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Post by queenbee on Apr 14, 2008 9:54:10 GMT -4
BUTTERFLY BUSH CARE
Butterfly bushes look pretty sad in the spring, but don't befooled! They are fast growers once warm weather hits. Waituntil you see new growth, then cut back the old wood to 3-4inches above the ground. Work in some compost around thebase of the plant and water well.
EVERGREEN REMINDER
Don't forget your pine trees! Prune any dead wood now,and if the tree is young, water once a week. FRUGAL TIP: Instead of buying plant markers go to yourhardware and ask for a bundle of shims. These are veryinexpensive wooden slats and have plenty of room to usea permanent marker to write the name of the plant.
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Post by shortcircuit on Apr 14, 2008 17:12:51 GMT -4
So much for spring.
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Post by summerose on Apr 14, 2008 20:21:21 GMT -4
LOL! ;D
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Post by bb on Apr 15, 2008 6:51:27 GMT -4
Spring is supposed to be back tomorrow!
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Post by queenbee on Apr 15, 2008 9:22:58 GMT -4
YEA! for Spring. I think I will uncover the flowers when I get home.
All we have to look out for now is Blackberry Winter, but it's just a cold spell, shouldn't be drastic.
We have been talking about our garden alreday. With times getting expensive it will be bigger this year.
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Post by coosa on Apr 15, 2008 11:55:49 GMT -4
A spring that goes "PEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by queenbee on Apr 15, 2008 12:45:34 GMT -4
A tiny frog that puts it a strong peeping sound, usually found around standing water, lakes, ponds, creeks etc.
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Post by queenbee on Apr 15, 2008 12:46:45 GMT -4
A Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer, synonym Hyla crucifer) is a small tree frog widespread throughout the eastern USA and Canada. The spring peeper is a small frog, attaining an adult size between 0.75 and 1.5 inches (up to 40mm) long. They have a dark cross on their backs roughly in the shape of an "X", though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. The color variations of the spring peeper are mostly tan, brown, olive green,and gray. Females are lighter-colored, while males are slightly smaller and usually have dark throats.
There are two subspecies of the spring peeper, the northern (P. c. crucifer) and the southern spring peeper (P. c. bartramiana). The northern is similar to the southern except for a strong dark marking on the southern frog's belly. The southern spring peeper is limited to northern Florida and southern Georgia, while the northern can be found all over the east of the USA and eastern Canada.
The spring peeper eats small spiders and small insects such as ants, and water bugs. Its predators include great diving beetle larvae (when in tadpole form), snakes, skunks, and larger frogs. Spring peepers breed in southern areas from October to March, depending on the local temperature. In northern areas, they breed from March to June when the warm rain starts. Spring peepers typically lay around 900 eggs per clutch, but up to 1000 is possible. In very cold weather, they hibernate under logs and loose bark. Spring peepers are nocturnal frogs, so they are mostly heard but not seen. They are especially easy to hear due to their extremely loud mating call which gives them the name "peeper," but it is often hard to pinpoint the source of the sound, especially when many are peeping at once.
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Post by queenbee on Apr 15, 2008 12:48:03 GMT -4
Family: Hylidae, Treefrogs view all from this family Description 3/4-1 3/8" (1.9-3.5cm). Tan to brown to gray, with characteristic dark X on back. Large toe pads. Subspecies Northern (P. c. crucifer), unmarked belly; throughout species' range except s. Georgia and Florida. Southern (P. c. bartramiana), spotted belly; se. Georgia and adjacent n. Florida. Voice A high-pitched ascending whistle, sometimes with a short trill. Chorus sounds like the jingle of bells. Males call from shrubs and trees standing in or overhanging water. Breeding In southern areas, November to March; in northern areas, March to June, with the start of warm rains. Habitat Wooded areas in or near permanent or temporarily flooded ponds and swamps. Range Manitoba to the Maritime Provinces south through c. Florida, west to e. Texas, and north into c. Wisconsin. Discussion Nocturnal. The Spring Peeper is one of the most familiar frogs in the East. Its chorus is among the first signs of spring. Peepers hibernate under logs and loose bark. CLICK HERE TO HEAR ONE www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0014 |
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Post by summerose on Apr 16, 2008 9:08:15 GMT -4
Supposed to be even warmer today and not as windy.
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Post by queenbee on Apr 16, 2008 9:24:29 GMT -4
Didn't uncover the flowers last night, grumpy said to wait. Glad I did.
Boo got through my new fence and broke my last Stargazer Lily, so I won't have any this year.
There is a solution though, we have a solar panel and an small wire to run through the flower bed fence and it will be electrified. (a lilred word)
It only took him one time in the bee yard to realize what it was and I have a feeling one time attempting to get into the flower bed again and he will be satisfied with the entire yard he has and will stay out of that particular 30 feet of dirt.
I have one purple Iris that has bloomed, and got a picture of my pink tulip this morning. The Bleeding Hearts seemed to have made it.
I have also decided to add one more item to my list of projects, vine wreaths. Have to get started soon while the sap is up and before the blooms start.
We have a 2 day show this weekend and next weekend in Blue Ridge, it's a free one if anyone gets out and about.
Grumpy is working the Saturday shows and I will work the Sunday shows after church. Lilred has soccer games on Saturday's so he is on his own. However, it's never a big show so he can handle it.
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Post by queenbee on Apr 16, 2008 10:04:06 GMT -4
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Post by queenbee on Apr 16, 2008 10:04:50 GMT -4
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Post by queenbee on Apr 16, 2008 10:05:52 GMT -4
Purple Martin Gourd-House If properly preserved, a homegrown gourd birdhouse will last for decades. Gourds make great birdhouses, and the time spent creating one is a worthwhile investment. Cured hard-shell gourds are almost as tough as plywood. And they will last up to 30 years if properly coated with a preservative and handled with a little care. www.birdsandblooms.com/Purple-Martin-Gourd-House/detail.aspx |
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Post by queenbee on Apr 16, 2008 10:10:44 GMT -4
I have one of these hanging in my lower driveway, that I made. Fun's Brewing With This Coffee-Can Birdhouse Sit down, relax and have another cup of coffee. You'll need to empty the can first to make this simple birdhouse. Here's a terrific birdhouse that's as enjoyable as the aroma of the morning's first pot of coffee. And it has a lot more going for it, too. The house is simple to build, costs pennies to make and is a great way to recycle coffee cans and scrap wood. As a bonus, it's a breeze to clean out after nesting season—just slip out the dowel and empty the can. www.birdsandblooms.com/Coffee-Can-Birdhouse/detail.aspx |
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