Warm enough for tree houses and woodpeckers

14 03 2008

Sierra (my 4 year old) wanted to eat in the tree house tonight so we had an early dinner.  While eating dinner we heard and saw a woodpecker making what looked to be a new home in the upper parts of a large dead limb in a tree on the edge of the creek in our backyard. (creek is about 20 feet from the back of the house) After some research in our bird book my wife and I agree that we think he is a red-bellied woodpecker. We’ll have to get a picture of him to study to be sure.  We saw one just like him last year at our all-purpose bird feeder, but never knew where he was nesting.

So off to the store for woodpecker food and probably a woodpecker specific feeder. Fatty Lumpkin (our local super fat..or is that hair?..squirrel) has taken over the suet feeder and all-purpose bird feeder. We don’t mind…he’s fun to watch.  There’s no point fighting squirrels…just move on and find a new bird feeding spot.

I also put the temperature activated air vent back into the cold frame as temperatures reached over 100 inside this afternoon. I took a quick peek under the straw and the garlic is still holding strong.  Yeah!!! Another couple weeks and I can remove the straw…at least I think I can. Where’s my garlic book?!?!?

Categories : My Chicago Garden
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16 03 2008
eric : Gardenfork.tv (09:45:53) :

The woodpeckers around here will only eat the suet cakes. we find if we dangle them from a wire, the squirrels have a hard time getting to them, but the birds don’t.

If you want a truly squirrel proof feeder, The Yankee Flipper works really well. Not the cheapest feeder, but it does work. They have a video on their site to prove it. I have some video as well, will have to post it on The Greenhouse.

Hey! It’s green in here.

5 03 2008

Sprouts are up! Sierra and I also planted a couple butternut squash. My wife noticed us doing this and informed me that I had never started squash indoors. That caught me by surprise, but she’s right. Hurm…wonder if it will make any difference. Last years squash crop was _EXTREME_.

First picture is from a few days ago after the first sprouting. The second picture is after some thinning.  Notice I didn’t get 100% germination. My seeds are a year old and also my 4 year old and 2 year old did the planting ;)  That’s why I usually start double what I need so I can pick from the strongest or hopefully have at least a couple sprout.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2312862738_04889c38c7_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2312863260_745ea2ff3c_m.jpg
Categories : My Chicago Garden
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10 03 2008
Chet (10:08:33) :

Do you know why some plants aren’t supposed to be started indoors? I noticed on most sites and seed packs it says to sow squash in the garden, but of course you can buy squash at garden centers for transplant. I’m guessing certain plants are harder to transplant (as far as survival rate), but is that all it is? I was thinking of starting a few plants that aren’t “supposed” to be started inside just to see how it goes. Is it spring yet?

11 03 2008
tyler (00:12:28) :

I believe that’s the reason. Or at least one of the reasons. I know some seeds take special needs to sprout which are difficult to duplicate. Or they don’t transplant well…etc…etc. It can’t hurt to try indoors I figure. So if they die I’m what??…a week or two behind my optimum schedule because I have to start over? I say go for it…if I fail I won’t try it again next year :) Also, I don’t do the traditional transplant thing. I take the entire ball of dirt and put it in a bigger pot. Where as if you read the seed starting books they talk about grabbing the plant gently and laying it down in the dirt…blahblahblah. I figure why take the little guy out of the dirt he likes?….just give the roots more room. Of course I could be totally wrong but it worked for me last year.

5 04 2008
Kris (20:53:17) :

Yeah, I think it has to do with transplanting. I started cucumbers inside once and apparently their roots get cramped really quickly. If they don’t have the chance to develop a good root structure right away they don’t do well. They might live, but the yield will be lower.