alex
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Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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Hello. I get it ! I have found great joy and wonderment from starting my plants indoors from seed. No magic is stronger than the tiniest seed taking root. There are lots of youtube videos on starting seeds indoors on a warming pad ( to keep the soil warm) and with grow lights.It can be done with minimal expense with some shrewd shopping and repurposing and recycling. I do suggest getting the very best organic soil possible for the seedlings - only organic. "Natural" can be laced with ecocides as some chems retain in plant tissue for who knows how long. USDA organic is a little slippery. So go for the organic label from a couple of private certifiers. Grow Organic sells good viable seed. Bulk seed is cheaper also. 1/4 oz - 4 oz is usually a better buy if you are going to use one plant as a staple variety. A lot of my perennials are in containers too, and I fertilize and companion plant to keep that soil strong. Containers can be over wintered inside too. Hope this helps.
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The bird support islands around my apt are in 2 small trees with plenty of perches and cover, but without easy climbing for the 5 (five!) cats the local feline hoarder lets run the neighborhood. Three are semi feral and of no use to anyone, actually none of them are of any...Anyway, not to be undone by a cat, the feeders are strategically placed in the upper branches which are too dense for easy climbing access for the worthless cats and the birds have leaf cover and branches for taking turns or respite. A second sparrow nest in the house side vent and the parent birds enjoy the seeds. They are, like most bird parents, being worked hard sporting insects for four demanding fledglings. I also have a bird feeder on the ledge of each south window one with black sunflower seeds, the other with a songbird mix and cracked grains. These are also safe with no cat access. And ever helpful, the jays alert when food it out. So helpful ! While I would love to plan a birdspace of more permanent nature, it's not in the plans right now. I am glad for the lilac trees as they provide the cover to, meanwhile, support as I can.
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Hello, Your home sounds wonderful. I'm just making a reply to suggest considering a Food Forest( Permaculture style) which would make the garden your personal vegetable and fruit garden. There are Permaculture Designers who can help you plan a sequential and organic (no pun intended) evolving of a 3-5 year plan using perennials that require minimal seasonal attention aside from gleaning berries and deadheading, the occasional fertilizing. et. al. Lawns are amusing aren't t they? Other than a swatch of it for entertaining or a backyard nap, hey don't have much function except to use up lots of water and cause Americans to spend millions per year on lawn Stuff, most of it which kills wild bees, bumblebees, and honey bees, let alone the unsuspecting butterfly. Anyway, congrats on your new home - with birds. :>
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An Almost Private Moment: This spring brings the third nesting of either House Swallows or Sparrows to an air vent in my 1920's upstairs apartment. As the chics have progressed they've become cheerfully and adamantly present through the wall with their cheeps for more food from the parent team. The parents do access the feeder, but I don't have yummy invertebrates to offer of course. It's a morning game to note who's up first the chics or myself. If I'm up first I do try to not wake them up.
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)