February Tips for the Garden 2009

February is National Bird Feeding Month!!!

February is National Bird Feeding Month…and if you have not yet enjoyed this hobby, it is not too late to start. Choose a certain variety of feeder for the types of birds you would like to attract. Tube type feeders are great for all types of songbirds, including finches, nuthatches, chickadees, and more. Platform type feeders, (feeders with a horizontal bar or platform) are best for attracting larger birds such as cardinals, bluebirds, blue jays, etc. Viewing the antics of these fluttering jewels is remarkable. Start today.

I cannot believe that it is the first week of February already. January is normally one of the slowest months around a garden center, but this year it has flown by. It is a time for education, programs, restocking, inventory, merchandising and so much more. We have been busy getting ready for and looking forward to a beautiful Midwestern spring.

I am all excited about what is on the horizon in the gardening industry for 2009. So, let’s talk 2009 Trends in Gardening:
1. Eco-boosting is in. Conspicuous Consumption is Out. From hybrid cars to canvas shopping bags, consumers want to do their part to end conspicuous consumption and boost eco-friendly living. Today’s consumers are displaying ‘green pride’ by digging into gardening. A simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife and say “no” to chemical ‘garden drugs.’
2. Grow it Yourself (GIY) is in. Doing it ALL for Me is Out. Relaxing, tranquil moments may be few and far between, but the increase in gardening reconnects us with nature, family, and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.
3. Blended gardens are In. Segregated gardens are Out. Edible landscapes transform our yards into an ornamental but productive space as lettuces and parsley mix with roses and petunias. Planting mini-vegetables and being able to say, ‘I grew it myself’ is hip and cool. Container gardens are a great way to add edibles to your landscape.
4. Locavore is In. Big carbon footprints are Out. Buying local is all the rage. Again, this shows with the insurgence of farmers markets and their growing popularity. Home Grown is so good!
5. Water is In. Water is Out. For the first time, water is “In and Out.” Whether moving in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fishponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard or indoor area into a private oasis.
6. Outside is In. Inside is Out (But not “out”). From bean sprouts on kitchen counter tops to green walls laden with herbs, plants are being used to decorate spaces as ‘art-in-motion.’ There is a trend to bringing the outside indoors with tropical plants. They create instant beauty a give a boost of oxygen and clean air. They make perfect home air purifiers. Outdoor rooms and kitchens continue to be popular.
7. Info Lust is In. Lack of Knowledge is Out. Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novice and experienced gardeners alike are hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction on gardening and “how-to-tips.” Gardeners’ are gobbling up information from friends, classes, workshops, magazines, and the internet on everything from best cultivation practices to which herbs are best to relieve stress. Sharing stories with bloggers and friends is a good way to learn more.
8. Quick & Simple is In. Over-the-top gardens are Out. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces. Containers with an evergreen shrub or tropical plant for foliage add ‘boom without bloom’ and are gaining popularity. Simple edible gardens are best grown this way.
9. Worldly is In Cookie-cutter is Out. Americans have embraced the ‘world bazaar’ of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Rustic stone for pathways, patios, walls, and hidden trails, bring an added sense of discovery, charm and intimacy to any garden.
10. Bubbling is In. Excess is Out. Outdoor living continues to boom as the trend for “stay-cations” and “bubbling” comes home. Staying home and entertaining in our sociable spaces, dining and playing in comfortable great rooms, enclosed patios, and decks is preferred to expensive outings. People are staying home more and investing more in their homes.

So you can see, whether you’re gardening in the yard, decorating a balcony, patio or deck with assorted containers, or growing herbs in the kitchen window, it’s clear that “Mother Nature” is back in all we do!! So grab the kids and enjoy the fresh air and beauty around us. Start planning your spring gardens NOW……………

I cannot wait to get out and enjoy in the garden… see you next time.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

January Tips for the Garden 2009

This month I would like to talk “bird feeding.” Celebrate our feathered friends and make it a family affair! It is hard to say who benefits more from backyard bird feeders, the birds or the people who feed them. Some of life’s moments that are more enjoyable include the songs and antics of the birds outside our windows. Watching them is so captivating that it can alter an entire day’s plans, turning a twenty-minute breakfast into a three-hour brunch. Activity at your feeders probably can hold your attention all day with its ever-changing pattern of form and color, from fluffed-up chickadees to sleek cardinals. Often the brightest spot on the winter landscape, with the most activity, is the bird feeder in the backyard. No matter what size yard or garden you have, you can create your own bird haven. All you need to do is provide food, water and shelter. Start with shrubs and evergreens, which not only offer cover during harsh northern winters, but also protect birds from their natural enemies. They also provide safe nesting sites in the spring. Your local nursery can help you choose varieties that are most beneficial for the wild birds.

Whether you are just beginning or greatly expanding your bird-feeding program, give careful consideration to making it easy and fun for the whole family. If the feeders are hard to reach, the bags too heavy for the kids to maneuver, or the birdbath too far from the hose, pretty soon someone will lose patience and object to being involved. Hang different types of feeders at different heights and near enough to your house so you can watch the birds at relatively close range. You can use empty coffee cans and homemade funnels (cut the bottom off a large soft drink bottle) for feeder-filling convenience. Don’t be discouraged if you have just put up a new feeder and the birds don’t flock to it immediately. Because birds recognize food by sight, it can take a while for them to locate a new source. Birds are attracted to shiny, reflective items. Try putting aluminum foil on the ground underneath the feeder, where sunlight can be reflected. If you already have other feeders, put the new one nearby until the birds discover it. Bird feeding activity attracts other species, so when you add a specialty feeder (such as a nyjer feeder to attract finches) to your feeding station, it probably won’t take new birds long to find it. Remember that, for the sake of the birds’ health, it is always important to keep the feeders and the ground beneath then cleaned up of old seed that can harbor disease.

A clean source of water is important for the birds especially in winter. Put your birdbath in an open area, but near some trees or bushes to permit a quick escape if predators approach. Birds will visit regularly once they discover that it is a safe and steady source of fresh water. Open water in freezing weather will attract as many or more birds as a well-stocked feeder! Water actually helps the birds stay warmer in winter. By cleaning their feathers and grooming them with natural oils, our feathered friends are able to help insulate their bodies from cold. You can keep water thawed with a submersible heater placed directly into the water… which is an economical and safe method, as long as you use a high-quality outdoor extension cord to plug the heater into an electrical source. Heated birdbaths are also a good option.

Birds appear to be homeless in winter, which makes people wonder where they go at night. In general, they choose to roost in the same kind of places as they build their nest during breeding season. Some birds will use the same roosting spot every night unless they are disturbed by predators. Depending on the species, birds have different nighttime habits. For example, chickadees and other small feeder birds must be settled in before it gets dark. They usually head for some type of cover, often in the form of evergreen trees. Chickadee flocks fly into these evergreens together and tend to perch near the trunk for added protection from the wind. Nuthatches and some small woodpeckers, such as the downy, often head for tree holes in which to spend the night. Some woodpeckers may even excavate a tree hole in winter just for roosting, and they usually roost singly. A few other birds, bluebirds for example, may also roost in tree holes or birdhouses to conserve body heat. Bluebirds and nuthatches don’t mind a crowd so they may roost communally, particularly on cold nights. The record for the most eastern bluebirds found in one birdhouse at night is 25! That’s a good argument for keeping your birdhouses up all year long! Many birds fly long distances to spend the night in large communal roosts. Crows fly up to 50 miles each winter night, usually finding a roost in evergreens with as many as 100,000 of their closest friends. Grackles, robins, starlings and many herons also form large nighttime roosts. One of the most amazing night behaviors of birds is exhibited by the northern bobwhite. In winter, they join into groups called coveys. These consist of 12 to 16 birds that feed together during the day and gather together at night in a circle on the ground with their tails facing in. The circle is tight, and all the birds are close against their neighbors on either side.

Here’s a small trivia fact about birds. Did you know…for added insulation to conserve heat produced by shivering, birds grow a large number of extra feathers in early winter. White-throated sparrows average about 1,525 feathers in October, and well over 2,500 in February. “Feather light” is not an exaggeration. This huge number of body feathers makes up less than 10 percent of the whitethroat’s total one-ounce weight.

So take time to enjoy the show outside your window in the garden this winter, and we shall talk again soon.

From the garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

December Tips for the Garden 2008

The month of December brings the holiday season and warm thoughts of family, friends and community. I would like to say “Thank You” and wish you and yours a “Blessed Holiday Season” with all the best in the New Year! Furthermore, fall will turn into winter this month. With the addition of fire pits in our outdoor rooms, evenings outdoors can still be enjoyable sampling hot chocolate or cider with friends around the blaze of a comfortable warm fire. Connect with kids by roasting hot dogs and making s’mores around the fire! Enjoy the crisp cool weather.

It may not always be the most comfortable time to be planting anything in your landscape, but it is a great time for the plants. Trees and shrubs are completely dormant now, so the concept of transplant shock does not apply. However, you do need to treat any new plantings the same now as you would if it were the middle of summer. New plantings need to be thoroughly watered in regardless of the weather conditions. If it is below freezing but the ground is not frozen, go ahead and plant, taking care to backfill the hole with as loose a soil mix as you can. As soon as the temperatures are back above freezing go back to your new plantings and water them in. If you have spring bulbs that you haven’t gotten in the ground yet, you need to make that a priority. A little bone meal or blood meal placed over the planting areas will help keep the squirrels away from your bulbs. They are also great additives for your bulbs.

Leaf removal is the next task. I had all of the leaves cleaned out of my yard a week ago, only to see a lot of leaves from my neighbor’s yard come to visit my yard with the help of the wind we have had. The point I am trying to make is that leaf removal is an ongoing task. Un-composted leaves can smother your lawn and cause disease problems for some of your shrubs and perennials. You can shred the leaves with a shredder, or the lawn mower, and add them to your compost pile.

Trimming or pruning of some of your trees and shrubs can be done at this time. Basically it breaks down like this, if the tree or shrub flowers before the 1st of June don’t touch it now. If it flowers after the 1st of June, you can safely cut it now. Resist the urge to cut back everything. Most perennials benefit from adding a layer of mulch or dead leaves. If you had any fungus or disease problems in an area, go ahead and cut back the plants in that area and rake up the debris. Mulch any plants that need extra protection, like those hardy banana trees! Keep your ornamental grasses up until mid-March (I’ll let you know when it’s time to cut them back).
Roses: a winter “hair-cut” can be given, but don’t cut them back all the way. Some winters can be so cold that the roses could get winter die-back which would need to be removed in the spring anyway, so plant on your heaviest rose trimming in spring in early April. Apply a thick layer (10-12”) of mulch at the base of your roses now.

Lawns: It is still a great time to apply a Winterizer fertilizer to the lawn. This fertilizer will help keep your cool season turf greener, even in the coldest part of the year.
Plants get “chapped lips” too. Cold, dry winter winds and bright winter sun make our skin chapped and unhealthy. Those winds have a devastatingly similar effect on your plants, which are out in the winds all winter. No wonder your evergreens don’t look so great come spring. This drying effect is called desiccation and is often the most devastating aspect of winter damage on plants in our Midwest region. To fight desiccation, first choose the right plants for windy, dry areas. Especially try to avoid placing broadleaf evergreens, such as azaleas, in places shady in summer but sunny and windy in winter. Second, make sure to water your evergreens well through early December, before the ground freezes and plants cannot “drink” from the soil. Third, mulch your plants for winter to retain soil moisture as well as soil temperature. Fourth, use an anti-desiccant. These products coat leaves and needles to slow down the loss of moisture. One of the best products to use is Wilt Stop by Bonide. This product is a natural polymer that covers plants with a FLEXIBLE coating to lock moisture in the plant tissue. The flexible coating is important to keep the coating on plants as they bend and sway in the wind. Wilt Stop lasts 45-60 days so apply the first treatment in early December and again in early February.

Here are a few tips on winter houseplant care. When the heat goes on and the daylight becomes shorter, houseplants sometimes begin to yellow and drop their leaves. It may be necessary to move the plants to a different place in the home and to give them different treatment from that given during the summer. Flowering plants need at least half a day of direct sunlight to develop flower buds. Cacti and many succulents require a sunny location, and coleus and crotons need direct sun to maintain the decorative color. The ideal temperatures for foliage plants are 68-70 degrees during the day and slightly lower at night. Flowering plants retain blossoms longer at lower temperatures. Remember, windowsill locations are much colder during the winter and plants my need to me moved to prevent them from being too chilled. The amount of water the houseplants need declines during winter, so increase the amount of time between watering. Reduce fertilizing as well: flowering plants should be fertilized half as often and foliage plants should only be fertilized if needed.

Some of the plants in your landscape can help you decorate for the Christmas season as you prune them for next year. Holly and Boxwood can be trimmed now with some of the cuttings used to accent wreaths or live indoor plants. And, some of the inside growth of evergreens such as White Pine, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, even some of the seed heads of ornamental grassed can be used to make a harvest wreath or basket for your front door or porch. Talk about recycling! After Christmas, you can take them to your compost bin for future fertilizer! Along with these Holiday tips, here are a few other ideas for the month:

· Use caution when spreading salt or calcium on ice or snow packed walks or driveways. Salt can damage lawns and plantings, calcium is much safer to use. Be sure to designate areas to for piling snow from plowing in advance to prevent damage to trees, shrubs and lawns.

· Continue to feed our fine feathered friends and place heated birdbaths with fresh water out for them.

One last task is to remember your tools. Steel and wood don’t like dirt and water. Keep them clean and well oiled and they will serve you for years to come. Gasoline powered tools should also be serviced according to the manufacturers specifications so that they will start on the first pull next year.

Again, I wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas season. Let’s get to work on planning that beautiful garden scene for next year!

See you in the Garden…………..
Sandi Hillermann Mcdonald

November Tips for the Garden 2008

We have definitely had more moisture than usual this year. However, you still want to watch for dry periods and water your plants if the soil dries out, especially for new plantings. Roots of plants grow in winter months and need moisture before the ground freezes. 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. So, dig in to the tasks listed below and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can!

• Now is a good time to collect soil samples and test the pH and nutritional levels. Lime will increase the pH level if it is low. Sulfur will lower the pH level if it is high. The product labels and the staff at your local Garden Center can help you determine the rate to use for your situation.
• Till the vegetable garden to expose many insect pests to winter cold and reduce their numbers in next year’s garden.
• Keep leaves raked up and off the lawn to prevent injury to turf grasses.
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 early spring green up.
• If we have dry periods before the ground freezes, water perennial beds, shrubs, and trees.
• Plant tulips and other spring bulbs now through December.
• Start paperwhite, narcissus, and amaryllis bulbs indoors now thru December.
• 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.
• Roll up and store garden hoses on a warm, sunny day.
• Towards 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.
• Cover garden ponds with bird or pond netting to prevent leaves from fouling the water. Oxygen depletion from rotting organic matter can cause a winterkill of pond fish.
• Take steps to prevent garden ponds from freezing solid in winter. Using a floating garden heater in the pond will lessen the chance of ice damage.
• Mulch strawberries with straw for winter. The best time to do this is 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 bird feeders. 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.
• When feeding the birds, set up a variety of 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.

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.

The fall season is ending, but outdoor enjoyment can continue especially with the new outdoor living trends of today. Can you believe that it is November already? Wow, from November 1, there are only 27 more days until Thanksgiving, 51 days until the first day of winter, 55 more days until Christmas and 62 more days until January 1, 2009! And you know how fast the next 62 days are going to fly by! So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the outdoors as you prepare for winter….Enjoy your yard and garden in every season!

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

October Tips for the Garden 2008

FALL-THE PERFECT TIME TO GARDEN:

Fall brings cooler air temperatures, continued warm soil temperatures, and more consistent rainfall - the perfect time to plant and transplant just about anything (especially trees) - and it is easier on us gardeners too! Tree planting is the most effective when it is done in the fall. This is because the tree roots continue to grow until the ground freezes and will grow again in spring allowing extra time for the tree to become established before our brutal summer weather hits. Trees should be fertilized towards the end of October, and tree fertilizer spikes placed at their drip line are a perfect choice. Use one tree spike per one inch of tree trunk diameter. This will make for beautiful foliage next spring! (The diameter of the tree is a measurement found at a cross section of the trunk 12” above the ground.)

Fall is also the best time to divide and transplant perennial clumps. Any spring or summer blooming perennial plants can be divided now. Make sure you prepare the area where the plants will be transplanted using some type of organic material, like cotton burr compost. Use compost at the rate of 1/3 compost to 2/3’s native soil for your garden projects. Cut back spent flower heads and foliage as it starts to die back for its winter dormant period. Leave ornamental grasses alone until early spring as their dried foliage will add a wispy, interesting texture to your winter landscape.

Lawn seeding should be finished by October 15th to insure germination and plant growth yet this fall. Choose a seed mix for your specific lawn area: sun, shade, sun/shade, play, drought, etc. Fescue mixtures are best for durability for our area. Fescue blends should be spread at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. on bare ground, and 2-3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. on a lawn with a 50% stand of grass. Be sure to aerate and renovate your yard when over seeding for the BEST results. Without these steps, it is like throwing grass seed on to concrete because our soil has such high clay content and compacts so easily.

It’s time to plan and plant for next spring’s bulb show! Tuck bulbs into your perennial border, mingle them amongst your ground cover, naturalize them around trees, or they can stand by themselves in beds and planters. Plant for a succession of blooms; start with the ‘early birds’ which include crocus and snowdrops, follow with an abundance of narcissus and hyacinth, and finish with a flourish of tulips and irises. When planting, fertilize with Dutch Bulb Food or Bone Meal and make planting easier by using bulb planters or bulb augers that fit your drill. For holiday blooms, buy paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs now to force blooms inside during the month of December.

DON ‘T take your hummingbird feeders down before mid October. The bird’s biological clock tells them when to migrate south. THEY ARE NOT dependent on us removing the feeders at a certain time! Hummingbirds who have started their migration from up north will appreciate finding your feeders along the way.

With winter coming, remember that gardening is not just confined to outside. Start an herb garden on a sunny windowsill and enjoy freshly snipped herbs or salad greens all winter long. Bring color and texture to any room-with blooming and foliage houseplants and cacti. Bring tropical plants that have spent the summer outside indoors before the night temperatures drop below 45F. Be sure to check carefully for signs of pests or diseases first, and treat as needed.

In October, you also need to prepare your water gardens for winter. Cut back dying foliage of hardy water plants and sink pots to the bottom of the pond. Cover your pond with a mesh netting to protect it from the buildup of falling leaves. In the winter, install a de-icer or pond heater to keep a hole in the ice for the fish to breathe. This will let the ammonia gases escape the pond. Stop feeding your fish when the water temperature reaches 55F.

Evaluate your summer plantings of annuals and vegetables while they are still fresh in your mind. What varieties worked well and what did not? Which varieties gave you the best flower display or yield? Remember that spring is just around the corner! So begin planning next spring’s flower and vegetable gardens now.

Enjoy your yard and garden in every season!
Sandi Hillermann McDonald