Live in each season as it passes; breath air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet drink and botanical medicines.
– Henry David Thoreau
Week 16 let’s begin to revamp our gardens by adding new plants, mulch, and compost to enrich the soil. Recharge your enthusiasm by trying innovative gardening techniques like vertical gardens or companion planting. Reflect on past successes and challenges to improve future gardening plans.
For bird watching, clean and refill feeders, bird baths, and nesting boxes to attract a variety of species. Reevaluate your bird-friendly garden design and introduce native plants that provide food and shelter. Revamp your bird watching routine with new binoculars or a new journal to document sightings. This week is about embracing the freshness of spring, enhancing your outdoor space, and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Winter & Spring Gardening Guidance
First and Last Frost Dates by U.S. Hardiness Zone
Work with nature for gardening success. Hardiness zones in gardening are geographic regions that categorize the climate’s suitability for plant survival. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) devised this system based on…
Gardening Around the World
Gardening online resources from around the world. When exploring these sites, I look for their specific sections or articles related to gardening in colder climates or northern regions. Additionally, forums and community sections…
Northern Gardening
Take a look at some Minnesota online gardening resources for tailored northern gardening guidance. Gardening in Minnesota can be incredibly rewarding, though the climate poses unique challenges, especially with cold winters and short…
Gardening Success Through Observation & Monitoring
Boost garden health with observation and monitoring. Successful gardening involves careful monitoring and observation to ensure plants are thriving. To ensure gardening success, it’s important to adopt the right monitoring techniques, leverage available…
Dehydrator Herb Preservation
Preserve flavors and nutrients by dehydrating. Owning a food dehydrator offers a multitude of advantages for culinary enthusiasts. It facilitates preservation by removing moisture from fruits, vegetables, and herbs, extending their shelf life…
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) in the Garden
Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a versatile, natural substance valued by gardeners for its pest control and soil enhancement benefits. Composed of fossilized algae, food grade DE acts as a mechanical insecticide…
Gardening Science
Evidence-based approaches for improving plant growth and vitality. Innovative scientific discoveries are reshaping gardening practices. Advances in soil microbiology reveal the intricate relationships between plants and beneficial microbes, offering new insights into nutrient…
Gardening for Bird Conservation
Birds in the garden bring landscapes to life. Attracting birds to your garden enriches the outdoor experience with nature’s vibrant palette and cheerful melodies. Beyond the aesthetic delight, birds play a crucial role…
Gardening To Improve Outdoor Air Quality
Enhance outdoor air quality by naturally filtering pollutants. Planting your yard and garden with air-purifying plants enhances outdoor air quality by naturally filtering pollutants and releasing oxygen. Trees like oak and maple absorb…
Mid-March Seed Starting
I live in the lower middle half of MN and mid-March is the time in my zone (Zone 4b) to start these seeds indoor: Today is the day for me to get these…
Plants at Their Best
Tulip
I find planting tulips to be a joyful endeavor, bringing the anticipation of vibrant blooms. As bulbs are placed in the soil, there’s a sense of anticipation and renewal. Watching the first shoots…
Daffodil
Perennial bulbs. Daffodils bring joy with vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in spring. I love daffodils because they are easy to grow, they symbolize renewal and hope, and they add a bright splash of charm…
Chive
Perennial. Heb. I grow chives in my herb garden because they are incredibly versatile and easy to maintain. Their mild onion flavor enhances a variety of dishes, from salads to soups and omelets.…
Spider Plant
Easy to care for houseplant with excellent air-purifying qualities. Spider plants, or Chlorophytum comosum, are popular houseplants known for their easy care and air-purifying qualities. They have long, arching leaves that are green…
Basil
Power Annual Herb. Love this little green flavor booster! Basil is my favorite herb to grow because of its versatility and vibrant flavor. I have come to love its aromatic leaves and continue…
Mint
Perennial fast-growing herb with versatility and beauty. In the midst of late spring, the vibrancy of mint flowers brings a refreshing flush to gardens and meadows. Delicate clusters of tiny blossoms emerge atop…
Sage
Perennial Herb. Flowering sage, known for its vibrant blossoms, adds aesthetic charm to gardens while maintaining its culinary and medicinal value. The delicate, tubular flowers come in various hues, including shades of purple,…
Forsythia
Brings a brilliant burst of cheerful yellow in early spring. Forsythia, known for its vibrant golden blooms, is my harbinger of spring and a valuable addition to any garden. Its early blossoms signal…
Rhubarb
Perennial. Delicious tart stalks for culinary delights. Planting rhubarb in my garden has been a rewarding choice for several reasons. This hardy perennial not only offers delicious, tart stalks for culinary delights but…
Birding & Butterflies
Northern Cardinal
A cherished backyard songbird. Updated since 11/2/2023. The presence of cardinal birds in my yard brings fresh fun. Their vibrant red plumage, a burst of color against the green backdrop, provides me a sense of natural beauty. Their…
White-breasted Nuthatch
Lively and bouncy tree creepers. The presence of nuthatches in my yard gets me to peering out the front window. These charismatic birds, with their distinctive upside-down climbing and head-first descents, inject a playful energy into the trees…
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles mature to have a snowy white head and tail contrasted against a dark brown. Their commanding presence is an American symbol of strength and freedom. Spotting Bald Eagles in my neighborhood is an awe-inspiring experience that…
American Robin
The American Robin’s melodious song at dawn feels like nature’s gentle alarm clock, signaling new beginnings and the beauty of each day. Seeing robins in my yard during spring is a reminder of renewal and warmth. Their vibrant…
Trumpeter Swan
The largest extant species of waterfowl. Seeing trumpeter swans in my neighborhood brings a sense of tranquility and wonder. Their majestic presence on ponds, gracefully gliding across the water, adds an elegant charm to the landscape. In fields,…
Turkey
Wild turkeys are native to North America, commonly found in forests, grasslands, and open woodlands across the U.S. and southern Canada. These large birds, known for their fan-shaped tails and wattled necks, have iridescent feathers that shimmer in…
Grackle
I love seeing Grackles in my yard and at my birdfeeder because their vibrant, iridescent feathers add a splash of mystic and energy to my garden. Their lively, social behavior brings a sense of childish wonder and mischievous…
Chipping Sparrow
Cheerful, agile, trilling, resilient, friendly, little sparrow. I enjoy seeing chipping sparrows at my bird feeders because they bring a bit of fun to my bird feeders. Their delicate, cheerful chirping is a delightful sound to hear in…
Gray Squirrel
Acrobatic, adaptable, intelligent little seed hoarders. Gray squirrels, agile acrobats of the suburban landscape, frolic in my yard with a boldness that borders on audacity. Their fluffy tails twitch with curiosity as they dart among the trees, pausing…
Red-winged Blackbird
Harbingers of spring on the pond. Red-winged blackbirds at my birdfeeder evoke all the springtime vibes. Their glossy plumage, adorned with fiery red epaulets, ignites the senses. Their melodious distinct calls weave through the air, a tribute to…
Ring-necked Pheasant
Colorful, adaptable, ground-foraging, game bird. The Ring-necked Pheasant, a strikingly colorful bird native to Asia, has become a captivating presence year-round in my Minnesota yard. With its iridescent plumage and distinct neck ring, this bird adds a touch…
Northern Flicker
Striking, colorful and large woodpecker. The Northern Flicker gracing my birdfeeders is a striking harbinger of nature’s vibrancy. Its plumage, a captivating blend of spotted black, tan, and red, catches sunlight with a mesmerizing effect. This woodpecker’s distinctive…
Downy Woodpecker
Lively and rhymical woodpecker. Downy Woodpeckers bring enchantment to my yard with their lively antics and distinctive black-and-white plumage. Their petite stature, just 6-7 inches in length, adds charm as they flit gracefully among branches. The rhythmic drumming…
Hairy Woodpecker
Flashy movements, climbers, with rhythmic slower drumming. The Hairy Woodpecker’s rhythmic drumming and distinctive black-and-white plumage bring a unique rhythm to my yard, transforming it to include natural wonder. Their diligent foraging, tapping resonantly on our tree trunks,…
American Goldfinch
Sunlit yellow plumage, delicate black wings, and sweet cheep-cheeps. The American Goldfinch’s vibrant presence at my thistle birdfeeder transforms my yard into a living canvas of radiant yellow and black. Their sunlit yellow plumage, delicate black wings, and…
Pileated Woodpecker
Commanding sized woodpecker with the regal red pointy cap. Seeing the large Pileated Woodpecker eating suet at my birdfeeder is a glimpse into the wild, a majestic presence that transcends the ordinary. Their striking crimson crests and vibrant…
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Charismatic bird, with striking zebra-like patterns and vibrant red crown. The occasional sighting of the neighborhood Red-bellied Woodpeckers at my bird feeder spices up my yard with their dynamic avian energy. These charismatic birds, with striking zebra-like patterns…
White-throated Sparrow
Springy little whistler. The White-throated Sparrow at my bird feeder brings the music of nature to my front yard. Their distinctive ‘old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody’ sweet-whistle song, reminiscent of clear whistling notes, creates a melodious sound. Distinguished…
Black-capped Chickadee
Charming little avian friends. Watching the Chickadees at my birdfeeder always puts a smile on my face, their vibrant presence is proof to nature’s charm. These spirited little birds, with their distinctive black caps, white cheeks, and cheerful…
Mourning Dove
Embodiment of simplicity and grace. Mourning doves grace my yard with a gentle elegance, captivating my heart with their subtle beauty. Their soft, cooing calls create a tranquil melody, an acoustic balm that soothes the surroundings. These graceful…
Blue Jay
These assertive and bold personalities bring vibrancy to the yard. The presence of blue jay birds in my yard is a source of daily giggles. Their striking azure and white plumage create a vivid spectacle, a living splash…
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