I just realized that we’re nearing the end of International Composting Awareness Week.  It ran from Sunday, May 4 through Saturday, May 10.

In honor of this event I will soon be passing along some composting tips.

These tips will include a simple way to compost in smaller yard settings.

Stay tuned.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Today I was finally able to complete my work in the raspberry patch.

It mostly consisted of transplanting those I had rooted in late last summer.

A trailing raspberry can be rooted by burying a branch in the soil. It will produce roots and can then be separated from the mother plant.

Those plants were cut loose and dug up. They were then replanted in a mix of soil and compost,

I then added a fresh layer of compost to the established plants. They then received a layer of mulch. In this instance, it was grass clippings.

An added note: Upright growing berries produce additional plants from their roots. these can be transplanted by carefully digging them free of the mother plant.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m just getting started with some landscape renovations around our house.

I’ll be doing the work myself while keeping you updated. I hope you may pick up a few tips along the way.

When completed, you will see the before and after photos. There will also be a complete cost breakdown.

Stay tuned!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I noticed today that the Austrian Pines are beginning to drop their cones.

These are wonderful for holiday decorating. They also work well as bird feeders when packed with a peanut butter and seed mixture.

Now is the time to collect them and store in a dry place. They will be ready for you when you’re ready to decorate.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was recently asked how to rid a yard of mosquitoes without the use of harmful chemicals.

They had already taken the first step. That is to eliminate as many breeding areas as possible and prevent standing water.

Another way to help accomplish this is to find something that will feed on those mosquitoes and other pesky bugs in our yards and gardens. So let’s invite birds into our yards.

A bird feeding station can be the answer. They can be purchased or made at home.

Something as simple as a post in the ground will work. Add a few “arms” to it to hang your feeders [homemade or purchased] and it’s done. Just don’t forget to keep those feeders full! Soon the birds will be dining there and on insects as well.

One thing to remember is that the birds will want water. There are many styles of birdbaths available in many price ranges. There are many homemade options as well.

If the birdbath water is kept fresh there will be no mosquito problems associated with it. Just empty the old water out before refilling.

I’ll see you in the backyard.

I was cleaning up a few limbs in the yard. The strong winds on Saturday brought them down. It was then I realized that a large well branched limb would make a great bird feeding station for all seasons.

The limb would just need to be set in the ground like a post. The difference is that the branch can be placed straight or noticeably crooked. The choice is yours.

Just be sure the branches are strong enough to hold filled feeders. You can decide whether to purchase feeders or build your own.

Built in suet feeders are as simple as drilling large hole in the branch where the birds have room to perch. These holes can be filled with a sticky type of food. I make my own by heating inexpensive peanut butter. When it becomes almost liquid mix in bird seed and let it cool.

Don’t forget to keep all the feeders full. Your visitors will soon be helping themselves to the mosquitoes and other bugs in your yard and garden as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard.

When I first began planting my current garden area, the soil was less than desirable, so I added lots of compost. Mulching with grass clippings helped keep the moisture in and the weeds under control.

At the end of the season, I would use the tiller to work it all into the soil. My sons and I raked all of the fallen leaves into the garden area and spread them evenly. The next spring, I tilled them under and was ready to plant.

I am at the point now where I won’t till it this year. The soil has become more fertile. Dig anywhere and you will find an abundance of earthworms. You’ll find, if you haven’t already, they are a gardener’s best friend.

I plan on planting pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and sunflowers this year. I’ll mulch it with last year’s leaves and this year’s lawn clippings.

Most of my vegetables will be planted in containers and raised beds. I just want to try something different, even though it may limit my planting choices.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

If you plan on using tomato cages, put them on right after you plant. This year, I am also using cages on the pepper plants. Last year’s crop had the plants bent over and some were even breaking. Here is another quick tip for planting:

• Plant a grouping of 3 or 4 plants.
• Berm the soil around the plants so it appears they are in a saucer. This keeps the water where you want it.
• Place a pot of compost in the middle of the grouping. Make sure there are at least 4 holes (one in each corner) in the bottom of the container.
• When watering the plants, water the pot of compost instead. The water drains out of the bottom, bringing nutrients with it.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I’m sure there are some folks out there who already have some of their gardens planted. This year, I’m not in such a hurry. I do have some leaf lettuce coming up nicely; but I must admit, it came up on its own from year’s crop.

I always plant most of my garden around Mother’s Day. Granted, it could be earlier, but I’m not trying to be the first to have a crop for the Farmer’s Market. It is just grown for our use, with any extras going out to our little roadside stand, which is just for fun.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Welcome to The Backyard Gardener. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it.

My goal is to help everyone get the most out of their gardening experiences. It doesn’t matter whether you are growing vegetables or plants, wondering what perennials would work best in that shady spot, or have other questions about anything else; I’m here to help.

Here is a sampling of things I’ll be including:

• At the Garden Gate (page) – To answer your questions and offer helpful tips
• In the Shed (category) – Covers hand an powered tools; includes tips for care and maintenance, and purchasing suggestions
• Birds and Bees (category) – Here you can read all about beneficial insects, birds, and related items

There are many things I hope to cover throughout the year; but much will depend on your questions and requests.

Spring is upon us, so I’ll begin with typical springtime projects. When summer arrives, I’ll cover ways to get more abundant harvests from our gardens. As fall approaches, it will be time to harvest the last of our plantings, and hope to extend the growing season as long as possible. That will also be the time for lawn and yard cleanup, and preparing our tools for winter storage.

I hope to finish the year off with topics such as: choosing and caring for a live Christmas tree; decorating; and gift ideas for the gardener.

I’ll see you in the backyard!