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Generosity Theme On Ladies Night
It was supposed to be an evening of pampering and creativity for the ladies attending Ladies Night, A Christmas Gala, and it was. But the overriding theme turned out to be "generosity."
 
The over 700 ladies who attended showed the true spirit of giving and the desire to help others through their generosity. Here is a list of some of the donations made.
  • 189 dozen diapers and
  • 1 week's worth of food (3,990 meals) and
  • A full van load of coats and blankets for the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission
  • Generous monetary gifts, as well, to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Compassion International and Alternatives of Kalamazoo
  • 3 1/2 huge boxes of new toys for Toys for Tots
  • At least one child found sponsorship that evening through Compassion International.

All of that and the ladies had a wonderful time too. Many attended the on-going demonstrations in our greenhouse including 250 ladies watching Chef Wayne Wells cook up some sizzling holiday food.

The vendors were thrilled with the turn out and the interest the ladies had in their wares. For example, 1,000 pieces of Bert's Bakery cake were sampled as were 1,000 mini taco salads from Taco Bob's.
 
Ladies Nights have been so well received that it was necessary to develop a waiting list for vendors wanting to take part.
 
All of this is to say that Ladies Night at Wedel's is a wonderful occasion that, after only three events, has become a tradition hundreds of ladies look forward to. If you haven't attended one yet, talk to someone who has. You'll be marking your calendar to make sure you don't miss the next one.
 
Keep an eye on the Gazette, visit our web site, www.wedels.com, keep reading Wedel's News. We'll let you know when we have a firm date for Ladies Night at Wedel's, Spring 2010. Plan to attend and see what everyone is talking about! 
A Tip Of The Hat
Goes To...
Gold Medal

...Michele Bouma! Our November trivia question was:  "In 1863 who successfully encouraged Abraham Lincoln to set aside the last Thursday in November as a day for national thanksgiving and prayer?'" Michele was the first in with the answer:  Sarah Josepha Hale (authoress of "Mary Had a Little Lamb").  

Congratulations, Michele. We hope you enjoy your $15.00 Wedel's gift certificate.

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As seminars are confirmed, topics and times will be posted at:
www.wedels.com
under "News and Events." 
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December
Shopping
List
 
A December shopping list...who doesn't have one? But, who couldn't always use a few more ideas? Is there a green thumber in your life? A newbie or an old-timer? Wedel's has everything from stocking stuffers to "the" gift. Here are just a few ideas.
  • Gardening, landscaping, cooking, entertaining books
  • Birding equipment and supplies
  • Rain Drip automatic irrigation equipment
  • Floral live and silk center pieces, bouquets and arrangements
  • Elegant containers
  • Patio furniture
  • Bird baths
  • Fountains
  • Fire pit kits
  • Indoor seed starting equipment
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Composters
  • Gloves
  • Pruners
  • Kneelers
  • Standard and decorative watering cans
  • Lawn ornaments

And these are just for starters! Put Wedel's on your "go-to" list for hundreds of Christmas gift ideas. Remember also, Wedel's gift certificates never expire!

A Thought
 from the Garden
Frosty Wood 
 
~ Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it "white". ~
Bing Crosby 

Our new store hours are
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Monday -  Saturday. 
 
To Do In December
 
Apply Cloud Cover.
 
Give trees and shrubs a good watering.
 
Mulch to protect plants from harsh winter winds.
 
Apply Repellex Deer and Rabbit repellent every 4 - 6 weeks.
 
Set out roosting pockets in trees or shrubs. 
 
Make sure bird bath heaters are in good working order.
 
Begin planning next year's garden.
 
Have mower blades sharpened.
 
Have mower tuned up.
 
Store garden chemicals where they won't freeze.

 
School Fund Raising Time is Here. Let Wedel's help raise money for your class projects with Wedel's Bloomin' Bucks.
Call Terrie Schwartz at: 345-1195 or send email to her at: wedelsgarden@wedels.com.
 
We're looking for Info!
What seminars would YOU like to see Wedel's offer? Now, and any time, is the time to let us know what you'd be interested in. Drop us a line at:  [email protected]
and let us know what topics we should cover in a Wedel's Seminar. 
 
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.
Just for Grins... 
 
What does a man with a cold call young married spiders?
Newly webs.
   Elmer Dibble

Wedel's News

Volume 2, Number 9                                                    December, 2009
Project And
Gift Ideas
Just In Time
by George Wedel
9 to 9 bannerNovember was very mild, with above normal temperatures which tempted many gardeners into putting off many late autumn projects. Don't put off any longer these important chores; apply Cloud Cover leaf and needle protector to all broadleaf evergreens and any needled evergreens and dogwood trees exposed to strong winter winds that have suffered winter damage in previous years.

Get out the water hose and soak soil well around all evergreens, shrubs and small ornamental trees. Mulch soil around boxwoods, cotoneasters, azaleas, rhododendrons, peris and mountain laurel shrubs with 2" of cedar bark mulch. Hill up shredded cedar mulch around all hybrid tea and floribunda roses, hydrangeas, buddleia (butterfly bush) and caryopteris shrubs. The higher and wider the mound of mulch the more likely your plants will survive a cold winter.
 
Don't forget to spray Repellex Deer and Rabbit repellent on susceptible plants every 4 - 6 weeks. Spray when the  temperature is above freezing and no precipitation is in the forecast for 24 hours.
 
December has arrived and along with it the hustle and bustle of a busy holiday season. Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is upon us along with all that entails. For a lot of us that means shopping for gifts. I'm sure some of the more organized green thumbers out there have their gifts purchased and maybe even wrapped. Others of us, I know, are a bit behind. For those in need of fresh ideas I'd like to suggest ways to help your family discover the simple pleasures of home.
 
We are getting near to the time of year when the cold tends to make our green thumbs begin to turn blue. A sure cure for that is growing tropical indoor plants. Wedel's has hundreds of varieties - foliage and bloomers. Just because winter weather is here, it doesn't mean your growing skills have to hibernate!
 
Need some ideas for the young sprout, gardeners-to-be? Here are a few: kits for growing herbs, catnip seeds for your favorite kitty, gardening books for beginners, gardening tool gift kits just for kids, foldable Little Garden Angels wheelbarrow, My First Sunflower growing kit, living ant habitat, make-your-own stepping stone kit.
 
For your adult gardeners: lopper and pruner, garden markers, kneeling bench, wireless rain gauge or thermometer, shovel, rake, hoe, soil pH tester, Raindrip container watering kit.
 
For the gardener who likes to extend the growing season as much as possible, consider giving them a seedling heat mat or a heated germination station. The heat mat is ideal for up to 4 flats of seedlings and the germination station is a mini greenhouse. Either of these will help your green thumber get a jump start on the 2010 growing season. Other garden gifts that will be well received by any green thumber include: rain barrels, compost bins, wind chimes, a new cultivator, garden spade, prunners, saws and loppers, garden books or a raised planting bed. These are just a few gift ideas for your green thumb friends.
 
For your wild bird enthusiast:  Bird bath heater, bird bath, window feeder, tube feeder, platform feeder, squirrel baffle, seed, suet, suet cage, oriole or hummingbird nectar, nesting box, seed scoop, roosting pocket. For the birder who has everything, surprise them with a BirdCam or a Wild Bird Identiflyer. There are two models of BirdCams to choose from this year. The Audobon BirdCam: takes digital photos or videos with sound, is easy to use right out of the box, features rugged, weatherproof construction so you can leave it unattended, uses smart sensor technology which reduces empty frames, photographs in high resolution for beautiful photos and videos, features versatile mounting options, connects easily to your computer or television, makes it easy to share through e-mail, print or post online and records data to internal memory (32MB) or a memory card (optional).
 
The BirdCam 2.0 does all of that and is packed with advanced features that expand your bird photography options. In addition to the motion-sensitive mode (referred to as AUTO mode), the BirdCam 2.0 can take digital photos or videos at a specific time interval (timelapse mode) or be used as a regular digital camera (manual mode).
 
The Setup menu includes easy photo and video programs which will handle most backyard applications. If you want more control, the Setup menu lets you program Photo or Video, Photo Resolution, Delay, Number of Images per Event, Time/Date/Location imprint, Sensitivity of the infrared sensor, Erase Images and Diagnostic Test. These controls provide flexibility that is helpful when using the BirdCam 2.0 for different types of bird photography.
 
The Identiflyer is an audio bird song dictionary! It is easy to use and an ideal gift for beginners AND experts of all ages. The Identiflyer comes with 2 song cards, YardBirds Series One and YardBirds Series Two. Many additional cards are also available.
 
How about a new bird feeding station outside the window by the easy chair? A shepherd's hook and a new feeder and you are in business. Enjoy the activity at the feeder and heated bird bath from sun up to sun down. You'll hear the cheep cheep of the cardinal first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.
 
These are just a few and, hopefully, helpful gift ideas available here at the garden center. Wedel's is a Christmas wonderland of gift and decorating ideas and everyone here is ready and excited about helping you find that perfect present for the green thumber in your life.
 
This Christmas give gifts that will bring your family and friends back to nature, close to home. And since we are speaking of Christmas, I'd like to wish each of you a very blessed, safe and merry Christmas.
Ask Roger:
9 to 9 bannerQ. Why do I have so many chickadees coming to my feeder?
 
A.
Birds and real estate have one thing in common;  the three most important factors to consider are location, location and location. Nothing we do, be it feeders, nest boxes, roosting boxes or water sources change nature. Birds instinctively know where to live and we don't change that one little bit. With rare exception you are going to see the birds that live around you - period.  You live in chickadee habitat -it's that simple. Now chickadees always know where the food is, apparently I was a chickadee in a former life.
 
Christmas came early for me this year and I aimed my new toy toward one of my feeders and of course the first picture captured was a chickadee.  Chickadees are so renowned for their ability to know where the food is that other birds will spend their days following the chickadees from one food source to another. Have you ever noticed that Tufted Titmice and White Breasted Nuthatch always seem to show at the same time during the winter months? Now you know why. The question that has puzzled ornithologists was finally resolved in the late 90's as to how a bird with such a small brain could retain all that information.
 
Birds are well adapted for flight. They are designed to be very light weight from hollow bones to a very short and fast digestive track and small aerodynamic heads. That means they have small brains - brain size is not directly related to intelligence.  I mean some dinosaurs had two brains and yet were still dim wits.  Chickadees are an intelligent bird and that's what interested scientists. The avian solution to the size issue problem is neuronal replacement.
 
Neurons are how all animals' brains store data and it is a onetime event. Once a neuron is used it is permanently altered and cannot be "reprogrammed".  Long lived animals are simply born with large numbers of neurons, a luxury birds can't afford.  It was about 10 years ago when it was discovered a number of birds could grow new brain tissue every fall.  Useless neurons are sloughed off and replaced which allows birds to remember where this year's food is located. It was also discovered that chickadees in the northern part of their range where the days get VERY short replace more brain tissue than the birds further south. The reason for that is they are much more dependent on caching because there are so few daylight hours to find food.
 
Now that we've covered why chickadees are at your feeder to begin with, let's look at why you may be seeing more than usual. Bird populations are not evenly distributed and you may just have more than the usual number this year. The other possibility is the same birds are frequenting your feeder more than usual this year. It's really hard to judge since we think all chickadees look alike. To be fair it's likely they think all humans look alike as well and may even wonder if they're seeing more bipeds in their territory this year.
 
Now I mentioned my new toy earlier - it's a Bird Cam. I've just started playing with it but in a matter of just a couple of days I discovered some activity at my feeders I was missing. I hadn't seen any House Finch or goldfinch in several months and yet the camera caught them there. I'm already thinking about other applications; shooting my favorite nest box during breeding season and capturing the fledging process. I know of a tree that red bellied like and the list is growing and I haven't even had the gadget a week.
 
I hope all of you have a wonderful and prosperous new year! 

Considering A Christmas Tree To Plant?

If you've wondered about buying a potted Christmas tree to have indoors for Christmas and then to plant in your landscape...yes, you can do it! Of course, it involves a little preparation but you'll be able to enjoy your Christmas tree inside now and in your landscape for many years to come.
 
Begin by digging the planting hole ahead of time...a good project for this weekend! Dig the hole twice as wide as your tree's container (approximately 2') and as deep as the container is tall (approximately 1'). Fill the hole with cedar mulch or straw and use a tarp or plastic to cover the excavated soil. Depending on the weather, the top inch or so of the mulch might develop a frosty crust but that will easily break up when you are ready to plant your tree.
 
Prepare your tree for being indoors by placing it in the garage or shed for 2 - 3 days so it can adjust to the warmer temperature. Take your tree inside 2 - 3 days before Christmas for decorating. Place it in a watertight tub and put ice cubes on the top of the soil as needed to keep the roots barely moist and cool.
 
After Christmas, place the tree back into the garage or shed for 2 - 3 days to reacclimate it to the cooler outside temperatures. After that period of time, remove the cedar bark from the prepared hole and place your tree. Backfill the hole with the excavated soil and gently tamp. Water deeply and mulch heavily with the cedar mulch.
 
It is a good idea to protect  your newly planted Christmas landscape tree, especially the first year, with a burlap screen to lessen the effects of the harsh winter winds. If the temperature reaches 40 degrees or more, spray Cloud Cover on the tree's needles. Cloud Cover is an antidesiccant that prevents the foliage from drying out but will still allow it to breathe.
 
That's it! You've enjoyed a living Christmas tree indoors and will enjoy it for years to come outdoors. Come by Wedel's and choose your new tree from the many varieties we have, ready for a new home in your landscape. You're sure to find "just the right one" from our selection of Norway Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Serbian Spruce and Colorado Spruce. Merry Christmas! 

Practice Makes Perfect...

...So Does Planning
 
Wouldn't it be nice if we could pick a nice spring day, plant some seeds and then enjoy a bountiful harvest all summer long. It  certainly would! But, as veteran green thumbers know and gardening newbies suspect, there's more to gardening than that. Besides planting, watering, weeding and picking, winter reading and planning will ensure that you avoid having nothing to harvest all spring followed by a glut of vegetables in late summer.
 
A cup of hot coffee and a good book can be the beginning of a successful 2010 gardening season. Edible Gardening for the Midwest  by Colleen Vanderlinden and Alison Beck is a good way to start. Every page is loaded with color photographs, specific information and tips to help the new and seasoned gardener enjoy successful gardening seasons. You'll even find information on how "Food plants have their own ornamental value, adding harmony to existing landscapes without creating a separate vegetable garden." 
 
"Advanced Home Gardening is the book to own if you enjoy the process of growing as much as the finished product. Experienced gardeners will benefit from cutting-edge 21st century growing tips, while beginners can learn from the beautifully illustrated step-by-step techniques. Readers will learn how to grow flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruits with less effort and more yields." The author, Miranda Smith, has been gardening and teaching gardening for over 30 years. This book contains 320 pages featuring more than 800 full-color photographs and watercolors. This book is a great resource for you or for the green thumber on your Christmas list.
 
How to Grow More Vegetables, 7th edition, is called "The world's leading book on biointensive growing." The author, John Jeavons, is the director of Ecology Action, an environmental research and education organization based in Willits, California. This book is a classic in the field of sustainable gardening and shows, in generous detail, how to produce a beautiful organic garden with minimal watering and care whether you are growing a few tomatoes in a tiny backyard or enough food to feed a family on less than half an acre. The techniques discussed have been refined over more than 35 years by John Jeavons and the staff and volunteers of Ecology Action.
 
These are just a few of the over 70 gardening titles available at Wedel's Garden Center. You might still have a few outdoor gardening chores yet to do to wrap up your 2009 season, but the days will soon be here when you'll have ample time to begin preparing for your 2010 gardening season. Preparation is the road to perfection so make your journey informative and enjoyable with a few good books in hand.
Did You Know?
1. Quinine, one of the most important drugs known to man, is obtained from the dried bark of an evergreen tree native to South America.

 
2. Onions contain a mild antibiotic that fights infections, soothes burns, tames bee stings and relieves the itch of athletes foot.
 
3.
 
The rose family of plants, in addition to flowers, gives us apples, pears, plums, cherries, almonds, peaches and apricots.
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:
wkzo
Saturday Mornings
 
Birdwatch
8:07
 
with host Roger Taylor answering all of your birding questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 800-742-6590.
 
Watch for a brand new season of "Over the Garden Fence"
 beginning in March, 2010!
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.
 
Visit our web site at www.wedels.com for archives of previous Birdwatch and
Over the Garden Fence programs!
 

  Note from the Editor  

Winter will arrive in just 17 days. Where did summer go? Where did fall go?? In just 17 days we will move in right next door to spring! I'm not rushing the season (it's doing just fine on its own) but, before you know it, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season will transition into the hustle and bustle of spring. Knowing that, maybe we can more easily allow ourselves time to slow down and relax a little; time to plan and to turn Christmas lists into gardening lists. Things to do, things to stock up on, lists of what we want to try in our gardens next year.
 
Seed displays will be arriving here at the garden center shortly after the first of the year. That means before long, when you come by for a cup of coffee and a pastry in the cafe' or to get some ice melter or snow shovel or bird seed or to just say "hi" you'll see seed packets showing blue, white and pink morning glories, zinnias of all colors, buttery yellow ears of corn, red radishes, orange pumpkins, purple eggplant and everything else you'd expect to see in the garden next summer. It's quite a sight to see any time of year but especially that time of year.
 
I really don't think the seed companies are rushing the season either. I see it as providing a service. Last winter, or the winter before, a gentleman stopped by and spent quite some time in the seed section, near the front of our store. It was a cold, very cold day in January. He and I passed each other several times and I happened to be walking by as he was about ready to leave. He had a stack of seed packets about 4 inches tall in his hand.  I must have looked like I wanted to say something to him because he looked at me, laughed and said, "Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything with these other than stack them up on my breakfast table. It'll give me something to look forward to." We can all use something to look forward to and what better than home-grown fruits, vegetables and flowers?
 
BUT...it is December 4. Twenty-one days to Christmas. The Christmas hustle and bustle is in full swing. "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep." I hope we've been able to give you some Christmas shopping help with a few ideas. If you haven't yet read George's column, have a look. He has a ton of gift ideas. Take a look, also, at the December Shopping List. If you need a present or two for someone who enjoys gardening, working in their yard and landscape or who simply enjoys being outside in their own back yard...we have just what you're looking for. Stop by. Say "hi." Have a look around and, if you're stuck or would just like another opinion, let us know. That's the kind of shopping we have fun doing.  
 
Ready for another trivia question? Who wrote, "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings..."? The first reader to respond with the correct answer will win a $15.00 Wedel's gift certificate. (Need just one more gift to finish up your Christmas shopping? A stocking stuffer, perhaps? Hmmmm...) The gift certificate must be picked up here at the garden center and remember, you are eligible to win once every 90 days. Good luck and have fun!
 
'Til next time, I hope this is your merriest Christmas ever!
 
Jim
 
 
"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world."
~ Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)