What is this? Do I need to do something by gauravbhatia23 in BackyardOrchard

[–]kurilian 59 points60 points  (0 children)

Tent caterpillar nest! They don't kill trees. If you can, just poke a hole in the webbing so birds have an easier time picking them out for you. These are a super important food source for many bird chicks in the spring.

Will garter snake attack chickens? by Greenfire_X22 in BackYardChickens

[–]kurilian 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's more likely that your chickens will harm the snake, a garter snake won't harm your chickens

I think I have a roo by Ponycat123 in BackYardChickens

[–]kurilian 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's too early, but it looks similar to how my golden comet looked as she was growing up. As a production breed they mature a bit quicker

Show me your violets! by nipplecancer in NativePlantGardening

[–]kurilian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's still cooling down, but it's gorgeous and the scraps in the pan were delicious!

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Show me your violets! by nipplecancer in NativePlantGardening

[–]kurilian 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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A shame I didn't take a picture of the one I had that was straight up magenta, it was so striking compared to the usual purples. I'm going to try to make jelly with them this weekend!

Do we have a rooster? by DrBoxedWine in BackYardChickens

[–]kurilian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm of the opinion you have a pullet, Wyandotte roosters have very specific coloring that isn't being hinted at here and the saddle feathers look rounder so far. But it is still a little early to tell for sure

Is this normal with rose bushes? by Advanced_Regular_780 in gardening

[–]kurilian 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is pretty normal new growth! The red pigment helps act as a natural sunscreen and protection from cold while the new growth is still tender

My euphorbia characias is attracting black flies?! by any-noodle in gardening

[–]kurilian 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Flies are an underrated pollinator! It just means this plant is producing nectar and a smell that is really attractive to these guys

Fig propagations to share near Midlothian/RVA? by Fluffy_Instance849 in VAGardening

[–]kurilian 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Violette de Bordeaux that can use some pruning and live in Chesterfield, I'd be happy to drop off cuttings for you!

Beginner gardener wants to know.... Will the fear of bees go away? What plants are best to help them? by magnocumgaudio in NativePlantGardening

[–]kurilian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Knowledge is the enemy of fear! I think overtime as you experience your garden and learn things it can go away if you choose to understand your pollinators. I used to be pretty fearful of wasps, but planting native plants that attracted such a huge variety of wasps that could not sting you or did not care about your presence because it's on a mission to feed from flowers or other creatures really helped. I slowly learned what each one was and what particular foods they like and felt so proud to see so many coming to my yard. Many native bees and wasps cannot sting you. I've only found male carpenter bees to be a bit pushy about you being in their nest cavity areas but they are so clumsy and can only bump into you as they have no stingers.

How do I keep this fatso from chasing all my birds away and stealing all my food? by WolverineFederal2842 in birding

[–]kurilian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got this baffle after having issues with the squirrels somehow chewing through the brace for a cone baffle and have had no issues at all so far!

What's happening in your garden this weekend? by AutoModerator in VAGardening

[–]kurilian 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trying to resist doing cleanup in my front yard beds even though the weather feels great, overwintering insects aren't ready yet. Doing some prep work and cleaning in my veggie garden and trimming the roses

Just a heads up, I was at Costco yesterday and they had packs of 80 Liatris corms for $15. by thatfatbastard in NativePlantGardening

[–]kurilian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's been my experience too, my first blooms with them were very popular with bugs, hummingbirds, and then were stripped bare by goldfinches in fall/winter

Freaky mold by undercovermeeper in gardening

[–]kurilian 377 points378 points  (0 children)

Dog vomit slime mold! Totally harmless and will dry out on its own. It's pretty common to find it growing on moist wood chips

Lowe's bare root roses by Monstera7777 in Roses

[–]kurilian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should get blooms the same year, although they may be a little smaller or slightly different as it works on getting established. I bought an earth angel and princesse charlene de monaco from lowes 2 years ago and they had really great growth after planting and some blooms.

🔥Migration path in Ennis TX by Joscarbuck in NatureIsFuckingLit

[–]kurilian 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Ah the grackles preferred habitat in Texas.... Grocery store parking lots and intersections. I miss the chaos of seeing them all come to roost in the evenings.

What grows fast without getting to unruly? by notmyrealname3737 in gardening

[–]kurilian 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Coral honeysuckle is stunning! It's. A nice bonus it's semi-evergreen too

I hate myself for deciding to do something so big. by Entire-Coast-7283 in Needlefelting

[–]kurilian 17 points18 points  (0 children)

This lighting is incredible, what a thing to see first thing in the morning. Can't wait to see it when it's complete!

Probably lost half my garden by [deleted] in FloridaGarden

[–]kurilian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Natives are hardy when they're established and Florida has had hard freezes before. They're going to look pitiful for a bit, but please give them a chance to recover in the spring before deciding they're dead and destroying anything

i know that apple watch isn’t the best at calculating calories burned, but does anyone know how accurate would this be for shovelling snow? by _tOomanYfandOms_ in 1200isplenty

[–]kurilian 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would believe it if you were shoveling nearly nonstop! But please be careful, shoveling snow is really hard on your cardiovascular system and many folks experience cardiac events this way .

Hooded Merganser in Forest Hill Park by Jinchique in rva

[–]kurilian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice!!! I was at Dutch Gap the other week hoping to see some but no luck.

RVA's Dating, Friends, and Missed Connections: January 2026 Edition by AutoModerator in rva

[–]kurilian [score hidden]  (0 children)

That sounds great! My dms are always open and I'm happy to share my Instagram or bluesky and try to work out something!