Landscaping & Gardening Information | home | site map | contact us |
Garden for Birds #4
I would like to know..................... WHO STOLE SUMMER?????????????/ What did you do with it? And where are you hiding it? It seems as though just last week we were celebrating the beginning of summer. Looking forward to our yards and gardens. Planning vacations. Now, parents are celebrating "BACK TO SCHOOL!" That could mean more time in our yards and enjoying the fruits of our labor, however. Enjoying our backyard guests. We've seen visitors come and go. And all the feathered families we helped raise. Now it's time to think of visitors heading south. Keep your feeders cleaned and filled. Very important is a source of fresh water. Quite often a stranger will stop for a drink and you may be fortunate enough to see your guests. You may want to keep a camera handy. It's getting time to think about fall projects in our yards. It's time to let annuals go to seed and let some perennials go as well. Say................ do you have any grasses in your yard? I'm not referring to the grass you mow, or the stuff "Cheech and Chong" made so popular either. I'm talking about ornamental grasses. Ornamental grasses for your birds. No,I haven't flipped my lid. Grasses are becoming more popular in landscaping, yet have you thought of the possibilities for wildlife? For birds? Grasses come in many varieties from only a couple inches tall to 15 feet and taller. They come with names like "Little Bunny" and "Giganteus" "Flamingo" and " Little Zebra" How about "Karley Rose" or "Karl Forrester" Names are as unique as the grasses are. Grasses can work as a ground cover, erosion control, a wind brake and look good while doing it. Ornamental grass can make up a border, a barrier or become a focal point in your yard. Grasses can also help feed and shelter birds. This time of year, most grasses are flowering or have showy plumes. Many of these plumes produce seeds for birds to munch on. Foliage left up for the winter months provide wind brakes and protection from harsh winter winds Birds may also make a mad dash to flee a predator. Not to mention that the dry foliage and plumes can give depth and motion to an otherwise drab landscape. In spring, birds will be using bits and pieces for their nests. Cut back your grasses 2 to 4 inches from the ground before new growth starts. Most grasses are hardy to zone 5 and many are hardy to zone 4 There are a few hardy to zone 3. Once established, ornamental grass needs little care. Grasses come in about every shade of green there is. You can find shades of blue. Grasses with shades of yellow There are grasses with shades of red. Grasses with horizontal stripes and some with vertical stripes. Some varieties are drought tolerant. Others may prefer moist conditions. Most prefer sunny locations, while a few prefer shade. The fact is, there will be a grass for your location. You can even get annual grasses. There are so many varieties to choose from I can't go through them all. Check with your local garden center or nursery. Have them recommend what is good for your yard. Or, do some homework and see what you may prefer instead. I have 6 varieties of grasses and I'm sure the collection will continue to grow as I find and make room for them. You are sure to be hooked on grasses when you see a bird hanging onto a stalk and dancing in the wind. An added bonus, grasses are deer resistant. Check out the yards around you. Hit the local garden centers and nurseries. I'm sure you can find a grass for your yard. Remember, fall is the best time to plant. Well friend, it is time to get this letter sent out so I best get going. Do have a blessed week and continue to smile. Until next time. Your friend, Ron Ron Patterson has been caring for wild birds since he was 10 years old. He has discovered many things along the way. An avid gardener as well, Ron is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. With his expertise in birds and gardens, he writes a weekly newsletter called "Backyard Birding Tips"
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Feng Shui in the Garden "The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung schway) literally means 'wind' and 'water.' The Chinese believe this cosmic energy, called Chi or 'the green dragon's cosmic breath,' is the life force energy that pervades human existence. Basil: The King of Herbs One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly called sweet basil. Often called the 'king of herbs,' basil can be grown indoors or out. Choosing the Proper Pond Pump Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a pond pump is a paramount component of any water feature. Stagnant bodies of water attract mosquito infestations, which are a nuisance, and also undesirable, due to the recent outbreaks of the West Nile virus. Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle I had with some of my plants!Way back when I was just starting to garden I excitedly gathered starts from here and there, and several times, when I asked people for a particular start, they, with raised eyebrow, would ask me if I was sure I wanted that plant as it could be invasive.Naively, and just so thrilled to get a new start (I had garden fever bad Ha!), I said that wasn't a problem. When to Plant Vegetaibles Planting times for vegetables and other annual plants vary from species to species. In much of the United States the prime consideration is the date of the last spring frost/freeze. Porch Swing Places: Where to Put a Porch Swing So you've purchased a Porch Swing (or are about to) and you plan to hang it on the Porch? Not so fast!Where you install your Porch Swing is as much a function of the need you are trying to satisfy as tradition and practicality. If nostalgia is your motivator, then the porch may well be the best place for your Patio Swing. Want a Garden, But Don't have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydroponics Gardening Is The Answer! Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants a garden, but does not have enough space or dirt. Hydroponics gardening is, simply put, a method of growing plants using a nutrient solution instead of dirt. How to Choose the Right Bulbs for Your Spring Flower Garden Choosing the right bulbs involves more than just selecting colors and cultivars. Timing, bulb size, and most importantly, bulb health are equally significant factors in designing your spring garden. Store Your Outdoor Furnishings to Make Them Last In many parts of North America, the end of "porch season" has arrived. Whether you're clearing out for some oncoming bad weather, closing up the cottage for the season, beating the vandals on devil's night, or just retreating to your nest for the winter, you'll want to store away all of your outdoor items with maximum care. Backyard Landscaping When most people think of landscaping, they think of a beautifully decorated front yard. But what about the back? There are many reasons why you should consider backyard landscaping, if you have not already. New for 2006 - Granite Flexible Preformed Rock Ponds Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome and difficult to transport. For example, a typical preformed pond kit would come in a box that is 60" x 48" x 24", which is too large for many car trunk sizes. 5 Simple Steps to Care For Your Push Reel Mower Though most Push Reel Mowers made today are durable, they do require some basic care and simple maintenance in order to keep them running smoothly. Taking the following steps will ensure you have years of use on your push reel mower. Bare Root Roses Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buyingThe first thing to look for is the plant's grade.Nearly all bare root roses sold today are grown in the field and are approximetly two years old. Mole Traps: Can You Use Them? Mole control is one of the most complicated problems thatcan face a gardening enthusiast.It is not from lack of information. Kirengeshoma palmata Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata is a late-flowering rhizomatous perennial up to 1.2m high with arching stems and is native to the woods and mountain lowlands of Korea and the Japanese islands of Shikoku and Kyushu. My Spring Bulbs Wont Bloom - Why? You can hear the wailing from here. "Why aren't my bulbs blooming?" "There are a lot of leaves on them but not a single flower. Koi Pond Aeration To achieve Koi pond aeration, there are some things you can do. One, you can go to your local hobby store or pet supply store and purchase one of those small air pumps, hook some tubing to it, along with an air diffuser or sometimes called an air stone, and place it in your pond. Gardening--Fun and Frugal! Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb gardener or just like to have a pretty yard, these frugal tips may help you save a little money!1. Stale coffee and coffee grounds make great organic fertilizer. Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus, known as French tarragon or dragon herb is an essential ingredient in Béarnaise sauce, tarragon vinegar, and certain Dijon mustards. A perennial herb, tarragon grows 2 - 4 feet (60 - 120 cm) and has dark, shiny, narrow grey-green leaves about 3 inches (8 cm) long with smooth edges. Garden Swings Create an Enchanted Garden Setting Nothing invites one to sit and enjoy a lovingly created and tended garden quite the way that a garden swing does. Only from the perch of a gently swaying garden swing can one fully appreciate the bounty of nature complete with the subtle flowery and earthy smells of the garden. |
home | site map | contact us |