Man I feel dumb. Never heard of solitary bees. Going to build one of those with the kids. Thanks for posting that.

Are those tubes bamboo? When I looked up info on houses it said bamboo retains moisture and will promote a disease that kills the bee. I know nothing about this, just what I saw on the internet.

They do look like bamboo but I'm not sure. I'll look better tonight.

Reapers are loading up and liking the heat! First gathering was a gallon bag ,peach reapers and scorpions just now really podding up .

That's awesome!

I'm thinking that moisture would be a requirement in order to keep the bee larvae alive . I keep mine under the house eaves (so they don't get rained on ) and always have the tubes filled .

I checked this weekend. I can confirm it is bamboo. I don't know anything if it's good or bad for their houses. I need to look into it.

Don't buy the one at Costco. I did and its already fallen apart twice. Pure junk. They say for Mason Bees that the house should face South East for morning sun, but shaded in the afternoon and protected from Rain. Derek, sounds like you are doing it right. Also, you can actually take the eggs out of the tubes after they mate and store them in the fridge for nexst years hatch. Youtube it. Its pretty cool.

Anyone try anything like this to propagate plants?

https://www.gardenia.earth/products/px

I've had some success with wrapping a wad of peat moss around an azalea stem then covering it with plastic wrap . I think those would be worth a try .
As far as roses : just stick a stem into a russet potato then plant it . Hydrangeas are easy . Bury the stems about 6" deep and keep 'em wet until you see leaves .

planted broccoli / cabbage but covered them so the sun heat won't burn'm...i'll take it off after cool weather prevails

Good first day of Fall pepper harvest.

Nice haul! I got heartburn just looking @ that pic.

Before my Uncle Rusty passed away he gave me some Okra seeds. Told me to plant em and enjoy, but make sure and save you some of the seeds. He told me you will never find Okra like this that grows big and stays tender and he was so right. some of these are 14" long and are so tender. PM me your address if your interested and I'll send you some stalks of this Okra, you dry em out, then de seed them and put in your freezer till next May.