I have decided that I love irises. Two years ago I bought a collection of fancy bearded irises. I planted them in the ground and 3/4 of them promptly died. The others lived, but didn’t bloom. This year the survivors have established themselves enough that they’re blooming beautifully. I cut some this morning and now they’re beautiful in my kitchen. They smell nice too. I want more irises, I just have to figure out where I’ll put them.
This morning also brought the first hummingbird of the year to my yard. I finally hung the feeder two days ago and one little bird has discovered it. It won’t be long before one or more males decides to defend the territory. Then our yard will be treated to divebombing hummingbirds. It’s the kind of nature that makes me happy.
Unfortunately a persistent flock of sparrows is making me unhappy. They keep eating the leaves off of my sweet pea plants. I don’t mind sharing some of the leaves since I wasn’t planning on eating leaves anyway, but the birds have been picking the stalks nearly clean. This means that the pea plants are struggling to survive and will probably not supply me with the abundant pea harvest I was hoping for. I don’t have time to put up a defensive net this year, but next year I’ll be keeping those silly sparrows out.
I love irises! They’re actually my brother and sister-in-law’s special flower. He made a headboard for their bed a few years back and he made a stained-glass iris that he put in it. Absolutely beautiful! 🙂
I love irises! They’re actually my brother and sister-in-law’s special flower. He made a headboard for their bed a few years back and he made a stained-glass iris that he put in it. Absolutely beautiful! 🙂
Sorry about the sparrows – would vinegar hurt the pea plants? If not, then you could spray the plants and see if the birdies think it’s gross?
We get quail in our yard – they have ruined 2 years of veggie gardens and completely killed my strawberries. Pootie things.
Sorry about the sparrows – would vinegar hurt the pea plants? If not, then you could spray the plants and see if the birdies think it’s gross?
We get quail in our yard – they have ruined 2 years of veggie gardens and completely killed my strawberries. Pootie things.
I doubt this would work. Most birds have few taste buds and don’t have a strongly developed sense of taste (or smell). I use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean out my bird cages and the only reaction I get from them is when I once in a while accidentally manage to get some spray in their eyes.
I doubt this would work. Most birds have few taste buds and don’t have a strongly developed sense of taste (or smell). I use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean out my bird cages and the only reaction I get from them is when I once in a while accidentally manage to get some spray in their eyes.
I am trying to figure out how to have a small to no effort flower garden in the front of the house. I figure perenials will be a good idea. Also, I’ve seen some really pretty raised flower beds with some pretty “castle rock” type stones raising the bed up higher than the grass can reach (a little pricey).
BTW, Is it possible to dig up tulip bulbs and replant them?
We have a starling nest inside the eaves of our house, and a sparrow nest right above our sliding glass door. Hopefully this fall we can clean those out and make those spaces inaccessable and perhaps provide a proper bird house. For cub scouts we are supposed to put out a bird house and see which birds use it, but, I figured we already had two “birdhouses” going and we are identifying those birds, and I didn’t want too many bird’s nests around.
I am trying to figure out how to have a small to no effort flower garden in the front of the house. I figure perenials will be a good idea. Also, I’ve seen some really pretty raised flower beds with some pretty “castle rock” type stones raising the bed up higher than the grass can reach (a little pricey).
BTW, Is it possible to dig up tulip bulbs and replant them?
We have a starling nest inside the eaves of our house, and a sparrow nest right above our sliding glass door. Hopefully this fall we can clean those out and make those spaces inaccessable and perhaps provide a proper bird house. For cub scouts we are supposed to put out a bird house and see which birds use it, but, I figured we already had two “birdhouses” going and we are identifying those birds, and I didn’t want too many bird’s nests around.
Good to know – I just know it worked for my dad’s cat.
Maybe that’s why birds like birdseed so much – they can’t taste it. >.<
Good to know – I just know it worked for my dad’s cat.
Maybe that’s why birds like birdseed so much – they can’t taste it. >.<
Yes you can dig up tulips. Mark where they are and wait for the leaves to dry up. Once the leaves are dead you can dig them up and replant them because the bulbs are dormant.
There are lots of really good perrenials out there, just make sure that you plant according to the conditions. Irises and Peonies like sunshine. Bleeding hearts and lilly of the valley like shade.
Yes you can dig up tulips. Mark where they are and wait for the leaves to dry up. Once the leaves are dead you can dig them up and replant them because the bulbs are dormant.
There are lots of really good perrenials out there, just make sure that you plant according to the conditions. Irises and Peonies like sunshine. Bleeding hearts and lilly of the valley like shade.