March 8th is Spring Forward Time! A Garden Review!
 |
| Image from Pixabay |
Yeah, for all our Naturalists/Gardeners/Backyard Enthusiasts and those who are patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for Spring's arrival. From my own personal experience I know how most of us are feeling right about now. We can't wait for longer days and warmer temperatures and getting our hands back into the soil. We want to poke around to see what's about to spring up out of the ground. We also look up to see where the birds are too. That first robin or yellow finches just make us so happy. Our time is coming quickly!
Things Outside are Changing Quickly!
Now that it's March, we can look forward to longer daylight hours (it's already light at 6:00 in the morning)! The bugs and the bees are waking up from their long winter slumber and looking desperately for a food source. Even the birds are making a comeback.
Those of us who love hummingbirds will be watching the Hummingbird Migration Maps for 2020! They are already in parts of Florida and coming to your neighborhood soon! Be the first one in your neighborhood to mark the map with the first sighting in your area.
Spring, so much to do and so much pleasure in doing it too!
If you hang out bird feeders, now is the time to get them ready. Clean and disinfect them all carefully. We want to feed the birds and not harm them. Clean feeders are a must! Pathogens that can harm them can and might live over in the winter months. There is need to be extra vigilant in making the birds source of food a safe source.
Wash down all bird feeders, clean out birds nests from last year and give this years birds a really good chance of thriving and surviving. Clean them out with a mild bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to a sink full of hot soapy water). Make sure you rinse them well and let them air dry before setting them out again.
Special Care for Hummingbird Feeders!
Many people give up on putting out hummingbird feeders because they do require extra care. It may seem wasteful, but their nectar needs to be changed every week. Spoiled nectar in feeders can cause their death. No one wants to be responsible for that! So in the early spring, before you even see them, you need to change that nectar every week.
Make only a cup of nectar at a time, so as not to waste all that sugar water. And remember, red dyes are NOT NECESSARY to attract those little flying gems. Your hummingbird syrup should be roughly 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water. The measurement does not have to be exact, but close is good. Use only 1/2 to 1 cup of syrup in your feeders (keep the rest in the refrigerator) until you are sure the hummingbirds have found you! Once you know they are coming to your feeders, go to town and fill it right up.
Make only a cup of nectar at a time, so as not to waste all that sugar water. And remember, red dyes are NOT NECESSARY to attract those little flying gems. Your hummingbird syrup should be roughly 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water. The measurement does not have to be exact, but close is good. Use only 1/2 to 1 cup of syrup in your feeders (keep the rest in the refrigerator) until you are sure the hummingbirds have found you! Once you know they are coming to your feeders, go to town and fill it right up.
Maybe this is the year you decide to help the birds and the bees.
You can easily do this with bird feeders, bird houses and even bee houses. The birds and bees give us so much enjoyment, it's the least we can do to make them welcome in our yards. Our own Renaissance Woman will even teach you how to make your own bird feeders if you feel so inclined. It would be a great spring time activity for your children or grandchildren. Check it out right here: DIY Mason Jar Bird Feeder!
Building bird houses is also a lot of fun and an easy craft to share with your family as well. The most important thing to remember is that certain birds require different housing. Some are solitary breeders, while others love to be in community. You might have to do some research to find out what kinds of birds come to your neighborhood, before you start building. This review might help you get started! What you need to know about Basic Bird House Construction!
Do you need more information? I like this website for all inclusive information about bees and keeping them happy! The Honey Bee Conservancy I like to keep my family happy, so, with my son-in-law being a beekeeper, this is for him! I try to do my part in helping him help the bees and I get to enjoy some of the honey too.
Image by jggrz from Pixabay
Building bird houses is also a lot of fun and an easy craft to share with your family as well. The most important thing to remember is that certain birds require different housing. Some are solitary breeders, while others love to be in community. You might have to do some research to find out what kinds of birds come to your neighborhood, before you start building. This review might help you get started! What you need to know about Basic Bird House Construction!
The Bees are Getting a Lot of Press Lately! The Key to Success
Science has let it be known that the bee population is in trouble. If we don't have them as pollinators our whole food sources are at risk. So let's help those pollinators by growing gardens that feed them all spring, summer and fall. It's not hard to do and I'm sure you will enjoy the efforts that you put into making a beautiful "bee" friendly garden.
There are a few guidelines that will help you to help the bees!
There are a few guidelines that will help you to help the bees!
- Plant a garden that will give lots of blooms all season long.
- Plant single flowered species rather than the big double and triple flowers. The singles produce more nectar and the bees can easily get to it.
- Plant lots of different annuals as well as perennials.
- Build a bee house.
- Have a water source available too!
Spring is a time of Renewal, Revival, Rebirth and Joy! Let's make an effort to help Mother Nature in all of this, by doing something to help all her little creatures.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
FOLLOW US ON:
