Squirrels, while not predatory on birds at a feeder, take large quantities of food and keep the birds from feeding. Some people enjoy them as Hulett as the birds, but, if you want to keep them off the feeder, you will have to place it on a pole 6 or 7 feet above the ground and far enough away from overhanging branches or the buildings, so that they cannot jump from them to the feeder.

A circular funnel-shaped metal guard, 2 to 3 feet, in diameter, must be placed on the pole under the feeder to keep the squirrel Erma climbing the pole or jumping from the ground to the feeder. All other devices I’ve tried or observed have failed.

When Jane’s friends questioned her as to why they couldn’t get birds to their shelves when they put out the same food in similar places, she sought my help in trying to answer them. This time another basic principle of winter feeding was evident at Jane’s, but she had not helped in providing it or even realized its presence. I refer, of course, to the abundance of spruce, hemlock, and pine trees in the area and the tangles of forsythia, Virginia creeper, and Japanese honeysuckle nearby.

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The landscaper must decide whether deciduous plants (those that drop their leaves) or evergreens should be used in the foundation planting. Your taste and your climate will be the key factors. But remember that a mixture of the two is rarely, if ever, desirable – although an evergreen ground cover can well be used with whichever type of plant you decide on. Indeed, such a ground cover might be even more useful and effective around deciduous material than around evergreens. It will keep the planting from looking sparse and bare after the shrubs go dormant and drop their leaves.

Seasonal Changes

Deciduous plants grow much faster and larger than most evergreens so you need to know more about plant habits generally to use them properly. As to which type offers the greater interest throughout the year, it may surprise you to learn that the deciduous plants lead. In many parts of the country such plants go through four seasonal phases in each of which they take on different characteristics.

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Backyard birding can be entertaining and calming. The wildlife in one’s yard can be incredible together with numerous different types of birds flying in and out on a constant basis. A satisfying spare time interest can be had by all who are interested in lodging near to home. You will find it helpful to begin watching out for the different sorts of birds which fly into your own property. Some are more common compared to others. If you’re interested in photography, then these amazing subjects may provide you numerous chances to record their elegance with a digital camera or video recorder.

Feeding the birds is a really pleasurable and satisfying hobby. You’ll get to observe many species as well as turn out to be acquainted with some of the unusual behavior of the birds which frequent your own back yard. You’ll only need to provide the birds with food, refuge and water in order to get the most enjoyment out of the year round pastime of backyard birding.

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A kids herb garden is a great way to give with no previous exposure to gardening the opportunity to see how things grow. For a child who has grown up doing gardening chores, it’s a way to share the joy of planting and caring for a garden of their own. A child’s personal garden of herbs can be fun, yet provide rewards for work well done.

An herb garden can be as large as the child can manage or as small as a single pot or container. Your child will probably have best results with a garden plot approximately the size of a window box. If it is too large, you may find yourself having to do part of the garden care, since it’s too much for a child to deal with. A plot that is too small doesn’t give the child as much interest in taking care of the garden, since there can’t be more than a plant or two.

Your child can get started by being present when the garden containers are selected. This allows you to rein in over ambitious plans while maintaining a high level of interest in the project. You can choose a series of individual pots, one for each of the growing herbs to make it easier to get optimum watering and sunlight.

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Savory and potent herbs make Italian cuisine both tasty and famous. Nothing can compare to the fine seasonings found in Italian herb gardens. Open up the soul of the chef within you by growing Italian herbs.

Basil is a well know Italian herb and useful in many Italian recipes. Basil will not only add flavour to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants. Planting basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavour. Plus, basil will also repel flies and mosquitoes.

Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow but it is useful in not only Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Many generations ago before there was breath mints it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eradicated the bad breath left over from enjoying a flavourful cuisine. The tradition arose to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal. The tradition lives today by using parsley as a garnish on a variety of meals. Oregano is as decorative as it is flavourful. When it is fully mature it will sprout pretty little purple flowers. Oregano should not be harvested until it has flowered because this is when the plant is most flavourful.

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In Northern United States and Canada

Now is the time to check out seed catalogs and online along with placing orders. Early in the month sow seeds of Clarkia, Godedia, Larkspur, Stocks and other annuals for Spring bloom in the greenhouse. Toward the end of January sow in the greenhouse Wax Begonias, Lobelias, Vinca roses, Delphiniums and Pansies for Summer bloom outdoors…

Remove pots of bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulips, that are to be forced for early bloom, a few at a time, from the cool basement or sand bed outdoors where they have been rooting, and bring them into the greenhouse or house. Shade them for the first few days and give them lots of water at all times. Keep them cool at first; increase the temperature gradually.

As soon as dormant potted Amaryllis bulbs show signs of life, remove a little of the old surface soil, replace with rich new soil, water thoroughly and place the pots in a warm, light location in the greenhouse or house. Pot new Amaryllis bulbs in well-drained pots of fertile sandy soil.

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Growing herbs indoors is an excellent way to add to your herb garden. It is no more challenging to plant herbs in containers than it is to plant them out doors. They can also be grown indoors in sunny window boxes, hanging baskets or regular pots. Whether in or out doors, herbs need the same basic things.

All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. Herbs are no exception. Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. You should place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.

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October may provide brilliant color in the landscape but it also signals an end of another growing season. Let’s look at some of the things needed to be done in the landscape.

Dahlias can remain in the ground until after frost. Cut off the stems six inches above the ground and lift carefully, for the tubers are brittle and break off easily. Discard any that do. Place the clumps in flats, stem side down, and let them dry off before storing. Just before storing cut off the fine roots and cut the stem back to within an inch or two of the crown. They are best stored in a cool place (about 40 degrees) but may be stored at a warmer temperature if covered with peatmoss or sand. Line the storage boxes with paper. A dusting of sulphur before storing will prevent rot. Be sure to tie labels to the clumps so you will know what is what next year.

Tuberous begonias are lifted after the foliage has yellowed, but don’t remove the foliage until it is dry. Remove the dried stems and clean off the dry soil. Store the tubers in flats in a warm place (50 to 60 degrees) and cover them with peatmoss. They need good circulation of air to prevent rot.

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Landscape lighting is a design trend that has recently gained popularity. One explanation for this popularity is that landscape lighting has the ability to increases your property’s value, by preventing nighttime theft and vandalism. Another is that using lighting at night, you can create an outdoor landscape for safe evening entertainment and you are able to extend the use and beauty of your gardens into the post sun down hours. During hot summer nights, it is a great joy to be able to escape the heat of the house and relax in your well lit garden or outdoor entertainment area.

It is without doubt that landscaping increases your homes value. Many homeowners are willing to pay professionals thousands of dollars to haul in rocks and create dramatic garden features but often overlook the power of light. Light has asmost magical properties in an outdoor setting at night. Lighting gives you the ability to highlight the best features of your gardens, flowerbeds and other landscape features at all hours, allowing you the best return on your significant investment.

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If you’re a Northwesterner or a Northern Californian, put those dreaded memories of spring flood conditions behind you. Determine now to make this the year for a topnotch garden with bright flowers, finer shrubs and greener lawns.

Make this a year of changes. Dont be content with the same old flowers of yesteryear. Take a good look at the flower seed stands at your neighborhood seed store and select lots of those brightly colored packets.

One way to prevent your garden from looking just like every other garden in the block is to select some of the less familiar annuals.

The “big three” – petunias, marigolds and zinnias – may be planted heavily, but at the same time be adventurous and try plants such as the exotic bells of Ireland, linaria and nemesia (especially good for covering a bed where spring bulbs are planted), appealing dwarf dahlias, fast-growing cosmos for hedge effects, and mixed gourds for their wonderful harvest of curiously shaped fruits in the fall.

The cool weather annuals such as calendula, sweet alyssum, larkspur and nasturtium, can be sown in the open ground now. The seeds will germinate quickly if the ground is kept moist.

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