Wednesday, August 19, 2009

“Protect Your Garden From Birds - Republican-Eagle” plus 4 more

“Protect Your Garden From Birds - Republican-Eagle” plus 4 more

Protect Your Garden From Birds - Republican-Eagle

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 07:04 AM PDT

)Protect Your Garden From Birds

As any gardening enthusiast can attest, one of the more appealing aspects of gardening is the sense of relaxation it can instill. About as far from the hustle and bustle of the office as a person can get, a garden can be the perfect place to escape the trials and tribulations of everyday life and enjoy some quality time with Mother Nature.

Though lovely to look at, birds have the unfortunate tendency to dine on your delicate blooms. While lawn critters present an entirely different group of problems, birds can be just as problematic, robbing a garden of its beauty by eating the tops of plants while frustrating gardeners to no end. To make sure your garden is a place you can enjoy -- and view birds from afar -- consider the following tips.

* Enlist the help of a phony friend. While they may now be more commonly associated with Halloween or farm country, scarecrows can actually be an effective, and easily maintainable, bird deterrent. If you can't find a scarecrow, a mannequin or even a plastic predatory bird can suffice as well. To maximize the effects of these phony watchdogs, move them from time to time, and consider changing the appearance of scarecrows or mannequins. Appearance and location should be changed to keep potentially harmful birds on their heels.

* Let the birds banish themselves. Aluminum foil or ornaments covered in mirrors can be effective at frightening birds and playing their own fears against them. Such items will spin and reflect light as the wind blows, likely scaring birds off in the process. These items are also a very inexpensive option, as they can be made for a couple of dollars.

* Save the seeds. Birds can not only damage fully grown plants by eating their tops, but they can also eat newly planted seeds. To protect against such stealing of seeds, lay a strip of chicken wire over each row of seeds and secure the wire with small rocks or sticks. This will make it difficult for the birds to get at the seeds, and that extra effort is something most birds aren't willing to commit to.

* Fend the flyers off with fences. Most home and garden stores stock netting or fencing that's meant to protect fully grown plants from falling victim to hungry birds. While each netting or fencing product is different, in general the barrier approach entails surrounding grown plants with the product to keep pesky birds from pecking away. GT094050

CAPTION: Though most homeowners don't need to protect a pumpkin patch, a scarecrow can be an effective means of protecting a home garden from birds.



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Backyard Quick Tips: PM's Guide to Fence and Garden Dilemmas - Popular Mechanics

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 03:32 PM PDT



The garden looks a bit snaggle-toothed with your wobbly fence posts adding weird angles to the landscape.

THE QUICK FIX
Fence posts can come loose when the ground around them shifts, or when they begin to rot. Either way, the fastest, easiest solution is a "sister" post. You'll need lengths of two-by-four that have been treated with preservative. Dig down about six inches below the bottom of the post on the two sides to which it leans. Position the two-by-fours so that they run from the bottom of the new hole up to the first rail of the fence, and screw them in place to the original post. Fill in the hole and compact the soil—the fence will be as sturdy as if it were new.


You've got the house and the white picket fence, but a drooping gate is ruining the dream.

THE QUICK FIX
Wear and tear and the elements combine to make picket-fence gates droop, but handymen have long used an easy fix straight from geometry class. Install an eye screw in the frame of the gate, about where it connects to the upper hinge. Attach a strong cable to the eye screw using a clip available at home centers, and fasten another cable kitty corner to the first, at the bottom outside of the gate frame. Now join the two cables with a turnbuckle, tightening until the gate is back in square.


The joints in your concrete walkway have deteriorated, making a simple stroll into an obstacle course.

THE QUICK FIX
Sidewalks and other concrete paths are laid with "expansion joints"—gaps between sections that are filled with wood or special fiberboard—to accommodate expansion and contraction of the concrete. Unfortunately, over time, the joint material can weather away. Remove it with a cold chisel or utility knife, clean the joint well, and stuff foam backer rod (available from home centers) into the crack, using a putty knife. Seal the joint with an exterior caulk or other sealant designed to be used with masonry, and everything will be on the level once again.


You'll go mad trying to keep the weeds out of the cracks between your sidewalk slabs.

THE QUICK FIX
Kill weeds fast by pouring boiling water directly on them. "Put a kettle of water on the stove or simply reuse the water you've just boiled pasta in," says Amy Stewart, author of The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms.

"You can add salt or plain vinegar to the water for extra power, but make sure the mixture doesn't come into contact with your lawn or any plants you don't want to kill." Plan on repeating the treatment about once a month if weeds resprout.


Trying to make a lovely rock garden on that slope in your backyard you suddenly discover you can't lift a 110-pound rock!

THE QUICK FIX
Keep on trucking. Hand trucks are not only an essential moving tool, they can be indispensable around the garden. Use the hand truck to move the rocks exactly where you want them, then just slide the nose out from underneath the rock and you're done.


You're not ready to start digging because you're having a hard time envisioning what shape your new flowerbed should be.

THE QUICK FIX
Lay out and adjust the shape of a flowerbed quickly and easily with the help of a garden hose. Position the hose in the shape you want, and change it until it looks right. Then use it as a guide to dig out the edges of the bed.


A weed-ridden asparagus patch has you about ready to give up on your favorite crop.

THE QUICK FIX
Add salt. "Asparagus is the only vegetable that can withstand salt," says Penny Griggs, an organic farmer in Vermont. "Spreading salt around your plants will kill the weeds but leave your asparagus unharmed."


You need a way to water sensitive tomato plants during your summer vacation, without asking your neighbor to take care of them (again).

THE QUICK FIX
Collect some liter-size plastic soda bottles and punch a few small holes in each one. Then, bury a bottle up to its neck next to each of the plants. Before you leave, simply fill the bottles; they'll slowly release the water over the next four or five days and keep your plants from wilting.


Even though you regularly mow, your browning lawn is buying you dirty looks from your neighbors.

THE QUICK FIX
If you remove more than one-third of the height of the grass when mowing, it can stress the grass, which leads to—you guessed it—browning. Adjust the height of your mower to a higher setting and mow more frequently. You'll have happier, greener grass.



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Your Garden: Crazy for containers - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 09:06 AM PDT

Garden Variety

 

Because gardeners love to look at other people's gardens, let me introduce Keith Phelps, manager of Country Farm & Home Gift and Garden Center in Mifflinburg, Pa. Keith practices what he preaches...and what he sells. These are pictures from his home.

Hi, I'm Keith Phelps. We specialize in container gardening and have for the past 10 years. I enjoy gardening at home as well and have tested lots of plants and products over the past years. The Pamela Crawford Side Planting System from the Kinsman Company is one of the most unique planting systems on the market right now.

The system is really easy to use, planting on the sides and the top of the containers with larger 3-inch and 4-inch plants, giving you instant results. The squared off shape holds a tremendous amount of soil and water which keeps your plants happy and healthy for the entire season. 

 In the photos I have used the side plant window boxes, column planters and basket on a column planter for large pots. I really enjoy working with the products both as a professional and as a gardener.

Plant selection varies from year to year in our containers but some of my favorites are Solar Coleus, Upright Fushia, Sweet Potato Vine, Supertunias, Superbells, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, Bidens and new this year are the "BIG" Begonias which have performed even better than expected!

My wife and I really enjoy our little piece of paradise and hope that sharing these photos with you will encourage you to do a little planting in your corner of the world!

 

 



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What to do with all those green beans and tomatoes? - Middletown Journal

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 12:19 PM PDT

Staff Report 1:44 PM Wednesday, August 19, 2009

HAMILTON — Not sure what to do with all those green beans and tomatoes growing in your garden? Home canning classes are being offered through the OSU Extension Office in Butler County.

Applications are being accepted for hands-on training for green bean pressure canning and tomato water bath canning.

Tomato canning classes are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

The next green bean canning class is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Classes are limited to seven participants and are held at the OSU Extension Office of Butler County, 1802 Princeton Road. Cost is $20 per person. To apply, visit the Web site www.butler.osu.edu. For more information, call (513) 887-3722.



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Scout speaks to garden club - Circleville Herald

Posted: 19 Aug 2009 06:50 AM PDT

The Herald * PO Box 970, Circleville, OH 43113
Phone (740) 474-3131 * Fax (740) 474-9525
For general support/information on this site please visit: www.CirclevilleHerald.com/about_us

For technical support on this site please email: ACMiSupport@amconmedia.com



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