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The Gold
Goes To...
Gold Medal

...Gladys Hizer! Our January trivia question was, "What is the more common name for the flower name that is literally translated as 'milk white flower'?" Gladys was the first to respond with the correct answer:  snowdrop.

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your $15.00 Wedel's gift certificate.
Sunday Breakfast
by Joyce Wedel
 
Sunday breakfast is the best one of the week. Not the food - but the time.

We pull our two chairs facing the big south window. We can see a garden and the bird feeder and 2 - 20 - 30 birds. It's a joy to feed these beautiful creatures. The creek (not frozen now) is just down the hill for them to drink.

Winter Visitors

And, of course, for the deer.
 
There is such a love - hate relationship with the deer. Love to see them walking, running, playing in our field. Hate? "Dislike intensely" having the male deer rub the bark off our trees, leading to their demise. Yes, I get mad when they eat my hostas - but the hostas just grow new leaves.
 
We like looking at the bare garden. I got most plants cut down in the fall. I don't like mushy plants in the spring - you never know who is under it. So for the most part, the garden is sleeping, quite content to rest til spring.
Happy
 Valentine's
Day
9 to 9 banner
Valentine's Day is almost here and, this year, it falls on Sunday. With that in mind, it's not too early to give Wedel's a call to arrange for delivery
of a beautiful  vase of flowers, a thoughtful floral arrangement, maybe even a healthy new house plant for your Valentine.
 
If you know exactly what you want, great! If you have no idea what would be ideal for your sweetie, great! The professionals at Wedel's will be happy to help you make this Valentine's Day the best Valentine's Day ever. Give us a call at 269-345-1195. We'll take care of the rest.
Join Our Mailing List
Mark Your Calendar!
 
Wedel's free
 Seminars
 
Saturday, February 6,
 10:30 a.m. 
Orchids
They're easier to grow
than you think!
 
Saturday, February 13,
 10:30 a.m.
Preparing for a Great
Vegetable Harvest
With Jane Warren
 
Saturday, February 20,
10:30 a.m.
Container, Small Space &
Raised Bed Gardening
With Kay Wedel
 
Saturday, Feb. 27,
10:30 a.m.
Common Landscaping
With Andy Wedel
 
Saturday, March 6,
 10:30 a.m.
 Choosing and
maintaining the right
birdhouse
With Roger Taylor
 
Please sign up with our
 cashier to reserve a seat.
 
As seminars are confirmed, topics and times will be posted here and at:
www.wedels.com
under "News and Events."
 
March 17 through 20
 Home Builders' Assn.
Home Show
 
March 19, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
March 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Wedel's 15th Annual
 Garden Landscape
Spring Expo 
 
March 26, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
 Bursting with Blooms
Ladies Night at Wedel's
Benefitting the American Red Cross and Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan
 
Now,
 30% off
 all packet seeds!
A Thought
 from the Garden
Frosty Wood 
 
The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.  ~Gertrude S. Wister
shopping cart
February 
Shopping
List
  • Valentine's Day floral arrangement
  • Bird seed
  • Bird bath heater
  • Gift certificate for spring projects
  • Gardening, landscaping, lawn care books
  • New seeds for your 2010 garden (on sale now at 30% off!)
  • Seed starting equipment and supplies
Did You Know?
1. A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night.

2. Almonds are a member of the peach family.
 
3.
 
An olive tree can live up to 1500 years.
 
4. The largest living thing on the face of the Earth is a mushroom underground in Oregon; it measures three and a half miles in diameter.
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:
Just for Grins... 
 
Gardening 101
When the plums dry on your tree, it's time to prune.
Harvey Dibble

Wedel's News

Volume 2, Number 11                                              February, 2010
Spring Gets Closer
Every Day
by George Wedel
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Ground Hog Day arrived this past Tuesday which means the most severe winter weather is behind us and soon we will see spring at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure all of you are as excited about the approaching spring as all of us, here at Wedel's, are. 
 
February is the time to start slow growing flower and cool season vegetable seeds. The average last day of frost in our area 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 vegetables seeds we can get started are: Celery, Leeks and Onions. If you are planning to have your own herb garden this year, here are some things you can get started on: Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Mint, Oregano, Parsley and Thyme. Visit Wedel's to see the area's largest selection of fresh flower, vegetable and herb seeds.
 
Wedel's has all of your seed starting supplies in stock: flats, trays, heat mats, grow domes, seed starting soils, vermiculite, plastic and clay pots, peat pellets and fiber pots. We also have the years of experience that we would be happy to share with you to help you enjoy a successful and bountiful 2010 growing season.
 
Speaking of seeds, there is no better time to stock up than now! All of our packet seeds are on sale at 30% off and the selection is great. We have the best and latest varieties of hybrid and heirloom seeds so I'm sure you'll find just what you'll want.
 
Bulk seeds are back, at Wedel's! We've had a number of requests for bulk seeds so, they're here. Our selection includes: Blue Lake green beans, Green Arrow peas, Sugar Buns sweet corn, Ilini Extra Sweet sweet corn and Peaches and Cream sweet corn.
 
Spring is on its way. I hope to see all of our green thumb friends very soon!
Ask Roger:
9 to 9 bannerQ. Why is the Great Backyard Bird Count important?

A. It's important to ornithologists since it gives them a snapshot of how many birds there are at a single point in time. It not only counts birds but gives them a map of where they are located. It identifies which of the irruptive species have come south each year and how far south they have moved. And it allows them to indentify trends that indicate how well birds are faring through environmental changes such as urbanization, global warming and disease.
 
Last year 619 species were counted and there were more than 11.5 million individual bird observations. They submitted more than 93,600 checklists, an all-time record! West Michigan has always been well represented, Last year Kalamazoo/Portage was number one in reporting for the state of Michigan.

For you photographers, you can also send photos of birds you've seen during the count. Some of them are posted in the GBBC online photo gallery during the count for everyone to see. All the photos are considered for the GBBC photo contest. They are also archived for possible future use by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society in print and web publications to help promote a better understanding and appreciation of birds.
 
Snow GeeseEveryone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count. You don't have to know a lot about birds. If you see any species you can't identify, check out a field guide or look at the ID tips on the Great Backyard Bird Count website. If you're still unsure what you're seeing, you simply don't report that species. Just report the ones you do know. When you go to enter your counts, just check off the box that says you are not reporting all the species you saw.

It's easy to participate and it can take as little as 15 minutes or last as long as you like. All you have to do is count birds, keep a tally, and enter the results at the Great Backyard Bird Count web site. The beauty of this approach is within a matter of minutes your count is included in the results.

You can count birds anywhere you like - the more locations the better. If you count on more than one day, more than once a day or at more than one location, keep a separate list for each location and day.

It's easy, you just report the highest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time. For example, if you see eight Cardinals while counting on Saturday, then twenty, then twelve during your count, you'll record twenty Cardinals for that session, the highest number you saw together at one time. Do NOT add the numbers together or you will likely be counting the same bird over and over.

During the 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count, the Snow Goose was once again the most numerous species reported. It's hard to believe there was a time when the Snow Goose was scarce. Populations are now so large that the geese are destroying nesting habitat. Hunting of this species has been permitted since 1975, but has not slowed the dramatic increase in Snow Goose populations. 
 
The Great Backyard Bird Count coincides with the northward migration of Sandhill Cranes to their breeding areas. Sandhill Cranes are either just beginning migration at the time of the count or, in some years, migration is well underway. GBBC maps show a long streak of birds reported from Florida along their migratory route to our part of the world. The GBBC also counts the cranes that over winter in southwest Michigan. GBBC results show that cranes from Georgia and Florida consistently appear to move north earlier than those wintering in the Southwest. This is a great example of what we can learn when thousands of sets of eyes and ears are tuned to the birds during the same time.

Some bird species undergo dramatic irruptions in some years but not others. Some examples include Snowy Owl and "winter finches" such as Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak, and the Common Redpoll. Irruptions seem to be driven by a lack of food on more northerly wintering grounds. 2009 was a great irruption year for Pine Siskins which moved southward in such massive numbers that they showed up on the GBBC's list of the top ten most numerous birds-at number ten-for the first time in the history of the count.

West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999, in New York. Since then, the disease has spread, killing American Crows in its wake. American Crows have dropped in the GBBC rankings since 2003 and were the 9th most frequently reported bird in 2009. It's important to continue monitoring crows through the Great Backyard Bird Count, the Christmas Bird Count, and other monitoring projects.

Everything you need to know is on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site, including tips to help with the more difficult bird identifications and links to the All About Birds online field guide with images, sounds, and range maps for more than 500 species.

If you have question about how to participate or how to help get more people to join the Great Backyard Bird Count, contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at [email protected], or the National Audubon Society at [email protected]. You can also drop me a message at [email protected].

Seed Shortages Loom

Based on very reliable information we have received at Wedel's Garden Center, there is a real expectation that garden seeds will be in short supply in the United States this year due to a number of factors.
 
The last two years saw a huge increase in the number of new home gardeners as well as larger plots being developed by veteran gardeners. Demand for seed soared. Less than favorable weather conditions might have discouraged some, especially the new gardeners but those weather conditions had an effect on all growers including those supplying the seed companies. Poor yields resulted in fewer seeds being available this year. Coupled with the poor yield is the fact that there have been fewer farms growing crops for seed due to the increased value of corn which is used in the production of ethanol.
 
Another increase in the number of first-time gardeners is expected again this year and an increase in demand for seeds by European countries is expected to add to the shortage once again.
 
According to a Chas. C. Hart Seed Company representative, his company was not able to get any sugar snap peas and he expects that other seed companies, who do have some available, will sell out quickly. Some popular varieties of cucumbers and carrots will also become difficult, if not impossible to find. Other seeds may become as scarce.
 
Our best advice is plan early and get your seeds early in order to ensure you are able to grow the healthful garden vegetables your family will enjoy.

Our store hours are:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday -  Thursday.
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday.
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday. 
 
To Do In February
 
Set out roosting pockets in trees or shrubs. 
 
Make sure bird bath heaters are in good working order.
 
Have mower blades sharpened.
 
Have mower tuned up.

 
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.

Country Fair Days Coming to Wedel's 

Yes, it's early...very early. Country Fair Days are coming to Wedel's August 27 and 28. It's very early, in a way, but not so early considering there are going to be prizes in 13 categories and each of the 13 prizes is a $100 Wedel's gift certificate! Some of the categories are: best looking tomatoes, best looking corn, largest watermelon, biggest zucchini, best annual & perennial flower arrangement, heaviest pumpkin. So, even though August is a ways away, it's time to start planning your strategy now. Watch Wedel's News for more details and stop in to see us at the garden center for your seeds, seed starting supplies and more information. You can begin daydreaming about how you'll use a $100 Wedel's gift certificate...or two (win up to two $100 gift certificates).
A Request To You
We have a display board near the front of the store, at Wedel's, where we like to place photos of your landscaping. That area is looking a little sparse this time of year so, if you have pictures of your bird feeding station or winter landscape and wouldn't mind sharing them, we would like to display them! Send them to us at [email protected] along with a description and you'll have a place on our Wall of Fame.
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.
 
Put on a pot of coffee. "Over the Garden Fence"
 returns March 20!
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  

Can you feel it? Even just slightly? By all calculations we are in the dead of winter but there are hints of spring, slight though they may be. Just a couple of Sundays ago spring did stop by even if for only a few hours. Our windows at home were open; fresh warm air filling every corner of the house. To be sure, there are quite a few more winter days ahead but we, at Wedel's, are busily getting ready for what some call the best time of the year. (I've already begun to keep an eye out for snowdrops and crocus...)
 
If you have experienced Wedel's Spring Expo you know that an event like that isn't assembled in a week or two. (You HAVE attended Expo, haven't you? If not, consider this your formal invitation!) We have plants, in a sectioned-off area of our greenhouse, warming so they will be in full bloom for you to enjoy. Supplier representatives are confirming their attendance and seminar titles, times and presenters are being finalized. We see green thumbers from all over Michigan and the surrounding states who come to Kalamazoo year after year just to take advantage of the news and information that is available at Expo. It is a wonderful weekend and the official start of spring. We will tell you more about it in March's Wedel's News, but if you are eager to see the process first-hand, do stop by the garden center anytime and get in the mood for spring!
 
At this time of year, everything old is new again. Wedel's has all of the old, trusted products to make your gardening and landscaping experiences enjoyable and successful. They are new in the sense that we have begun stocking our warehouse and setting up new displays of Scotts, Rain Drip, Ortho, Miracle Gro, Bayer, Easy Gardener, Aspects, Stovall, Luster Leaf, Espoma, Bonide, Ecosmart, Fertilome, Monterey and on and on. While the reliable and effective products are the essentials we always have, we continually search for the quality products that are new and ones you've asked for. Wedel's now carrys, in stock, Rain Bird irrigation system replacement parts, raised planting beds, a giant 32 cubic foot composter.
 
There are new products from Fertilome:  an azalea and rhododendron fertilizer (9-15-13), a premium bedding plant food (7-22-8), a fruit tree fertilizer (19-10-5), a rose food (14-12-11), start and grow fertilizer (19-6-12), tomato food (7-22-8), a tree and shrub fertilizer (19-8-10).
 
The use of mycorrhizal fungi is a practice that unquestionably produces dramatic results. Plants are stronger, more vigorous and easily out perform those planted without mycorrhizae. Wedel's will stock Myke, a premium mycorrhizal product. We offer a one-year warranty on trees, shrubs and evergreens. Use Myke and extend that warranty to five years! (See us for warranty extension details.)
 
Need a lawn insect killer and repellant that is safe around children and pets and is non-toxic? We will have Ecosmart Organic Insecticide; just what you are looking for. Do you have shady areas that refuse to grow grass; shady areas where you don't want to grow grass but would like to have a lush green groundcover? How about water features where you want a natural, attractive mossy appearance? We can help! We will have Moss Milkshake, a very easy to use product (just add water) that enables anyone with a shady area the ability to create a lush, vibrant and tranquil shade garden.
 
Ok. I could go on and on telling you about what's new at Wedel's because I've hit only a few of the high points but you get the idea. There will be lots of new products, plants, decorative items etc. You can see why this, in-the-dead-of-winter time is so exciting and why we've begun to show symptoms of spring fever. Come by, spend some time with us and see the progress. I'm betting you'll be bitten by the spring fever bug too!
 
Ready for another trivia question? What is unique about the patent issued to James Markham in 1932? The first reader to respond with the correct answer will win a $15.00 Wedel's gift certificate. 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, 
 
Jim
 
 
 
"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a
bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
-   Barbara Winkler