Birds Skating on a Frozen Pond?

Looking out the window this morning what do I see in my little Bathtub Pond? A bunch of pine siskins drinking water-while standing on frozen water-ice that is!

The siskins did not seem to be bothered by the cold at all. Of course it might be that they are well fed and have a fresh source of water that keeps them happy here in my garden.

As I watched these siskins rotated between the nearby feeders and this water source. There has been a flurry of activity from the birds since the weather has turned quite chilly here in Tennessee...

in the garden...

Happy New Year to all!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Balls

BY SKEETER Tina: I am going to dedicate this post to you girl...
I have decided it is time to start getting rid of things we no longer use. These bags have been in a storage closet for the past 12 years! What is inside you may ask?
His and hers bowling balls! Not used since we left Germany and no longer belong to a bowling league. We joined the league to have fun but we found that most bowlers took the game way more serious then us so we decided this sport was not for us. One can hardly bowl now unless on a league as they take up all the alley times. Bummer...
I found this Gazing Ball stand for only $7.00 and thought what a bargain! As soon as I picked it up, I knew what I was going to do with this stand.
My beautiful Gray toned ball was proudly sitting on top. I had a spot picked out for the ball in my Georgia Gardens and when ready to place it, I notice one weld had separated. I don't know if this was due to the weight of the ball or if I had purchased it like that but I knew it was not made for anything this heavy. So back to the store the stand went. They gladly gave me a store credit. I love the Christmas Tree Shops!
I came up with Plan B... I took an old broken Birdbath, put the Saints old ball in the middle and planted small cactus type plants around it.
I am now doing a double recycle with finding a use for an old birdbath and an old bowling ball!
Can you believe that when I got the bowling balls out the Saint said, "Lets go Bowling" After 12 years in the closet, I find a purpose for them and he wants to go bowling. Ha, I told him that it has been so long that I doubt either of us could keep the ball out of the gutter.
I put this creation on the porch since I have had luck with cactus type plants here in the past. Plus, I think it will make for some pretty good conversation while rocking away on the porch.
Later on, I found some rocks in my craft pile in the storage closet. I added them and think that this little garden is now complete. I have yet to snap a picture of the gray ball as it has also found a spot to call home. Well, for now as it may be moved in time. Do you like my BALLS, In the Garden...
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PS. I just wanted to share with you a list the Saint and I tackled just on Sunday...

The Saint:
Pressure Wash by grill.
Pressure Wash Stepping stones from house to patio.
Pressure Wash by back door area.
Pressure Wash Slabs on East and West sides of house by the Water Faucets.
Pressure Wash all birdbaths.
Pressure Wash Brick Entry to house.
Hose Spray House Siding and give extra care to the Sun-room windows.
Paint Patio Table.
Paint Iron on Bench.
Stain wood on Bench.
Stain a new trellis.
Clean Chairs by Shed.
Dig up a dead tree.
Plant two Bridal Wreath Saplings I dug up.
Attach Garden Hose to East Side of house faucet.

Skeeters List:
Weed, dig out dirt and Mulch by Lilies in Semi-Formal Garden.
Finish spreading Pine Straw in Butterfly Bush island.
Embed Bricks into ground for path to Bench site.
Dig out dead Hydrangea.
Remove old pine mulch and leaf debris on East Side of house.
Scatter old debris in the front woods area.
Clean all tools, both shovel's, garden rake, leaf rake, Hand tools, etc.
Clean all plant pots for storage and recycling.
This was what was on my list. I did countless other things in between this and that task.
I am proud to say the Saint did every thing that was put on his list! I am so proud of that man as he worked his rump off for me! I think the trick is to make him a list as Saturday, he seem to keep disappearing on me without a list to tackle. He was busy visiting with this one and that one in the neighborhood. I will remember to make him a list in the future. Hee hee....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Keeping Water In the Garden From Freezing for the Birds

From In the Garden

Keeping your birdbaths free of ice in the winter time is a very big concern. As someone who loves to feed the birds I realize they must also drink so I had to figure out what do to with all my birdbaths and small water features. I think I have it all figured out and thought I'd share some tips-today after 20 degree temperatures and six inches plus of snow.

From In the Garden

Let's start with my front foundation bed garden. I have a small fountain located in the center of this bed. I like this fountain because not only do the birds drink from it, but my wonderful cat drinks from it too. She refuses to drink from water dishes (which I could never keep fluid in this cold) but loves this fountain all year. This fountain is about 4-6 inches deep and is larger than most birdbaths so it has been a challenge to keep fluid but I have a trick. I purchased a 'birdbath heater' from a local store (I think it was Rural King but most bird supply stores should have these small heaters). The cost was under $20. It works well to keep a portion of the fountain free of ice but some of the fountain will still freeze under normal winter conditions (as evidenced in the picture). Here is the trick for keeping the entire fountain fluid during the recent arctic conditions we've been experiencing. Place a tarp over the whole fountain loosely. This keeps in the heat from the small birdbath heater in and then the whole fountain is free of ice. It worked great even in sub-zero temperatures. The cat and birds have been happy drinking from this fountain.

From In the Garden

Next we'll move to my small bathtub pond. I have goldfish in this pond year round so I find it important to not only keep a bit of the surface free of ice for the birds, but also for the fish so they can get oxygen. My little pond holds about 35 gallons of water and is not more than 15" deep. A birdbath heater would simply not work. Instead I purchased a stock tank heater from Rural King (love this store!). It works wonderfully as you can see. There is not one speck of ice in this pond. I only use the stock tank heater when it looks as though the entire pond will freeze over (as in arctic blasts). Usually the running pump keeps an area in the pond free of ice but when temperatures below 20 degrees are sustained and winds are brisk, the bathtub will need extra help. In the opening picture the bathtub pond needs no extra help because the 6" of snow are serving as an insulator and the pump is keeping an area free for the fish. I think the stock tank heater would work for larger ponds too. Experimenting is the best way to find out what works best in your particular water feature. Birds of all sorts flock to this pond to drink as do the pesky squirrels and chipmunks. I have one particular mockingbird that loves to sit in the pot (not pictured) and drink from the pond. It will stay there a long time almost like it is savoring the water. It's such an enjoyable thing to watch birds in the winter.

From In the Garden

And one last picture. I don't leave all of my birdbaths/water features up to operate during the winters. This is a cement bird bath out front. I covered it with plastic left over from a mattress. If you ever buy something very large like a mattress-save the cardboard and plastic for use in the garden. They work great in a number of ways. Plastic can be used like a tarp to haul things like leaves, and also to cover birdbaths. Cardboard can be used as a mulch under leaves. I sure hope no one looks under my mulch-no telling what they might find there.

Any tips for keeping water from freezing in the winter?

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Bathing Beauties

I have never met a gardener who didn't also like birds. Now I have met gardeners who won't do anything for the birds, such as put out birdbaths or feed them, but they ALL unequivocally like the birds. Skeeter's great tips on dealing with birdbaths and caring for them was a timely post which tied in well with this one. Now I don't have to think too hard to tell you all how to care for birdbaths but making sure you have fresh water for them is important so they can eat those bugs!

I am one of those gardeners who wants to do for the birds. Silly me, I keep thinking they will become my friends and understand I only have their best interests at heart. But it ain't happening. They keep 'depositing' pesky weed seeds like poison ivy, honeysuckle, wild cherries, and pokeweed in my garden. Nonetheless, I roll out the welcome mat daily.

Not sure how it happens but I am getting a collection of birdbaths in my garden. I love birdbaths. It is not enough to just feed the birds, no, providing a bathing station for the beauties is the only way to go! I never knew the joy of bathing birds until I moved here to Tennessee.

The birds just can't get enough of the birdbaths, and I can't get enough of watching them. Early in the morning the robins come to splish splash everywhere. Beads of water with sunlight captured for just a moment flash through the air.

Next come the doves, cardinals and blue jays. They are not as happy go lucky as the robins, but love the water just the same. Throughout the day I will notice chickadees, finches and bluebirds visiting the birdbaths for a drink or a quick dunk. The birdbaths are never ending hubs of activity for the birds.

Once the little bathing beauties are finished bathing, they quickly flutter to nearby trees to dry off. While drying off they might watch their buddies bathe or talk to themselves in a pleasant manner.

The first picture is of a birdbath visible from my kitchen window. It is a busy bathing area in the evening when I am preparing dinner or washing the dishes. This birdbath is located in the shade in a nice garden with plenty of shrubs and areas for the birds talk and socialize during bath time. Many types of birds frequent this area.

The second picture is of my finch bathing area. It is located pretty much in full sun in my butterfly garden. Mainly finches bath and drink here. I think sometimes the water gets a bit too hot and it may be too shallow for the robins and bigger birds.

The third birdbath is a cement bath all types of birds love. It is located on the north side of my home in my 'Crabapple Garden'. It is most busiest in the morning when the robins are splashing up a storm.

The white three tier water feature is a resin fountain that when turned on attracts the interest of birds. I can't say I have ever seen any birds bathing or drinking from it, but the cat sure loves drinking out of it!

The pink three tiered concrete birdbath is a busy spot for all types of birds. It is located in my pink/blue garden out front. It is a joy to sit on my porch and watch the robins frolic here.

I have several other birdbaths. One is a metal birdbath in my front foundation garden. It is mainly visited by the finches.

The other 'water' areas are mainly comprised of shallow dishes, both plastic and clay saucers, full of water placed on the ground for easy accessibility of birds, frogs and toads. Birdbaths need not be fancy, just clean and full and accessible with an area for a quick retreat in case of emergency! I like to place my birdbaths in some shade with good visibility for the birds and for me and close accessibility to water. Last summer these birdbaths were lifesavers for the many birds near my home. Try it out!

What kind of birdbaths do you have in your garden?

in the garden....

Garden Birdbath issues

As you all know by now, we enjoy birds in our gardens. We have 5 birdbaths in various spots to welcome our feathered friends.

I don't know why they call them birdbaths as the birds in our yard seem to drink from them more so then bath in the water.

A Pileated Woodpecker was a recent visitor to one such watering hole. This was a treat as we have never seen the Pileated in the birdbath taking a drink before.


During the summer months, the baths can get dirty with frequent use.

So I (in this picture, the Saint) pour out the old water and clean the birdbaths to ensure fresh water for healthier birds.

Birds provide us a service by eating tons of bugs thus healthier plants and flowers in the gardens.

Another bonus is the beautiful music the birds sing for me as I work in the gardens.

Algae will grow quickly in the humid days of summer.

The calender still says spring but the hot steamy 100 degree days say something differently here in Georgia. So we are filling the baths in the morning and evenings right now to satisfy many different visitors.

We brush away the algae, bird poo and other gunk that forms from frequent use. Then rinse with fresh water and dump once again.

The watering jug comes in handy for this process so I don't need to drag out the garden hose.

The fresh water is ready for the next visitor to include raccoon and deer during the night time hours.

The only problem with this cleaning method is that a rut forms below the birdbath with a waterfall effect from the dirty water being poured out. This is not a problem with the bath you see pictured as it is in a wooded area.


However, this is a problem in the Flower Garden. This was a problem that needed solving. I thought of putting flowers below but feared they would get too much moisture or be damaged from the waterfall effect. I also tried using pine straw mulch below only to have the dirt underneath rise to the surface and cause a messy look and still had ruts to deal with.

I finally came up with a solution while recently reworking my flower garden..


I put a frog statue below the birdbath and added some additional stones to hide the statue's base.

Keeping with the frog theme, I placed a Frog/Toad house beside the pedestal of the bath.





I planted some marigolds (they were not blooming at time of posting) and placed a colorful butterfly stake into the ground for additional color to the area.



When I tilt the water basin, the water falls below on the frog statue thus breaking up the waterfall effect.

No more ruts in the ground below my birdbath!




This solution did not cost me a penny as I already had all the items scattered about in other areas of the garden. I just joined them together to form the perfect solution to my little problem.




I often sit at the garden bench nearby and watch the birds taking a sip of water or splashing about in the cool clean water.








I provide fresh water for the birds and they in return keep the bug population to a minimum.

I think this is a pretty good trade off so I will continue to solve Garden Birdbath issue as they arise, In the Garden...