Garden Solutions - December 2016

Attracting Birds to your Neighborhood
(Tips from the National Wildlife Federation)

There are a number of ways to attract birds to your garden, from planting native plants to providing safe stopover areas for them to eat, drink and nest.

• Provide water year-round – A simple birdbath is a great start. Change water every 2-3 days in summer and use a heater in the winter. Place the water container about 10 feet from dense shrubs or other cover that predators may use.
• Install native plants – Select a variety of native plants to offer year-round food in the form of seeds, berries, nuts, and nectar. Try to recreate the plant ecosystem native to your area. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide excellent cover through all seasons, The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center as well as the St Louis Audubon Society has lists of recommended native plants by region and state.
• Eliminate insecticides in your yard – Insects are the primary source of food for many bird species and are an important source of protein and fats for growing juvenile birds.
• Keep dead trees – Dead trees provide cavity-dwelling places for birds to raise young and as a source to collect insects for food. Many species will also seek shelter from bad weather inside these hollowed out trees.
• Put out nesting boxes – Make sure the boxes have ventilation holes at the top and drainage holes below. Do not use a box with a perch, as house sparrows are known to sit on a nesting box perch and peck at other birds using the nesting box. Be sure to monitor the boxes for invasive animal species known to harm or out compete native species.
• Build a brush pile in a corner of your yard – Start with larger logs and top with smaller branches. Some birds will hunt, roost or even nest in brush piles.
  
• Offer food in feeders – Bird feeders are great sources of supplemental food during times of food scarcity, and also enhance bird viewing opportunities. Winter time is beneficial for this as natural sources of pods and seeds become scarce.
• Remove invasive plants from your wildlife habitat – Many invasive plants out-compete the native species favored by birds, insects and other wildlife. Check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension System office for information on plant species to avoid.
• Reduce your lawn area – Lawns have little value to birds or other wildlife, and they require more energy for mowing, applying fertilizers and watering.

Time to go………..See you in the Garden
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - November 2016

            In November, you still want to watch for dry periods and water your outdoor plants when the soil dries out, especially for new plantings. Roots of plants grow in winter months and need moisture through winter. You can plant trees and shrubs anytime the ground is not frozen. This will give the plant more time to become established before the next hot summer.

            Add a fire pit to your outdoor living space and enjoy cool evenings around a crackling fire. Remember to turn your clocks back the first weekend in November. There are many things to do in the yard and garden before the season ends.

            There are many things to do in the yard and garden before the season ends. So, dig in to the tasks listed below and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can!

• Keep leaves raked up and off the lawn to prevent injury to turf grasses. You can also mow over leaves to pick them up or mulch them into the lawn.

• Continue mowing lawn grasses as long as they keep growing, 2-3” high is good.

• Apply Winterizer fertilizer to lawns to strengthen plant stems and roots for winter growth and to promote early spring green up.

• Plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs now. Add bone meal or bulb food when planting per the directions on the label.

• Continue to water perennial beds, shrubs and trees when the soil dries out - up until the ground freezes.

• Toward the end of the month, be sure to shut off and drain any outdoor water pipes or irrigation systems that may freeze during cold weather. Roll up and store garden hoses on a warm, sunny day.

• Cover garden ponds with bird or pond netting to help prevent leaves from fouling the water. Oxygen depletion from rotting organic matter can cause winter kill of pond fish. The water freezing over can also block oxygen for fish. So, take steps to prevent garden ponds from freezing solid. Floating a water garden heater in the pond, will lessen the chance of ice damage.

• Now is a good time to collect soil samples to test for pH and nutritional levels. Lime will increase the pH level if it is low. Sulfur will lower the pH level if it is high. If lime is needed, apply at the rate of 50 lbs. per 500 sq. ft.

• Till your vegetable garden when cold weather arrives to expose many insect pests to winter cold, and reduce their numbers in next year’s garden.

• Mulch strawberries for winter with straw. This should be done after several nights of 20 F, but before temperatures drop into the teens. Apply straw loosely, but thick enough to hide plants from view.

• Set up a variety of bird feeder types to get the best assortment of birds to come to your yard. Tube feeders are good for songbirds, platform feeders are good for cardinals and larger birds, and suet is a great source of fat and energy for woodpeckers and all bird types. Birds also appreciate a source of unfrozen drinking water during the winter. Use one of the many styles of birdbath heaters or heated birdbaths available at garden centers.

• After the first hard freeze, mulch rose bushes heavily to a depth of 12” to cover the plant graph area properly using bark, compost, or straw with rose collars. Prune back longer canes to 24-36” to prevent whipping from wind in the winter. Hold off on heavy pruning until April of next year.

• Winter houseplant care: reduce or eliminate fertilizer until spring, shorter days mean slower growth, slower growth means less frequent watering. Plants in plastic pots need less water than those in clay pots. Plants in cooler rooms need less water and will have slower growth than those in warm rooms. Creating additional humidity is always beneficial. An easy way to increase humidity is to use trays filled with water and large pebbles. Place the plants on the pebbles so they will not sit in the water, but they can get the benefit of a higher humidity level as the water evaporates.

 

            Enjoy your yard and garden in every season!

 

Time to go……….See you in the Garden…………..

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - October 2016

This month in “Garden Solutions,” I am going to focus on bulbs and trees.

DIG----DROP----DONE!!!

For those frustrated by gardens already too full, flower bulbs are delectable treats to tuck easily amongst established shrubs and perennials.

For gardeners whose beds are bare, bulbs offer a variety of choices. Bulbs planted in fall include both spring-flowering types such as daffodils and tulips, plus summer-flowering classics including alliums and lilies.

Spring-flowering bulbs are planted in the fall because most need a period of cold conditioning to activate the biochemical process that induces them to flower. In general they are best planted when soil temperatures have started to cool, and, optimally, at least six weeks before the first hard, ground-freezing frosts.  This translates to anywhere from early October to November and even December in our climate. 

Whether a garden bed is bursting at the seams or rather bare, there’s always room for bulbs.  And the process is as easy as…….DIG—DROP—DONE!!  ENJOY!!!!

 

The Many Benefits of Planting Trees

            Most often, we plant trees to provide shade and add beauty to our landscape. These are great benefits, but trees also provide many less obvious benefits. Consider all the benefits listed below and remember fall is the perfect time to plant trees for an increased success rate next spring.

·    Trees are perfect for planting as living memorials, to remind us of loved ones, or to commemorate significant events in our lives.

·    Even though you may own the trees on your property, your neighborhood may benefit from them as well. Through careful planning, trees can be an asset to your entire community.

·    Tree lined streets have a traffic calming effect, traffic moves more slowly and safely.

·    Trees can be placed to screen unwanted views or noise from busy highways.

·    Trees improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide from the air we breathe.

·    Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe.

·    Trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding.

·    Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.

·    Well-placed trees can reduce your cooling costs in the summer by shading the south and west sides of your home. If deciduous trees are used, they will allow the sun to pass through and warm your home in the winter.

·    Evergreen trees on the north side of your home and shrubs around the foundation of your home can act as a windbreak to reduce the cooling effects of winter winds.

·    The value of a well landscaped home with mature healthy trees can be as much as 10% higher than a similar home with no or little landscaping. (Topping trees will reduce their value.)

 

Now, enjoy all that the month of October has to offer and I will…

 

See you in the garden.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

 

 

 

Garden Solutions - August 2016

By Sandi Hillermann McDonald

            While we are in the Dog Days of Summer, it is a good time to consider watering in your yard and gardens and how to do so efficiently. There are some myths on this subject that I would like to discuss. Debunking these myths can help you water efficiently during hot dry days of summer.

The Top 5 Watering Myths:

            During the hottest part of the summer, it’s especially important to make the most of every drop of water. With so much information available, it can be challenging to separate fact from fiction. Here are five common myths about watering:

1. Plants need 1 inch of water per week

            Although the “inch-a-week” recommendation is often cited as a rule of thumb, the truth is that plants vary widely in their water needs. Young seedlings and new transplants have limited root systems and need a consistent supply of moisture, so they may need daily watering if the weather is sunny and hot. Established trees and shrubs, on the other hand, may need supplemental watering only during extended dry spells because they have root systems that are more extensive. The amount of water a plant needs depends on a number of factors, including the type of plant, its stage of growth, type of soil, the weather and time of year.

            The best way to water most plants is by applying enough to moisten the plant’s entire root system, and then letting the soil dry out slightly before watering again. Apply water slowly so it’s absorbed by the soil rather than running off — a soaker hose is ideal. Avoid daily light sprinklings, which encourage roots to grow near the soil surface where they’re vulnerable to drying out. Instead of relying on a schedule, water plants when they need it as indicated by the soil. (Besides, how do you know when you’ve applied an inch of water with a soaker hose?)

2. Wilting is a sign that it’s time to water

            Yes, wilting is a sign that the leaves aren’t getting enough moisture, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the soil is dry. Anything that damages plant roots can cause wilting. Plant roots need a fairly constant supply of both air and water. Too little water and the roots die from lack of moisture. Too much water and the spaces between soil particles remain filled with water, suffocating roots. Both situations reduce a plant’s ability to deliver enough water to stems and leaves, resulting in wilting. Root diseases, physical damage (such as disturbing roots while you’re hoeing) and soil-borne insects can also harm roots to the point that they can’t fully hydrate the plant. Damage to stems can also cause wilting. Some diseases and insects (especially borers) prevent water distribution throughout the plant, causing some or all of it to wilt. The only way to tell if lack of water is causing wilting is to check the soil moisture.

3. Overhead watering on a sunny day can scorch leaves

            There are good reasons to avoid watering your garden on a sunny afternoon, but causing scorched leaves isn’t one of them. The myth that water droplets act like tiny magnifying glasses and burn plant leaves has no basis in fact, and anyone who has watched the sun come out after a summer shower knows that the water quickly evaporates. Leaf damage can be caused by all sorts of things: too much or too little soil moisture, fertilizer burn from improperly diluted synthetic fertilizer, insect or disease problems, and weather conditions, such as wind or frost, to name a few. Try to avoid watering on sunny afternoons to minimize the amount of moisture lost to evaporation, but don’t worry about leaf scorch.

4. Avoid overhead watering with a sprinkler

            It’s usually best to apply water directly to the soil around plants rather than watering with a sprinkler. Less water is lost to evaporation, especially on hot, sunny days. Foliage stays dry, minimizing disease problems. However, there are times when an overhead shower is called for. During dry, windy weather, a fine layer of dust can build up on leaves, reducing the plants’ ability to photosynthesize efficiently. Some insects, including aphids and spider mites, can be kept in check by simply hosing them off plants. Finally, heat-stressed plants that have wilted even though their roots are moist can benefit from a cooling shower — the effect won’t last long on a sunny day but it may provide some relief. Overhead watering isn’t the most efficient from a water conservation standpoint, but there are times when it’s called for.

5. Drought-tolerant plants don’t need to be watered

            Many young echinacea, sedum and black-eyed Susan plants have perished because these “drought-tolerant” plants didn’t get sufficient water at planting time and during their first season of growth. When you set out a new container-grown plant, the roots are confined to the shape of the pot. The plants need a consistent supply of water during their first growing season, until their roots grow out into the surrounding soil. Water them as you would your annual flowers in their first season. During their second and subsequent growing seasons, drought-tolerant plants may need supplemental water only during extended dry spells. Note, however, that just because a plant is drought-tolerant doesn’t mean it doesn’t fare better with a regular supply of moisture.

Garden Solutions - July 2016

PREPARE FOR “NEW” POLLINATORS            

            With fewer honeybees these days, it’s time to welcome alternative pollinators into your garden. We’ve all heard the news: Populations of the honeybee are declining. Factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and diseases have taken a toll on these heroes of the horticultural world.

            The story that seldom gets attention is that for home gardeners there are plenty of native pollinators. Roughly 4,000 species of bees are native to North America, including approximately 45 types of bumblebees. Plus, many types of flies, certain wasps, and even butterflies and bats can act as pollinators.

            By attracting a diversity of these beneficial visitors, pollination in your garden will improve. Thus, yields of edible crops like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and berries will increase. You can take three steps to welcome pollinators to your garden.

1.         PROVIDE NECTAR AND POLLEN RICH PLANTS, INCLUDING NATIVES AND HERBS. The native pollinators in our region have co-evolved with the native plants, so use native wildflowers to draw them to your yard. To maintain a population of pollinators, it is important to have plants in bloom all season long. Even a small garden can support local pollinators.  Herbs can attract native pollinators and provide them with nourishment, too. Native plants are easy to grow because they are adapted to our local climate and growing conditions and, once established, are fairly low-maintenance.

2.         ENSURE THAT POLLINATORS HAVE NEST SITES. Many native pollinators nest underground, so have some open areas.  Bumblebees often make their homes in abandoned mouse and vole tunnels, while others prefer piles of rock. Small bees may fly only a few hundred yards from their nest when foraging; large bees will travel a mile or more in search of food. Mixing pollen and nectar plants among your fruit and vegetables will keep bees close to the plants you want them to pollinate.

3.         STOP USING PESTICIDES. Pesticides are toxic to pollinators. Pesticides should not be used on plants in bloom. If you must, apply pesticides either near dark or very early in the morning. At these times, insects are less active. The best choice is to use natural pesticides and there are many available today. Visit your local independent garden center for help with the best natural insect controls to use for different plant pests.

            Please consider joining the efforts of the City of Washington Parks Department and Washington In Bloom to help pollinators with the 100 Pollinator Garden Challenge Program and claim your garden as a pollinator habitat. Current gardens that include pollinator plants (blooming native, perennial and annual plants) can be registered, or you can find an area in your yard that receives at least 6 hours of sun to plant your garden including natives, perennials and annuals to provide nectar from April through October.

            To register your garden: bring a picture of your garden to the Washington Parks Department Office at 1220 Lakeshore Drive in Washington to register for certification and receive a certificate. Official Certified Pollinator Garden Metal Signs are also available through Washington Parks Department for $15.00. The signs are a great way to promote this challenge and enhance your beautiful garden. Call the Washington Parks Department at 636-390-1080 for more information.

Garden Solutions - June 2016

                Let’s talk PERENNIALS! June is National Perennial Gardening Month.   Perennials are plants that grow and flower every year, and only need to be planted once!  Most perennials are considered low maintenance and just need some general care to keep them happy and healthy.  Pollinating plants fall under this category too, so join the efforts to help pollinators in your little corner of the world. 

                It is important to choose plants that are appropriate to your garden site. Full sun plants can be in areas with six or more hours of sunlight every day, four to six hours is partly sunny, and four hours or less is a shade garden.  Good drainage is essential for successful plants

                When planting, loosen the root ball and tease the roots so they will grow outward. The plant should be set at the same depth as they were growing in the container. After filling the hole back in with soil/compost mixture, water thoroughly.

                Perennials should receive 1-2” of water each week to develop a deep root system. A soaker hose works well for this purpose and saves water usage. Fertilize in Early Spring when new growth begins. During the growing season, fertilize once a month until the end of July. Mulch should be applied after planting to help hold in moisture and reduce weeds.  Additional mulch applied in winter is also recommended, especially for new plantings.

                The art of deadheading is removing the faded, spent flowers on a plant. It will help lengthen the bloom season of many plants as well as improves the appearance of the plant. Some perennials with attractive seedpods such as Rudbeckia, Sedum, and Ornamental Grasses can be left alone. Once the initial display of flowering has ended, cut back the entire plant by two-thirds. This will help promote additional blooms.

                Now in closing, let’s discuss several other tips for the month of June. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems make the most efficient use of water during dry times. Continue spraying roses with fungicide to prevent black spot. Mow lawns frequently enough so you don’t have to remove more than 1/3 of the total height of grass per mowing. There is no need to remove grass clippings from the lawn unless they are excessive. Prune flowering shrubs after they have bloomed. Hand prune or shear evergreens now. Watch for bagworms AND JAPANESE BEETLES. Milky Spore, Grub killer, and Japanese Beetle traps are available to eradicate Japanese Beetles. For bagworms, use insecticide with the pest listed on the label or hand pick them if the numbers are light.

                Plant pumpkin seeds now to have Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thin. Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season. As soon as cucumber and squash vines start to “run,” begin spray treatments of Permethrin to control cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.

                Enjoy your harvest………………………….see you in the garden.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - May 2016

SAMPLE GUIDE TO EDIBLE GARDENING

Growing your own food can be a fun and satisfying activity that can nourish your body and your soul. Homegrown veggies and fruits can be more flavorful and nutritious than store-bought produce. Sometimes people think they don’t have the time to dedicate to an edible garden, but it can easily fit into ANY busy schedule. Once planted, an average-sized edible garden will require less than fifteen minutes a day to maintain. Most seasoned vegetable gardeners look forward to their time spent in their garden, because the rewards are so great! And the therapy it provides is even better!! Hillermann Nursery & Florist can provide you with all the plants and know how to make your garden a valuable, money saving asset for your home.

When it comes to location, choose the sunniest spot in your yard. Most edible plants prefer 6 or more hours of sun, although leaf veggies (like lettuce) can grow with less sunlight. Consider container gardens if you have a bright deck or patio. Edibles can also be incorporated into your flowerbeds and ornamental plantings as well. Be sure the area has good circulation or airflow.
When possible, raised beds offer ideal growing conditions for vegetables. This is done by mounding soil 8-12” high with or without framing it with word or blocks. Soil in raised beds heats up faster and produces a crop more quickly. If these beds are high enough, they may even deter dogs and rabbits from visiting, but be ready to put up screening or fencing if necessary. Raised beds also offer better drainage and reduce root rot. A garden bed should be no wider than 4’ to allow for easy access from both sides.

The key ingredient to a vegetable garden is the soil foundation. Amend the topsoil with compost, such as Black Gold (which is MO Botanical Garden Compost produced in St Louis!). Well-rotted manure and humus are also suitable for adding to the existing soil.
Base your crop selection on what your family likes to eat. Choose from Hillermann’s selection of plants that are known to be well suited for our area. We trail most of our offerings to ensure that they’ll be successful in your garden too!

Plant your tall crops (like corn and climbers) on the north side of the garden to prevent them from shading the other shorter plants. Plant medium sized plants (like peppers, tomatoes….) towards the center. Short crops, like carrots, radishes, and lettuce, should be planted on the south end. Try to orient your garden from north to south for best sun coverage.

Here is a sample plant list for a healthy family of four:
10 tomato plants:
-2 for munching (grape or cherry)
-2 for cooking (Roma)
-2 for slicing (Better Boy, Celebrity…)
-2 for colorful salads (Lemonboy…)
-2 for conversation (Mr. Stripey or other Heirlooms…)
4 cucumber plants
12 broccoli plants
8 cauliflower plants
20 lettuce plants
6 pepper plants
3 pumpkin plants
10 spinach plants
2 zucchini or squash plants

Essential herbs
-basil
-oregano
-parsley
-rosemary
-thyme
-cilantro
-dill
-bay
-French tarragon
-mint (very vigorous, so grow in a container!)
-fennel (for you and the butterflies!)

Other essentials…
Compost
Shovel, hard rake and tiller
Fertilizer—natural/organic or commercial
Tomato cages, stakes
I truly hope you enjoy the spring and summer season and try your hand a growing fresh produce for your family.  Here is a recipe you can try using your fresh produce:

Sweet and Sour Coleslaw
1 large head cabbage, shredded                       1 tsp. salt
1 large onion, chopped                               1 tsp. celery seed
1 large green pepper, chopped                   1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup sugar + 1 Tbsp. sugar                          ¾ cup salad oil

Combine the cabbage, onion and green pepper in a bowl.  Pour the 1 cup of sugar over the mixture.  Let set in refrigerator covered for 4 hours or overnight.  Boil together 1 Tbsp. sugar, salt, celery seed, vinegar and salad oil.  Let mixture cool.  Mix with slaw ½ to 1 hour before serving.  Bon appétit!

See you next month,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - April 2016

            April is the “opener” of spring. Grass greens up, trees leaf out, shrubs begin to bloom, perennials come back, and the birds continue to sing. This is truly my favorite time of year; the time of rebirth! The seasons move so fast, this is one that you really need to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n and enjoy every day.

            One of the bigger movements across the country this year is “Protecting the Pollinators.” Last year a huge push to “Save the Monarch Butterfly” was seen everywhere. A few years ago, the Honey Bee had been known as declining. Well, the decline of these most important Pollinators is still a strong concern. Therefore, we need to make ourselves aware of the push to save ALL pollinators. We can help with this push by being aware of your surroundings and eliminating the use of synthetic insecticide products, especially on blooming plants that are visited by pollinators. It you have an insect issue, talk to a representative at your local garden center about methods of controlling pests without harming pollinators. Our food supply depends on it.

            The Washington in Bloom (WIB) committee is supporting this program 100%.  In fact, the WIB group is promoting a separate program to PLANT 100 Pollinator gardens in the Washington area.  This will gain recognition in the America in Bloom national program, which we are graded on every year.  Washington is so excited to be partnered with this National group.  If you have questions on how this program works, please call the City Parks Dept or Hillermann Nursery & Florist.  We have A LOT of exciting things happening in Washington to increase sustainability and pollination.

            There is so much to talk about in April, I have made a short list of some of the more common, timely items that will need attention or guide you as we begin this most wonderful season of Spring!

·         When Crabapples are in bloom, hardy annuals can be planted.

·         Transplant trees, shrubs and perennials early in the month for best success.

·         Spots and bare patches in the lawn can still be over seeded if you did not apply a Crabgrass Preventer. During spring there are more issues to be aware of when seeding a lawn rather than in the fall.

·         Liquid weed control should be applied this month to control dandelions, henbit and other broadleaf weeds. New grass from seed MUST be mowed 3 times to make it strong enough to withstand weed chemicals.

·         Prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish blooming.

·         Start cucumber, squash, cantaloupe and watermelon seeds indoors this month.

·         Termites begin swarming. Termites can be distinguished from ants by their thick waists and straight antennae.

·         Ants have slender waists and elbowed antennae.

·         Mole young are born in chambers deep underground.

·         Hang out hummingbird feeders the first of this month. Use a solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Change the solution frequently to keep if from fermenting. Food coloring is not needed nor is it recommended for the birds.

·         The last week of April is a good time to try an early sowing of warm season crops such as green beans, sweet corn, etc. Transplants of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and sweet potatoes can also start being planted outdoors.

·         Container gardening is good choice for flower and vegetable gardening if space is in short supply. It can be done by anyone, anywhere, check it out!!

·         “Natural Gardening” is here to stay………..keep your family safe and check out what organic/natural options are available to you when gardening this year. There are many.

 

Well, time is running short…see you in the garden

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - March 2016, Monarch Butterflies Face New Threats

Monarch Butterflies Face New Threats  

The monarch butterfly has always been the most popular, recognizable and well known species of its kind. These butterflies bring smiles to people across the United States.

Monarch butterfly numbers have been decreasing at an alarming rate.  In 2010, monarch butterflies at their migration destination in the mountains of Mexico occupied about 9.93 acres of habitat. However, that number had dropped drastically to 1.65 acres.  Experts point to three major reasons for this decline:

Changes in Weather and Climate Change-Extreme weather conditions are causing a disturbance in monarch migration.

Midwestern Agriculture-According to researchers, the biggest and most critical factor in the decline is the expansion of cropland and a big increase in the use of genetically modified crops that are resistant to herbicides, which in turn has led to more herbicide use against native plants that compete with crops.

Illegal Deforestation-Over the past several decades, logging in Mexico has destroyed large swaths of the country’s forests, including the few sites where monarchs overwinter. The Mexican government ruled logging illegal several years ago. However, illegal logging is still occurring, leaving monarchs with less and less suitable winter habitat.

What can you do to help?

Lucky for monarchs, there are ways you can help. Gardening for wildlife is a great way to help provide food, water, shelter and place to raise young for all types of wildlife.

For monarchs, you can plant native flowering plants, especially milkweed, to help feed the larvae of these beautiful butterflies! Learn how your garden can help the survival of monarchs and other wildlife.  This year also get involved in the www.millionpollinatorgardenchallenge.org.  This is a national push for pollinators involvement.

The City of Washington, Washington in Bloom, FC Master Gardeners and the Washington Garden Club will be pushing efforts to not only make awareness for Monarchs BUT ALL pollinators in this year’s programs.  Stay tuned to see what they have in store! 

Garden Solutions - February 2016

You would think that we gardeners would spend the winter months curled up by the fire, perusing seed and bulb catalogs and daydreaming about our gardens in the warmer months ahead. That is well and good from about Christmas to mid-January and then we start to get the itch – you know the one – our fingernails are just to clean and it’s time to get our hands in the soil. A great way to satisfy your green thumb during the winter is to tackle a classic indoor gardening project. Mini gardens have become all the rage. They can be open topped terrariums, saucer planters or low dish gardens. The imagination can run wild with ideas to make it a “playful” space. My granddaughter loves to play with my gardens by moving in dinosaurs or fairies and playing “Princess Stories”. This is great way to get the children interested in plants.

 

It is also time to think about starting any garden and flower seeds in the house that you may want to grow this year. The choices are many. Our last frost date is around May 1^st, so back up the weeks on the calendar for seed starting so you know when the best time for planting in the house would be. Ample light is very important for this task. Seed varieties can be found in many forms also. Besides the tried and true varieties grown for years, heirlooms and organic seeds are now readily available. Botanical Interest is a wonderful line of garden seeds that offers health and recipe information on the packets. They are great for the beginner gardener.

 

Now going beyond the garden, we Americans have once again fallen in love with the great outdoors. Outdoor living is more than dressing up patios with a few containers. People are transforming their ordinary backyards into “specialty rooms”. Flowers, trees and shrubs are being used as accents, room dividers, carpets and curtains. As we go outdoors more often with our families, friends and pets, it is only natural to think more consciously about how safe our own backyards are, giving way to the new twist in outdoor living: the “eco-chic” movement. Environmentalism is on the upswing and is changing everything from the types of cars we drive to the food we eat and even the way we garden.

 

Last but not least, February is National Bird Feeding Month. So if you have not enjoyed this hobby before, it is not too late to start. Bird feeding is an entertaining and educational pastime that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can invite the kind of birds you want to your yard by choosing the right feeder and food they prefer to eat. They are many bird behaviors and seed preferences. The “sit and eat” birds stay at the feeder while they eat. Goldfinches and Siskins prefer Nyjer seed offered in tube feeders, and Cardinals and Grosbeaks prefer black oil sunflower seeds form a hopper, or platform type feeder. The “grab and go” birds include chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers. They take a seed and eat it somewhere else. They prefer black oil sunflower and peanuts out of the shell or split. These bird types come to tube, hopper or platform type feeders. The “floor feeder” birds are the ground feeding birds that may also eat on an elevated feeder. Juncos, Sparrows, Towhees, and Doves are in the group.

 

Until next month,

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

 

 

Garden Solutions - January 2016

 

Winter is upon us in full force. Only 78 days until spring arrives! A combination of sleet and snow can make many food sources impossible to reach for many of the wild birds in mid Missouri. In normal winter conditions, most birds have ways of coping with the cold. To help survive cold nights, Chickadees can lower their normal 108-degree body temperature by 12-15 degrees to conserve energy. By dawn, they, like many birds, will quickly dart to a food source to fill their empty stomachs. That is why early morning and late evenings are some of the ‘largest crowds’ at bird feeders. Because most normal food sources are now either ice encrusted or covered by snow, wild birds need and greatly benefit by mid Missouri residents feeding them during times like this. 

A good thing to feed the wild birds is hi-energy foods like black oil sunflower seeds, tree nut pieces and suet that give birds more energy per ounce consumed. While any food is better than nothing, there is problems with cheap mixes full of oats and wheat or things like bread and cereal that people sometimes throw on the snow. These foods are not only low in energy, they are also the favorites of nuisance, non-native birds like Starlings and English Sparrows that compete, not only for food, but also nesting cavities that many native birds utilize in winter to stay warm. Several Central Missouri songbirds like Bluebirds and Chickadees often sleep in groups on extremely cold nights in cavities or nest boxes transferring heat from one body to the next. It is not uncommon for 6-9 Bluebirds to emerge from one box. A challenge of feeding suet is that Starlings love it. Feed suet in upside down suet feeders and hang them high as Starlings have a hard time hanging upside down to feed and Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, and other desirable songbirds can easily hang upside down for feeding.

One need of wild birds often overlooked by consumers in cold weather is the need for ‘open water’. The main reason water is needed is for them to keep warm, birds fluff out their feathers so they can better capture a ‘layer of air’ that acts as heated insulation. Matted, dirty feathers can’t be fluffed out, making a bird feel much like how a human feels that wears a down insulated jacket that’s all matted up and not very warm. That is why they need water throughout winter to bathe as well as drink. There are many birdbath heaters and heated birdbaths for as little or less that $20 to help keep water available for wild birds and cost pennies per day in electricity to run.

Does the weather keep you from getting out to your feeders? Just fling a spray of black oil seeds or a good quality wild bird mix out of a bucket or trash can and let it fly out across the top of the snow. Dozens of your feathered friends will soon add brilliant flashes of red and blue, and gray and white across the snow and you’ll hear their melodious songs as they sing ‘thanks’ to you for helping them survive.

If you can tolerate the cold weather, there are a number of things that you can do this month in your landscape that will lighten your workload for the rest of the season. The main item is pruning or thinning of your woody ornamentals. Deciduous trees such as maples, oaks, ash, etc., can be pruned at this time. Interior, broken, or crossing branches should be removed now while you can see exactly what you are removing. The general rule of thumb is that you should not touch spring flowering trees and shrubs at this time of year.

If the weather is extremely bad this month, then snow and/or ice removal are going to be the big tasks. Heavy accumulations of snow or ice can easily damage plants. Dump a snow shovel full of wet snow on top of some of your shrubs and you may end up replacing the broken mass next spring. Snow plows can also do quite a bit of damage to plantings and lawn areas. Use location stakes with flags to show where your driveways and walkways are as well as where to “dump” excess snow. If you have to deal with ice, be extremely careful with the melting compound you use. Rock salt is the most widely used compound and it has the least temperature range for its effectiveness. In addition, rock salt will destroy concrete sidewalks, driveways, and concrete pavers. It will also kill most shrubs, perennials, and lawns. There are many other compounds used for melting ice that won’t damage your concrete or kill your plants. I recommend calcium chloride or potassium chloride products.  If you choose to use these, please read the labels thoroughly. Some work in very low temperatures, but are harmful to pets and wildlife. Others only work when the temperature is between 20 and 32 degrees. You can also use products such as birdseed, sawdust, and non-clumping cat litter to provide traction. Of course, these will not melt the ice, but they will not kill your plants, pets, or concrete.

If you have all of your pruning done, the snow or ice has been removed, and you still have time left to work on your outside to do list, don’t forget about your tools. If you haven’t already done so, it is time to thoroughly go over your lawn mower and make sure that it is already to go and will start on the first pull next spring. The same goes for all outdoor power equipment. Clean all of your hand tools, (pruners, shovels, rakes, etc.), removing any dirt, leaves, sap, from them. If they have wooden handles, inspect the handles for cracks, nicks, or splintering and either replace or repair them as needed. If they have a metal handle, check the welds for signs of breakage and have them repaired. If the tool is a cutting type, sharpen the edges as needed.

Time flies fast, so enjoy this winter preparing for spring, and we will “See you in the garden.”

Sandi Hillermann McDonald