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

The Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee's LARGEST Plant Sale

Good morning! It's that time of the year again! Yup, time for the Largest Plant Sale in Middle Tennessee sponsored by the Perennial Plant Association of Middle Tennessee (PPSMT). Here is a bit of information for you all from the publicity chair:

**** PRESS RELEASE****

One of Nashville’s top gardening events—the Mid-Tenn. Perennial Plant Society’s Plant Sale—will take place on April 11 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The free event runs from 9:00 a.m. until noon, or until plants run out. Get there early because even with hundreds of plants on display, we usually sell out early.
As always, you will find more than 450 varieties of shrubs, roses, vines, perennials, and annuals, carefully chosen by top PPS gardeners to thrive in Tennessee gardens. PPS volunteers will also be on hand to offer advice on making the best choice to fit your yard and gardening experience. Signs above every group of plants show a picture of the plant in bloom and tips on planting and cultivation. For a complete list of plants, visit www.ppsmt.org and click on the “Plant Sale” tab.
Selection isn’t the only reason to come to the Sale. Prices are as low as many big box stores. And quality is much higher since all plants come from local, handpicked growers. Admission to the sale is free; Metro charges $5 for parking. Your purchases support the charitable activities and scholarships for horticultural students sponsored of PPS of Middle Tennessee.
So whether you’re an old gardening hand or a newcomer to the exciting world of gardening, the 2015 PPS Sale has the perfect plant for you. See you April 11!

Background: The Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee promotes the use of perennial plants in the landscape and offers education to local gardeners and scholarships to area horticulture students. The annual plant sale is the group’s major source of funding for these scholarships. The group holds free monthly education meetings, which are open to the public. It also offers garden tours to members. For more information, visit www.ppsmt.org.

Get the complete plant list, as well as updates until just before the sale at www.ppsmt.org.  Join us April 11 from 9a.m. until noon at the Tenn. State Fairgrounds. 

 in the garden....

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