Nothing makes me happier than the wondrous provision of Mother Nature (except my family)! Sitting in our backyard is my joy. Last year before we hung our hummingbird feeder the little bird was visiting our flowers. This year we hung the feeder in anticipation of their arrival. A customer, who lives by the river, told me Aug. 23 was when they arrived in his yard each year. He always shops for the perennials that attract them.
This little green-jewelled bird has not touched our sugar water feeder at all, even though my husband changes it every few days to keep it fresh and fungus free. They love to feed on the red Jacob Cline Monarda (bee balm) and the blue, purple, and fuchsia annual sages I put in my planters this year. They all have tubular flowers hummingbirds are most attracted to.
I have been tracking a wee ruby-throated hummingbird with my camera for a few days. I just keep snapping, hoping to get a great photo. Their speed makes it so difficult. On Thursday our friend Al stopped by to see our hummingbird and that day there were two! I was thrilled.
For the past week we have seen every bird that we have ever seen in our backyard. And if you read my columns regularly you know how much I appreciate my husband keeping the feeders full. He feeds all year round! There have been blue jays, grackles, nuthatches, Black-capped chickadees, Northern flickers, sparrows, common house finch, goldfinch, a Downy woodpecker, magpies, mourning doves, and today we spotted an Eastern Kingbird. A flock of Starlings flew over the house. I know the robins, my favourite bird, will be gathering on the front lawn soon (but not too soon I hope) getting ready to fly south for winter.
I write most of my columns from my backyard. Our yard is a beautiful eco-system from birds, many different butterflies, the variety of bees and wasps on my outstanding Pinky Winky Hydrangea, to the two garter snakes slithering together in the front garden. Since our old cat Tisket passed we have more mice attracted to the bird seed on the patio. I am sure the snakes are helping us keep them under control.
I am very proud of our garden. Those gardeners on the Horticultural Society’s garden tour this year were very proud too, even after the hail had done damage to their efforts. Beauty comes from a continual season of show, knowing which shrubs and perennials to plant. That is the reason the knowledge of the staff at a good greenhouse should be appreciated. It is not too late to plant trees, shrubs and perennials now, or until the end of October.
Through September and October the sun sets differently in your garden. It is time to think of buying fall bulbs like tulip, allium, daffodil and garlic, and dividing perennials like day-lilies and iris. Share with a friend. Keep deadheading your roses. Roses love the cool nights we are having and they will continue to bloom until they freeze. Deadhead your perennials and annuals too.
There are huge sales on until the Windmill closes for the season in mid September. And Tuesday is also 10% Tuesday! It is a great time to stock up on compost and peat moss to add some ground cover over your plants for winter protection. When you are raking up the autumn leaves be sure to add them to your garden beds for even more protection from our Alberta chinooks.
Bev Crawford is the Perennial House Manager at The Windmill Garden Centre and John’s Butterfly House. Bev can be contacted anytime at bevcrawford99@hotmail.com
