Category: Birds

“Distracted”

“Distracted”

IMGP8382
Robins having a meal in the Pyracantha ( Firethorne)

 

I have been distracted as I have been gardening this fall. Many of the familiar birds are heading to warmer places and stopping for nourishment along the way and the regular fall and winter residents are gathering in old familiar places.

 

As I ready the gardens for winter I am leaving the perennial seed heads standing, giving the birds the food they are searching for and me the pleasure of their company.

I am reminded that I can help our plants along by giving them a bit more of what they need to survive; water, nourished soil and the optimum placement .

Watering when it is dry, adding high nutrient compost when they are actively growing and pruning all but spring flowering shrubs during the winter when they are defoliated and dormant are good gardening practices.

Mulch, which can be spread at any time, is particularly timely for fall. The garden expects organic material, just like the forest expects fallen leaves. Leaves and debris settle as mulch during the fall rains and winter snowfalls, helping to retain moisture and inhibit weeds.

Our gardens can then do “What Comes Naturally”

 

Now, I just need to get back to fall gardening chores and stop being so distracted by the birds.

Spring in Cuba

Spring in Cuba

3 March 31 2108 DSCF4008

Many gardeners take late winter or early spring vacations in countries where weather is warmer. Cuba is one of those  recovering from last falls hurricane. Those who have committed both time and energy deserve congratulations. Resorts were devastated and are now operating as well as completing repairs or reconstruction.

Click on any picture for slide show:

 

Birds are returning to their usual habitats

 

 

The plant life is also showing how nature copes with unexpected changes and challenges.

Congratulations to all of the Caribbean communities who smile as they continue to pick up their lives.

 

It’s February and our gardens are alive !

It’s February and our gardens are alive !

 

Our garden plants are still dormant, waiting for spring. But there is life in and around our gardens right now.

 

 

Are Your Pruners as Sharp as mine ?
Do you ask yourself:

When do I prune my plants ?  How do I do it ?  What result am I hoping to achieve ?

A general rule of thumb is to prune out dying, diseased, damaged or dead as you see it. The other times, pruning is usually done for training, restricting, balancing or creating a pattern of growth, controlling flower and fruit quality & maintaining plant health and are season and plant dependant. The times chosen are late winter when things are dormant, spring as buds emerge & pruning following spring bloom. There are many books & on line sites/blogs that describe methods for pruning trees and shrubs. Also, closer to home, many garden clubs have members who have horticultural backgrounds or life long experience who are willing to give a little coaching.

 

 

Grasses, Perrienels and shrubs with seeds that have been left for the birds can be cut back just before new growth .

 

 

In the meantime, while waiting, enjoy the warmth in the February sunshine and have a look at the critters who are reminding us that we can learn a lot from the plants and critters in our gardens. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have wierd names and all are different in color, shape and size, but they all live in and contribute to the beauty in the same community.

 

Listen. You will hear the song sparrow soon.

It’s November and …

It’s November and …

It’s November and, although we have had two heavy frosts and it is cool now, up until a few days ago gardeners have been amazed by the warm temperatures here in the Chester and surrounding area.

The following are few pictures that were taken during the last couple of weeks, some as late as the 10th of November.

Summer pots still showing off.

The last of the fragile produce, only greens left in the vegetable garden.

Winter arrangements in the near future.

11 Nov 2nd IMGP6222

We can now continue preparation for winter in our gardens, enjoy the birds as they make ready for winter and settle in with a good gardening resource for next springs plans. Fall temperatures have arrived.

 

Thanks to Kay B. and Brenda H. for the photo’s.

 

 

 

 

Helping Winter and Early Birds

Helping Winter and Early Birds

If your garden appeals to you year round, it probably appeals to your feathered neighbours, too.

8-waxwingsMany of the birds people long to see and also help during the winter and early spring are seed eaters. You know them, you love them; northern cardinals, American Goldfinches, chickadees, blue jays woodpeckers – the list goes on and on.

 

Happily for gardeners, these birds often prefer the seeds of some of the most common backyard plants. Well known favourites are sunflowers, purple coneflowers, zinnias, coreopsis and black-eyed Susan.

Front yard, backyard, container – it doesn’t matter. To entice birds to your place have feeders, flowers, water and trees and shrubs for shelter. Group them all together and you’ll have a winning combination.

Plant these garden favourites in spring. Sunflowers and many other annuals are easy to start from seed at the beginning of the growing season. For perennials you might spend a little extra money on established plants, but they’ll attract birds all year round.

Many of the plants birds enjoy are native which means they offer more than beauty. Most of them provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees, attract butterflies, have fruit for overwintering species and are low maintenance.

Resist the urge to deadhead the spent flower heads as they dry out in the fall. Leave them up, and before you know it the birds will be swooping in for the seeds, especially during hard and unusual winters.

Even in gardens that are full of bird attracting plants, it’s always a good idea to keep a bird feeder well stocked for those times when the snow is deep or the ground is frozen solid. Black oil sunflower seeds are relished by most species, even insect eaters. Hanging out a suet feeder and a tube feeder with Niger seed will cover all the basics. Be sure to check water sources daily in cold weather since ice forms quickly.

All the effort will say “Welcome” to the birds.

Summer Reflections

Summer Reflections

We all struggled with a very dry summer, many of us saving and recycling water, mulching to conserve moisture in our gardens & setting up water dishes for the birds and other wildlife that were also feeling the stress. We wondered if our wells & rivers would be replenished, and if our gardens would survive.

click on any picture for slide show

In spite of the drought, our gardens, both flower and vegetable produced. Yes, some failures were experienced, some blooms seemed late and some seemed to flower and produce fruit/seed very quickly.

For the last few weeks we have had weather that has been more like late summer. Our gardens have continued to produce. Some plants became confused producing late bloom. Pollinators still roamed the garden, snakes still found warm spots to sun bathe, insects & birds were in their  nitches  and salamanders continued to be visible when areas common to them were uncovered.

Now we must admit it really is fall. We have had beautiful rainbows following welcome rains,  the trees have their fall color, we have had a killing frost and a few snow flakes have been seen. Many gardener’s have been preparing for winter. Some gardener’s fastidiously tidy and mulch in the fall, easing springtime preparation. Others are selective doing fall cleanup, leaving some plant material as cover for wintering critters & seed heads that are a welcome food source for fall and winter birds.

Soon we will be all armchair gardening, planning optimistically for another season. I wonder what challenges await us in the upcoming year ?

Ready for a walk ?

Ready for a walk ?

Ready For a Walk ?

No Doubt about it, spring is in the air.

May 29th Nesting material IMGP2022
Nesting material – last years debris-BH

If warmer days and fragrant blooms aren’t enough of a sign, other sights, such as a Robin gathering garden chafe to weave her nest or a bee buzzing around the blossoms, are living proof.

For more delightful clues, why not join me on this three part tour of May in our own gardens, Natures garden and in a special NS Public Garden.

Click on any picture for a slide show.

Part One – In our gardens:

Part two – In natures garden : coming soon

Spring Notes

Spring Notes

We are waking each morning to song sparrows singing and we look out on Crocus, Daffodil, Daphne and other bloomers, a reminder in spite of the cool temperatures that spring is here. There are many spring birds in our yards already and more arriving each day.

As I rake, weed, divide & pot for the upcoming annual gardeners sale at the Chester Train Station May 28th I avoid clearing the rudbeckia and echinacea seed heads. The finches are pleased to have the seeds and I can pot up the volunteer seedlings that sprout.

3 March 13th   IMGP1148

After carefully cleaning out the next boxes and repairing any damage we  gave them and all the feeders good wash with a mild dish soap and a rinse with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water followed by a clear rinse.

The hummingbirds usually arrive here on or about May 8th.

Oct 5th  2013 005
Ruby-throated hummingbird

  Hummingbird feeders should be washed well each time the nectar is refilled. ¼ cup of sugar per 1 cup of water … no food color).  If small quantities of sugar water are mixed every day or two, there’s no need to boil the water. But, if mixed in larger batches and refrigerated, then it’s wise to make the mixture with boiling water.

For those who are interested in wildlife friendly gardens, especially gardening to attract birds the web site : https://www.allaboutbirds.org provides many helpful suggestions.