Hello. I have recently hung a bird feeder in my garden with the aim of attracting small finches, blue **** etc. My problem is that crows keep hijacking the seeds! As the feeder is too small for them to attach themselves to, they sit just above it and pul the feeder of its hook so it falls to the ground emptying the contents!
I want to attract small birds to my garden, and at present none have arrived!
Does anyone have any tips for attracting the smaller birds, and keeping the ugly (though smart) crows out!
How do I keep pesky crows from feeding in my garden?
Crows are deterred by having a dead crow hanging around; you can mimic a dead crow with some black fluttering cloth.
But don't let them see you carry it or hang it up, they'll think you're carrying a dead crow and will mob you.
Reply:Put a net tent around the feeder, with holes big enough for small birds to go through.
Reply:Steak for lunch , dinner , and tea
Reply:Don't put the feeder in the open where the crows can get at it. I had a similar situation with magpies so I hung the feeders with seed in one and peanuts in the other in the shrubbery bushes at the edge of my garden.The magpies didn't venture into the bushes so the smaller birds had a chance to use the feeders and to hide from the larger birds.The only disadvantage is you can't watch the birds so easily from your windows. Without the attraction of the free seeds the crows may find somewhere else to hang out.
Reply:make a crow cage and catch crows in it it will scare away the crows or kill a few hang them up in trees and then the other crows wont coome near your garden works for me.....
Reply:get a scarecrow to scare those ugly(though smart ) crows away
or if you don't have one you act as it. lol.
Reply:Are you goodlooking?
If not then dance butt naked - thats enough to scare thing away.
If your goodlooking then no sorry cant help :)
Climbing Shoes
Sunday, May 16, 2010
I'd like to start a produce garden in my (new) sunny San Antonio, TX yard. What will grow, and when?
I just moved to San Antonio from Minneapolis. I'm living on a restricted budget, so I wanted to know if I could grow some food in my yard to feed myself. I'm completely new to the climate and all of the plant life seems foreign; thus, I think it would be unwise to garden in the same way I do in Minneapolis. My yard here is generally sunny, but there are some shady areas as well. Whatever tips you can give me relating to growing produce or general outdoor plant care in San Antonio (or an area with a similar climate) would be fantastic. Thanks!
I'd like to start a produce garden in my (new) sunny San Antonio, TX yard. What will grow, and when?
I'd talk to local garden shops before the county extension folks. They'll have a better idea of what does well there. You might also talk to the staff at a local botanical garden or arboretum.. Normally both are very forthcoming with info and knowledgable.
Hope you enjoy the new climate.. it WILL be different for you.
Reply:If I were you, I'd check with the your county extension agent for information on climate and crops. Every county has one. They are federally funded. They have all the information you need to be successful at gardening in your new area. They know the soils and climate and what varieties grow best. They will also be able to identify any problems you may have in the future.
Reply:For the most part it is no different than in Minnesota, the main difference being when. You have a much longer growing season, starting earlier in the spring and can grow well into fall. Contact your local extension service, they have master gardners who love to help!
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/
Reply:Anything you want will grow there, it depends on how much you want to water it. Tropical, citrus anything.
I'd like to start a produce garden in my (new) sunny San Antonio, TX yard. What will grow, and when?
I'd talk to local garden shops before the county extension folks. They'll have a better idea of what does well there. You might also talk to the staff at a local botanical garden or arboretum.. Normally both are very forthcoming with info and knowledgable.
Hope you enjoy the new climate.. it WILL be different for you.
Reply:If I were you, I'd check with the your county extension agent for information on climate and crops. Every county has one. They are federally funded. They have all the information you need to be successful at gardening in your new area. They know the soils and climate and what varieties grow best. They will also be able to identify any problems you may have in the future.
Reply:For the most part it is no different than in Minnesota, the main difference being when. You have a much longer growing season, starting earlier in the spring and can grow well into fall. Contact your local extension service, they have master gardners who love to help!
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/
Reply:Anything you want will grow there, it depends on how much you want to water it. Tropical, citrus anything.
What is the best way to attract wildlife into my garden?
I am getting on in years and my garden is my refuge-I would love to see birds and other animals using my garden-can you recommend any natural products to encourage them? Cheap please as I am on a limited income
What is the best way to attract wildlife into my garden?
A small pond can be made out of a ridge kids paddling pool, bird baths can be made out of bin lids turned upside down, putting out food such as poultry corn attracts finches and a mixed bird food will attract other birds, peanuts in a wire container will attract most-**** and other small species, a variety of nest boxes to suite all types of birds, meal worms will attract robins , goldcrest and wrens.
My garden is north facing and 17ft X 20ft, I have 3 nest boxes for blue-**** and other small birds, 2 nest boxes for great-**** and house sparrows. 2 open fronted boxes that the wrens, gold crest and other small birds use, on the end of my bungalow I have a barn owl box. Also in the back garden I have 4 peanut containers, 4 containers for the poultry corn, 2 containers for the mixed wild bird food and a bird table so that meal worms can be put out of the cats way, I also put meal worms around the small plum tree in the garden.
On the front of my bungalow I have one large container for poultry corn, 2 peanut holders plus two bird boxes for all-****.
Reply:Put out appropriate food
Reply:Food and quiet.
A cheap bag of mixed seed.
If you are interested in big animals, deer etc. include a salt-lick.
But be cautious as the animals will come to depend on the food supply and if you interrupt or stop it, say while you are on vacation, it will impact them, particularly if you live in a winter/snow zone. They may die without the food supply.
Reply:Plant the kind of plants that would attract them. Birds love plants with seeds that they can eat or with flowers and leaves that will attract bugs that they can eat. They also need plants that grow low to the ground and fairly thickly that will provide cover for them so they can hide.
There are books you can buy that will describe how and what to plant so you can attract wildlife to your garden and back yard. Also check with the Audubon Society. They will give you tips on how to provide a pleasant environment for birds.
Reply:lot of colourful plants
Reply:Hi, believe it or not they do say you should let a part of your garden grow wild just to trim it back on odd ocassions, its true when it comes to my garden as i always kept it nice in the past but the last 2 years i have had my dog out there alot and not had the time to do gardening with 5 children. Hence my garden is grown as it pleased, i have so much wild life in my garden that small birds like to come and sit on my dogs head hes so soppy that he just lets them, i think he likes their company and singing.
Reply:Put out food, and they'll be along
Reply:Ditch the lawn-mower. Long grass will attract all kinds of wildlife.
Reply:Grow things like sunflowers and leave them to go to seed. You can also buy cheap seed from shops like Wilkinsons. Don't feed them white bread though . And be careful about leaving out too much food for tem as it attracts vermin. A pyracantha bush is good for attracting birds too as it has lots of berries.
Reply:If you go to the link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wild...
it will tell you a lot as to what to do to encourage wildlife into your garden. Not only that but you can help them by recording all that you see in your garden, and for your area.
I belong to this site, and find it very pleasing.
Reply:put a tray of nuts, corn, or bread in the middle of your lawn it will attrack birds squirells, and hedgehogs, unfortunatly it will also attrack foxes the odd cat or two and possibly rats but it is a cheap way to do it
Reply:The best plants to attract honey eating birds and the like are Native Shrubs and trees such as grevillia, bottlebrush,etc.
Reply:I don't know where you are but in my experience, if you plant native plants preferably red flowering you will get birds etc
Reply:This depends on what kind of wildlife you want around you, if you want birds, you can put out the certain feeders for different birds, if you want insects like butterflys you can get a Butterfly bush, phlox, any kind of sweet smelling plants, you definately dont want deer because they eat everything.
Reply:Oh I love your question. I have been doing the same thing in mine. All life, wild and otherwise need food, water, shelter (called cover in the wild world) and a place to raise their young.
If you already have an established garden you probably have cover and mature trees for nesting. Some native shrubs and perennials that produce fruit, nectar and seeds would be a welcome addition. You didn't say where you live so the specific choices would be dependent upon your location. Sunflowers grow almost anywhere and many varieties of birds love them.
I live in the desert, and made a waterfall/stream/pond the center of my garden. It is by far the most wildlife attracting piece of my landscape. You can provide water without going to alot of expense. Try several small or varied types of containers for water for drinking and bathing. Butterflies like a shallow container filled with sand and kept wet. Plant dill and parsley for them and their offspring will have something to eat and reward you with their jewel like presence.
We live in an are where there are lots of hummingbirds so we have quite a few feeders and lots of trumpet shaped flower varieties for nectar.
These are just a few suggestions there are many others.
The National Wildlife Federation has lots of tips for attracting wildlife as well. www.nwf.org
Good luck
What is the best way to attract wildlife into my garden?
A small pond can be made out of a ridge kids paddling pool, bird baths can be made out of bin lids turned upside down, putting out food such as poultry corn attracts finches and a mixed bird food will attract other birds, peanuts in a wire container will attract most-**** and other small species, a variety of nest boxes to suite all types of birds, meal worms will attract robins , goldcrest and wrens.
My garden is north facing and 17ft X 20ft, I have 3 nest boxes for blue-**** and other small birds, 2 nest boxes for great-**** and house sparrows. 2 open fronted boxes that the wrens, gold crest and other small birds use, on the end of my bungalow I have a barn owl box. Also in the back garden I have 4 peanut containers, 4 containers for the poultry corn, 2 containers for the mixed wild bird food and a bird table so that meal worms can be put out of the cats way, I also put meal worms around the small plum tree in the garden.
On the front of my bungalow I have one large container for poultry corn, 2 peanut holders plus two bird boxes for all-****.
Reply:Put out appropriate food
Reply:Food and quiet.
A cheap bag of mixed seed.
If you are interested in big animals, deer etc. include a salt-lick.
But be cautious as the animals will come to depend on the food supply and if you interrupt or stop it, say while you are on vacation, it will impact them, particularly if you live in a winter/snow zone. They may die without the food supply.
Reply:Plant the kind of plants that would attract them. Birds love plants with seeds that they can eat or with flowers and leaves that will attract bugs that they can eat. They also need plants that grow low to the ground and fairly thickly that will provide cover for them so they can hide.
There are books you can buy that will describe how and what to plant so you can attract wildlife to your garden and back yard. Also check with the Audubon Society. They will give you tips on how to provide a pleasant environment for birds.
Reply:lot of colourful plants
Reply:Hi, believe it or not they do say you should let a part of your garden grow wild just to trim it back on odd ocassions, its true when it comes to my garden as i always kept it nice in the past but the last 2 years i have had my dog out there alot and not had the time to do gardening with 5 children. Hence my garden is grown as it pleased, i have so much wild life in my garden that small birds like to come and sit on my dogs head hes so soppy that he just lets them, i think he likes their company and singing.
Reply:Put out food, and they'll be along
Reply:Ditch the lawn-mower. Long grass will attract all kinds of wildlife.
Reply:Grow things like sunflowers and leave them to go to seed. You can also buy cheap seed from shops like Wilkinsons. Don't feed them white bread though . And be careful about leaving out too much food for tem as it attracts vermin. A pyracantha bush is good for attracting birds too as it has lots of berries.
Reply:If you go to the link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wild...
it will tell you a lot as to what to do to encourage wildlife into your garden. Not only that but you can help them by recording all that you see in your garden, and for your area.
I belong to this site, and find it very pleasing.
Reply:put a tray of nuts, corn, or bread in the middle of your lawn it will attrack birds squirells, and hedgehogs, unfortunatly it will also attrack foxes the odd cat or two and possibly rats but it is a cheap way to do it
Reply:The best plants to attract honey eating birds and the like are Native Shrubs and trees such as grevillia, bottlebrush,etc.
Reply:I don't know where you are but in my experience, if you plant native plants preferably red flowering you will get birds etc
Reply:This depends on what kind of wildlife you want around you, if you want birds, you can put out the certain feeders for different birds, if you want insects like butterflys you can get a Butterfly bush, phlox, any kind of sweet smelling plants, you definately dont want deer because they eat everything.
Reply:Oh I love your question. I have been doing the same thing in mine. All life, wild and otherwise need food, water, shelter (called cover in the wild world) and a place to raise their young.
If you already have an established garden you probably have cover and mature trees for nesting. Some native shrubs and perennials that produce fruit, nectar and seeds would be a welcome addition. You didn't say where you live so the specific choices would be dependent upon your location. Sunflowers grow almost anywhere and many varieties of birds love them.
I live in the desert, and made a waterfall/stream/pond the center of my garden. It is by far the most wildlife attracting piece of my landscape. You can provide water without going to alot of expense. Try several small or varied types of containers for water for drinking and bathing. Butterflies like a shallow container filled with sand and kept wet. Plant dill and parsley for them and their offspring will have something to eat and reward you with their jewel like presence.
We live in an are where there are lots of hummingbirds so we have quite a few feeders and lots of trumpet shaped flower varieties for nectar.
These are just a few suggestions there are many others.
The National Wildlife Federation has lots of tips for attracting wildlife as well. www.nwf.org
Good luck
Where can i get a good quality garden shed?
I live in scotland and am looking for aa GOOD quality garden shed for storing tools, where would you recommend?
Where can i get a good quality garden shed?
hi,
I got an amazing shed from gillies and mackay ltd, it was a 10' x 8' 19mm thick tongue and groove redwood weatherboard heavy duty, it has 75mm x 50mm pressure treated framing, 19mm flooring and 14mm redwood roof with excellent ruberfort felt. I've had it for 6 years and it is in fantastic condition. The price included the Vat delivery and installation the staff were so welcoming and the delivery men were very polite. An all round exceptional company.
Reply:Your local home improvement store.
Reply:lowes
Where can i get a good quality garden shed?
hi,
I got an amazing shed from gillies and mackay ltd, it was a 10' x 8' 19mm thick tongue and groove redwood weatherboard heavy duty, it has 75mm x 50mm pressure treated framing, 19mm flooring and 14mm redwood roof with excellent ruberfort felt. I've had it for 6 years and it is in fantastic condition. The price included the Vat delivery and installation the staff were so welcoming and the delivery men were very polite. An all round exceptional company.
Reply:Your local home improvement store.
Reply:lowes
What are some ways to prepare your garden for cooler weather?
I'm wondering when I should start planting tulip bulbs, when should I harvest by vegtables and anything else I should do to prepare my garden for fall and winter. This is one of my first years as a gardner so any tips would be appreciated!
What are some ways to prepare your garden for cooler weather?
Plant your tulips %26amp; spring bulbs now.
Dig and store tender summer bulbs... Gladiolus, Dahlias, Cannas... indoors.
Cut back perennials. Trim off frost killed or dried foliage. Leave some stems with dried seeds (for the birds) on Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan.
Hoe weeds. After several hard freezes you can add a 3 inch layer of mulch around your plants (just don't smother them). You can lay evergreen boughs over top of the plants as well.
In the late fall, tender roses will need special winter protection in zones 5 %26amp; lower.
Run your leaves over with your lawn mower, suck them up %26amp; add to the compost pile or spread over your garden.
Pick your vegetables as they ripen. You can extend your season by covering your tomatoes, etc with newspapers during a light frost. Most tender vegetable will die after a hard frost, except for carrots %26amp; some other hardier root vegetables. Those can be protected by mulch %26amp; harvested as needed during a thaw.
Good luck!! Hope this is helpful.
Reply:well it depends where you live you should harvest all veg by October plant bulbs now and put down a layer of mulch to help with frost if you live in a sunny place like me you can garden any time except DEC and January
dress shoes
What are some ways to prepare your garden for cooler weather?
Plant your tulips %26amp; spring bulbs now.
Dig and store tender summer bulbs... Gladiolus, Dahlias, Cannas... indoors.
Cut back perennials. Trim off frost killed or dried foliage. Leave some stems with dried seeds (for the birds) on Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan.
Hoe weeds. After several hard freezes you can add a 3 inch layer of mulch around your plants (just don't smother them). You can lay evergreen boughs over top of the plants as well.
In the late fall, tender roses will need special winter protection in zones 5 %26amp; lower.
Run your leaves over with your lawn mower, suck them up %26amp; add to the compost pile or spread over your garden.
Pick your vegetables as they ripen. You can extend your season by covering your tomatoes, etc with newspapers during a light frost. Most tender vegetable will die after a hard frost, except for carrots %26amp; some other hardier root vegetables. Those can be protected by mulch %26amp; harvested as needed during a thaw.
Good luck!! Hope this is helpful.
Reply:well it depends where you live you should harvest all veg by October plant bulbs now and put down a layer of mulch to help with frost if you live in a sunny place like me you can garden any time except DEC and January
dress shoes
Why are the chives in my herb garden turning yellow at the tips?
I planted the garden 2 weeks ago in a container on my deck. All the other herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, etc.) seem to be doing great. The container is well drained and I water daily. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Why are the chives in my herb garden turning yellow at the tips?
This should help solve your problem---
Chives with yellow and brown tips are a sign of poor soil. Unlike the other herbs you have planted, chives prefer a rich moist soil.
When cutting chives, cut them close to the soil line as possible. Regrowth usually results in fewer yellow leaves and more chives.
Reply:Yellow leaves almost always means too much water. I'd let the soil dry out a little more between waterings. Cut down to every other day, and I think you'll see better results. Even with a pot that drains well, the soil can hold lots of water if it's "heavy" soil, and that can drown the roots.
Reply:Maybe they are being overwatered. Just a thought!
Reply:Too much water.
Why are the chives in my herb garden turning yellow at the tips?
This should help solve your problem---
Chives with yellow and brown tips are a sign of poor soil. Unlike the other herbs you have planted, chives prefer a rich moist soil.
When cutting chives, cut them close to the soil line as possible. Regrowth usually results in fewer yellow leaves and more chives.
Reply:Yellow leaves almost always means too much water. I'd let the soil dry out a little more between waterings. Cut down to every other day, and I think you'll see better results. Even with a pot that drains well, the soil can hold lots of water if it's "heavy" soil, and that can drown the roots.
Reply:Maybe they are being overwatered. Just a thought!
Reply:Too much water.
How do I start the perfect organic garden?
I want a decent size organic garden. I would like a lot of tomatoes, green beans, herbs, zuccine, eggplant, squash, lettuces, peppers, and corn. When do I start? Can I start them from seeds now? What can I plant to keep pests away? Any advise would be great.
How do I start the perfect organic garden?
Hopflower is right on. The garden will not be perfect for years.
Start with the soil, make compost and add that several times a year to your garden beds.
learn about seasons in the garden. Peas and lettuce like it cool so are best planted in spring. The rest of your list are warm weather crops that cannot be put in the soil until all threat of frost is over in your planting zone.
Corn and beans need to be sown directly. Squash can either be started indoors or sown directly. Tomatoes, eggplant and the herbs need to be started indoors 8 to 16 weeks before you plan on transplanting them out in the garden
http://www.back40books.com and http://www.acresusa.com have the best selection of books on organic growing.
There is a lot to learn to get competent at it-it takes many many years to get a good organic garden established but it is a great hobby, you will learn a lot about growing things and the natural world and you will eat well.
Reply:First, get off of the position of having it perfect or you will be lead to disappointment. Often. gardens are evolving projects; from which you learn a lot about plants, yourself, and life. You find out what works for you and what you enjoy.
Now, depending upon the size of your garden; you can plant some early spring crops such as lettuces, radishes and peas. The time to tart your organic garden is in the autumn. Rototill or dig with your spade and bring the earth up and over to aerate it. If you have weeds, pull as many as you can out, then cover with about newspaper or cardboard about 8 sheets thick. After that, you can cover all this with about 3-6 inches of compost to feed the soil. The winter rains will mix it in and in spring, you have nourished, refreshed earth.
A great book on organic gardening, and there are many; is Straight Up Organic Gardens by Shepherd Ogden of The Cook's Garden Fame. See if you can find a copy; it is very helpful. Or, go down to your local library and see if you can find an organic gardening book you are comfortable with.
Reply:You have to read your packages to find when is the best time to sow those seeds, thinning and importantly, spacing.
You should probably start with a few items first, today I am going to start roma tomatoes and orange sweet pepper in the house. Those to items take about the same time to grow, and both require the same types of soils, so I will sow the seeds indoors and once about 3 leaves high you can transfer to the ground or to bigger pots.
If you are going to use the ground you will probably choose raisesd beds, so go to the lumber yard and buy untreated wood and build yourself a raised box.
*Till the soil, if grubs and beetles are in there then use some milky spore (natural) in the grow box and use up the rest on your lawn. Then in your box lay newspaper, and mix your soils (sands, potting soil, whatever is called for to grow your plants)tons of mulch of your choosing, not only surpresses weeds but keeps moisture in.
*cool tip, when transplanting into your soil cut the bottom out of a cup and place the bottom of it in the hole, plant inside that cup, it will help with cutworms and other critters that cant crawl up that high.
*keep your garden clean of debris and fallin rotten leaves, bugs love living i them.
proper spacing is needed to help with bugs and to make sure your plants arent rubbing against one another.
Pulling your weeds.
*bugs on your leaves? use the recomended mixture of soap and water and spray the leaves, top and underside.
*rats, cats, rodents, use fencing, and if that doest stop the squirrels dust the area with cayanne pepper.
*slugs, many tips on slugs, you pick your favorite. burrying flush with top of soil and using beer makes the little drunkards fall in and die. toss them out in the morning and repeat.
*beetles, you should have used the first tip, milky spores but if you hadnt then you have have them, you will know you do because they will be the ones eating holes in the leaves. Go ahead and buy the milky spores now, treat the yard and the soil next season.
How do I start the perfect organic garden?
Hopflower is right on. The garden will not be perfect for years.
Start with the soil, make compost and add that several times a year to your garden beds.
learn about seasons in the garden. Peas and lettuce like it cool so are best planted in spring. The rest of your list are warm weather crops that cannot be put in the soil until all threat of frost is over in your planting zone.
Corn and beans need to be sown directly. Squash can either be started indoors or sown directly. Tomatoes, eggplant and the herbs need to be started indoors 8 to 16 weeks before you plan on transplanting them out in the garden
http://www.back40books.com and http://www.acresusa.com have the best selection of books on organic growing.
There is a lot to learn to get competent at it-it takes many many years to get a good organic garden established but it is a great hobby, you will learn a lot about growing things and the natural world and you will eat well.
Reply:First, get off of the position of having it perfect or you will be lead to disappointment. Often. gardens are evolving projects; from which you learn a lot about plants, yourself, and life. You find out what works for you and what you enjoy.
Now, depending upon the size of your garden; you can plant some early spring crops such as lettuces, radishes and peas. The time to tart your organic garden is in the autumn. Rototill or dig with your spade and bring the earth up and over to aerate it. If you have weeds, pull as many as you can out, then cover with about newspaper or cardboard about 8 sheets thick. After that, you can cover all this with about 3-6 inches of compost to feed the soil. The winter rains will mix it in and in spring, you have nourished, refreshed earth.
A great book on organic gardening, and there are many; is Straight Up Organic Gardens by Shepherd Ogden of The Cook's Garden Fame. See if you can find a copy; it is very helpful. Or, go down to your local library and see if you can find an organic gardening book you are comfortable with.
Reply:You have to read your packages to find when is the best time to sow those seeds, thinning and importantly, spacing.
You should probably start with a few items first, today I am going to start roma tomatoes and orange sweet pepper in the house. Those to items take about the same time to grow, and both require the same types of soils, so I will sow the seeds indoors and once about 3 leaves high you can transfer to the ground or to bigger pots.
If you are going to use the ground you will probably choose raisesd beds, so go to the lumber yard and buy untreated wood and build yourself a raised box.
*Till the soil, if grubs and beetles are in there then use some milky spore (natural) in the grow box and use up the rest on your lawn. Then in your box lay newspaper, and mix your soils (sands, potting soil, whatever is called for to grow your plants)tons of mulch of your choosing, not only surpresses weeds but keeps moisture in.
*cool tip, when transplanting into your soil cut the bottom out of a cup and place the bottom of it in the hole, plant inside that cup, it will help with cutworms and other critters that cant crawl up that high.
*keep your garden clean of debris and fallin rotten leaves, bugs love living i them.
proper spacing is needed to help with bugs and to make sure your plants arent rubbing against one another.
Pulling your weeds.
*bugs on your leaves? use the recomended mixture of soap and water and spray the leaves, top and underside.
*rats, cats, rodents, use fencing, and if that doest stop the squirrels dust the area with cayanne pepper.
*slugs, many tips on slugs, you pick your favorite. burrying flush with top of soil and using beer makes the little drunkards fall in and die. toss them out in the morning and repeat.
*beetles, you should have used the first tip, milky spores but if you hadnt then you have have them, you will know you do because they will be the ones eating holes in the leaves. Go ahead and buy the milky spores now, treat the yard and the soil next season.
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