THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610250112
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Gardening reminders
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: 82 lines
I F YOU DON'T feed birds year around, you're missing one of life's most enjoyable pleasures. Now is the time to start to enjoy the fall migration of many wild birds you often don't see.
One of the greatest challenges to feeding birds is squirrels. There is a new ``Squirrel-Proof Double Absolute Bird Feeder'' that allows birds to feed at two sides, with a counterweight system that shuts off the seed supply when a squirrel lands on the perch. It is available from Duncraft and perhaps at local bird stores.
A new trend in bird feeding are ``bird blocks'' containing seeds that can be used year around, because they're held together with a natural vegetable binder instead of suet. There are special blocks for woodpeckers and cardinals.
Duncraft also offers a ``Backyard Birds Help Line,'' a toll-free number operated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. If you have a question about bird feeding, call (800) 763-7878. Duncraft's catalog is the largest mail-order source for bird-feeding products. It's free by writing them at 102 Fisherville Road, Concord, N.H. 03303-2086. Fax (603) 226-3735.
Watch where you walk
The season for using Roundup or Finale is fast ending. Weeds and grass must be growing, and usually green, for these herbicides to work. But be careful about walking over an area where you've applied either product. Your shoe prints could kill everything under them.
``Be aware these herbicides will kill every green plant they contact. If the herbicide comes in contact with your shoes, it could be carried to other parts of the property,'' writes Balakrishna Rao, Research and Technical Development Manager for The Davey Tree Co., in the September issue of Landscape Management magazine.
Choice of camellias
Find the camellia of your choice Saturday when the Virginia Camellia Society holds its fall show and plant sale at Chesapeake Square Mall. There will be nearly 50 varieties of camellias available, many of them hard-to-find varieties, but there will be no more than three of each kind sold. One-gallon plants will be $7 and 3-gallon plants will be $15. The free show is from noon to 8 p.m. If you'd like to enter a bloom in the show, they'll be accepted between 8 and 10 a.m. Call 625-0374.
Gourd seeds to give away
Want to raise gourds next year? Moore's Farm says that a Mennonite farm family has a huge supply of excess home-grown gourd seeds to give away. The gourds can be used to make bowls, bird feeders and bird houses.
To receive a free packet of gourd seeds, growing instructions, craft ideas and drying tips, send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, with two 32-cent stamps to Moore's Farm, 1460 Noell Blvd., Palm Harbor, Fla. 34683.
Protect plants from frost
It won't be long until the first frost. The best way to protect tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or tender flowers such as impatiens is with a Reemay brand Garden Cover. I've used them for many years, and they can be reused year after year. The soil temperature under the cover stays up to 15 degrees warmer than without cover. They're available in most garden centers in various sizes. If you can't find them, order by calling (800) 514-4441. For more information, call (800) 321-6271 or fax (615) 847-7068.
TCC technology center dedicated
The Marian P. Whitehurst Technology Center at Tidewater Community College Chesapeake campus was dedicated Oct. 17. It includes new classrooms and greenhouses that make the facility the finest equipped horticultural school in the area. The ``Landscaping Your Home'' course is in progress, but you could still make a late enrollment. One other course, on ``Holiday Arrangements,'' will be taught this year. Call 549-5149 or 549-7914.
Reminder to readers
Because of the volume of mail and shortage of space in the paper, my responses to reader letters often lag far behind, sometimes up to six months after they're received.
If you have an urgent problem, include your telephone number and I'll try to get in touch with you, if I also consider the problem urgent. When you include a stamped, addressed envelope for quicker response, make sure it's business-size, because many university bulletins that I sometimes include require large envelopes. by CNB