homemade scarecrow

Homemade scarecrows

Keeping birds away from your garden can end up being a full-time job . But here are some ideas for reusing items you normally would throw away and save a couple dollars in the process.

If you go to the store to buy reflective tape or some other reflective scarecrow , you're wasting your money. Why pay $5 for a roll of reflective tape when you can use old CDs instead .Take two old CDs and put them back to back, shiny side out. At one edge drill a hole through both, then tye the two CD's together with fishing line leaving a leader to hang from.

Hang them in the garden.  The movement and reflective surface will help deter those pesky pest that think your garden is the latest smorgasbord .

(2)Another idea may require you to think ahead a little bit.

 Remember those Christmas sales the day after Christmas ?Remember to pick up an extra role of that reflective tape or gift ribbon or giftwrap that is on sale for half off . Cut into 1 or 2 foot lengths and hang it like you would the CDs. Then weight the bottoms with large paperclips.

Bull snake garden friend

Bull snakes, our garden friends

One of the things to keep in mind this time of year is our friend the bull snake. Snakes are generally not welcome around homes but this one I always make the exception. The snake is responsible for helping keep rattlesnakes away, as well as help keep the rodent population down. He is one of the many reptiles that come in from the desert looking for food. It is very good at mimicking the look of a rattlesnake. If that is not enough, hissing and striking at you as if he were the real thing, will definitely get your attention. Snakes should never be killed as they are a very important part of our ecosystem. Without them rodent populations would explode. For the most part if you leave bull snakes alone they will leave you alone.

grape trimming pruning

Pruning grapes diagram

free trees version 3.1.wmv

This is a video I did on getting free trees from cuttings. An updated video will be done as soon as weather permits. It should be noted that not all cuttings will root using this method. If your cuttings do not root, and the cuttings are still alive, try using a rooting powder and bury them in the ground. Be sure to leave one or two buds above the ground and keep  soil damp but not wet.
    For further information on tree or plant propagation check your local library.  They are a great source
of information and usually are free to the public.
   Other sources of information are your local http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/ it may also be a good place to to buy inexpensive windbreak trees and shrubs. But keep in mind that you may have to order in advance and buy in larger quantity. Also be sure to use a good pair of bypass shears like these. I have a pair of these shears and they have lasted me many years.The investment in a good pair of shears is well worth the money and if oiled at the end of each season should last a lifetime.
  Also be sure to use a disinfectant wipe in between each plant that you are working on so as not to spread disease.