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Birding: Attracting Backyard Friends

Birding: Attracting Backyard Friends
Hello garden friends!

This week’s conversation was all about attracting bird friends into your garden! I must admit, it’s incredible how many species of bird we get to observe in Calgary. During our birdhouse and paint set giveaway, we asked you what kind of yardbirds you love to see in your garden. The responses were outstanding with some reporting hummingbirds, bluejays, northern flicker, and owls!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our birding webinar with Colin. We appreciate your participation and love to engage with you about new gardening topics every week. It’s true, we are plant nerds! If you missed today’s webinar, thank you for finding this blog post!

Download Colin’s PowerPoint here: Birding

You may also find a replay of today’s webinar posted on our YouTube channel. 

Let’s get into some of the main points Colin brought up today.   Birding Birds are a wonderful addition to any garden. They target problem insects, provide natural fertilizer, and attract other birds into your yard. They are also very fun to watch for adults and kids alike. In Calgary, we get to see a wide variety of birds. Some of the more common types include:
  • Robin
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Finches
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • And Mountain Bluebird
How to Attract Birds
  • Food
    • Seed – Make sure you use seed that is appropriate for the types of birds you wish to see.
    • Nuts – These will attracts big birds like magpies along with squirrels.
    • Nectar – Essential for attracting hummingbirds.
    • Bugs – Many birds like bugs, especially woodpeckers.
    • Suet – Suitable for all birds, especially in the colder months.
  • Shelter
    • Trees – These provide birds with a safe place to hang out in between trips to the feeder. They may also help with the pollination of nearby trees and perennials.
    • Shrubs – These are especially beneficial for songbirds to hang out.
    • Houses – Choose houses that will accommodate the types of birds you wish to attract. Ensure they are breathable, non-toxic, cleanable, and placed in a safe area.
  • Water
    • Birdbath – Birds love them, especially on a hot summer day. They’re also entertaining to watch!
    • Fountain – Consider adding a fountain with a softer flow to encourage a bathing and hydration station for birds.
    • Container – Use a large bowl and fill it with stones so birds can access it easier.
    • Puddles – Birds aren’t picky. Fill low spots in your yard with water while you’re already out watering the gardening in the morning.
    • Sprinkler – Water your lawn and help the birds at the same time. Choose a low flow sprinkler to avoid harming your yardbirds
Bird Problems
  • Squirrels
    • Cunning, wasteful, and somewhat destructive.
    • Consider a cage-style bird feeder. It won’t break and the birds can still get access their food in the middle.
  • Wasps
    • Not bad for the garden, but can be dangerous for birds especially the little ones if they’re swarmed.
    • Consider hanging a wasp trap to deter them.
  • Corvidae
    • Included in this family of birds are crows, magpies, and ravens.
    • These aren’t bad birds by any means, but there are some negatives if you’re trying to attract little songbirds. They can be destructive, loud, and chase off other birds.
    • Consider hanging a separate feeder for them away from your other feeders.
  • Ants
    • will attract other pests like wasps, and may deter birds like hummingbirds from accessing their sugary feeder.
    • Consider using an ant moat above the feeder to catch them, or use ant traps.
  • Mold
    • old birdseed will begin to decompose and attract insects and harm birds.
    • Consider keeping birdseed in a dry and cool place. Careful not to overfill bird feeders.
Feel free to reach out online, by phone, or come in and see us. We want to see you succeed in all your gardening ventures.

Happy birding, friends!
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.