As the summer heats up, be sure to water your plants more. They need more water with the hot summer days.
If you are wanting to attract the birds be sure not to clip off dead blooms from your flowering plants, this allows the birds food and seed they need for nutrition, and it will save you on your bird food bill. Your garden may not look as neat as you would like but the birds will love you for it.
Also remember to clean and change your birdbath water daily, as the heat will make the water too hot and bacteria will grow more.
Keeping your lawn and garden bird friendly will not only keep the birds coming back, but keep your yard a place for you to relax an enjoy.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY!!! PLANT A TREE!!!
A tree is a great investment in your future. Whether it becomes the base of a tree house or a attractive feature for your lawn or garden. A tree is a wonderful investment in your future. So why not plant one today. But be sure to investigate what kind of tree is best for your region and where to plant your tree so it will not affect your house, patio or power lines.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
SPRING IS IN THE AIR - TIME FOR BIRDS AND GARDENS
Planting season is upon us. The birds are ready for their young. It is a great time of year. Get your lawn and garden ready too. Feed the birds, decorate your garden, beautify your lawn. Check out all the wonderful items all at new lower prices to help with our economy and still keep your lawn and gardens looking great and all your birds coming back.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Fall is the perfect time to start planning for your lawn and garden. The weather is nice and the colors are changing. Start planning your spring bulb garden now. Spring-blooming bulbs are planted in the fall to provide the chilling time required for spring blooms. Note the areas where you want to add bulbs for next year.
Remember to prepare your soil before planting bulbs. Work compost or other rich organic material into your soil to a depth of 12".
Visit our links page for a great selection of bulbs.
Dig up tender bulbs like elephant's ear, caladium, gladiolus, canna and dahlia before the first frost. When the foliage has turned yellow or brown on your bulbs, dig them up and store them for the winter. Replant bulbs in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. If you're storing summer bulbs such as dahlias and gladiolus, give them a quick check to see if any are rotting. If so, remove and discard. Also check for excessive dryness. Squeeze a bulb to test for health. A good bulb will feel firm, not hollow or mushy. Don't squeeze too hard or you'll bruise the outer skin. In milder climates, leave tender bulbs in the ground. Protect them with a blanket of mulch several inches thick through the winter.
Remember that roses require special care in the fall. In early fall, suspend fertilization. Continuing to fertilize causes new growth that could be killed by winter's cold. After foliage drops, spray with fungicide, then cover plants with a minimum of 8" of loose, well-drained soil, mulch or compost. Prune canes back to 36" to prevent damage from winter winds. Start planning your fall garden now.
Trees and Shrubs
Prune any dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs. Now is a good time. The areas to be pruned are easily visible while foliage is still on the living, healthy parts.
Water trees and shrubs deeply one last time before the onset of winter. Newly planted ones especially need a good drink of water before cold weather arrives.
Lawns
Aerate your lawn (cool-season grass varieties) for healthy grass next spring. Aeration allows greater movement of water, fertilizer, and air which stimulates healthy turf. Aerating also increases the speed of decomposition of the grass clippings and enhances deep root growth. Compacted soil especially benefits from core aerating. If your soil is compacted because the area has high foot traffic, grass will not grow there. Creating a path of stepping stones may be a better solution for this area.
Fertilize cool-season grasses for maximum growth next spring. Cool-season grasses can also benefit from re-seeding to produce a thicker stand. If your lawn is over 50% bare, re-seed now. If you have a warm-season grass, fertilize one last time in the fall. For continued green through the winter, consider overseeding your lawn with ryegrass. The optimal time to overseed warm-season grasses is two weeks before the first killing frost. Most lawns will benefit from a pre-emergent herbicide to control winter weeds or a winterizer lawn food.
Other
Bring in your houseplants that have summered outdoors. When nighttime low temperatures get to around 50° is time to start moving them back inside.When indoor plants have been outdoors for the summer, roots may grow through the bottom of the pot. If the pots are sitting on the ground, give the pots a twist to loosen. Check them carefully before bringing back inside. Pests may have set up summer homes in your plants. A good gentle spraying with the garden hose will help dislodge and clean the plant before you return it to its indoor home.
If you want your Christmas catus to bloom on time, start in the fall. About three months from the desired bloom time, stop feeding, reduce or stop watering, give the plant complete darkness from sundown to sunrise. . up and sunlight all day. When buds have formed, resume a regular water/food schedule and wait for the show.
Fall is a great time to add to your compost . Leaves and other lawn and garden cleanup material are perfect for composting. Turn your compost material at least once a week with a garden fork to speed its decay. Chopping and shredding materials to make them smaller before adding to the pile helps compost break down faster. If you are in colder climes, the temperature in the pile may diminish. You may want to cover the compost pile to retain heat.
Get your tools, especially your mower, ready for the off-season with a little simple maintenance. They'll be ready to go to work next year when spring fever strikes.
Drain the water from garden hoses at the end of the season. Coil them and store them in a spot where they won't freeze.
Birds are extremely susceptible to catching and transmitting diseases. If you enjoy your feathered visitors, make sure the feeders, bath and ground underneath is clean. Also ensure that the food and water is changed or replaced. Be sure to check your feeders and baths regularly, the birds need you in the fall and winter as much or more than the spring and summer. Your birds will love to come back to your yard, for your enjoyment.
Outdoor Lighting provides more than just safety. Use lighting to highlight plants and features in the landscape. Trees especially offer year-round interest when appropriately lighted.
Remember to prepare your soil before planting bulbs. Work compost or other rich organic material into your soil to a depth of 12".
Visit our links page for a great selection of bulbs.
Dig up tender bulbs like elephant's ear, caladium, gladiolus, canna and dahlia before the first frost. When the foliage has turned yellow or brown on your bulbs, dig them up and store them for the winter. Replant bulbs in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. If you're storing summer bulbs such as dahlias and gladiolus, give them a quick check to see if any are rotting. If so, remove and discard. Also check for excessive dryness. Squeeze a bulb to test for health. A good bulb will feel firm, not hollow or mushy. Don't squeeze too hard or you'll bruise the outer skin. In milder climates, leave tender bulbs in the ground. Protect them with a blanket of mulch several inches thick through the winter.
Remember that roses require special care in the fall. In early fall, suspend fertilization. Continuing to fertilize causes new growth that could be killed by winter's cold. After foliage drops, spray with fungicide, then cover plants with a minimum of 8" of loose, well-drained soil, mulch or compost. Prune canes back to 36" to prevent damage from winter winds. Start planning your fall garden now.
Trees and Shrubs
Prune any dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs. Now is a good time. The areas to be pruned are easily visible while foliage is still on the living, healthy parts.
Water trees and shrubs deeply one last time before the onset of winter. Newly planted ones especially need a good drink of water before cold weather arrives.
Lawns
Aerate your lawn (cool-season grass varieties) for healthy grass next spring. Aeration allows greater movement of water, fertilizer, and air which stimulates healthy turf. Aerating also increases the speed of decomposition of the grass clippings and enhances deep root growth. Compacted soil especially benefits from core aerating. If your soil is compacted because the area has high foot traffic, grass will not grow there. Creating a path of stepping stones may be a better solution for this area.
Fertilize cool-season grasses for maximum growth next spring. Cool-season grasses can also benefit from re-seeding to produce a thicker stand. If your lawn is over 50% bare, re-seed now. If you have a warm-season grass, fertilize one last time in the fall. For continued green through the winter, consider overseeding your lawn with ryegrass. The optimal time to overseed warm-season grasses is two weeks before the first killing frost. Most lawns will benefit from a pre-emergent herbicide to control winter weeds or a winterizer lawn food.
Other
Bring in your houseplants that have summered outdoors. When nighttime low temperatures get to around 50° is time to start moving them back inside.When indoor plants have been outdoors for the summer, roots may grow through the bottom of the pot. If the pots are sitting on the ground, give the pots a twist to loosen. Check them carefully before bringing back inside. Pests may have set up summer homes in your plants. A good gentle spraying with the garden hose will help dislodge and clean the plant before you return it to its indoor home.
If you want your Christmas catus to bloom on time, start in the fall. About three months from the desired bloom time, stop feeding, reduce or stop watering, give the plant complete darkness from sundown to sunrise. . up and sunlight all day. When buds have formed, resume a regular water/food schedule and wait for the show.
Fall is a great time to add to your compost . Leaves and other lawn and garden cleanup material are perfect for composting. Turn your compost material at least once a week with a garden fork to speed its decay. Chopping and shredding materials to make them smaller before adding to the pile helps compost break down faster. If you are in colder climes, the temperature in the pile may diminish. You may want to cover the compost pile to retain heat.
Get your tools, especially your mower, ready for the off-season with a little simple maintenance. They'll be ready to go to work next year when spring fever strikes.
Drain the water from garden hoses at the end of the season. Coil them and store them in a spot where they won't freeze.
Birds are extremely susceptible to catching and transmitting diseases. If you enjoy your feathered visitors, make sure the feeders, bath and ground underneath is clean. Also ensure that the food and water is changed or replaced. Be sure to check your feeders and baths regularly, the birds need you in the fall and winter as much or more than the spring and summer. Your birds will love to come back to your yard, for your enjoyment.
Outdoor Lighting provides more than just safety. Use lighting to highlight plants and features in the landscape. Trees especially offer year-round interest when appropriately lighted.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies around the world. The only other outdoor hobby more popular is gardening, and the two go together perfectly.
Get the birds to come to your yard always remember them, and the three things they need most. Food, water and protection from the elements. Bird houses offer shelter and nesting for the wild birds in your yard. If the birds nest near your feeders you may have the rewarding experience of watching new babies learning to eat from your feeders.
Give your birds a safe haven from the elements and food they need by providing a couple houses, feeders and a bath. Baths add an important water feature to your yard. To attract birds you need a fresh supply of drinking and bathing water, consider adding a fountain, bird bath, or small pond. Not only will it provide the need water supply, but will add beauty to your lawn and garden.
Patience is key to bird watching it may take some time before you are rewarded with new birds. They are cautious of new things but will eventually love your houses, feeders and baths.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Remember to feed the birds
Feeding birds is becoming more and more popular every year, and while birds don’t rely solely on feeders in the winter, feeders do provide a beneficial food source that helps outdoor wildlife survive the colder months. No matter what the season, feeding birds is important, and feeders should be kept full year round.
In the winter months, birds’ natural food becomes scarce. Insects, fruits and seeds are just summertime memories, and as a result, many birds come to feast at feeders throughout the day. In fact, it’s not uncommon to spy a group of cardinals, finches and grosbeaks crowded around a feeding station together instead of living their typically segregated lives.
An important rule of winter feeding is to be prepared. By stocking up on premium bird seed, bird lovers can help to secure a wholesome food source for birds without having to brave stormy weather. It’s also a great idea to add suet to the diet of your outdoor pets. Not only does suet offer birds an important source of fat, but premium suet like Wild Delight’s Fruit & Berry Smoothie Suet contains real fruits like dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries and raisins that birds love.
In addition to feeders, bird lovers can help birds survive through the winter by stocking their yards with plants that retain their berries, seeds or cones into the winter months. Plus, these types of natural food may attract birds like cedar waxwings that seldom visit feeders.
In the winter months, birds’ natural food becomes scarce. Insects, fruits and seeds are just summertime memories, and as a result, many birds come to feast at feeders throughout the day. In fact, it’s not uncommon to spy a group of cardinals, finches and grosbeaks crowded around a feeding station together instead of living their typically segregated lives.
An important rule of winter feeding is to be prepared. By stocking up on premium bird seed, bird lovers can help to secure a wholesome food source for birds without having to brave stormy weather. It’s also a great idea to add suet to the diet of your outdoor pets. Not only does suet offer birds an important source of fat, but premium suet like Wild Delight’s Fruit & Berry Smoothie Suet contains real fruits like dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries and raisins that birds love.
In addition to feeders, bird lovers can help birds survive through the winter by stocking their yards with plants that retain their berries, seeds or cones into the winter months. Plus, these types of natural food may attract birds like cedar waxwings that seldom visit feeders.
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