Squirrel Buster

While I like feeding birds in my garden, I have always had a problem with an abundance of squirrels.  I realize that squirrels are also part of wildlife in the garden, but they can also be a pest and eat sunflower seeds without giving the birds a chance.  My guest on Saturday, December 1, was Scott Lukens from the Backyard Bird Shop.  When I mentioned squirrels becoming a pest around bird feeders, Scott suggested the Squirrel Buster feeder.  I have had one of these in my garden for several years and it is a great way to encourage small birds without attracting squirrels.  The feeder is round and made so that when a small bird lands on the perch, it can eat but when a larger animal like a squirrel lands on the perch, the feeding holes close.  I use sunflower meats and have an ongoing assortment of birds coming to my feeder throughout the day.  The squirrels have learned they cannot access the seed and so leave the feeder along.

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OSU Master Gardener Program 2013

Registration for the Portland Metro Area Master Gardener Program for 2013 is now accepting applications. If you have ever wanted to be part of this program, the time to sign up is now and registration often reaches capacity quickly.  The primary mission of the Master Gardener Program is to train volunteers to educate and serve the general public through pre-existing outreach activities. As part of the program, you will receive 66 hours of classroom instruction over an 11 week course.  Classes begin in January and end in March.  Upon completion of the entire course, an internship program is required whereas there are 66 hours of volunteer time to give back in many different garden related venues. This provides another excellent way to meet fellow gardeners and become part of the Portland gardening community. The cost for the course if $445.  For complete information and how to register; - extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/metro/training

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Bird Fountain

If you are looking for a unique idea for a gift and you would preferable want something for the outdoor garden, consider this bird fountain called the Bird Element.  My guest on December 1, JJ DeSousa from Digs Inside & Out (1829 NE Alberta, Portland) suggested this outdoor fountain as a perfect gift idea for the gardener. The fountain has an outdoor plug-in and is made from solid caste concrete and will thus naturally patina giving it a ‘rich’ appearance.  It is made in the USA (Pennsylvania) and weighs 141 lbs.  This particular fountain is 30 inches tall and 18 inches long.  There are other models available but ‘Bird Element’ has proven to be the most popular and would be perfect the gardener with a deck or patio that needs some decoration.  Fountains with different finishes can be specially ordered.

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Tetrapanax

Listener Brian Schmidt sent me this photo of a Tetrapanax (Rice Paper Plant) growing along the side of his house.  This is a good example of how tall these plants can grow.  As you can see, the plant has reached the 2nd story of his house as his wife Carri stands in front and proudly shows off the height.  Tetrapanax papyrifer will usually survive our winters but can freeze back to the ground with low temperatures.  With mulch, the roots would rarely die from winter cold and I recommend a winter mulch as a safety precaution.  Brian’s plant is in an ideal location as it gets some protection from the house and it also partially shaded in the summer from hot afternoon sun.  These plants often send up suckers and can form large clumps so plant accordingly.  Because of the fast growing habit, it is a fun plant to have small children notice the growth.  Take a picture of a child monthly starting in March when the plant is smaller than a child and compare the size in mid- summer.

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