Birds and Bulbs

I’m starting to get really excited about spring now.  I know we could still get several major snowstorms before it’s over but it really looks promising for the moment.  There has been lots of rain here in Montreal so the snow is gradually shrinking and more grass is showing.  Today the sun is shining so it makes the disgusting state of the sidewalks and lawns a little easier to take.  (Side note: Dog-owners, pick up your dogs’ poop! Even in the winter!)

I bought some premium bird feed a couple of weeks ago because I was really hoping to attract some interesting birds and not just sparrows.  Sparrows are okay, mind you, but I like a little variety.  I ran into some trouble with the feed because there are pretty large nuts, etc, in amongst the seeds and, believe it or not, raisins (I could pour myself a bowl of this stuff and have it for breakfast, it looks so good!) and the mix won’t come through the holes where the birds can get at it.  I have to go and shake the whole feeder periodically to get it to unclog.  Next time I fill it up I guess I’ll have to put it in a plastic bag and take a rolling pin to it. Or put it in the food processor. Sheesh!

I like trying to make the Tranquil Garden an attractive place for birds, bees and butterflies, etc.   One of my goals as a gardener is to make a haven for some of the wildlife that toughs it out with us here in the city.  I’m not sure I’m that excited about inviting raccoons and skunks to lurk under the bushes, however, so I guess there’s a limit!  I do try to plant things that will attract beneficial insects, though,  and a friend of mine just bought me a case of praying mantis eggs that will be delivered just in time for release in the spring! Stay tuned for the results of that experiment.

Now that the grass is revealing itself I’m reminded that back in the fall when I planted tulips and daffodils, I covered up the spots where I planted them with large flat stones so the squirrels wouldn’t get at them.  This was an idea from one of my gardening magazines, possibly, “Garden Making”, a mag I highly recommend, btw.  The idea is that squirrels are attracted to newly disturbed earth and will dig there in hopes of finding some succulent treats, but the large stones are too heavy for them to move.  The hitch is that in the spring you have to remember to move the stones so the shoots can come up!  I have begun to do that already and lo and behold, there are the shoots!  Pretty exciting.  The next challenge in the bulb department is discouraging the squirrels from chomping on the flower buds just as they’re about to open, but that’s a few weeks away still.  I’m glad squirrels avoid daffodils so I’ll have those to enjoy if the tulips get destroyed.  If anyone has any ideas about discouraging squirrels write them in the “comments” section. FYI, I’ve tried various methods of applying hot pepper with limited success but new ideas are always welcome.

In honour of spring and my friend, Mike, who is a big fan of Tony Bennett, here is “You Must Believe in Spring” sung by Tony  with Bill Evans on piano.

(P.S. I added new photos under “Garden Photos”.  Just hover over it on the menu and you’ll be able to click on “Reford Garden Photos”.  I visited there a few years ago and took a lot of pictures, some of which I’m sharing with you.)

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