. "How Does Lunar Planting Work?" Gardening  by the Moon. Divine Inspiration       Publications. 05 Sept. 2014. Web 09 Nov. 2014.

Little Tree

The wind blows heavily pushing on the tree like a bully asking for his lunch money. The tree holds its own with some help from his friends. The tree is hold down by two stakes keeping him from being blown away. It's a slim larky tree, my best guess it's only took residents in my  yard a year or two ago, but has made it his home. I  am not sure on what kind of tree it is but with some research I hope to soon find out. However, I did notice that the tree is hold by two stakes to prevent it from falling on my window even if it's only three out of four chances. But with my luck it's a miracle it has not happen yet with all the heavy wind blowing through. When I looked at the stakes it seems as if my tree is being held captive which led me to wonder what are the purpose of the stakes. 

After some research on the Internet,  I came upon an article called "To Stake or Not to Stake" which is full of information about the why and how of tree staking. I took the information and connected it to my tree and its surroundings.  And discovered that my tree is properly staked it can move easy which allowed me more comfort about the situation. And most importantly I found out the purpose of the stakes which is to hold the tree's roots in place. Tree's roots can grow easier in the dirt than in sand because a strong wind can uproot the tree's roots easier in sand. And since sand is what my tree is planted in the stakes are used to keep the tree from flying away. Now that I know my tree is being held strong by the stakes it seems silly to think the tree will come crashing through my window but then again anything can happen. 

                                                            Work Cited

 Reich, Lee. "To Stake or Not to Stake." Fine Gardening. N.p. n.d. Web  02 Nov. 2014.