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YOUR WILD BACK YARD
BY
Did you go on the Wild Life Garden Tour this past
My yard has been listed as a “Wildlife Habitat” for over 40 years
and in that time I have seen 44 different species of birds at some time
during the year. Necessary for them is food, water, and shelter. I
probably put out more food in summer than winter as parent birds are
super busy finding materials for nests and then food for their babies.
There is a sparrow nest (rather messy) hanging on a shelf over a garage
door. I never open this door and a
Bird watching/feeding and gardening are the two most popular
hobbies people have. Not all birds eat seeds so shrubs that have fruit
are good for them. If you look closely at their bills you can tell
somewhat what they like. Humming Birds have long beaks to reach down
into flowers for the nectar.
Seed eaters such as Cardinals, Chickadees, and Gold Finches have strong
bills for cracking seeds. Wood Peckers have tough bills to hammer their
way into spaces filled with insects. My paths are mulched so the birds
pick up the pieces and throw it aside to get what is under. If you are
digging,
Perhaps you would rather garden for Butterflies and Moths, many
of whom are specialists in what they or their children (caterpillars)
need to eat. I always have a patch of There are a number of annuals and perennials that provide nectar for the adults. Double flowers like Roses are not good as their long tongues can not penetrate to reach the sugar. In the fall the “Blue Spirea” (Caryopteris species) is a favorite of many insects that all feed at the same time. At the same time you need to grow plants for the caterpillars. This list is even longer-perennials, weeds, vegetables, and wild flowers. We have all been “attacked” by the little white butterfly who lays many eggs in plants of the Cabbage family. If you are interested in certain Butterflies, plant bigger clumps of both nectar and leaves so there is no shortage.
There is any number of other creatures you might like to
encourage in your “
One of the fiercest small creatures you can grow in your garden
is a “Praying Mantis”. They hide and pounce. Full grow ones may be 5
inches long, from green to brown in color. Females are much larger than
males and because they need the protein for their eggs, eat the males
after mating. They like to eat Aphids, Caterpillars, Beetles, Leaf
Hoppers, and Squash Bugs. They like to glue eggs to sturdy, straight
stems such as Golden Rod, Copyright 2012 *************************************************************
TOMATO
BY
The “Tomato Race” for 2012 was won again this year by “Sun Gold”,
the grape size Tomato that grows in clusters. On Celebrity, the old faithful tomato for every one is full of tomatoes but there was no sign of getting ripe when I picked the Sun Gold. Big Mama will be last as usual. It is a Roma type with thicker flesh and less moisture and big enough around for sandwiches. It did not even have little ones then so I should have tomatoes until frost.
Copyright 2012 |