Weather Lore
1. When cows are lying down in a field, rain is on the way.
2. Moring Glory--If blooms are wide open, it's excellant weather. If blooms are shut, it means rain and bad weather are on the way.
3. Kelp seaweed shrivels up and feels dry in fair weather, but swells and feels damp if rain is coming.
4. "Red sky in the morning,sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight."
5. "If in summer, the grass grows long, then comes the autumn, the winds will be strong."
6. "Hot summer, cold winter." (You'll need to follow the weather patterns through February to see if this holds true.)
7. A ring around the moon will bring rain or snow.
8. Cobwebs on the grass signals fair weather.
9. The last Sunday of the month predits the weather for the next month.
10. The weather will change if the rooster crows during the night.
Gardening Tip
If you move plants like geraniums inside for the winter, let them dry before watering. The lower light levels mean they won't use moisture as fast as they did outside and so can be vulnerable to rotting. Plants moved indoors will also have a tendency to drop leaves for a while until they are acclimated to the indoors......................
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Mulch Wonderful Mulch
One of the greatest timesavers for any gardener is mulching. Mulching reduces weed growth, helps retain moisture and, as it decomposes, adds organic matter to the soil. Fine mulches like small pine bark chips can be spread thinly while chunkier mulches should be about 3 inches thick to prevent sunlight from reaching the soil and helping weed seeds germinate. For a change of pace, try using cocoa hulls or peanut shells. No matter what mulch you use, keep it away from the trunks of your trees and shrubs.
Gardening Reminders
Older apple trees that are well established can be pruned now to open them up for more light and air penetration. Limbs growing close to horizontal will produce the most fruit, while upright limbs produce little if any.Many fruit-growers weight their branches down to encourage horizontal growth. If you have just a couple of varieties and they don't produce much fruit, you probably need a compatible pollinator. Check with your local garden center about which pollinators are best for the varieties you grow.
Our Feathered Friends
When bird-watching in your backyard or someplace else, keep a bird identification book nearby(a book for your state) and you will begin to know who your 'guests' are as time goes by. Here in Virginia,"Birds of Virginia Field Guide" is a good book for beginners and children because the birds are grouped by color. If you see a bird that is red, you look under red birds in the book. It's as simple as that.
I have come up with a list of 10 common yard birds you are apt to see, along with a few unusual visitors. If you would like to have this list, fill out the form below and it will be sent to you. Your name and email address will belong to me, HatandField Company, and NOT given or sold to anyone else at anytime. I will be sending you articles on birds and gardening from time to time. Enjoy!
