Notes for January 21, 2009

My wife tells me that during the inauguration, we had a patriotic yard. We have a dusting of snow and had a bunch of bluebirds and cardinals at the feeders.

I think I finally finished looking through all the seed catalogs that I have received so far. Next I will probably take an inventory of what I have left and then make a list of what I need/want.

There are a couple of shade perennials that I may try. On the north side of my house I may try to get some ferns (although its not a low/moist area). I will just have to add alot of leaf mold to the soil and hope for the best. Its just another experiment.

In one of the catalogs (I think it was Kelly's Nurseries), I saw a Magnolia and a pink/red dogwood at a good price. Since I have been losing trees in my back yard I thought I may replace a couple with some flowering trees. I have a white dogwood in the front yard and have transplanted several of its offspring so a pink/red one would be nice. In the home where I grew up, we had a magnolia tree (not the kind with the shiny green leaves) and I really miss it.

Notes for January 12, 2009

I have been getting to enjoy watching the bluebirds in my yard. They are going to the suet cake feeder more often than the hedge or the dogwood (both with berries). I am noticing problems with the squirrels on the suet feeders. In years past the squirrels never bothered the suet feeders. I have a gallon glass jar feeder just for the squirrels and I put out whole corn as well. This year I am doing the same but noticing the squirrels on the suet feeder. I think its because that in past years I rarely had more than three squirrels in my yard. This year I seem to count at least 6 or 7 squirrels at a time, So there might be more competition for food.

I am starting to look through the numerous seed catalogs but I have yet to inventory.