Garden Tools In a Digital World

New Technical Tools for the Gardener

I am not a techy.  I have no experience with the DVR, the MP 3 or the Digital Meat Thermometer. And I only know that my printer is wireless, because my hubby tells me it is.  So imagine my surprise when I found all of these garden tools in the electronics section.And since the holidays are fast approaching, you may want a heads up on some gifts that caught my eye for the gardener on your list. 

Many times I have see a flower bud has opened, and missed the process of opening.  So I was extremely  excited to see  a time lapse digital camera.  (Hint-Hint)  The concept is to set the timer for intervals, and catch to bloom at various stages of opening. At a price point about $100, the results will be priceless. 

BBC Photo 

Imagine this in motion and color!  

My birder friends will enjoy these spy cams for bird nests and bird houses.  The Hawk Eye Nature Cam by Birdhouse Spy Cam is the one I like.    

Hawk Eye Nature Cam

This last summer was so hot and dry, that I had the hoses on the yard and garden a lot. 

A timer on the spigot would have measured out the times, and saved me gallons of water when I forgot to get out there and turn off the hose.   These digital watering timers are in the $30 - $50 range, but I know when we are trying to conserve our resources anywhere possible, this will be a good investment.   

Orbit Timer

Many of us gardeners are turning our efforts indoors and houseplants are becoming our focus. Moisture issues become important here too.  More houseplants die from over-watering, that from neglect.  So a moisture meter may save a doomed plant from demise.These cost under $20.

Moisture Meter

   
Sadly, light in the house is diminished by shorter days, few windows, and dreary weather.  A zero energy footprint by LED lighting is going to pick up the slack where outdoor conditions leave off. These systems can offer pinpoint light to a certain plant, or a bank of lights to cover a shelf of containers.  The grow lights for plants can be energy efficient and put on timers to give the correct amount of light needed. Depending on the system, these lights cost $15 - $125.




If your gift list has a gardener on it who like to start plants from seed, this seed tray with heat pad will give the seeds the right temperature and moisture to get going.  I found the bottom heat from the pad gave the tray the even, consistent temperatures to get good germination.Cost is about $35.

Seed tray with heat pad

The techy gardener and those of us who are 'not so much' will enjoy these tools.  As you can tell, I'm really getting into the season, and I hope you have a good holiday too.

What is on your 'wish list'?

Wildlife Winter Habitat–A Place for Birds

How to Attract Birds to Your Winter Garden

As the season changes in my Zone 6 Ohio garden, I’m amazed at the large flocks of birds that land in nearby trees.  The ‘chatter’ sounds like rushing water.  The rest stop is part of the yearly migration to warmer climates.  But some of their dear friends do not make the trip.  These brave creatures are going to be looking for food, water, and shelter in the coming months. Some of the winter feeding birds are robins, purple finches, yellow finches, cedar waxwing, chickadees and cardinals.  Starlings also stick around in my area. 









So what can we do?  Having an environment that draws birds during winter is easy if we consider all of their needs.

Food  -  Native trees and shrubs that produce berries are a great attraction for birds during winter.   Native plants serve the wildlife well.  Some native trees to consider are serviceberry, crabapple, dogwood, hawthorn, and American mountain ash.

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Native shrubs also have food for the winter feeders.  Some of these are striking in the winter landscape as well. 





Photos are chokeberry, cranberry bush, silky dogwood, and beautyberry.

If your yard does not have these trees and shrubs in place for this winter’s needs, consider planting one or two.  Trees and shrubs can be planted as long as the ground is not frozen.  Usually, that gives me through December to plant in my area.
 
Bird feeders are another option for encouraging birds to your winter garden.  Food provided in the winter is a gift to the birds when all other sources are covered in snow, or picked clean.  Five types of feeders are available to draw different types of birds. 



1) The tray type is simply that – a shallow board or framed screen that holds seed. The screens allow moisture to drain a reduces the growth of bacteria in the seed. The board type should have drainage holes.  Pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows will visit, as well as grosbeaks and native sparrows.



2) Hopper style feeders are probably the more popular in backyards.  The seed stay relatively dry, and the side perches allow finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, titmice, and chickadees to land and eat.


Cardinals like seeds like sun flower seeds, safflower seeds, and nuts.

3)  Window feeders attach with suction cups or hooks can be attached to the side of the house.  These feeders allow for great bird watching.  One will see finches, chickadees, and titmice.



4)  Tube feeders allow for small Niger seed to be available to finches and other smaller birds.

 
 
Depending on the construction material, very small seed to larger seed can be dispensed.  Some have small screen openings, and some are mesh wire.

5)  Suet feeders are solid bricks of seeds and berries.  They need a basket hanger to hold the brick of food.  Woodpeckers, jays, and starlings will visit this type of feeder.   

 

Feeding birds is fun for the do-it-yourselfer, too.  Pine cones can be spread with peanut butter, an rolled in loose seed to coat it.  Lids can be strung with wire and filled with seed.  Get the children involved too.



Photo from Danny Lipford and Julie Day

Gadget Sponge repurposes this log.

Here is a recipe for homemade suet from Patricia Collins of Callaway Gardens.

1 C shortening, melted in saucepan
1 C peanut butter stirred into the shortening until melted
Mix in:
1 C all purpose flour
3 C cornmeal
Whole rolled oats, raisins, nuts, bird seed or breadcrumbs can be added.
Mixture should be like putty.  
Spread into aluminum pan.  Let cool, then cut into pieces that fit the suet basket feeder.  


Another seed source is to grow them yourself.  Coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, globe thistle, and the annual, millet, in the summer garden will supply a desirable menu for winter feeding birds.

Birds eating coneflower seeds

Attracting birds to the winter garden is fun and easy.  And the visitors will take up residence in spring and bring offspring into the garden too. Birds are  welcome in the garden. They consume insects and help keep the balance in nature.