That's a six inch long Giant Redheaded Centipede - Scolopendra heros
Just for the guys, here is another gratuitous icky bug photo
Sometimes I am into the potting soil with both hands. I understand that a bite from this creepy crawler won't kill you but is very painful. This encounter was close enough to remind me to be safe in the garden, always.
The centipede wasn't the only giant bug visitor to the garden that day. When we were digging a hole for a new plant by the shed, the shovel turned up this Texas Brown Tarantula.
Tarantulas are not at all dangerous and are very gentle creatures -- they just get a bad rap from the movies. And they are not nearly as creepy as the centipede, but I still wouldn't want to be surprised by it crawling across my hand unexpectedly. This is only the second Tarantula we've seen here. We found this guy a new home under the shed.
So where did I get all these new plants that are keeping me busy? From the plant swap I attended on Saturday.
Plenty of plant sharing and lots of good plant talk
I brought home plenty of new plants for all those beds we've been building. DH was pleased to see all my new plants (hahaha).
Thanks to all you generous and fun-loving San Antonio gardeners!
Oh, and stay safe out there in the garden!
Yikes! Wouldn't want to meet up with the centipede. Most spiders don't bother me. But, I still would just as soon not meet up with a big one, by surprise.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got lots of good plants. Let us know how they do.
I will blog about the plants, they are sure to do well because they are right out of local gardens.
DeleteOMG...I would have taken off running and screaming much to my husbands amusement. We Portland Garden Bloggers got together last weekend for a little plant swap too! Free plants are the best.
ReplyDeleteI went running for the camera, guess that means I'm thinking like a blogger now.
DeleteAround here plants shared by other gardeners are the best because they are tried and true to our climate. We had lots of native plants available too.
Did they have a "Big Red Sage"? I've been looking everywhere for this plant. It is a stunner with green, glossy leaves and magenta blooms (not red). At the Antique Rose, it looked amazing during the drought.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got a nice assortment of plants:)
I'll have to ask about the Big Red Sage because I don't remember any mention of it.
DeleteI saw a tarantula yesterday, too!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to the Viva Botanica plant sale this weekend at the Botanical Gardens?
That's funny, it's been a while since we've seen a tarantula here.
DeleteI'm waiting for the Master Gardener's sale in May so will miss the Viva Botanica sale.
Poor Mr. Rock-Oak-Deer! You can comfort him that at least he is not hauling countless boulders uphill...those are small plants, except for the chipping into rocky soil part. But I do that all the time. Plant swaps are great...I've gained a few plants that way, as well as some seed.
ReplyDeleteThat centipede is amazing...our smaller, tan-colored centipedes seem much more benign.
I should do a post on why takes two of us to plant anything around here. Literally can take several hours for a one gallon plant.
DeleteWe have been rolling rocks uphill for all the new beds.
Hey, San Antonio lady! I sent you an email a few days ago to let you know that you were chosen to receive a copy of the new Sunset Western Garden Book via the giveaway at my blog, Gardening Gone Wild. I just need an address so I can tell Sunset where to send it...or let me know if you don't want it. Thanks! Debra Lee Baldwin, Sunwriter7@cox.net
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I won a book! Thanks for this note since I've been busy in the garden the last few days.
DeleteI will look forward to blogging about the book soon.
Hey Shirley ! It was a good swap. Think of how great it would have been if the others who said they were coming actually came ! Woo Hoo ! You're welcome to join us at the Buda area swap on Saturday. You could convoy up with me and Ragna ! Steph at Rambling Wren is right -- Big Red Salvia is great. I have one and it did great through the drought. Haven't had it long so it's blooms have been sparse so far. I expect good things this year. I love seeing cool bugs and your tarantula is neato ! Sometimes though they make me wince -- my cocker grabbed something in his mouth the other day and I usually go after him to pull out whatever it is. Glad I didn't just reach in and get it -- I opened his mouth and he had a huge walking stick. Yuck ! Tell me about the Master Gardeners Plant Sale !
ReplyDeletepatty
Hi Patty, I was hoping you'd see the question from Steph and know the answer.
DeleteI'm usually okay with bugs and snakes, but this cenitpede was big and fast. I'm trying to remember to wear gloves and use my scoop now.
I'll go to FB for the rest of your questions.
I've never seen a centipede, although they're supposedly common here in Texas. Tarantulas I love...at a distance.
ReplyDeleteWe once had one of those centipedes in the house. When I looked down and saw it on the floor I rushed into the kitchen and got a glass bowl which I put over the top of it. I wasn't going to deal with it! Nice collection of plants. Aren't plant swaps fun and work at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIn the house! Ewww, this was close enough to the house for me. They are fast too.
DeleteI do enjoy the plant swap, we meet twice a year and that's about all I can handle right now.
Both of those look scary to me! Not much makes me jump and run off screaming, but if I saw either of these, that's exactly what I'd do! Glad you had a great time at the swap meet. Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThat centipede looks like something out of a horror movie, and six inches long as well. Ours are about an inch long and that's plenty big enough for me. Not too keen on the tarantula either. Gentle ?
ReplyDelete