Tag Archives: nature

Bird Feeders

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Don’t let disease foul your bird feeder…

CORVALLIS, Ore. – As you’re welcoming wild birds into your yard this winter, be sure to keep your bird feeder clean and keep an eye on the health of your feathered diners.

“Sick birds will either be found dead or perched, often with feathers in disarray, eyes squinted or wings held out,” said Dana Sanchez, a wildlife specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. “Healthy birds are alert and mobile, whereas sick birds stand out because they are neither of those.”

Birds can get salmonella from bird feeders. Other diseases can spread when birds congregate or land on infected perches, Sanchez said.

“If the sick bird is associated with your feeders, take down the feeders and clean them,” she said. “It is probably a good idea to keep the feeders down for two to three weeks, until the disease has had a chance to run its course in the local population. Allow the bird to recover on its own. Make sure children, pets and free-ranging cats cannot get to the bird.”

Sanchez offered these tips to make sure your feeders are clean and free of mold for backyard visitors.

  • Clean your feeders once a month during low-use times and up to once a week during high-use periods.
  • Scrape off bird droppings and rinse or wipe clean the perches with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 20 parts water.
  • Hang your feeders where the feed won’t get wet. If seed in a feeder has gotten wet and compacted, remove the feed and discard it. Then clean the feeder with warm water and a brush.
  • Dry the feeder before refilling with the fresh seed.
  • If your feeder’s location is likely to get wet often, only fill it with a one- to two-day supply of seed at a time.
  • Clean up under feeders regularly and prevent accumulation of feed beneath the feeders by moving them occasionally. Seed on the ground can attract other animals, such as rodents, that you would prefer to not have near your home.

For more information about feeds and feeder placement, check out the following publication from the OSU Extension Service:  http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19664/ec1554.pdf

Author Denise Ruttan, OSU Extension Service
Source: Dana Sanchez, Wild Life Specialist OSU Extension Service

Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Chapter Seven

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CHAPTER SEVEN: THE GREAT CANOPY OF LONDON’S SKIES; GETTING OLDER IN GREENWICH & GARDEN-STROLLING AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE.
Here’s the link–
Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes- Nan

2012 November Horticultural Report: Firewise Plants

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The Ashland Fire Dept is asking residents to seriously consider planting fire resistant plants around their house and property to reduce fire hazards. They are advising homeowners to remove all plants they consider fire hazards and in their place plant firewise plants.

For more information, and to schedule a free wildfire safety home assessment call: Ali True, Ashland Firewise Community Coordinator at 541-552-2231.

Junipers are especially combustible!  This drought tolerant ground cover is planted around so many homes in our area the City is requesting they be cleared back 50 feet away from a any structure

Also, the Oregon State University Extension Service has a list of recommended fire-resistant plants which you can obtain from Valley View Nursery, or you can download it here: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/sites/default/files/fire-resistant_planting_wd_2011.pdf

The following is a short list of recommended firewise plants:

Ground Covers:
Kinnikinnick and Creeping Oregon Grape both look good year round and prefer sun or part sun. For shady areas, plant Japanese Pachysandra.

Perennials:
Firewise perennials plants:  Yarrow (note: can spread), Cone flower, Iris, Oriental poppy , Russian sage, Lamb’s ear, and Cranesbill.

Shrubs:
Burning bush, Rockrose, Ferns, Witch Hazel, Heavenly Bamboo, False Holly, Pieris, Potentilla Fruticosa,  Rosa Rugosa, Lilac, Viburnums, Sweetspire and Cotoneaster.

Regina, at Ray’s Nursery, highly recommends the following plants because they are not only fire-resistant, they are very attractive, easy to grow and deer resistant.

Cotoneaster Dammericotoneaster_dammeri_var_radicans
Plant Type: Evergreen, groundcover, shrub
Size: 2ft tall 6ft wide
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Flowers: White
Exposure: Full sun
Attributes: Fall color & red berries, Deer resistant, Attracts Birds, drought tolerant once established.  Grows fast.
USDA Zone: 5-8

Itea Virginica  (Little Henry Sweetspire)ilex Little Henry
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Size: 2 ft High 3ft Wide
Bloom Time: June – July
Flowers: Fragrant white sprays
Exposure: Part to full sun
Attributes:  Attracts butterflies, Bright red fall foliage, Deer resistant, North America Native. Needs moist soil.
USDA Zone: 5-9

Horticultural Report by: Mary Anne Wallace
Article written by: Carlotta Lucas

Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Chapter Six

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CONTEMPLATING THE GENIUS OF PLACE, & THE PLACES OF GENIUSES– Liverpool (Gormley, McCartney, Lennon) ; The Ruins at Witley Court ; Chawton ( Jane Austen’s House).
Here’s the link:
Best- Nan

Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Chapter Five

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MAJOR RAMBLINGS ACROSS THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE–
Stowe Landscape Gardens; Hidcote Manor Garden; Severn Valley Railway.
Here’s the link

http://nanquick.com/2012/11/13/major-ramblings-across-the-english-countryside-stowe-landscapes-hidcote-garden-severn-valley-railway/

…hope you enjoy my wanderings.
Best- Nan

Lecture: Gardens of Sweden

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Siskiyou Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society
Presents:    “Gardens of Sweden”

Dave and Jan Dobak are active in the Native Plant Society and Rock Garden Society of Portland. They have traveled the world to see plants in both gardens and the wild. This last spring they joined a tour to see fantastic gardens in Sweden. One highlight was spending a day at Gothenburg Botanic Garden. Many consider this the most beautiful botanic garden in the world. They also spent another day at Peter Korn’s “Tradgard”, a remarkable and huge garden full of rare plants and extensive rock gardens, Don’t miss this beautiful program with high quality photography of unforgettable gardens.

When: November 13, 2012    Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Lidgate Hall, United Congregational Church, 1801 East Jackson Street – Medford, Oregon.

Rock Garden Society Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 7:00 pm in Medford. Meetings are free and open to the public. Refreshments are served.