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The Gold Star Goes To...
...Michelle Quinn!
 
Michelle knew that horehound is a perennial herb that the ancient Hebrews and Egyptians used as an antidote for poisons and a cure for respiratory illnesses and ulcers. It was even used on snakebites. These uses are not recommended today but horehound is still used in the manufacture of syrups, teas and lozenges to treat sore throats.
 
Congratulations to Michelle, our January Wedel's News trivia contest winner! 
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JOIN THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT 

 

Ornithology is perhaps the only science where non professionals play a significant role in helping understand the world around us. The mother of all bird counts, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place February 13-16, 2009. 

"The Great Backyard Bird Count helps both birds and people. It's a fantastic example of citizen science: Anyone who can identify even a few species can contribute to the body of knowledge that is used to inform conservation efforts to protect birds and biodiversity," said Audubon Education VP, Judy Braus. "Families, teachers, children and all those who take part in GBBC get a chance to improve their observation skills, enjoy nature, and have a great time counting for fun, counting for the future."

Anyone can take part, from beginning bird watchers to experts, by counting birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and reporting their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. Participants can also explore what birds others are finding in their backyards-whether in their own neighborhood or thousands of miles away. Additional online resources include tips to help identify birds, a photo gallery, and special materials for educators. 

The data gathered by "citizen scientists" give researchers a national snapshot of where birds are at one specific point in time. Their efforts enable everyone to see what would otherwise be impossible: a comprehensive picture of where birds are in late winter and how their numbers and distribution compare with previous years. In 2008, participants submitted more than 85,000 checklists. This helps broaden the understanding of bird population trends, information that is critical for effective conservation.
 
A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this free event is an opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages to discover the wonders of nature in backyards, schoolyards, and local parks, and, at the same time, make an important contribution to conservation. Participants count birds and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.
 
"The GBBC has become a vital link in the arsenal of continent-wide bird-monitoring projects," said Cornell Lab of Ornithology director, John Fitzpatrick. "With more than a decade of data now in hand, the GBBC has documented the fine-grained details of late-winter bird distributions better than any project in history, including some truly striking changes just over the past decade."
 
Do you know someone who would like to participate but does not have internet access? Tell them to bring their count to the friendly folks at Wedel's who will take care of the data entry for them.
 
Pretty Garden?
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:
Mark Your Calendar
 
Wedel's Saturday Seminars
 
February 7 at 10:30
Container gardening and tips on growing bright blooms for your home 
with Kay Wedel
 
February 21 at 10:30
Grow Your Own
Vegetable Soup
with Karen Anderson 
 
February 28 at 10:30 
Kid's Gardening Activities make to take home
with Jane Warren
 
 
Dream Home
Expo '09
 
March 11-14
 
Wednesday 5:00 - 9:00
Thursday and Friday
     Noon - 9:00
Saturday 10:00 - 7:00
At Cole Auto Mall
 
 
Wedel's
14th Annual
Spring Expo 
 
March 20, 21
Friday 9:00 - 9:00
Saturday 9:00 - 5:00 
At Wedel's Garden Center 
 
 
 Ladies Night Out
Garden Party Gala
 
March 27 
Friday 5:00 - 9:00
At Wedel's Garden Center 

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
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"If there were no tribulations, there would be no rest;
if there were no winter, there would be no summer."
-   St. John Chrysostom
Did You Know?
1. The compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) is so called because its lower leaves tend to line up in a north-south direction.
 
2. The eggplant is a member of the potato family and is also known as a garden egg, melanzana or aubergine.
 
3. The daisy got its name because the yellow center resembled the sun. It was commonly know as the "day's eye" and over time was eventually called daisy.
 
4. Rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme and marjoram all belong to the mint plant family.
 

Wedel's News

Volume 1, Number 11                       February, 2009
Let's Get Started!
by George Wedel
 
This winter reminds the "old timers" of winters past when they walked uphill to school in waist deep snow and chin deep uphill back home. We Michiganders are a hardy lot and can deal with a ton of snow, ice and cold weather. We also know when Ground Hog Day arrives the most severe winter weather is behind us. Soon we will be able to see spring at the end of the tunnel.
 
Heard last week that Al Gore was to give a speech on "global warming" but had to cancel because his plane was snowed in. I wish he would come to the Midwest and experience global cooling first hand. (Think he would be impressed?)
 
February is the time to start slow growing flower and coolseason vegetable seeds. The average date of the last frost in our area of Michigan is May 15. Counting back from there tells us it is about time to plant:  Alyssum, Coleus, Impatiens, Lobelia, Pansy, Petunia, Poppy, Snapdragon and Sweet Pea. The vegetable seeds we can get started are:  Celery, Leeks and Onions. Going to have your own herb garden this year? Here are some things you can get a head start on:  Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley and Thyme. Visit Wedel's to see this area's largest selection of fresh flower and vegetable seeds from Amber's Garden, Botanical Interests, Beauty Beyond Belief, Burpee, Buzzy, Ferry-Morse, Hart's Seeds, Livingston, Olds Seeds, Renee's Garden and Suttons. We'll help get you off on the right foot, at the right time.

Wedel's has all of your seed starting supplies in stock including; flats, trays, heat mats, grow domes, seed starting soils, vermiculite, plastic and clay pots, peat pellets and all new fiber pots. Our new line of fiber-based growing containers are designed to offer you all the benefits of peat plus much higher resistance to mold, visibly better and faster plant growth, containers that won't fall apart when wet and won't pull moisture away from the plant. Stop into Wedel's and see Fiber Grow Enviro Containers in 2 �, 3, 4 and 6 inch sizes.

If anyone is wondering why it is a good idea to grow your own produce, consider these. Fresh is best. Leafy vegetables can lose 30 to 60% of vitamins within 8 hours of harvest. Won't it be nice to enjoy fresh picked tomatoes that taste like a tomato should and not like a pink tennis ball? Another reason to have a garden is your family's health; there's more to life than junk food! Gardens in small spaces can yield succulent, tasty produce AND gardening provides good exercise and fresh air.

Now is the time for deciduous tree and shrub dormant pruning. The keys to successful dormant pruning are: 

  • Proper Timing
  • Correct Equipment for type of plant
  • Proven Methods that the pros use

Timing:  Late winter and very early spring (before any new growth begins) is the ideal time. Without leaves the plant's branch structure is easier to observe. All deciduous plants can be pruned in February and March but keep in mind early spring bloomers like flowering crabapple and cherry trees, pruned now, will be less spectacular this spring. You will be rewarded with better tree form and more blooms in 2010. Early spring flowering shrubs like forsythia and lilac can be pruned later in the spring, after they bloom. Evergreens should be pruned in June.

Equipment:  A razor tooth pruning saw is a must. I use a short 8" hand model and a pole type saw, a by-pass hand pruner and a by-pass, short handle lopper.

Methods:  Before pruning begins, step back from each plant and visualize the desired shape you want your plant to look like after pruning. First remove internal, crossed, damaged and dead branches. Step back and again "size up" the shrub or tree. Then prune to the desired shape and size. I apply pruning sealer to all cuts larger than the width of my thumb. Some plants, such as Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), should be pruned back to live wood every year in late March. For more pruning information, visit with one of Wedel's ten Michigan Certified Nursery Specialists. Wedel's also sells about 10 titles of books on best pruning practices.

Let's get started planning your lawn program for 2009. Use your lawn's history and present soil environment to decide what your plan of action should be. Have a sunny lawn? Then you're almost sure to have to deal with crabgrass. A lush, thick lawn will go a long way to preventing many weed problems but in the case of crabgrass, one of the best controls is the prevention of crabgrass seed sprouting. If the seed doesn't sprout there won't be a weed there to produce even more seed. Plan on using a spring fertilizer that contains a crabgrass control. When applied at the proper time, the crabgrass preventer will provide protection throughout most of the summer growing season. Do you have a shady lawn? If so, you won't have to worry about crabgrass but there are any number of weeds that enjoy the shade as much as you do. Proper lawn maintenance is essential for shady lawns just as it is for sunny lawns.

Of course, soil type is a consideration also. Heavy soil will benefit greatly by an application of gypsum, clay soil conditioner and Aquaduct soil penetrator. Sandy soil could use the application of organic material to add nutrients and improve it as a growing medium. Clay soil conditioner should be added to sandy soil as an aid for water retention. (It is called clay soil conditioner because it is made of a baked clay material, not because it is appropriate for clay soil only.)

Did your lawn suffer from poor color last year? The addition of fertilizer containing iron, such as Scotts Super Turf Builder with 2% iron, will green it up for you. Did you find dead patches of grass last summer? The disease causing agents reside in the soil from year to year so if you had trouble before, you will again. Apply Scotts Lawn Disease Control in late May to prevent many grass diseases found in our area.

Proper irrigation is so important. The rule of thumb is � inch of water twice a week is ideal. If we have a particularly hot, dry season or your soil is very sandy and drains quickly, add a watering. Rainfall should be included when calculating how much watering you need to do. Watering too often can encourage shallow root growth and weak grass plants. A lush, thick lawn will not only look much better but will also discourage weed growth and make your summer lawn maintenance easier.

Bring a sod sample for examination to Wedel's. One of our 10 Lawn Pros will inspect it for grass condition, soil type and pH. If the pH of the soil is too high or too low, the nutrients are locked out of the grass plant so your lawn won't be its healthiest even if you do fertilize and water properly. Amending the soil pH is easy and inexpensive to do and will yield a healthier, nicer lawn with fewer weeds, fewer problems and more time for you to enjoy your summer! 

Ask Roger:
9 to 9 banner
Q. When should I clean out my nest boxes?
 
A. Your timing couldn't be better. February is an important month for maintaining your Bluebird/Tree Swallow boxes. On the first warm and sunny day the local Bluebirds will find checking out holes irresistible.
 
As a side note, we may see a nest box but birds see only the hole.  When choosing a nest box for humans it's an esthetic choice, its function over form in the bird's world. The size of the opening, the cavity dimensions, the direction the box is facing (always to the east) and the real estate. There are three important decisions when placing a nest box of any kind, location, location and location. To attract birds, boxes must be put in locations appropriate for the target species. A bird will NEVER live in an unnatural habitat simply because a nest box happened to be there. (Yes, I've learned to never say never but this really is a universal truth.)
 
What was the original question -- oh yeah, when should I clean out my nest boxes? They should be cleaned out and any new boxes added in late February or early March.  Spacing of boxes is essential because birds claim and defend territories during the nesting season. The spacing pattern will be dictated by the arrangement of food, cover, and isolation in any one locality. Place the boxes 75 to 100 yards or more apart in areas where trees, shrubs, fences, or utility wires are present. These structures provide perching sites for feeding.
 
While a Bluebird would never tolerate another Bluebird next door in a duplex I've seen Bluebirds live adjacent to a Tree Swallow without a problem. If you have either species using a box try adding a second box; you might get both.
 
You can improve your bluebird habitat in general, by planting a variety of shrubs and trees in your yard. The bluebird's diet is composed largely of insects, although they do eat substantial amounts of fruits and berries during the winter. The neat thing is Bluebirds aren't the only birds who will benefit from these plantings:
 
Trees: Oaks, Cherry, Hackberry, Crabapple, Pines, Spruce (especially Black Hills Spruce), Cedar
 
Shrubs: Dogwoods, Sumacs, Honeysuckle, Raspberry, Blackberry, Serviceberry, Hollies, Mulberry
 
Oh yeah, you should clean out your...
 
Q. When do hummingbirds get back?
 
A. Mid April is when significant numbers of males start arriving, although the earliest hummingbird arrival recorded in Michigan occurred in late March. The female Ruby Throated Hummingbirds follow the males by two weeks or so. So the best way to remember when to start for your feeder is to start on Income Tax Day. But, the internet now offers us a better approach.
 
The web site Hummingbirds.net plots the migration. You can watch their northward trip day by day. It all begins late this month when the birds start arriving on the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico. When hummingbirds are sighted in the middle of Indiana they are a one day migration from here. The first day the wind is from the south or southwest some of those birds will move north to our area.
 
One important thing to remember is that Ruby Throated Hummingbird is a solitary critter. Every bird does everything on an individual basis. The migration is accomplished one bird at a time, so early reports do not mean the bird you share your yard with is an "early bird".  
 
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
Happy
Valentine's Day! 
Valentine's Day is almost upon us and Wedel's is ready to help you surprise your special someone with everything you need to make it an extra special day.
 
Wedel's has the finest quality large size, long-stem roses; beautiful cut flower bouquets; blooming plants such as azaleas, tulips, daffodils and hyacinth; exotic orchids in many easy-to-grow varieties and colors and we specialize in custom arrangements made just for you!
 
If you need ideas, call us. If you know exactly what you want, call us. If you want to get all of your shopping done with one call...call us. We'll take care of everything for you.
 
Look for the Wedel's ad in Monday's Kalamazoo Gazette or see the page at:  www.wedels.com for more Valentine's Day information.
 
Beauty Beyond Belief
Wedel's is proud to announce that we now carry Beauty Beyond Belief wildflower seed. Beauty Beyond Belief is a small, family owned company whose seed is nationally recognized for being the highest quality available and their wildflower mixes are designed to create a continuing cascade of colorful blooms week after week.
 
Besides Beauty Beyond Belief individual species seed, we have, in stock, seed mixes including Hummingbird Mix, Fragrant, Parade of Poppies, Midwest, For Shade, Drought Tolerant, Native Prairie, Low Growing, Butterflies and Birds and others.
 
One of the many appeals of wildflowers to the home gardener is their low-maintenance. Since nature has selected those that can tolerate natural growing conditions, wildflowers usually require less attention than cultivated types of flowers. Another appeal is their less formal nature. As their name implies, they are more "wild" than "tamed," and should be appreciated for it. A new approach to a home landscape is the idea of a wildflower meadow.
 
Stop by Wedel's soon and take a look at the varieties and mixes we have in stock. It's not too early! A little planning now along with the right seed will bring Beauty Beyond Belief to your outdoor living areas.
 
 
 
Just for Grins... 
 
What do you call it when worms take over the world?
 
Global Worming.
wkzo
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

February. Does it feel like we're getting there to you? If spring isn't bustin' out all over, it is just around the corner. Really. Snow and cold are a nice respite from heat and humidity and we've had snow and cold. Enough snow and cold, right? Just about the time it seems that winter has out-stayed its welcome it is time to "...Get Started!" George has great ideas for those of us who are more than ready to do just that.  
 
If you haven't come by Wedel's recently you owe it to yourself to come by soon. Walking in the front door, you'll see amazing displays of seed packets with images of sunflowers, zinnias, poppies, marigolds, cucumbers, lettuce, corn on the cob and watermelon. Out with the images of dancing sugar plums and in with all sorts of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers! Just in time to lift some spirits and encourage us to plan and dream of warm days, cool nights and lush vegetation that we took part in creating.
 
Take a look at the "Mark Your Calendar" section above. We've been busy getting events and information ready for you to enjoy beginning this month with Seminars at Wedel's. A sure sign of spring. There will be many more to come and everyone knows what fun Wedel's Spring Expo is. We will have more details in the March issue of Wedel's News so tell your friends and family to sign up for a free subscription to the newsletter.. Keep an eye on our blog at www.wedels.blogspot.com and at our weekly ads in the Kalamazoo Gazette.
 
Everyone in our Floral department is standing by, ready to make this Valentine's Day the best one yet for someone special to you. If you'd like to take some pressure off and get your order in ahead of time, give us a call at 345-1195 and let us take care of everything. We'll see to it that February 14th is a very special day.

Here's our February trivia question! Where are 2/3 of the world's eggplants grown? 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, 
Jim
 
 
"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do
 - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."
-   Stanley Crawford