Ladies Night and More

Quick Links

A Tip O' The Hat
Goes To...

Maureen Meinert. Maureen was the first to submit the correct answer to our October trivia question: What was the convenience food that Joel Cheek developed? The correct answer is "Maxwell House instant coffee."

Maureen won a $15.00 Wedel's gift card and you could too! Just be the first to respond with the correct answer to our monthly trivia question.

Congratulations, Maureen!!

A Thought

from the Garden

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."

- Elizabeth Coatsworth

Mark Your Calendar!

Friday November 9
and
Saturday November 10

Wedel's Wild
Bird Event

For more information on this very popular event click here!

Friday November 16
5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Ladies Night 2012

Just for Grins... and

Groans

What's red and invisible?
No tomatoes.

Phil Errup

Did You Know?

1. An average ear of corn has 800 kernels, arranged in 16 rows.

2. Rice paper isn't made from rice but from a small tree which grows in Taiwan.

3. The fragrance of flowers is due to the essences of oil which they produce.

4. The plant life in the oceans make up about 85 percent of all the greenery on the Earth.

Mom Tested And Approved

Thanksgiving is just a short time away. Here's a classic.

Pumpkin Pie

1 1/2 Cups Cooked Pumpkin, Fresh or Canned
1 Cup Rich Milk
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Eggs, Slightly Beaten
1 Tablespoon Butter

Combine ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Pour into pastry lined pie pan. Bake in hot oven (425 degrees) about 45 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream. If desired, 1/3 Cup raisins may be added to pumpkin filling.

Virginia Cooper,
New Orleans, La

Enjoy!

Wedel's News

Volume 5, Number 8 November, 2012

Busier Than Normal
Feeder Activity This Winter
by Roger Taylor

2012 will go down as one of the warmest summers ever recorded and also one of the driest since the dust bowl days of the 1930's. While we have finally gotten some rain, just as it came too late for farmer's crops it came too late for the "crops" that feed birds as well. While there's no reason for extreme concern since drought has always been a part of the natural world, we will see some changes and wild bird enthusiasts will need to take some appropriate steps to help our wild bird friends this year.

Feeders are already busier than normal and there are several reasons for this. The first is reduced seed production due to the drought. While birds normally get 90% plus of their diet from natural sources, a reduced seed bank means birds will get to a feeder sooner and more frequently. The less obvious reason is reduced insect populations. Although fewer insects may be a positive for people getting outside in the evening, lower insect levels for birds means less food and as a result, lower fat reserves for bird migration. The birds that don't migrate switch to eating seed after the frosts reduce the insect population; I'm already seeing more visits by Chickadees, nuthatches and titmice for this time of year so the changeover has already started.

Another impact is that we may see an increase in the number of wildlife visiting yards searching for food and water sources. As food sources decrease in the wild, wildlife species find feeders and gardens that are regularly watered and are producing a higher volume of berries and this tends to concentrate birds. As a result it is important that baths and feeders be cleaned and sanitized frequently. Another aspect of this concentration of birds is the bird hawks will visit yards more often.

While it is not likely this drought will impact bird populations long term we should be ready for busier than normal feeder activity this winter and enjoy the visitors in our yards. Oh yeah, one more thing; while we feed birds for our enjoyment this year you can have a warm glow in that you are actually making birds' lives a little easier.

November Shopping List

Ladies Night Tickets
Spring flowering bulbs and fertilizer
Scotts Winterizer lawn fertilizer
Systemic Insect Drench
Grass seed
Starter fertilizer
Paper leaf bags
Straw
Gypsum
Repellex Mole Repellent
Repellex Deer and Rabbit Repellent
Suet
Bird seed
Rake
Gloves
Bird Bath Heater

Garden Natives

Common Sweetshrub

Calycanthus floridus

If you would like a fragrant, easy to grow shrub that is pest resistant (even deer aren't particularly interested) consider Sweetshrub, Calycanthus floridus. The wonderfully fruity scent is produced by the unusual flowers. Rusty red to brown, the 1-2 inch blossoms appear in quantities during the spring and intermittently thereafter throughout the summer. The leaves are oblong, 4 in long by 2 in wide and are arranged oppositely along the length of the stems. They are rich deep green with lighter green underneath. Soft and fuzzy to the touch, they turn bright golden yellow in autumn.

Sweetshrub is the perfect addition in natural areas and woodland gardens where it can sucker freely and assume its natural habit. Sweetshrub is also nice in planters near entryways and patios where it's delicate fragrance can be enjoyed.

The delightful fragrance of its flowers turns this nice little shrub into a welcomed resident in your landscape. Dry the flowers, leaves, twigs and bark to use in potpourri...an excellent gift for the host and hostess of your Thanksgiving dinner.

Click here for more information and photos of the Sweetshrub available at Wedel's.

Look Sharp

Feel Sharp

Be Sharp

Did you know that you can have your blades sharpened at Wedels?!

Take a look at these prices!

Pruners - $4.00
Loppers - $4.00
Lawn mower blades - $5.00 (sorry, no reel mowers)
Mulching mower - $5.00
Hedge shears - $4.00
Larger items - $5.00

(We don't sharpen chain saw blades.)

Store Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

To Do In November

Apply Scotts Super Turf Builder Winterguard.
Apply Halt Systemic Fungicide to lawn.
Get rid of lawn weeds with Weed Free Zone.
Rake/mulch tree leaves.
Apply Repellex Deer and Rabbit Repellent.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs.
Deep water trees and shrubs.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

School Fund Raising Time Is Here
Let Wedel's help raise money for your class projects! For details, call Terrie Schwartz at 269-345-1195 or send email to her at wedelsgarden@wedels.com.

Saturday Mornings

Birdwatch 8:07 a.m.

with host Roger Taylor answering all of your birding questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 877-382-4280.

Over the Garden Fence 9:07 a.m.

with host Andy Wedel answering all of your landscape and gardening questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 877-382-4280.

Visit our web site at www.wedels.com for archives of previous Birdwatch and
Over the Garden Fence programs!

Note from the Editor

It's November and that means...Ladies Night at Wedel's. I'm sure the ladies who have attended before (many, every Ladies Night) are looking forward to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. No one knows the specifics because every one is different but they do know it is always a great evening of fun. The theme, "You Sweet Thing" is a hint and who doesn't love la dolce vita? Ladies, bring your friends, moms, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins...you know, the people who deserve some pampering and a good time.

Also on the calendar for November is Wedel's Wild Bird Event! Birding is a very popular topic with our green-thumb friends and this event promises to be one of the best yet. Birding authorities Bill Stovall and Roger Taylor will be giving seminars. You'll learn about Hosting Bluebirds with Jonathan Morgan, Michigan Bluebird Society Coordinator and there will be fun for kids of all ages including Build Your Own Birdhouse and time to meet and greet birds of prey thanks to Lake Milton Raptor Center. Click here for all of the details.

November is Thanksgiving month! Do you need a center piece for your Thanksgiving table? Would you like to spruce up your porch, living room, kitchen with some fresh fall decor? Wedel's has what you need. If you'd like some help or suggestions, stop by the floral department and one of the ladies there would be happy to give advice on what will be perfect for your area.

Even though Thanksgiving, the holiday, comes only once a year, the spirit of that days extends throughout the entire year for us, here at Wedel's. First on our "To be thankful for" list is, of course, you. Needless to say, without you we wouldn't be here. It is because of and for you that we are here, year around. I know I've said that before but it doesn't hurt to let you know we haven't forgotten it.

The elves here at the garden center have been working tirelessly to get their 2012 Christmas displays set up and, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." We get started when we do so that you can enjoy getting your homes ready for the big day at a more leisurely pace. You'll find whatever you need to make your home cheery and bright for your get-togethers with family and friends. There's always something new so plan to stop by soon and have a look.

We at Wedel's wish each of you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving. May you have wonderful times and safe travels.

Ready for another trivia question? What is the only rock that floats in water? 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

jimdavenport@wedels.com

But see, in our open clearings, how golden the melons lie;
Enrich them with sweets and spices, and give us the pumpkin-pie!

Margaret Junkin Preston