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| Surrounded By Nature |
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Sabine Stephens and her husband, Craig, live in Portage near West Lake in what looks like a virtual wildlife preserve. Sabine says, "We enjoy gardening very much and do all of the landscaping ourselves. We like to keep a natural flow and try to provide food and shelter for small animals like the rabbit that lives under our favorite granite bench, from Wedel's, in front of our house. We have been so fortunate to be one of the top ten winners of the Best in Bloom contest by Best Way Disposal for the last four years."
Sabine loves nature and, since photography is one of her hobbies, she is able to share her love of nature with us. "I have taken many photos of our garden and the wildlife in it. Among the many different kinds of birds we have seen are turkeys, ducks, geese, woodpeckers and hawks and we can't wait for the hummingbirds to come back every year. You never know what you're going to see next when you look out of the window." she said.
"Just recently I have put up a small bird feeder right outside of our window to give our pet canary some company. I can't say who is having more fun watching the birds so close up, the canary or me!"
Above are just a few of the photos Sabine has sent to us. Be on the lookout, in future issues of Wedel's News, for more images of her idyllic surroundings and wonderful outdoor guests.
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| A Family Tradition |
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Bruce MacQueen
and his Farmer's Wreath
I once asked a retired friend how he likes being retired. He said, "Oh, it's ok. I get up in the morning with nothing to do...and go to bed at night with half of it done." What he was saying, of course, is that, in retirement, the possibilities are nearly endless. It looks as though Bruce MacQueen, who retired from Western Michigan University's Counseling and Testing Center, experiences the same phenomenon.
The photographs here, submitted by his devoted wife of 43 years, Pat MacQueen, show the results of one of Bruce's favorite projects. Bruce has been making
Emily MacQueen
with one of Grandpa's wreaths
wreaths for the outside of their home for 30 years, using apples, red balls and pine cones. Pat said Bruce always insists on using fresh greens rather than artificial ones. The wreath in the photograph at top was made using mixed roping from Wedel's and the veggies are from our Floral Shop.
Emily and Grandpa
in the garden
Bruce is an avid gardener also. He has two large gardens next to the MacQueen home on the west side of Kalamazoo. Even though it doesn't seem so now, Bruce will soon be trading his wire cutters and needle-nosed pliers for his shovel, rake and hoe. |
| Rose Street Market Wedding Show |
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Wedel's Floral Shop will be at the Rose Street Market Wedding Show on January 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will be doing lots of fun and unique bouquets, centerpieces, corsages and boutonnieres. Come down and see us!!
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| Pretty Garden? |
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If you have a garden, a feeding station or bird pictures that you are proud of, send them to us. We'll share your pictures with our readers. Send pictures to:
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Stay up to date! Visit Wedel's blog for timely and important information as well as our weekly ads. The address is: www.wedels.blogspot.com. |
A Thought
from the Garden
"Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart."
- Charles G. Stater |
| Did You Know? |
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1. A cord of wood is a pile of logs 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 8 feet long.
2. One cord provides heat equivalent to that produced by burning 200 to 250 gallons of oil.
3. Wood-burning stoves are three times more efficient than standard fireplaces.
4. The most snowfall in one day happened in 1913, in Georgetown, Colorado when a record 63 inches fell in a 24 hour span. | |
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| Volume 1, Number 10 January, 2009 |
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 Hope "you all" are warm and comfortable, sitting by a crackling fire, reviewing all your 2008 gardening successes and making special note of garden experiments that fizzled. Comtemplating and making plans for the upcoming garden season is so very exciting!
This is a great time to tap into the experiences of other gardeners. Talk to some green thumb old timers or read some of the great garden books in Wedel's book department. We have about 200 titles with more arriving all of the time.
Garden seeds begin to arrive in January. Wedel's super selection includes seeds from Olds, Rene', Burpee, Ferry Morse, Beauty Beyond Belief, Suttons, Buzzy, Amber's, Botanical Interest, Livingston and Hart. Watch for your February copy of Wedel's News where we will tell you much more about our seed selections which will include all of the old standards plus many new, unusual and exotic choices.
Does your landscape need a facelift? Winter is for planning. No time like the present to plan a spring do-it-yourself landscape remodeling project. Make an appointment with one of our Master Gardeners/Michigan Certified Nurserymen; Justin, Jason, Sherri or Andy for landscaping ideas. Bring some photos or drawings with you and we will help you develop a beautiful outdoor living area that you will enjoy and be proud of for years to come.
Whenever you get tired of winter, stop into Wedel's and get an infusion of the gardening bug. The sights, sounds and smells of your favorite outdoor endeavors are all here! |
Q. Why do some species of birds lay only one egg, while others lay many more?
A. Funny you should ask. Until about a month ago we had much speculation and few facts on this subject. A study published by the University of California - San Diego in early December finally has given us some insight into clutch size. The study combined data on the clutch sizes of over 5,000 species of birds with information on the biology and environment of each of these species. Walter Jetz, an associate professor of biology at UC San Diego and the lead author of the study summarized the work. "For example, cavity nesters, such as woodpeckers, have larger clutches than open-nesting species. And species in seasonal environments, especially those living at northern latitudes, have larger clutches than tropical birds."
Biologists have found that birds with a short lifespan or a low survival rate lay larger clutches of eggs. The opposite is true as well, longer-lived species or those with a higher survival rate lay fewer eggs. However, the reason why one species of bird may lay one egg and another 10 is more complex. Clutch sizes vary widely, even between related species due to differences in their environment, nutrition and health.
"Our results demonstrate not only where bird species live, but how the way they live their lives, specifically their reproduction strategies, has evolved in close association with climate, particularly seasonality," said Jetz of UC San Diego. "Rapid changes to the global geography of climate are likely to impact both aspects and to potentially perturb the long-evolved link between the 'where' of life and the 'way' of life in many species."
"In this study," he added, "we answer one of the most basic questions asked about birds: Why do bird species lay different numbers of eggs? The integration of geographic and life history datasets enabled us to simultaneously address the importance of ecological, evolutionary, behavioral and environmental variables in shaping the clutch size of world's birds. We show that increased environmental variation causes birds to lay larger clutches. Most ornithological research has taken place in the highly seasonal environments [a four season climate] of North America and Europe, but most bird species live in less seasonal tropics. Therefore, the small clutch size seen in less-studied tropical birds is the norm, not the exception. Increased predation pressure experienced by open-nesting birds also causes them to lay smaller clutches than cavity-nesting birds, literally having fewer eggs in one basket to spread the risk."
Q. I picked up a bag of seed at a home improvement store during the blizzards last month. But, when I put it in my feeder the birds didn't like it much. Isn't all bird seed about the same?
A. Yes and no. The seeds themselves are the same; that is white millet is white millet, a black oiler is a black oiler etc. A seed is a seed regardless of whose mix it is in.
However, mixes vary greatly in the ingredients and proportions. Some mixes contain high percentages of filler seeds such as milo. Milo was actually developed as a cattle food and was designed to be unattractive to birds. Wheat, rice, buckwheat and grain products are a few more examples of filler seeds that birds generally do not like and do not eat.
Black oil sunflower is the most popular single seed that birds eat. White millet is the second most popular seed, yet it is preferred by fewer than half the number of birds that like black oilers. So any mix that is in majority white millet is out of proportion to the number of birds that eat it. Cleanliness is the other variable in seed. "Field run" black oil sunflower can contain up to 25% debris. A fifty pound bag can have up to 12 1/2 pounds of sticks and stems, so while that is fine, there is just less than one might expect in the bag. Black oil sunflower at Wedel's is 99% clean.
Q. What's the answer to the trivia question? It's gone on for two months.
A. As a reminder here is the question. What characteristic do cormorants and a few other birds have in common with humans that the vast majority of birds do not? The answer is: solid bones. Most birds have hollow bones to make them lighter. Cormorants and loons who are diving birds have solid bones just like you and I. Hollow bones would make them more buoyant and make diving more difficult. |
| Animal Rumors Confirmed
by Marguerite R. Davenport |
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You know those cartoons that show what fun our pets have when we aren't home? Well, I've been able to verify that they're based in fact. 
Early last month I received a Wingscapes birdcam [see Wedel's December newsletter for details] as a wonderful birthday surprise. I had not-so-secretly wanted one for some time, but little did I know just how much I would enjoy spying on all of the little woodland animals on my property.
I've had my share of cameras over the years, digital and non. The more complicated they got, the less I used them. The birdcam is as close to perfect for me as a camera can get: All I had to do was install the batteries and it was ready to use. It has a built-in memory, but I recently purchased two 2GB SD cards so I can leave it mounted (its case is weatherproof) and just swap cards. Speaking of mounting it, the camera comes with stretch cords that wrap easily around a tree or pole, and they've worked beautifully; however I also received a Wingscapes mounting arm and am eager to use it to set up photo ops at my various bird feeders-especially the hummingbird feeders this spring! (Can you imagine??) The clearly written instructions even suggest setting the camera on the ground to get straight-on shots of the subjects. As the birdcam works by detecting both motion and heat, blowing leaves and falling twigs won't trigger the shutter; only living creatures will greet you when you review the day's photo sessions.  Since I first began using my birdcam, I have changed the default settings only slightly simply to experiment with its various options. It even takes videos and time-lapse photographs, so hummingbirds in flight, crocuses and snowdrops poking their pretty little faces through the snow to encourage us on toward spring-the possibilities for experimentation are endless.
That first morning, I strapped the camera to my hawthorne tree with the included stretch cords, tossed some Roger's no-waste birdseed on the ground in full view of the lens, and tiptoed away from the scene with eager anticipation.  That evening when I returned home from work, I unstrapped the camera and excitedly took it indoors with me as if it were a newfound kitten. I could not wait to plug it into my computer with the included USB cable or into the television with the included A/V cable to see the results.
The camera, as you can see here, has captured photo after photo of creatures furry and winged sharing the landscape. They feast as if they've gathered for their own  little dinner parties (just like in those cartoons), partake in flying lessons, and even pose for close-ups.
When you get your Wingscapes birdcam, will you share your photos with the rest of the Wedel's community too?
I'd love to see them.
For man, as for flower and beast and bird, the supreme triumph is to be most vividly,
most perfectly alive.
D.H. Lawrence |
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Just for Grins... .jpg)
What lives in winter, dies in summer, and grows with its root upward?
An icicle. | |
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Saturday Mornings
Birdwatch 8:00
with host Roger Taylor answering all of your birding questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 800-742-6590.
(Mark your calendars! Over the Garden Fence returns March 21, 2009) Over the Garden Fence 9:07
with host Andy Wedel answering all of your landscape and gardening questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 800-742-6590. |
Note from the Editor
Albert Camus said, "All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning." For me, this time of year, that means making a New Year's resolution. Again, for me, that is a ridiculous beginning, based on my past successes. I guess I haven't wanted to waste the opportunity to make a difference so I might have aimed a little too high. I haven't gotten my second Ph.D. yet. The success of that resolution is based on my getting a bachelor's, master's and first Ph.D...first. I have yet to make my second million dollars. I have the idea that the second one will be easy but I'm about ready to give up on making that first million; that's the hard one. Oh, there are more, but you get the idea.
There is good news though. I think I've discovered the secret to successful resolution-making. "Be it resolved to enjoy home." Too simple? Too easy? Maybe. But just think of the possibilities where gardening is concerned. As I write this, we've had snow, snow and more snow that came along with tooth-crackin' cold and some freezing rain thrown in so it might seem ridiculous to be thinking about tilling, seeding, fertilizing, watering, iced tea and straw hats. But when is a better time? We'll soon be elbow deep in soil and grass clippings and who has a lot of time, at that time of year, for dreaming and planning? That will be the time for doing. So grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, a sketch pad, pictures of your outdoor living areas, throw an extra log on the fire and begin dreaming - ridiculously. Turn loose your imagination. Then bring your ideas to us and let one of our Michigan Certified Nurserymen/Master Gardeners help you enjoy a summer of "great deeds and great thoughts" in your garden...at home.
Here's our January trivia question! What perennial herb did the ancient Hebrews and Egyptians use as an antidote for poisons and a cure for respiratory illness? Hint: this herb is still used in the manufacture of sore throat remedies. The reader with the first correct response sent to me at the address below will receive a $15.00 Wedel's gift certificate which must be picked up at Wedel's. You are eligible to win once every 90 days. Have fun and good luck!
'Til next time,
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."
- Edith Sitwell
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