Blackbirds and Grackles-Oh My!

The recent snows in Middle Tennessee were a treat! Today, tho, it is hot and sunny and warm and April 1st! Happy April Fool's to you all!

After moving into our home a few months ago I put up some birdfeeders. It took about six weeks for the birds to find the feeders but find them they did! The snows brought in a lot of new birds for me. One of them is the red winged blackbird. This is a bird I had not often seen in my area of Tennessee, tho I would see it quite frequently further north in areas like northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. I think the red winged blackbirds are heading south as I now see them quite a bit more in Tennessee.

The birds really liked the black oil sunflower seeds I offer up in my bird feeders.

Not everyone like grackles but they are a really beautiful bird in my humble opinion.

Did you know blackbirds, grackles, and starlings often flock together in the fall, winter, and early spring?

These birds were part of a large flock that came to Tiger Way Gardens for a few days.

I had several feeders up so they did not really chase away the smaller birds--everyone got fed and as a bonus I got to see some beautiful blackbirds....

in the garden....

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

Newcomers Master Gardener Course, Master Gardener Winter School & 1st Annual Lawn and Garden Show

From In the Garden

*****PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT*****

The Montgomery County Master Gardener Association (MCMGA) will be sponsoring a newcomers mini master gardener course beginning March 2. Lectures include such diverse subjects as composting, container gardening, perennials and herbs. All classes will meet each Tuesday at 7:00 pm downtown Clarksville in the United Methodist Church. The cost is only $40; which equates to about $5 per speaker-a steal! All lecturers will be local master gardeners who are volunteering to share their expertise and knowledge with you. Door prizes will be available each evening so come, make some friends. learn something new about gardening and have fun! Call Karla Kean at: (931)648-5725 for more information and to sign up. These lectures are open to everyone. There are no tests or volunteer hours involved. Even if you don't live within the local community come and sign up if you are interested in the lectures and can drive to the meetings. All gardeners and wanna be gardeners are welcomed.

From In the Garden

Speaking of meetings and master gardeners, I am only going to briefly mention the Master Gardener Winter School I attended in Murfreesboro. The hosts (Rutherford County) were most gracious and organized. The whole community pulled together to make the school fun, healthy, and wonderful for the 100+ master gardeners who showed up for the event. There were five attendees from my county (Montgomery County). Three of us are pictured above, from left to right: Terri, Julie, and myself.
There were three parts of the school and not all master gardeners attended all three parts so that is why the other two master gardeners are not shown. Julie and I attended the Tennessee Yards and Neighborhoods Done Right workshop and the educational track. We missed the leadership part of the school but I bet it was fun too. We all got lots of tips and lessons for providing service to our communities as master gardeners. It was really fun. I must say talking with the other gardeners and meeting Tennessee master gardeners from across the state (from Chattanooga to Kingsport to Memphis and everything in between) was probably the best part of the whole conference for me.

One more thing. The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its first Annual Lawn, Farm and Garden Show. The show will be held in Austin Peay's Red Barn located at 256 Marion Street in Clarksville from 10-8 pm on Saturday, 27 February, and from 12-8 pm on Sunday, 28 February 2010. General admission is $5 and children under 12 get in free. There will be lots of give a ways and several vendors showcasing new things....

in the garden....

We had some grackles come visit us recently. They are really pretty and unique looking birds and didn't bother the normal songbirds at the feeders. They loved those sunflower seeds.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden