Happy New Year One And All
Happy New Year One And All,
Another year behind us and what a year it was! We hope 2020 brings health, happiness, bounty in the garden, and lots of birds at your feeders.
Speaking of gardens, before this last batch of nasty precipitation, I witnessed newly emerging chive poking through the soggy mat of old growth. Yes, that was in December! This just shouldn’t be happening, but weather is just so fickle these days. I have to admit, though, it was exciting to have that first spicy sprout in my scrambled eggs!Now is the time I should be enjoying my long winter’s rest, so why am I churning thoughts of pruning crabapple trees? Usually that doesn’t happen until at least midway through February. I need to get snowed in...otherwise there’s absolutely no chance for hibernation.
As the mix of rain, sleet and snow reigned down, there was a continual flurry of wild bird activity here. Every perch was taken on the feeder near my kitchen window. Red squirrel chased gray squirrel up the pine tree, then descended to snatch a sunflower from the tray feeder and madly buried it in the snow. Reason? This craziness kept up for awhile! So much color with house finches, blue jays, cardinals, goldfinches, juncos, woodpeckers, chickadees, and more. That crabapple I mentioned- 15 robins darted around on the ground and in the trees devouring half frozen, shrunken crabapples. Of course that made them sweeter and apparently far more delicious! Truthfully, this is how we de-stress, but get nothing done. Wait, that makes no sense.
Just a word about some folks asking why there are fewer birds at their feeders. From early fall until about mid January this is a normal trend. Birds move around a lot after their young have been raised. Food availability and weather conditions are definite factors, keeping more birds closer to feeders when storms ensue or when there is snow cover and away when nature’s food is easier to come by. But could length of day also be a factor?? Birds are visually oriented, so what if they head a little further south and west to catch a little more feeding time before dark, or perhaps to benefit from more plentiful and diversified resources, or my personal favorite- to perhaps catch a few extra rays before heading back north just as our days lengthen. Just birdbraining.
These are just some of the seeds we carry. In addition to Harts, we also carry Reene’s & High Mowing.
Turning now to goings-on at Nashua Farmers’, we’re coming out of holiday mode and getting ready for spring. We’ve already had a lot of interest in our three lines of 2020 garden seeds that have been on display for several weeks. It’s still early to start seeds, but it’s never too early to let your mind go to seed! And it’s always a good idea to purchase early to be assured of a full selection. Seed starting mixes, heating mats, trays, inserts, etc. will be ready for you. Also, we’re planning a February seed starting seminar, so keep that in mind.
But to kick off 2020 we will be offering a select item every two weeks at 20% off.This will be ongoing for the entire year. Look for the special on Facebook, on our website, email, or just give us a call.
Our first sale starts January 4th, 2020-January 18th, 2020! 20% off of 40 lb and 20 lb bags of Blue Seal Ultra Clean Black Oil Sunflower Seed!
That’s it for now.
Judy Ratta-Harrington