Palmer grasshopper surge

If you walk around grassy areas in downtown Palmer, in the morning hours, you will be accompanied by dozens of grasshoppers. Palmer grasshopper season happens in yearly cycles and this summer seems significant. An interesting surge of grasshoppers have moved into downtown Palmer and they are impressive with their flights and leaps. According to Alaska Cooperative Materials, the grasshoppers are migratory. And according to bug experts, their scientific name is Melanoplus sanquinipes. Grasshoppers feast on dandelions, grasses, dead grasses, manure and crops. Right about now the grasshoppers are laying their eggs in pods, about an inch beneath soft, sandy soil. One grasshopper could lay 25 pods, each containing 20 eggs which means 500 baby offspring. They prefer cleared areas to lay their eggs. In mid May and early June the eggs hatch into rapidly growing “small, wingless, nymphs.” And right now in mid July, they are fully adult and at the flying stages. Supposedly grasshoppers require a two year cycle and possibly two freezes to release the eggs from dormancy to hatching. Palmer’s grasshopper are nothing like the biblical swarms and hordes of locusts, but it is notable that grasshoppers, although solitary, prefer to migrate in groups.

And grasshoppers are not without predators. Birds like to eat grasshoppers; it is possible that the abundance of grasshoppers can explain the similar increase in local magpie and raven populations. Although robins and other song birds have already moved on this summer, after their nesting season, seagulls seem plentiful still and are snacking on grasshoppers.

Full Floral Orchestra—Now is the time to visit the Palmer Visitor’s Center Garden next to the Museum. The is the apogee of the season. It is futile to attempt to write or describe the beauty of this well-cared for garden; you have to see it for yourself. It would take dozens of adjectives and they would all fall flat compared to the reality of the garden at this exact time of year. Although there are only two Friday Flings left, the garden will be a gorgeous destination through September.

Local Markets—We are entering the harvest season in Palmer. Suddenly we are starting to get fully ripe tomatoes, fat cucumbers, big onions, peas, cauliflower, garlic, baby carrots, green beans, lettuces, buckets of greens, and various delicious vegetables. On Wednesday afternoons at 4pm is the Matanuska Community Farmers’ Market. It is close to the borough building and in the parking lot across from the Log Church.

On Thursdays and Saturdays, an original Colony Farm opens up its’ Farm stand Market and old Alaska railcar Sipping Room. This is Moonstone Farm, located near the hospital on an original Colony farm at 2141 S. Church Street. Moonstone Farm is also the location of a new Railcar Air Bnb and a wedding location! There is a pretty exciting wedding happening this week at the farm where all good things are celebrated!

The Kenley Family vegetable farm-stand is open at 5150 N. Palmer Fishhook. Again there is an abundance of valley vegetables. There are other markets and you are encouraged to visit them all!

Summer is Half Over—I know this is a hurtful thought. But I repeat it for reality’s incentive. Get your can of paint out and do that shed. Get your bike out and ride that trail. Fix the window before the rains come. Dip those fish and collect those berries. Photograph that fireweed. Be aware that the State Fair is in one month! Football starts soon. School starts soon. If you have entries for the fair, get hopping. Summer seems to be fleeting so fast. It’s hard to grab hold and enjoy it. But by being aware and treasuring it, you actually can make it last longer.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222