Re: [gardeners] Thursday in the garden
David G Smith (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 31 Mar 2000 12:14:38 -0500
I don't mind the tangled mess, I just don't want it to take over. It does
shade the vegetable garden some; it runs east-west about 10 feet south of
the garden. For much of the day the sun's high enough that it doesn't
matter. I don't want it taking any extra, though. I've got coral
honeysuckle and trumpet vine planted at the base of the fence, and they do
need a little light.
We do see some birds in it. I used to see cardinals regularly, but not
lately. A few years ago it provided a habitat for groundhogs, but they (the
neighbors, not the groundhogs) got a big dog. That was nice of them. The
dog also keeps the squirrels out of my corn, I think. They haven't figured
out the dog can't get across the fence.
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "Allen Merten" <ajmerten@earthlink.net>
To: <gardeners@globalgarden.com>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2000 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [gardeners] Thursday in the garden
> David,
> Reading your message had me chuckling. One man's backyard habitat may
be
> another man's tangled mess. Have you asked your neighbor if they are
trying
> to provide nesting sites and shelter for birds?
> There are several national and local organizations dedicated to
> increasing urban and backyard habitats for birds to mitigate the habitat
> loss due to home building, parking lots etc.
> Does this area shade your garden? If not maybe you could put some bird
> feeders/water source up on your side of the fence and be absolutely amazed
> at the variety of birds that you would be able to see during the changing
> seasons.
> If the tangled mess is shading the only place you can put your garden,
> that is a real dilemma.
> I wouldn't want to be without my garden. I also would be lost during
the
> winter if I wasn't able to play host to nearly 100 species of migratory
> birds.
> I'm a "stay at home" because of physical disabilities. The winter
would
> be a long season of drudgery without the birds. Luckily, I don't have the
> pest birds like Starlings, English Sparrows, Pigeons and Grackles.
> I am fortunate enough to have enough space to garden to my limitations
> and still provide habitat for birds year round. The nesting birds keep my
> tomatos free of Hornworms and help control other insects as well. I sure
> would like to have some birds whose favorite meal is grasshoppers/fire
ants.
> Those two pests do a lot of damage to all of my garden crops.
> You certainly have the right to enjoy your property in the manner that
> pleases you best. I hope that you and your neighbor can work something out
> that let's both of you enjoy your properties and remain good neighbors.
> Allen
> Bastrop Co., SE Central Tx.
> Wildscape #1071
> Zone 8
>
>
>