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Hi, guys,
I’ve really gotten into birds these past few years. Cooped up at home during lockdown—and still writing from home—I’ve been spending more time than ever in the yard, noticing even more about the wildlife that visits than ever before.
One of those things is all the birds that visit. When I set out a feeder in 2020, the squirrels emptied it almost immediately. So I ponied up for a squirrel-proof feeder but then felt guilty that the cute little critters weren’t getting any food. Everyone needs to eat, right?
So I put down some peanuts for them. That didn’t go well for the birds, who were frightened away from the feeder. I’ve since come to understand that it’s probably not best to feed squirrels in summer.
Wildlife experts advise against it for several reasons. First, providing food may make them dependent upon humans and lead them to lose the ability to find their own food. Second, squirrels can become too comfortable around humans over time, and losing their natural fear of us could make them aggressive toward us. Plus, they say, squirrels are very good at finding their own food.
I’ll probably put out some food for them over winter, though, when snow covers any food they’ve squirreled away. And if they’re anything like me, they’ll probably forget where they buried their acorns, anyway.
What are your thoughts?
People are always asking me for recommendations — what fertilizers, pruners, tomato cages, etc., do I use? I understand it’s hard to trust posted reviews (Are they real? Are they fake? Did the seller post them or hire people to do so? You just never know!)
So I’ve added a new, occasional section to The Weekly Dirt called This Week’s Good Find. In it, I’ll tip you off to one product that I actually have, use and recommend. In most cases, they are products that I’ve purchased myself. But whether I bought them or received them as gifts or samples, I won’t write about them unless I use and stand by them.
And if there’s any gardening gear you can’t live without, please let me know, and I’ll pick some to share with the group.
💚 This Week’s Good Find
A couple of years ago, after several disappointments with flimsy bird feeders, I bought a high-end squirrel-proof feeder made by a well-known, decades-old American company. It keeps the squirrels out, but I was surprised to learn the seed tube doesn’t disconnect from its caged-in surround or base, making it really hard to clean.
Running a hose through the feeder splashes bird-debris-tainted water up at me, which is gross -- and dangerous. As we know, bird poop and old, crusty seeds contain pathogens that can make us really sick.
So when I received Cole’s Terrific Tube feeder, I was pleasantly surprised by its sturdy frame and easily removable seed tube, which disconnects with the pop of a button. It’s not squirrel-proof, but Cole’s also makes the highly regarded Hot Meats seeded sunflower seeds (that’s the “meats” part), which partners perfectly with the feeder for my needs.
The meats are infused with safflower oil, and Habanero chili peppers (the “hot” part), which birds seem to love and squirrels dislike. And there’s no mess because the seed’s shells are already removed.
I was happy to learn all Cole’s seeds are completely natural. I had previously bought another brand and was surprised to read (after opening the bag and filling my feeder) that the ingredients contained “artificial cherry flavor.” That’s on me for not reading the label until it was too late.
You can find out more about Cole’s bird feeders and seeds on my website’s My Favorite Things page, where I recommend products I personally use and stand by.
📬 Ask Jessica
DEAR JESSICA: Would you please identify this plant for me? It was sent to me by the Arbor Foundation as a token gift for making a small donation. I lost the description of the plant, but I believe it’s a perennial. It came as a bare-root plant with hardly any green on top. I have no clue what it is. —Your faithful reader, Helga Breen
DEAR HELGA: That’s a very special native plant, Asclepias tuberosa, which is also known as milkweed or butterfly weed. It is the only food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars.
Its vibrant flowers bloom throughout summer on deer-resistant plants that reach 2 1/2 feet tall and about 1 1/2 feet wide at maturity. Let caterpillars munch away at the leaves, and soon your garden will be visited by butterflies.
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Drain and clean birdbaths and replenish with fresh water at least twice a week.
🔥50 % OFF FIRE SALE!
Grab one of the remaining copies of my 2022 Day-by-Day Gardening Calendar at half price — just $12.50—while they last! That’s less than 25 cents a week for 365 garden tips and chores.
If you’re unfamiliar, hanging one of these babies on your wall is like having a complete gardening course in a wall calendar! I’ve included 365 tips and chores to ensure your garden stays on track every day of the year. You’ll never miss a sowing, planting, fertilizing, pest-control or other important gardening date again!
By the end of the year, I promise, you’ll have earned a green thumb! Plus, your wall will be adorned with award-winning photography provided by The Weekly Dirt readers.
Grab one today while it’s on your mind because when they’re gone, they’re gone (and I’m not going to publish a wall calendar for 2023). Take a look:
👏 Sunday shoutout
“I went to prune out the dead limbs from last year’s fig tree and found two cherry tomato plants growing among the new limbs and leaves. Good job by the local birds spreading seeds, probably coming from my own plants!” —Bob Cavaliere, Pt. Jefferson Station, NY
Please make tomato-fig jam at the end of the season, Bob!
Send in your photo, and you could be featured next!
📰This week in my Associated Press gardening column
I write a weekly gardening column for the AP, so you might have seen my byline in your local paper (or news website) — wherever in the world you happen to be. In case you miss it, though, I’ll post the most recent here every week.
Gardening in drought? Get my tips for keeping your plants alive and thriving — and some surprising water sources to use whether or not you’re under restrictions.
Do we have to separate you two? Best, worst companion plants for a healthier, pest-free garden
Common gardening mistakes — and how to avoid them: Much of gardening is learned by trial and error -- and, unfortunately, that’s mostly error. Learn how to get ahead of those blunders for a healthy, productive garden.
Not all shade is the same: Gardening where there's little sun: Gardening in the shade doesn't have to mean limited plant choices and lack of color. The first step is understanding which type of shade you have. Click in for guidance and plant suggestions.
Go Native! If your idea of the perfect garden includes abundant plants that do well with little human intervention, while attracting and supporting all manner of pollinators, plant natives. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Want more? You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
Let’s be friends! Follow me @JesDamiano on Instagram
📧 How’m I doing?
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Ask Jessica section.
And if you’re enjoying this newsletter, please share it with a friend!
I don't ACTIVELY feed squirrels, except for maybe throwing the occasional apple core out in the bushes. I do have squirrel proof feeders, and I have tried the seeds and suet with the hot pepper added. But guess what? All my chipmunks and squirrels love hot and spicy food! So basically, I've given up. :-)