Garden Bird Feeders

Archive for March, 2010

With more and more of England’s countryside being swallowed up by urban development, life is becoming increasingly difficult for the native wild bird population. Where once there was an abundance of fields and hedgerows, now there are jungles of housing estates.

Factory units, sprawling retail parks and out-of-town supermarkets are growing faster than daises on a lawn, with the result that important wildlife habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Food supplies are becoming scarcer and water resources are drying up. So unless the hand of friendship is extended in some small way, succeeding generations may never experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from watching our feathered friends peacefully going about their everyday lives!

It has to be said that many people go out of their way to show kindness and generosity to garden birds, especially during the long, cold, winter months; providing wild-bird food, bread, tit-bits, pieces of fruit or bags of nuts and bacon rind suspended from a washing line. Unfortunately, many of us unwittingly fail to acknowledge the extreme importance of a continual supply of water as well as basic foods.

Throughout the year garden birds depend on a regular source of water for drinking and for bathing. Unlike human beings they do not need a long relaxing soak in the bath, as this would cause extensive damage to the water-proofing properties of their feathers. Their reason for bathing is related purely to their preening habits.

In order to maintain their plumage in optimum condition, preening is of paramount importance and bathing in a shallow pool of water enables the feathers to become slightly damp, thereby spreading the oil outwards from their preen gland located at the base of the tail.

Providing a simple basic birdbath in the garden is both helpful, useful, and from a human perspective; entertaining and rewarding. Commercially-made baths are readily available at outlets such as garden centres at a range of prices but, unfortunately, in many cases the designs are inappropriate for the birds’ needs.

An old upturned dustbin lid supported underneath, a discarded wheelbarrow or washing-up bowl with a couple of rocks or bricks in the bottom enabling the birds to reach the water will do just as well, without the necessity of spending any money.

If space is not at a premium in the garden, a small pond is well worth the effort of digging. And by providing a small variety of water plants,

A garden is a haven, a place to renew and refresh the spirit. From the wildest and shaggiest of wildflower gardens to manicured rose gardens and knot gardens favored by the Victorians, gardens feed the soul and bring peace and beauty into our lives. Decorating your outdoor living space can help you enjoy your garden and make it part of your outdoor living space. Here are five ways to decorate your garden and add to its beauty:

1. Plan your planting so that there’s always something in bloom.

There’s no better way to decorate your garden than with flowers, but planning an ever-blooming garden can be tricky. Before you start planting, sit down with a good garden planner and work out a blueprint that includes plants that flower at different rates and in different parts of the spring and summer.

There are several ways to make sure that your garden is always in bloom. The easiest is to choose flowers that bloom all summer long, and then stagger plantings so that as one group of flowers has reached the end of its flowering period, the next is just bursting into bloom. A second way is to pick your flowers. The purpose of flowers is to set seed, and a plant will continue to flower until it has completed its task. If you pick the flowers before they go to seed, it will continue to make more flowers to fulfill its purpose.

A third and most versatile way is to choose plants that flower at different times during the season. If you are not an experienced gardener, you will find many online nurseries that offer preplanned gardens, complete with seeds and bare root plants, a blueprint and planting instructions.

2. Decorate with life.

Hummingbirds, butterflies and birds add an element to a garden that you can’t get in any other way. There are many ways to attract butterflies, bumblebees and birds to your garden. One of the most simple is to add a bird bath to the dcor. Birds need a source of still water, and will find your birdbath and add the chatter of life to your garden. Other additions that bring birds to your garden are birdfeeders and birdhouses. Just be sure that you choose squirrel-proof bird feeders unless you want to deal with the little rodents chewing away on your plants.

A second way to bring butterflies and specific birds is by planting flowers that attract specific species of butterflies or hummingbirds. Butterfly bushes attract butterflies, of course, and flowers with long necks and sweet nectar attract hummingbirds if you live in an area that invites them. If you do not want to do the research to choose your plants, you can turn to gardeners’ catalogs and nurseries that package hummingbird and butterfly gardens that will attract the life of your choice.

3. Decorate with water.

There are dozens of styles of water fountains available online and in stores, as well as easy to install ponds, waterfalls and streams. Water features are a perfect addition to your garden. They attract wildlife like butterflies and birds, and add the sound of running water to your environment one of the most restful and peaceful sounds in the world. You can buy a simple water fountain for as little as $30, and set up a pond with a filter for less than $100, but the effect is priceless.

4. Decorate with furniture.

Add furniture to your garden to make it easier to enjoy. Whether you opt for a full patio set or a garden bench, you need somewhere to sit and enjoy what you have built. Choose colors and styles that suit the style of your garden. There are hundreds of choices, from a basic park bench to planter benches that you can fill to overflowing with plants and flowers. Add trellises, statuary and other ornaments to bring everything together and make your garden the perfect retreat.

5. Decorate your garden with light at night.

Don’t forget to decorate after dark. Your garden doesn’t go away when the sun goes down, and night lighting can extend your enjoyment of your outdoor space. There’s a wide choice of lighting for different functions, including spotlights for dramatic effects, path lighting to outline walkways and accent lights to highlight special features. Look beyond safety to decoration when choosing lights for your outdoor space even something as simple as a string of miniature white lights strung through the trees can transform your garden into a magical place.

Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. Vultures are found in every continent except Antarctica and Oceania.

A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, devoid of feathers. This is likely because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean.

A group of vultures is occasionally called a venue, and when circling in the air a group of vultures is called a kettle. The word Geier (taken from the German language) does not have a precise meaning in ornithology, and it is occasionally used to refer to a vulture in English, as in some poetry.

Vultures are classified into two groups: Old World vultures and New World vultures. The similarities between the two different groups are due to convergent evolution.

Old World vultures

The Old World vultures found in Africa, Asia and Europe belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight.

New World vultures

The New World vultures and condors found in warm and temperate areas of the Americas are not closely related to the superficially similar Accipitridae, but belong in the family Cathartidae, which is quite close to the storks. Several species have a good sense of smell, unusual for raptors.

Feeding

A group of White-backed Vultures eating the carcass of a Wildebeest.Vultures seldom attack healthy animals, but may kill the wounded or sick. Vast numbers have been seen upon battlefields. They gorge themselves when prey is abundant, till their crop bulges, and sit, sleepy or half torpid, to digest their food. They do not carry food to their young in their claws, but disgorge it from the crop. These birds are of great value as scavengers, especially in hot regions. They can eat rotten flesh containing anthrax, botulism, and cholera bacteria, which are destroyed in the stomach

The vulture population in India and Pakistan has declined by up to 95% recently in the past decade, and two or three of the species of vulture in South Asia are nearing extinction. This has been caused by the practice of giving working farm animals diclofenac, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory and pain killing actions. Diclofenac administration keeps animals that are ill or in pain working on the land for longer, but, if the ill animals die, their carcasses contain diclofenac. Farmers leave the dead animals out in the open, relying on vultures to tidy up. Diclofenac present in carcass flesh is eaten by the vultures, which are sensitive to diclofenac, suffering kidney failure, visceral gout, and death as a result of diclofenac poisoning.

The decline in vultures has led to hygiene problems in India as carcasses of dead animals now tend to rot, or be eaten by rats or wild dogs, rather than be tidied up by vultures. Rabies among these scavengers is a major health threat. India has the world’s highest rate of rabies.

The decline in vultures causes particular problems for certain communities, such as the Parsi, who practice sky burials, where the human dead are put on the top of Towers of Silence and are eaten by vultures, leaving only dry bones.

Meloxicam (another NSAID) has been found to be harmless to vultures and should prove an acceptable alternative to diclofenac. The Government of India banned diclofenac, but it continues to be sold over a year later and is still a problem in other parts of the world

Snowdrops stand guard over tiny daffodil buds. Daylight is lingering a bit longer. The snow is receding and the robins are returning. The big thaw has begun. There’s no denying the signs. Spring is right around the corner.

If you’re like me, you can’t wait to get your hands into the soil. While you’re holding out for higher temperatures, there’s plenty you can do today to jumpstart the spring gardening season.

Sow Seeds Indoors

Take a trip to your local nursery or home store and buy seeds to start indoors.
In March I like to start annual flowers for my pots and containers. Currently, I have Coleus, Zinnias,
Impatiens, Petunias and Marigolds germinating. Follow the seed packet instructions and you’ll get excellent
results. Some plants will take longer than others to bloom or bear fruit, so plan accordingly. This is also a great time for starting culinary herbs and vegetables. If you’re looking for something new this year, try moonflower vine or cathedral bells to climb your fence or trellis. Both can be started from seed. If you have children, get them involved. Many children have a natural affinity for gardening. It’s a great quality to encourage and nurture in them.

Dust Off The Birdhouses

I put my birdhouses out in early March. Small birds like chickadees will be actively searching for appropriate homes to raise their families. Mine were up for less than 24 hours before the home tours began.

Give Your Garden Tools A Checkup

Take your pruning shears and other cutting tools to your local hardware store for cleaning, oiling and a good sharpening. On a warm day you may want to assess your lawnmower. Take it in for servicing or a tune up now-while you can. Many lawnmower repair centers are swamped shortly after the season starts. It’s one tool you don’t want to be without.

Get Inspired

Order your garden catalogs. Purchase your favorite garden magazines. Here in the northeast, there’s nothing like winter time to remind me how valuable my summer garden space is. Create a wish list of new plants, design features and outdoor furniture. With a little planning, you won’t be overwhelmed when May rolls around.

Seek Out Indoor Gardening Events

In March there are countless indoor garden, flower and landscaping expos. If you can’t find anything in your local area, a day or weekend trip to a flower show might be just what you need. Look for a botanical garden or arboretum with indoor facilities. In my area we have Longwood Gardens. It has year round indoor gardens and the displays are fantastic.

Clean Out Your Beds

As soon as the snow has melted and the weather permits, you can clean out your beds. It’s a good time to rake and clear your planting areas of dead branches, leaves and debris. I like to mulch as soon as possible in the spring, while there’s still plenty of space between the emerging bedding plants.

Learn A Landscape Design Software Program

There are so many inexpensive landscaping software programs available today, many of them under $50.00US. During the winter months you’ll have plenty of time to learn how to operate the system.
Create and sample new designs before digging. Take advantage of the overhead and 360 degree views. Many of the programs now offer a 3D walk through feature. It simulates the experience of walking through an actual garden. You can also advance the garden timeline into the future to see what it will look like when the plants and trees mature. It’s a wonderful creative tool to beat the winter blues!

Call Your Landscaper Now

If you’re planning to use a professional landscaper this year, make sure to schedule your work as far in advance as possible. When the ground is soft enough for digging, landscapers will be working overtime to keep up with the volume.

Book Your Garden Tours Now

Scour the internet for local and regional garden tours. Find out when tickets go on sale and plan ahead.
I’ve often read announcement lists in the newspaper after I’ve already made other plans. There’s nothing like
visiting other people’s gardens for encouragement and inspiration.

I hope these suggestions get you motivated to take action. The sooner you get started on your garden plans-the more time you’ll have to enjoy the rest of the season. Happy Gardening!

© 2007 John Conti

I stand on the brown wooden porch, that is surrounded by potted flowers and rocking chairs, which overlooks my grandmothers amazing garden and see a young of eight boy with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes chasing a blond hair blue eyed doll of a little girl, who is about six, through the yard. The warm summer breeze fills my lungs and the smell of freshly cut grass obtains my senses. I see a woman in her mid fifties on her knees surrounded by dirt and canna lilies working vigorously to plant the beautiful orange and red flowers.

I call to the children, who have begun to play fetch with a short, hyper beagle pup. Their attention directly turns to me for only a split second and then they return to their games and the woman on her knees, my grandmother, is still attending the grave task of maintaining the magnificent garden. As far back as I could remember the woman on her knees had spent most of her days in the garden. I could ask her many questions on how to pull a weed properly and how to maintain a rose so it will grow with its majestic, vibrant, red petals.

Her home always smelled of rose and lilac from the garden and nothing ever seemed to bother her, not even the hyper puppy and the frolicking children. You could always see the cardinals and the blue birds which stayed in the bird bath which was placed just diagonal of the garden. The rabbits would surround certain parts of the yard where they thought they would be hidden from plain sight. The deer sat in the back of the yard with their majestic and beautiful stature.

I climbed from the top of the porch to help my grandmother in her caring attempt to plant a tiger lily in the midst of the garden. The amazing orange flower is a tribute to a much older and wiser lady, my great grandmother. My grandmother glances to me with a caring and soft smile upon her loving face and all noise seems to disappear. We placed the beautiful orange and black lily into its initial and final place in the ever growing garden.

With our heads held high with gratitude and the overwhelming feeling of achievement we walk back to the brown wooden porch hand in hand. We sat in two of the rocking chairs rocking back and forth looking at the small children who are still chasing each other and the hyper little beagle. The summer breeze feels the air and everything seems fulfilling.

I have a bird feeder out in my back yard, and today I noticed that there was some activity in the feeder. I didn’t notice too much at first, but then I noticed the bird seemed to be stuck. I went out to investigate and sure enough…the bird had gotten into the feeder and couldn’t figure out how to get out.

I was a little scared that the frightened bird might nip me with his beak, so I went into the house and donned a pair of gloves. I lifted the top of the feeder, where I pour the feed in and the bird didn’t know he could get out….so I picked up the plastic side of the bird feeder and tipped it so the food would fall out, and the bird realized he was free and flew away.

I love to watch the birds come and feed at the feeder, but I think I should get a bigger feeder to accomodate the bigger birds. I think this one was a sparrow, but for some reason it got stuck and didn’t seem to have the know how to escape on his own.

I would love to hear from some folks that have had more experience in bird watching than I do. The types of feeders to attract certain kinds of birds, and maybe not attract birds that will fight over the food.

Are you establishing a new garden? Are you trying to bring a long neglected or difficult garden back to life again? You can create a flourishing garden anywhere. All you need is loads of desire, a little imagination and an open mind. In this article I briefly summarize some techniques that I have successfully used for encouraging growth in difficult areas of the garden. By adding a little magick to some basic ecological gardening principles your can create a sensation.

There are a few essential requirements for a healthy garden. These are: soil with the correct texture, nutrient levels, and drainage; water; sunlight and the appropriate plant choice for your local environment. Garden bed preparation is of utmost importance and you would be well advised to ensure that you have provided your plants with the best physical environment possible for their successful growth. But getting the physical environment right is just the first step. To get the best out of your garden you should provide a happy environment, full of positive energy and a little magick.

Visualize

When you first start planting out your garden it doesn’t look much like it will in two, three, five or ten years. Visualization is a crucial part of the garden design and planning process. It is also important for the growing process. To keep your garden growing in the direction would like it to grow, you should visualize regularly. This is just a matter of looking at the garden and imagining what it will look like when your plants are fully grown. In doing so you are mentally sending your plants messages and encouragement. Make a habit of visualizing your garden on a daily basis and imagine it as it will look in, say, five years of constant and healthy growth.

In the meantime … fake it

While you are in the early stages of garden creation, try making a ‘fake it ’til you make it’ garden. This simply means creating an interim garden. You can do this by placing pots filled with colorful plants around the area. This will give you some instant gratification for your efforts. It will also give your new plants some company. After all, plants are communal and are not meant to grow alone.

You can quickly and easily create new pot plants by taking cuttings from other plants in your garden or your existing pot plants. Put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots – some won’t grow roots this way, it will be trial and error but many will grow roots within a week. Alternatively, buy some plants, preferably colorful flowering plants. Of course, choose appropriate plants for the location of your garden – shade loving plants for areas with little sun, etc.

Place the pots around the area where you want the garden to be and in between the plants that you have recently planted. If the garden is located in a harsh landscape that is subject to extreme hot or cold or strong winds, you can place the pots so that young plants are protected from harsh winds or direct sunlight. If your environment is particularly harsh, you may consider adding small screens made from bamboo or other natural materials to protect young plants until they establish. In a dark or very shaded area, ensure that your pots will not block any sunlight that your seedlings may be receiving. Whatever the nature of your garden, use plenty of mulch to keep the moisture in the soil and the weed growth to a minimum.

Attract Native Animals

Life attracts life, so by attracting as many animals to your garden as possible you will increase the life energy of your garden which will help your plants to grow. Place rocks and logs in your garden to provide shelter and homes for small lizards and insects. If you do not have any tall trees, installing a pole that a bird can perch atop (but a cat can’t climb) is a great idea, as birds will contribute seed laden droppings that can bring additional plants to your garden as well as additional nutrients. Show your delight when you notice a new native occupant and let him know he is welcome.

Allow the ecology of your garden to evolve along with the growth and addition of your plants and other components. Resist interfering by killing particular animals that you don’t like such as spiders, if you are so inclined. Instead, become curious and learn about them. Talk to them. You will gain an entirely new appreciation for these animals and improve your karma at the same time.

Avoid Using Poisons

Garden shops are full of garden poisons. It’s big business. It would be easy to assume that weed killers, snail killers and the other exterminators are an essential component to gardening. However, the reality is that they are really bad for your plants and the animals that add value to your garden. There is almost always a natural or more gentle alternative to using poisons in the home garden. It is far more effective in the long term to pull weeds out by hand and you will save a lot of money.

Decorate and Communicate

Celebrate your garden area by decorating it with beautiful things, such as hanging pots, statues, bird baths, sculptures and low lighting, will add positive energy and atmosphere. If possible, include an outdoor table and chairs and spend some time there entertaining friends, laughing and having a good time, or just be there on your own relaxing and smiling upon your garden. Make sure you remove or disguise any ugly or unsightly objects. It is important to keep the area beautiful as you are more likely to spend time in, and give loving energy to, a garden that you like the look of and feel good about.

Take a leaf out of Grandma’s Book

Did your Grandmother speak to her plants? Mine did, and that practice was passed down to my mother and now I do it. It works! You don’t need to spend a lot of time in conversation with your flowers. Simply walk around and admire your plants for a few minutes most days. In the difficult spots, stop and talk to those plants that are struggling. Express pleasure when you see some growth. Smile at your plants and talk to them in a light manner as you are attending to their needs.

Crystals for Positive Energy

Use crystals and semi precious stones to add some beneficial energy to the area. Here are some ideas:

Agate

This crystal is known for its ability to produce abundance and increase yields in crops. It can be used to enhance the health of your pot plants or your garden plants.

Jade

Jade represents life and growth and has been associated with the health of plants and the environment. Place jade statues in the garden or use jade in a decoration that hangs above or nearby your plants.

Moonstone

Moonstone helps to enhance the growth and health of plants. Use it in decoration in your garden or wear it when attending to your plants.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Quartz crystal will amplify and enhance the qualities of any other stone and can be used to achieve any goal of pure intention. Use it alongside the other stones or alone in your garden to enhance plant growth. I hang crystals over pot plants to improve their performance.

These are examples of stones and crystals that have specific qualities that can assist plant recovery and growth. However, there are many crystals and stones that have healing and nurturing properties so it may pay to experiment. Crystals can be placed in pots, used as a display on a table, in a bird bath or water feature. They are particularly beautiful when they form part of a hanging decoration.

Add a Little Fairy Magick

Fairies have long been associated with gardens. Flower fairies were thought to live in the flowers of plants. They looked after the plant by ensuring it had everything it needed. You can add your own bit of fairy magick to your garden by placing a hanging fairy near the garden that you want to prosper from this energy.

If fairies are not your thing, hang or place sculptures of other powerful symbols around the area, such as the Sun for positive energy and the Moon for receptivity and supernatural powers. Both of these symbols together represent balance and harmony. There are many other symbols of good fortune such as Buddha that will enhance the energy and the feel of your garden. These symbols and bearers of good energy also look great.

Feng Shui Garden

Designing your garden for good Feng Shui

The Feng Shui garden is designed to allow Chi to flow. To create good Feng Shui, design your garden with plenty of curves. If you have a garden with very straight edges, add features that give the impression of curves. You can achieve this by the way you place your garden features and how you locate your plants. Choose rounded pots and curvy furniture to increase the positive Feng Shui in your garden.

Windchime Magick

Another way to increase Chi in your garden is by hanging a windchime or a windchime bell. Windchimes aid in the flow of Chi and add an additional element to your garden through sound. The right windchime can create a sensation of peace through its harmonic tunes. It is worthwhile selecting a well made bell or windchime that you enjoy listening to as this will make a valuable addition to the atmosphere of your home and give you joy every time the breeze blows.

Water Features

A water feature is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a positive Feng Shui garden. The water must be flowing, however, so that Chi can flow and so that it does not become stagnant. The addition of fish to your water feature will provide more positive energy due to the additional life. Be sure to find fish that do not eat the spawn of local frogs. Gold fish, which originated in China, have become an environmental nuisance in some countries and they will eat frogspawn. For frog friendly fish, check with your Government Fisheries Department.

Frog Magick

Frogs represent good luck in many cultures around the world. The first frogs hopped this earth alongside the Dinosaurs. They are wise beings, worthy of respect and they will bring good energy to your garden. Be sure to locate any pond a good distance from bedroom windows, however, as frogs can croak up a storm at night.

Scent

A wonderful way for a garden to enrich your life is through scent. You can create a special atmosphere by planting the shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden that provide certain scents that enhance particular moods. Add some instant inspiration by filling your pots with lavender, jasmine, geranium, lemongrass or whatever your nose desires.

Burn incenses outside or light a scented candle at night while sitting in the garden. Select the scent that will be most beneficial for your garden’s growth. Try gardenia or lavender for love and healing, ginger for success, patchouli or rosemary for love and growth, the invigorating benefits of sweet orange or frankincense and myrrh for healing and growth.

A closing thought ..

Your garden reflects the relationship it shares with you and the other inhabitants of your home. By increasing the positive loving energy in your garden you will create a place for growth and harmony, a place where life will thrive. In return you will receive much enjoyment. By combining good ecological concepts with a little magick you can turn a difficult garden into a sacred resort for the soul.

Do you think that your flower garden needs a little more drama? Consider adding a fountain water feature. Installing a water fountain is really not all that difficult, and the upkeep is minimal.

I love to sit by my fountain and relax with a good book — or even just watch the birds taking a bath. Hummingbirds, especially, like to take water fountain “showers.” So, if you add chemicals to prevent the green algae, be sure that it won’t harm the birds.

Since we live in southern California, our water fountain is surrounded by tropical plants and flowers. The types of plants that you use will be determined by the location that you live in.

When you add a water feature to your garden, consider the type of garden that you have. A natural rock waterfall might fit your theme better than a stand-alone fountain.

If you are having trouble deciding what kind of water feature would be best for your type of garden, go to the library and look at some gardening design books and magazines. I’m sure you’ll find a few that you like and that would be suitable for your area. Also looking online for ideas is a good choice.

You can have your water feature be part of a pond for a more natural look. If you have a formal garden, the pond would most likely be made up of concrete. Less formal gardens would do well with rock or brick. Pond liners can be purchased that can make your pond look more natural.

Be sure that you have access to electrical power before you make your final decision on the placement of your water feature. You can have an electrician add an outlet to a building or patio structure that is close to your garden. There are also extension cords available that are meant to be buried under your garden or lawn soil.

Water fountains and waterfalls are known for their soothing qualities. Doing yoga exercises near the sound of water falling helps to concentrate your positive energy. You can meditate to the quite beauty of sight and sound or just sit and relax.

There is something else that you should think about when deciding whether or not to add a water feature to your yard or garden. Some of your closer neighbors might not agree that the sounds made by your water feature are soothing. However, most people will appreciate it.

So, if you’re looking for a way to give your yard or garden more beauty and drama, think about adding a water fountain. It’s not as expensive have you would think it would be and the beauty it provides is worth the minimal cost of the installation.

Garden centers are known to be retail firms, which sell products and plants related to the different garden needs. A garden center is also considered as a primary business. It caters to the general public and is open in showcasing its display and facilities for plants and gardens.

The items one can find in the garden centers in the United States are the following:

?Perennial and annual flowers
?Shrubs
?Trees
?Roses
?Hanging baskets
?Container gardens
?Houseplants
?Water gardening
?Bulbs and seeds
?Potting mixes
?Mulch and soil amendments
?Chemicals and fertilizers
?Garden supplies and tools
?Pottery
?Garden decors, and
?Fountains.

Numerous garden centers in the United States consist of various departments, which include feeds for wild birds, gifts, floral displays, barbecue grills, and outdoor furniture, along with home decors, landscaping services and designs, as well as pet supplies. Usually, during the Christmas season, a lot of garden centers host large holiday season shops. Others also contain an additional coffee bar or cafe, unlike other restaurants situated in several garden centers in Europe.

In addition to this, a greenhouse is also commonly found in garden centers. Hence, a greenhouse protect plants from cold snaps, renders the store to safeguard houseplants in excellent condition, as well as provides the garden centers’ customers dry area to stay in during the rainy season. Furthermore, the horticulturist employees of garden centers are skilled and knowledgeable in diagnosing problems as well as in giving recommendations to all gardeners. In most garden centers, they are considered to be free service providers.

The following are the garden centers located in the United States:

Gilson Garden
Address: 3059 N. Ridge Rd., Perry, OH
Telephone Numbers: 440-259-4845 (wholesale), 440-259-5252 (retail)

The Gilson Gardens is situated right in the center of Lake Country historic nursery industry. It is a trade garden center, wholesale nursery, as well as florist. This year-round service store provides an assorted selection of trees, shrubs, and floral and perennial creations. As for their wholesale nursery, it offers ground covers, ornamental grasses, vines, perennials, and shrubs for the garden centers as well as landscapers all over the Midwest.

The Gilson Gardens has been founded in the year 1947. This family-owned garden company has started with only one greenhouse. Plus, it acts as a type of “along the side” road stand, which offer bare-root perennials as well as field-grown shrubs. At present, the Gilson Garden Company has about fifty employees and lets them be engaged in growing and retail operations of the company’s five farms consisting of forty acres in manufacture.

In addition to this, the company believes that a nursery plays an important and unique role in every community. It also must be a mellow and pleasant place to work or visit, an area where plants and people are connected, providing each to learn and to grow. A cherished and respected place alongside Lake Erie and the surrounding beautiful ecosystem, the Gilson Garden does all it can to be the finest and responsible steward of nature for years to come.

Dickman Farms Greenhouses & Garden Center
Address: 13 Archie Street Auburn, New York 13021
Telephone Number: (315) 253-3030
Garden Center Fax: 315-253-2983
Wholesale Fax: 315-253-3377
Here at Dickman Farms Garden Center, everyone is surely welcome!

In Dickman Farms, one will have the opportunity to find out the biggest array of lovely hanging baskets, specialty annuals, exhilarating new perennials, and designer-styled container gardens.

You can also stroll along its nursery. There, you will discover how it blooms together with its beautiful fragrant roses, and a wide collection of ornamental trees as well as flourishing flowering shrubs. Thus, the Dickman Farm Garden Center Division of expansive wholesale also offers its customers the ability and edge to transport an extensive range of beautiful perennials and specialty annuals that are fresh from its greenhouses straight to its garden center.

Hidden Timber Gardens
Address: 462 S. Chana Rd. Chana, IL 61015
Telephone Number: (815)751-4162

Hidden Timber Gardens dedicates itself to producing native plants, hardy perennials, specimen shrubs and trees, ornamental grasses, plus, stunning collector hostas, which range in more than sixty selections.

The Hidden Timber Gardens is located on five and a half acre land and is surrounded by eight hundred white pine trees as well as undisturbed woodlands. It also has planted numerous specimen trees. Moreover, it displays gardens for everyone to see and to relish. By touring its gardens, one will witness the occurrence of plants in its natural habitat, helping its customers decide on which plant is perfect and suitable right in their gardens. It also offers different ideas for several plant amalgamations.

Aside from this, the Hidden Timber Gardens possess perennial plants, which are ascertained to be hardy in both zones four and five, disease resistant as well as low maintenance. It also prides itself in choosing plants, which will provide its customers all seasons’ varieties. Picking out from the large variety of lush specimen trees, shrubs and evergreens, one is in no doubt of being bestowed with a unique garden setting perfect for its owner!
Visit and delight in Hidden Timber Garden’s beauty and tranquility!

Beachside Gardens
Address: 3725 E.U.S.HWY 12 Michigan City, IN 46360
Telephone Number: (219)879-8878

The Beachside Gardens has celebrated more than twenty-five years of excellent service, particularly in its Northwest Indiana region. This garden specializes in the natural and beautiful Dunes Landscape. In addition, it also produces its own hanging basket or containers, and bedding plants in the location. Moreover, it houses a large array of exuberant perennials.

The Beachside Gardens has a big selection of water garden tools and supplies such as pumps, fountains, liners, Koi fish and an assortment of water garden plants. Furthermore, it offers the one and only hardiest Michigan Grown Rhododendrons and Azaleas. All of these and more are a great addition to any beautiful garden.

Wanczyk Nursery
Address: 166 Russell Street Hadley, MA 01035
Telephone Number: 413.584.3709
Fax: 413.586.9698

The Wanczyk Nursery was established in the year 1954. It grows excellently featured nursery stock. This nursery stock is sold both in wholesale and retail, all the way to New England. This excellent nursery, based in Hadley, Massachusetts grows burlaped and balled nursery stock right on seventy-five land acres. It also containerizes plants on its eight-acre retail site near Route 9.

The Wanczyk Nursery’s broad assortment of notable burlaped shrubs and balled stock include Carol Mackie Daphne, Rhododendron, and Arborvitae. In addition, it also possesses an extensive collection of perennials, which has several arrays of Hemerocallis (Day Lilies) and a variety of annuals. It prides itself on its high quality and numerous selection of reasonably priced nursery stock.

The Wanczyk Nursery is the grower. Please do visit them!
Abbott’s Landscape Nursery
Address: 2781 Scio Church Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Telephone Number: (734)665-8733

The Abbott’s Landscape Nursery is known as a family-owned landscaping center, which serves the Ann Arbor community since the year 1981. Its property is a farm from the 18th century refurbished into a beautiful plant nursery as well as garden center. It offers products that ranges from topsoil and mulch through the hardiest shrubs and trees as well as astounding perennials.

In addition to this, it provides a wide variety of potting supplies, garden ornaments, garden tools, books, and wind chimes. Its services also range from great expert advice regarding the garden center, to consulting services, landscaping designs, and excellent work crews that are friendly and helpful with installing, planting, and mulching one’s landscaping dream into reality.

The Abbott’s Landscape Nursery greatest positive feature is its service. Far different from the usual big-box stores, which sell plants, it’s there for its plants and also loves to share its expertise with those found of gardening.

Please visit the Abbot’s Landscape Nursery and experience its beauty!

Gro-Rite Greenhouses & Garden Center
Address: 30 Hillview Road Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
Telephone Number: 973-694-7495
Fax: 973-305-8497

The Gro-Rite Greenhouses and Garden Center is a foremost family-owned garden center and green house situated in New Jersey. Having two attractive locations and a wide array of endless varieties, it has become a principal seller and grower of wonderful and vibrant perennials, annuals, landscaping and nursery products.

At Gro-Rite, one can discover the delights of gardening. By just touring its growing facilities, perennial and nursery yards, picking up unknown facts regarding plant care, planting, the latest stones as well as landscape products, it sure makes for a great experience.

Princeton Garden Center
Fax: 305-971-6719
Address: 26100, SW 177th Ave., Homestead, Fl 33031.

The Princeton Garden Center’s garden decors and outdoor patio furniture, which are from its garden center collection, are truly ideal embellishments to one’s home. With its outdoor patio style piece, it helps create the mood of your garden atmosphere. It also provides you with great garden decor selections to choose from in order to bring out the life of your garden setting. Thus, at this garden center, one will discover numerous decor items like statues, water fountains, solar garden lights, and plaques.

The diets of most insect-eating birds tend to be opportunistic and, to our way of thinking, monotonous. For example, if grasshoppers are plentiful, this is all they will consume until something more palatable comes along… or the grasshoppers move on.

There are some species, though, whose diet consists of one food source their entire lives. This may be due to environmental or genetic circumstances. A good example is the Snail Kite. You guessed it… nothing but snails.

When bugs become a necessity… Please bear with me. I’m not a scientist, so bugs (in this article) means insects, worms, and spiders. You know, the garden creepy-crawlies.

A large number of herbivorous (plants), omnivorous (plant and animal), and even carnivorous (animal) bird species actually alter their diets when under great stress. This also includes nectarivores (nectar)… hummingbirds. During breeding, nesting, and molting they consume huge amounts of insects and spiders – supplementing their normal foods with insects and spiders, or actually replacing them entirely.

Studies have shown that some birds develop diet preferences while they were nestlings. If the food source is still plentiful when it matures, the pattern continues. Seasonal changes soon force a diet change, as will its first molt and its first breeding season.

Interestingly, when birds need nutrition the most, that’s when insects and spiders are most plentiful. That’s not to say that birds wouldn’t benefit enormously from an extra source… you!

How your bird garden can supplement nature’s bounty of insects… Well, if you want to get technical, your garden IS part of nature’s bounty. But you can also offer earthworms, grubs, and other creepy-crawlies on a “silver platter”. Position platform feeders where insect-eating birds would normally find their foods. For example, a few inches above the ground is perfect for Robins, who are ground-foragers.

Bait shops are good sources for worms and grubs, as are some pet stores. Of course, an online search will net you an endless source of suppliers. Just keep in mind the bird species you want to attract to your garden, and give them what they need.

Once they find your gifts, they will continue foraging in your yard. In effect, the insects you place on these platform feeds are appetizers for the real meal in the rest of your yard.

Your reward will be a bird garden full of song and activity. Oh, a wonderful side-effect will be less harmful insects invading your garden… nature’s thank-you card.