Today my son and I decided we were going to make some bird feeds. So we went outside on the search for pine cones*. We found a couple, but they were a little soft, so we gathered what we could and went in to start the project. (If it wasn't raining it would have been a good idea to do this outside, my son is almost 2). I got out the peanut butter and put the seed (I'd suggest Sommer's Wild Bird Foods seed) in a bowl for him to cover the cones. Away he went, playing in the seeds and dropping quite a bit on the floor in the process. Anyways, hung them up and now we wait to see if we have any takers. We had a great time together and gave the birds a little treat in the process. Do you have a suggestion for some family time together? Let me know.
*If you can't find any pine cones, just use slices of bread. Leave them sit out for a couple hours so they get a little hard, punch a hole in them for some string, then slather on the peanut butter and sprinkle with your favorite seed.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Bringing Birds to Your Backyard
Bringing birds to your backyard can be easy and fun. Below are 4 tips to keep in mind as you get ready for your feathered friends this spring.
1. Feed Them Well-The more diverse your food selection is the larger variety of birds you will attract to your yard. Provide plants with seeds, nectar &/or berries and dead tree limbs will attract insects for insect-eating birds. Also provide a variety of bird feeders at different heights as well as suets and other high energy foods. Keep your feeders full and clean. See our Bird Food & Feeder Preference Chart.
2. Provide Safe and Warm Shelter-Different birds prefer shelter at different heights. Provide houses as well as trees, dead and live, and shrubs. Evergreens are great for winter shelter and to hide from predators. An ideal bird habitat would have a variety of plants in size and density. This will provide the birds a choice for feeding, nesting, courting and hiding.
3. Quench Their Thirst-Birds need water whether it is fall, winter, spring or summer so provide a bird bath or fountain for them. If you have a stream running through your yard, provide logs, branches or rocks for the birds to perch on. A reliable source for bathing and drinking is what birds need.
4. Create a Place to Raise Their Young-Birds are always looking for safe places to raise their babies. You can help through nesting boxes as well as shrubs and trees. You may want to hold off trimming your shrubs until after nesting season is over, in case you have residents in your shrubs. You can also provide nesting materials such as short pieces of string and pet/human hair. Not only do these tips help out the birds, but they also provide you with the enjoyment of watching them and keeping them in your backyard all year long.
Click here to view all our wildbird products
1. Feed Them Well-The more diverse your food selection is the larger variety of birds you will attract to your yard. Provide plants with seeds, nectar &/or berries and dead tree limbs will attract insects for insect-eating birds. Also provide a variety of bird feeders at different heights as well as suets and other high energy foods. Keep your feeders full and clean. See our Bird Food & Feeder Preference Chart.
2. Provide Safe and Warm Shelter-Different birds prefer shelter at different heights. Provide houses as well as trees, dead and live, and shrubs. Evergreens are great for winter shelter and to hide from predators. An ideal bird habitat would have a variety of plants in size and density. This will provide the birds a choice for feeding, nesting, courting and hiding.
3. Quench Their Thirst-Birds need water whether it is fall, winter, spring or summer so provide a bird bath or fountain for them. If you have a stream running through your yard, provide logs, branches or rocks for the birds to perch on. A reliable source for bathing and drinking is what birds need.
4. Create a Place to Raise Their Young-Birds are always looking for safe places to raise their babies. You can help through nesting boxes as well as shrubs and trees. You may want to hold off trimming your shrubs until after nesting season is over, in case you have residents in your shrubs. You can also provide nesting materials such as short pieces of string and pet/human hair. Not only do these tips help out the birds, but they also provide you with the enjoyment of watching them and keeping them in your backyard all year long.
Click here to view all our wildbird products
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Springtime Tips for You and Your Pet
You will likely be spending more time outside with your pets on these nice warm days, but make sure your yard is safe for your pets.
Make sure your plants are not toxic to animals. Some pets will chew on plants, flowers, mulch and grass. Tulip and daffodil bulb are toxic as well as lilies, elephant ear, arrow grass, azaleas, rhododendrons, marigolds and oleander. Cocoa bean mulch smells like chocolate so dogs will sniff it out and eat it. If you have a dog, do not use this kind of mulch. Also check fertilizers, weed killer and pest control, the label should note if it is toxic to animals. After applying any of these to your yard it is recommended to keep your pet off the yard for 24 hours.
You may be eating with friends and family more too. Chocolate is not good for pets and even a little can be fatal to dogs. Keep cookies, brownies & chocolate away from them and put your Easter candy up out of their reach. Other table foods could also cause health problems, pets should stick to their own pet foods and treats.
You can call the poison control center if you think your pet has been poisoned. 1-800-222-1222 Poisonous plants to dogs. Poisonous plants to cats.
Provide toys for your pets to play with outside. Frisbees and balls will give you and your pet a little extra exercise. This will also keep them occupied and away from your flowers and garden. If you are not going to be outside with them, or they are not on a tie out, put up a fence to keep them away from the road and any pedestrians walking by.
Also with Easter around the corner pets, especially cats, tend to play with the plastic grass that is put in many Easter baskets. Keep your baskets up out of your pets reach or in a cupboard where it is out of sight. If you are hiding Easter eggs, make sure you find them all. Dogs are good at finding eggs and if found after they spoil can make your dog sick.
Before going on a walk check your leash and your pet’s collar and ID tag. Make sure they are in good condition and not too loose.
Your pet may be spending more time outside therefore making them more susceptible to fleas. Stay on top of their flea treatment schedule.
If you are going to be traveling and taking your pet with you, make sure you have the necessities needed for an easy and safe trip. Seat belt harnesses, seat covers and barriers will all be helpful on a long trip.
Have a fun and safe spring and summer with your pets!
Click here to see our cat products.
Make sure your plants are not toxic to animals. Some pets will chew on plants, flowers, mulch and grass. Tulip and daffodil bulb are toxic as well as lilies, elephant ear, arrow grass, azaleas, rhododendrons, marigolds and oleander. Cocoa bean mulch smells like chocolate so dogs will sniff it out and eat it. If you have a dog, do not use this kind of mulch. Also check fertilizers, weed killer and pest control, the label should note if it is toxic to animals. After applying any of these to your yard it is recommended to keep your pet off the yard for 24 hours.
You may be eating with friends and family more too. Chocolate is not good for pets and even a little can be fatal to dogs. Keep cookies, brownies & chocolate away from them and put your Easter candy up out of their reach. Other table foods could also cause health problems, pets should stick to their own pet foods and treats.
You can call the poison control center if you think your pet has been poisoned. 1-800-222-1222 Poisonous plants to dogs. Poisonous plants to cats.
Provide toys for your pets to play with outside. Frisbees and balls will give you and your pet a little extra exercise. This will also keep them occupied and away from your flowers and garden. If you are not going to be outside with them, or they are not on a tie out, put up a fence to keep them away from the road and any pedestrians walking by.
Also with Easter around the corner pets, especially cats, tend to play with the plastic grass that is put in many Easter baskets. Keep your baskets up out of your pets reach or in a cupboard where it is out of sight. If you are hiding Easter eggs, make sure you find them all. Dogs are good at finding eggs and if found after they spoil can make your dog sick.
Before going on a walk check your leash and your pet’s collar and ID tag. Make sure they are in good condition and not too loose.
Your pet may be spending more time outside therefore making them more susceptible to fleas. Stay on top of their flea treatment schedule.
If you are going to be traveling and taking your pet with you, make sure you have the necessities needed for an easy and safe trip. Seat belt harnesses, seat covers and barriers will all be helpful on a long trip.
Have a fun and safe spring and summer with your pets!
Click here to see our cat products.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Planting & Care for Trees, Shrubs & Roses
Plant Selection
The first step in selecting plants is to identify the area to be planted and addressing its requirements. Things that need to be considered are soil conditions, exposure to sun or shade, wind, and maintenance requirements. Be sure to select plants that are well suited to the area you are landscaping. Next, consider the plants texture, foliage color, flowers, fruit and most importantly, its mature size. A good landscape book can help with ideas and information.
Site Preparation and Planting
The heavy soil conditions in most of the country require special planning for successful plant establishment. Follow the following general planting steps:
Measure the diameter and height of the root ball. Dig the hole
1-2” shallower than the root ball and 11/2 to 2 times its diameter.
Prune Anvil Pruners the root ball after removing from container to prevent
circling or girdling roots.
Set the tree or shrub in the hole on the solid, undisturbed ground. This will prevent the plant from settling to low. Mix the backfill with an enriched garden soil. A saucer of soil should be formed to direct water to the root ball.
Water thoroughly using a liquid plant starter to settle soil and get stimulate root growth.
Mulch with 2-4” of quality bark mulch.
Remove by pruning any dead or damaged branches. Stake trees only if
necessary to prevent damage from high winds.
Watering
Plants should receive about 1” of water per week during the growing season. Remember that too much water can kill plants so do not water if plants receive 1” of rain water during the week. Water plants thoroughly the first season soaking the root ball once a week.
You can find what you need to care for your plants at www.backyardtobarnyard.com
The first step in selecting plants is to identify the area to be planted and addressing its requirements. Things that need to be considered are soil conditions, exposure to sun or shade, wind, and maintenance requirements. Be sure to select plants that are well suited to the area you are landscaping. Next, consider the plants texture, foliage color, flowers, fruit and most importantly, its mature size. A good landscape book can help with ideas and information.
Site Preparation and Planting
The heavy soil conditions in most of the country require special planning for successful plant establishment. Follow the following general planting steps:
Measure the diameter and height of the root ball. Dig the hole
1-2” shallower than the root ball and 11/2 to 2 times its diameter.
Prune Anvil Pruners the root ball after removing from container to prevent
circling or girdling roots.
Set the tree or shrub in the hole on the solid, undisturbed ground. This will prevent the plant from settling to low. Mix the backfill with an enriched garden soil. A saucer of soil should be formed to direct water to the root ball.
Water thoroughly using a liquid plant starter to settle soil and get stimulate root growth.
Mulch with 2-4” of quality bark mulch.
Remove by pruning any dead or damaged branches. Stake trees only if
necessary to prevent damage from high winds.
Watering
Plants should receive about 1” of water per week during the growing season. Remember that too much water can kill plants so do not water if plants receive 1” of rain water during the week. Water plants thoroughly the first season soaking the root ball once a week.
You can find what you need to care for your plants at www.backyardtobarnyard.com
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