Tag: Garden Views

Late last fall there were many winter predictions. Some forecast models were predicting harsh frigid conditions with ample amounts of snow for northern Ohio. Folklore was predicting the same based on the wooly-banded caterpillar.

Looking back to last year in late March and early April, our weather was almost identical to this year: Temperatures were cold in the 40s with some nights in the low 20s and upper teens.

Callery Pear, Pyrus calleryana, and its cultivars (examples include Bradford, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer) are officially on the Ohio Invasive Plants List.

I was so hoping to prove that the groundhog was wrong. We are so close to the official start of spring. Wouldn’t you know it is snowing again with below freezing temperatures. I am guessing the early spring songbirds that have arrived up here in Northwest Ohio are wondering if they should fly back south.

Growing plants from seed is rewarding and a lot of fun. Sowing vegetables and bedding plant seeds gives us the opportunity to plant more varieties than what may be available as starters in May. A few seeds that can and should be started indoors early are the following: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.

Last fall, Meadow Voles — also known as Meadow Mice, or Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) — began preparations for winter. To survive our winters, the Voles need habitat and food.

Our landscape is covered with snow, and the weather is frigid and cold. Did you ever wonder how winter helps our soil?

Last winter, ants invaded our home. The problem really started in fall 2021. My ill-fated thinking was “winter is coming and the ants will go away.” I was wrong. We continued to find occasional ants in the kitchen, living room and master bathroom.

The month of January is an excellent time for planning this year’s garden. Looking back at last year, we knew what grew well, what we were happy with, and what did not do well or was a disappointment.

Did you have a fresh cut natural Christmas tree to highlight the holiday season, and are you wondering how to recycle it? Real Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.