HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We truly welcome 2021!!  May the COVID pandemic become a thing of the past and just a bad memory. But this past year has taught us so much about ourselves and our communities. We do normal activities in a very different way now, such as going to church, grocery shopping, family gatherings, hangouts, and parties. I believe some of these new habits will stay around for a long time.

            But when this pandemic started here in mid-March of last year, we did hunker down and stay home. That has brought a lot of families closer together and now enjoying bonding at home. We are doing more home gardening and there has been a lot of success with that. So now is a great time to gather the seed varieties you want to grow and plan out your garden process for this year. We are here to help if you need assistance.

            Birds appear to be homeless in winter, which makes people wonder where they go at night. In general, they choose to roost in the same kind of places as they build their nest during breeding season. Some birds will use the same roosting spot every night unless predators disturb them.

            It’s hard to say who benefits more from backyard bird feeders, the birds or the people who feed them.  It is important to provide unfrozen water for the birds throughout winter. Put your birdbath in an open area, but near some trees or bushes to permit a quick escape if predators approach. Birds will visit regularly once they discover it is a safe and steady source of fresh water. Open water in freezing weather will attract as many or more birds, as a well-stocked feeder! Besides for drinking, birds use water to help keep them warmer in winter. By cleaning their feathers and grooming them with natural oils, our feathered friends are able to help insulate their bodies from cold. You can keep water thawed with a submersible heater placed directly in the water. Heated birdbaths are also available.

            Visit the nursery often as the greenhouse is a great place to spend some time during dreary days of winter. In addition, new houseplants will be arriving weekly!

            Time flies fast, so enjoy this winter, do an analysis on your landscape and prepare for spring projects… and we will “see you in the garden”.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald