The Return of Spring and Birds

Though today’s snow fall may not indicate it, Spring has arrived. Don’t believe me. Just ask the birds. Within the last week, I’ve noticed the return of the robins and red-winged blackbirds. Both are looking for places to nest and rear their young. Other migratory birds aren’t too far behind. So if you want to attract birds to your garden, now is the time to setup or clean out your nest boxes (birdhouses).

For those not familiar with nest boxes, nest boxes are designed to provide tree and cliff cavity nesting birds a place to build a nest. A number of bird species build their nests in cavities. These birds include the Eastern Bluebird, Chickadee, House Finch, Northern Flicker, Crested Flycatcher, Nuthatch, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina and House Wrens, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and of course, the Purple Martin. With the loss of habitat, the population of some cavity nesters is declining.

Eastern Phoebes, Robins, and Song Sparrows can also be attracted to nest in your garden by providing them with open front wall boxes or platforms.

The size of the nest box and diameter of the entry hole are important considerations when choosing a nest box. So is the nest box’s location in the garden and height off the ground. Be sure to purchase or build a nest box that meets the requirements of the type of birds you want to attract. Some other things to look out for when selecting a nest box: Choose a box without a finish or one with a non-toxic finish on the exterior of the box only. The box should not have a perch or exterior decoration that could be used by predators to climb onto the box. The box should have easy access to the interior of the box for cleaning and observing the young birds.

Longer Boats...

I'm having Cat Stevens flashbacks. I meant longer days! Daylight savings times has it's rewards. People I've run across are enjoying the sunlight. I think it equates with us having more energy. Even though there is some snow on the ground, we know that spring and a great landscape, are a few weeks away.

Smart clients are already calling for consultations and to implement another phase of their exciting plan.

We're off to Piqua, OH for the Regional Hosta Conference aka Hosta College. The name doesn't do it justice. It's a highly organized selection of vending, classes and includes most meals and snacks. It's an incredible value and very fun to teach at. I'll be teaching Landscape Inspiration and How to Start a Sketchbook. Dave is teaching a class on building Wildlife Habitats. It's a lot of work and we have a blast. People are very friendly and helpful. We're already planning for next year! Do a search for Hosta College, if this interests you.

I'll see if I can uncover my Cat Steven's albums!

Incidental Environmental Efforts

With so much talk about our environment, I looked at a checklist in a recent magazine. I wanted to see how our business and home stacked up. Here goes:

1. We use compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible.
2. While our vehicles aren't known for being especially fuel efficient, they also have to perform for our work, we keep them maintained so they burn clean clean.
3. We re-use office paper, then recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, concrete and glass, as well as clothing, books and other goods.
4. We compost leaves, plants and stockpile soil.
5. We add compost, from local sources, to amend soil when necessary, less chemical fertilizers.
6. We use green cleaners where possible.
7. We are careful with our landscape designs and don't advocate traditional irrigation systems.
8. We use the stairs and not so much, the costly energy sucking elevators.
9. We drink from reusable plastic water bottles whenever possible, and buy our drinking water in reusable 5 gallon bottles. Even the Saline Garden Club advocates members bringing their own coffee cup to save on those gol darn Styrofoam cups. Our landscape crew members bring their own water bottles and we provide chilled, filtered water.
10. In a reorganizing spree, we put a few items on Craigslist.com and set aside a box of office supplies to go to a new teacher's classroom.
11. We try to drive only when necessary, combining trips. We also try to drive with efficient speeds to minimize braking and excessive acceleration.
(Driving without drama is what Jo Ann says)

What have I forgotten? How does your list look?

Fresh Blanket, Please

Mother Nature is giving us the flux! Just when we were getting geeked for spring, bam! A fresh blanket of snow. The worst part is that it's beautiful! The stunning white powder coated everything brown and gray.

It's all good, this time of the year we are going to workshops and conferences. We know that a spring thaw is in the not too distant future. Then it will be easy to appreciate the magic of Michigan's seasons. The overlap when the seasons are deciding which will prevail is a challenging time. It's all fun knowing that as much as we try to control EVERYTHING--we can't control the weather.

Enjoy the fresh snow and postcard worthy blue skies.