Attracting and feeding birds

– Garth Ruff, OSU Extension Henry County

Finch are seed eaters!

This time of year, I enjoy sitting back and winding down in the evenings by watching birds fly around the house. One way to attract songbirds to a garden or backyard is by putting up a bird feeder.

Birds lead highly energetic lives and require large amounts of food to maintain their daily activities. At this time of year, birds are raising young and are in need of energy-rich, nutritious foods. During the winter, the need for food becomes even more important. The chickadee, for example, must forage for food from dawn to dusk in order to have enough energy to survive the cold night. Many of the feeders, seed selection, and feeder placement tips that follow can be utilized during the cold winter months as well.

First off, it’s important to realize that different birds prefer different types of food and also forage for said food differently. Therefore, to obtain a variety of birds at feeders, aim for Continue reading

Tree and plant identification videos

Watch these 1 to 3 minute videos and learn to ID trees!

In collaboration with the OSU South Centers and Tree Talk, a YouTube video series entitled Tree Identification Clips has been launched and can be found at: http://go.osu.edu/treeid  There are currently 6 videos posted with 7 more in the process of being edited. The plan is to post new ones on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month until the site is populated.

For all those who are interested in identifying types of trees but not wanting to take a class or sit down with books, these 1 to 3 minute video clips are a great way to start.

Interseeding in the Home Garden

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, OSU Extension Noble County

Basil seedling in the Gelley garden

Intercropping is a practice that has been used in many agricultural production systems to capitalize on growing space, reduce weed competition, and create a greater variety of crops available over a span of time. This can easily be accomplished in the home garden too. Essentially, you plant a late maturing, tall growing crop in rows and then seed quicker maturing and shade tolerant crops in the spaces between.

While sources vary greatly on recommendations for companion plantings, there is room for experimenting with low risk of actual damage if the interseeding fails. Much of the information shared about intercropping is based on individual experiences rather than scientific research. Seed like lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, and herbs are often successful and the seed is not Continue reading

Poison Ivy is appearing in the landscape

– Garth Ruff OSU Extension Henry County

Poison ivy seems to be everywhere this year. Photo: Ohio State on-line Weedguide

I noticed over the weekend that poison ivy is growing fast right now. Along with other weeds, poison ivy is also showing up in ornamental shrub and perennial borders, probably seeded through bird droppings. When growing among desirable plants, poison ivy is a challenge to control.

Three methods may prove successful. The first is to pull the vines when the soil is wet (wear gloves). The next is to sever the vine and pull out the existing vine, then cutting or spraying the new shoots as they grow. Finally, you can try to treat the poison ivy with a herbicide, while not getting it on the desirable plants, which may mean painting individual leaflets.

If you come in contact with poison ivy and are sensitive, immediately (within one to three minutes) wash with cold water and soap, which may prevent development of symptoms.  Poisoning depends on direct contact with the plant’s oil, which can be picked up from bruised foliage, or from contaminated shoes, clothes, pets or other objects.