By providing a supply of food and water within the garden areas, we are able to make up for the lack of our wild birds’ natural environment and food supplies by rural development and and advanced farming techniques. 

Furnishing plenty of clean, fresh water is important year around for birds for bathing and drinking are as appealing as a food. Birds and water go hand in hand. A great birdbath or pond makes them very happy!

Welcome birds to our garden areas with plants which they enjoy! Bushes and shrubs are the favored plants which can be good for food and shelter. You won’t need to change your garden into a wilderness to make it great for birds. Simply provide a good supply of natural foods and adequate cover for food, shelter and nests. This kind of gardening is able to be pleasing to the gardener and wildlife alike, especially if you choose plants which are sources of natural food by planting native and fruit bearing plants.

A wide variety of plant are dependent on birds to “plant” their seeds. The seeds are from the seeds and fruits they have feasted on then get abraded as they are digested which makes them most likely to distribute.

A lawn is a good hunting ground for insects and worms for a variety of birds. Others will happily dine on pests such as grubs. Those paved brick or stone walks and edgings you carefully placed will be used to crack open snails. A little provisioning goes a long way for the feathered friends!

Garden safely for wildlife by avoiding pesticides which are poisonous for birds, find organic alternatives. The birds will search and find the insects then devour them, eliminating the need to use commercial pesticides, insecticides or herbicides, which kill the insects and seed bearing weeds. When it comes to insects, people usually think of gardens and birds and not really that the birds eat the insects to feed to their babies.

In my garden area I enjoy providing a birdbath and feeder in more than one location. It is such a treat to greet spring with the song birds or a cardinal on snow draped limbs. With thoughtful planning we can provide food, shelter and water year around for our resident or seasonal visitors in the garden!

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Mix all spices together. Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place.
Great mixed with olive oil and brushed on fish or poultry.  Also, add to oil and vinegar for
dressing for salads.  Use to season anything from soups to roasts!

Makes a gift worth giving.  Wonderful blend of spices!

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Sprinkle apples with the lemon juice and toss well. In separate bowl, combine sugars, salt and spices mixing well.
To the 9 inch pastry lined pie plate, add 1/3 of the sugar spice mix. Top with half of the apple slices, filling tightly as possible.
Add another 1/3 of the sugar spice mixture and then top with the rest of the apple slices. Press gently with your hand to make compact. Dot with the butter and then add the remaining top pastry. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 55 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Cover around the rim of crust with foil to prevent over browning.

Serve warm with scoop of ice cream and enjoy!

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1 package 2 layer classic white cake mix
2 egg whites
¼ cup canola oil
8 oz crème fraiche

Mix:

Preheat oven to 350°F, moderate heat. Prepare two muffin pans with paper liners.

Mix together the cake mix, crème fraiche, canola oil and egg whites in a large bowl. Blend ingredients at low speed, only until the dry cake mix is moistened. Increase the mixer speed to medium, and continue beating for three minutes.

For Gluten free cake mix, don’t over beat, mix per packages instructions.

Fill the cupcake liners with batter to about three-fourths full. Set the filled muffin pans on a baking sheet to prevent over browning. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cupcakes are lightly brown.

For making a cake instead of cupcakes, follow directions on cake mix box to use for cake pan baking times.

Make crème fraiche at home, by mixing equal parts heavy cream and sour cream. Cover the container, and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.

Add shredded 1/3 cup shredded coconut to the batter for variation.
Frost with a thick icing or your favorite frosting and enjoy! Add a bit of lavendar on top of icing for a nice touch.

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SIDES: 2×8 cedar boards – lengths as needed
SUPPORTS: 4×4 cedar posts (see text for lengths)
¾” Galvanized pipe
¾” pipe clamps – two for each piece pipe
#10 x ¾ round head phillips plated wood screws (two per clamp)
3” deck screws – fastening the sides to the posts
½” PVC pipe

Corner and galvanized posts

MATERIALS
ABOUT THE MATERIALS
Lumber lengths are available in two foot increments from eight feet to twenty feet depending on your supplier. To avoid extra work it is best to plan the length of your garden in the lengths of cedar lumber your supplier has available.

Common garden shapes are rectangle, ‘T’, ‘L’ and square. For longer length gardens a 4×4 post will be needed to attach two adjoining boards. If it is to be four feet wide you will need one eight foot board cut in half – one for each end.

Board width determines the height of your garden and available in 2″ increments up to 12″. For added height you will need to place boards on end on top of one another. Dimensional lumber always measures ¾” less in width. In the above materials list we chose to use 8″ wide boards (true width 7 ¼”) but they will be placed on end which equals 14 ½” height. Remember to double the quantity of boards needed for the sides if placing on end.

Galvanized pipe and PVC is generally sold in 10 foot lengths. Deck and wood screws are sold in various quantities.

THE CONSTRUCTION
1. Cut one 4×4 corner post for each corner equal to (or a little less) then the height of the sides.
2. Lay the first two posts on the ground and lay the side boards on top. Make sure the ends of the posts are flush with the ends of the boards and the posts do not extend beyond the top or bottom of the board
3. Secure side(s) to the post using deck screws. Repeat step 2 for the next two posts.
4. You should now have two sets of sides ready to attach the boards between them to complete a box.

Stand one of the completed sides on end. Note that if you flip the side over you have a choice of an inside or an outside post.

5. Attach the end boards connecting the two sides with deck screws.

Not listed in the materials list is optional hardware cloth laid on the ground inside the garden box. Have it extend up the sides 1-2″. #6 box nails are hammered ½” into the side and bent over securing the screening. This keeps critters out of the garden.

6. For added outside support a length of galvanized pipe is pounded into the ground every 4-5′ Leave the pipe flush with the top.
Cut these pieces 15″ longer than the side height. Secure it to the sides with clamps and wood screws.
7. Optional: If you prefer to have all the piping on the inside (see step #8) Cut a 4×4 12″ longer than the side height, place 12″ in the ground and secure it to the sides with deck screws.

8. You will now attach one piece of galvanized pipe at each end of the long sides and on the inside very 3-4′. Place these on the outside if you did not follow step #7. All are exactly opposite each other. Cut these the height of the sides. Attach with clamps and wood screws.

9. Cut lengths of ½” PVC pipe to extend from the inside of one galvanized pipe to the other, leaving a suitable arch for the type of covering desired such as plastic or netting. The covering may extend the growing season.

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Types of composting bins

The kind of bin or location also determines the amount of effort you want to put into maintaining the compost pile. Another thing to consider is how much you want to invest in a tumbler, bin or materials to build the holder. Here a few options from which can help you make your choice.

No Bin Composting
Holding Bins
Stationary Bins
Indoor composting bins
Drums and Tumblers

No Bin compost pile
Find a location with adequate space to allow turning your compost. The main thing to keep in mind with this type of composting is pests and not having the material confined. Build your pile by layering and allow it to work on its own. Turn occasionally by hand turning, which adds air, to speed up the decomposition. Keep the size of the pile 3′ X 3′ or no more than 5′ X 5′ for ease of handling. A tarp on top will help control the pile from spreading.

Tumblers and Drums compost bins
The tumblers and drums usually have a crank or will spin for minimal effort on the user. There is no need to hand turn as the bin will turn the compost pile. This will turning will allow air to go through the compost. Purchasing the compost tumbler has been a great purchase allowing me to recycle and reuse natural material in my garden! I also made sure it was on a stand and is easily turned by spinning the bin. Tumblers and drums are usually a barrel type shape and are usually horizontal,mounted on a platform or stand and made of a variety of materials. The materials are placed in bin and easily turned.

Compost Holding Bin
A holding bin can be stationary or mobile. There are pros and cons of this type of bin as turning the compost inside of a holding bin can be difficult. A stationary holding Bin is a composting bin used to keep materials in place while they “cook” down. This can be constructed of wood, plastic, bucket or a wire fencing. Using a mobile bin, you can lift the bin to a new spot and the compost stays in the original location. After relocating the bin, you will turn the compost by refilling the same bin compost. There is not much more to do except to turn the compost every two to three days.

Indoor composting bins
There is a variety of indoor composting bins available, follow manufacture’s directions for use. Find a convenient location, such as under the sink or counter and begin recycling your vegetables, fruit etc.

The compost tumbler I’ve purchased process of composting is in about 5 to 6 weeks. A few days after filling, I felt the lid and it was very warm to the touch, so I knew it was cooking. My main concern is removing the compost from the bin. Using a piece of plywood (or use your imagination) and let it slide down into a designated location works well!

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To create a good compost pile, it requires three basic ingredients:

1. Browns which include newspapers, dead leaves, branches and twigs (dry, chopped or shredded)
2. Greens which include fresh grease clippings, vegetable scraps and coffee grounds (wet,chopped or shredded)
3. Water

It is important the have the right amount of browns, greens and water for the compost to work. You will want to have an equal about of green to brown and change to layers of varied sizes of organic parts. The brown ingredients provide carbon for your compost and the greens provide nitrogen with the water providing moisture to break things down.

Before you start, find a dry shady location and near a water supply. That water is nice to have close by.

There are a variety of containers to use for outdoors or indoors and also just an area with a tarp on top outdoors. See manufacture’s instructions for indoor composting. Check out the list of what to have and not in your compost pile below.

Start by covering the composting area or bin of choice with about 6 inches of brown material. Adding bulky items such as straw, chopped twigs, leaves or pine needles which will keep the pile from compacting or settling. This also allows air through the compost.

Top the brown with about a 3 inch layer of green parts. At this time add some soil, finished compost or compost starter that helps the process cooking.

Continue to add the layers of brown, green and soil, finished compost or compost starter. Top layer to be about 3 inches of brown and add more water as needed to be moist. Be sure to moisten dry parts as they are added just enough to wet down like a damp sponge and not soggy. If the materials are too wet, the compost will be compact and restrict airflow in the pile. Should this happen, turning the compost will dry it out and add air and you will on your way again.

The compost will heat up on its own naturally and will settle as the parts breaks down and decompose. Don’t be concerned if the mixture does not reach high temperatures as compost happens at all temperatures.

You can continue to add more parts to the compost, but put the food material into the center of the pile or cover with brown material.

Turn the compost weekly to distribute air and moisture throughout. As you turn the pile, move the dry materials from the edges into the middle. If properly tended, the compost will not attract pest or rodents and no bad odors.

Odor problems tend to result too much moisture, which causes a compact pile and loose oxygen flow or too much green material which give off-gas smelly odors (or both). Adding bulky or brown material will help to correct the gasses. Add the brown material to the top of the compost bin, you may have to mix the browns in throughout the pile, where the bulky material will help keep the pile oxygenated if odors persist.

The finished compost ingredients, for the most part, will no longer be recognizable. Use this completed compost as a soil amendment, potting soil or mulch. Test if the the compost is finished cooking and ready for use when it has a somewhat uniform look, dark in color, small size, and “earthy” odor.

Use only completed compost as a soil amendment for best results. Incorporate it into the soil when used as a soil amendment before planting. Mixing 1-3 inches of compost to the soil surface and blend into the existing soil to about 3-4 inches deep.

Gardeners should use only fully decomposed (finished) compost as a potting mix. Mix your compost with sand, vermiculite, perilite etc. to create a great planting blend. Container grown plants need a potting soil that keeps its moisture, but also has good drainage.

If your compost still has larger pieces, but is otherwise finished, you may want to sieve the finished compost through a 1/2″ screen to remove larger pieces of material that didn’t break down as it may rob nitrogen from plant roots. It is always good to keep some coarse or bulky material in the mix to improve drainage. Happy planting!

Leave out the following:
Black walnut twigs or tree leaves
Coal or charcoal ash
Dairy products
Diseased or insect-ridden plants
All oils or fats, grease and lard
Meat
Fish
Bones
Pet wastes (dog or cat)
Yard and trimmings with treated chemicals

Add the following:
small tree limbs or twigs (chopped to about 3 inches)
Horse or cow manure
cardboard rolls
clean paper
coffee grounds and filters
eggshells
fruits and vegetables (chopped)
Yard trimmings and grass clippings not chemically treated
hair and fur
straw and hay
houseplants
leaves
sawdust not chemically treated
shredded newspaper
tea bags

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Spiral Herb gardening

Sage

HERB INDOOR GARDENING

Indoor gardening is an excellent way to have fresh herbs year around.   I got my start with potted herbs from my daughter’s outdoor wedding.  What a delight it is to have a variety of fresh cut herbs for cooking during the winter months!

In the sunny window, there is a selection of basil, mint, thyme, oregano and sage to add flavor and vitality to my favorite recipes.  They also are great looking house plants.

Make sure you have enough sunlight so leaves will be thick and large.  When plants are deprived of adequate light, the leaves will be thinner and small.  Give the plants adequate water and attention for big rewards.

Another great way to have an indoor herb garden is under a grow light.  Many types of lights, tray and kits are available to the gardener.   Fresh herbs grown indoors gives you access to herbs at a significantly lower price.

There are many uses for herbs such as culinary, medicinal and teas just to name a few.  Herbs adds that extra sparkle to foods and teas beyond the telling.

Herbs that are fresh picked can be minced and used in sauces, salads, marinades. They can be dried or frozen for future use. Dried herbs are great as sachets, candles or potpourris for home of gift giving.

Ways to use larger leaves from basil, sorrel, mint or sorrel as wraps.  Fill the middle of the leaf with fish, bean, meat or other filler for appetizers.

Teas may be from a single or combination of herbs to your liking.  Try them hot or iced for a refreshing and relaxing beverage made from peppermint, lemon balm or chamomile or your favorite flavor combinations.

I have made lemon lavender cupcakes with lavender icing for a delightful treat!  Lavender is also wonderful when added to your bath water.

Herbs have been used by the Romans and Greeks for medicinal purposes.  The Galens had writings of garlic as a cure-all.  It is known for antibacterial, anti fungal, antiparasitic as well as antiviral.  Roman  soldiers used Tarragon for preventing fatigue while marching.  Borage is high in calcium and potassium and can be used to treat bruises and swelling.

The uses of herbs is quite vast and intriguing.  Herbal uses and advice have been passed down through the generations, since time began.  Indoor hobby of herb gardening leaves the imagination at your finger tips.

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Use of solar lights in the garden are a thumbs up for the environment!  The solar lights are not only cost effective, but are quite functional as increasing the security of your home.  Solar lights consume nothing except sun power, which is a renewable energy and do not use wires.

The solar lights are incorporated to illuminate the path, garden, backyard, driveway or add seasonal lighting.  The lights automatically go on and off without a switch or timer with the amount of daylight.  The savings continue by reducing the need to replace the batteries for a few years.  The lights will work even if there is a power outage.

When installing solar lights, make sure you place them in locations that get plenty of sunlight. Without sufficient sunlight, the batteries will not fully charge.  Clean solar lights with a cloth dampened with hot water and never use chemicals to clean the sun charging panel area.  Check batteries for oxidation build up and clean as needed.

Decorative solar accent lights are available as stones, figurines, lanterns, gazing balls, water fountains, planters, solar ivy on your home, spotlights, solar house numbers, pool lights, house lights, rain gauges and etc.  Some solar lights have features that let you keep them on as white light or switch to display with changing colors (good for holidays or special occasions).  Solar light decorating strands for special holidays are an energy savings.

Spotlight solar lighting are adjustable to focus on the sides of your home for security.  Also, spotlights can be used to accent shrubs, rocks or trees on your landscape.  For added safety, the lights provide lighting for steps and sidewalks for home and yard.

Decks, patios and wall lights are able to be flush with the providing night light year around without expensive installation.  At night, lights turn on automatically and at dawn turn off.

Have a need for a solar lamp post, solar bird bath or water pump and fountain?  They are available in many attractive styles and no wiring or electrical grids to tap into as well.  Simply install per manufacturer’s instructions and enjoy!

Solar lights are safe around children and pets as there are no wires to trip on or have low voltage.

Solar lighting is becoming a great resource for home and gardens.  The lights are not over bright but add a soft lighting to your home and garden.  The level of energy savings and safety that solar lighting provide outweigh the initial investment. Tax rebates are offered by many power companies for those who switch to solar LED lighting.

There are sites that will recycle your solar lights when it has reached its life span.  Check into these sites locally or on the web.

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