February greetings gardeners and nature enthusiasts,

As January closed and our second month rolled in, the weather had been so topsy-turvy that I didn’t know whether to stay huddled inside or to venture outside and get something done. One day it was way below freezing, the next quite balmy. A lot of snow had disappeared revealing quite a few bare spots that could definitely be cleaned up. Nah… way too windy. Plus any excuse not to disturb sleeping wooly bears! I’m feeling plain antsy and unproductive. Then just a couple of days before this snow, the morning dawned cheerfully sunny, and soon it was very pleasant-looking out my kitchen window. The juncos were bopping all around and under the empty platform feeder. Yes, get out there and fill it! I opened the cellar door, and it was literally impossible to not feel the great “stir”.

The male cardinals are whistling. I hear the “hurdy gurdy” call of the titmouse. Scores of robins are on the march in my snowless south slope. They roil leafy duff, making it appear as if there are other small earth creatures below having their own party. I’ve spooked a couple of overwintering flickers prodding the ground under the clothesline. But just listen; chatter abounds. To heck with what Punxsutawney Phil said, spring is already in the air!

Now is the time to clean out birdhouses. Clearing old material is important. Cavity dwellers (bluebirds, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouse, woodpeckers, etc.) are now looking to claim the best nesting sites to set up housekeeping. Sometimes hanging nesting material can be enticing, but don’t count on it always working.

Bluebirds, for example, are going to gather their own pine needles and maybe a little soft moss to make their nest. If there is material that you or some other challenging bird may have placed in “their” box, it will systematically be kicked out. At least that’s been my experience. Within a short time, the macho male will merrily begin courting a female while steadfastly continuing to defend his domain (a little more about that coming up). And the best part? He must then await the female’s approval and acceptance. Otherwise, he has to start all over again. We girls know the way!

Bluebirds can’t resist our 20-year-old pine house, located well within the parameters of our veggie garden. Though we are respectful of their needs once nesting occurs, bluebird word gets out rather quickly that we are not much of a threat with our presence in the garden. Brood after brood, we co-exist. Early on, though, things can get a bit testy between bird and human. Defending territory at all costs, the male attacks nearby vehicle mirrors, challenging his own image as he scratches paint and whitewashes entire mirrors. He also attempts to do the same thing to our cellar windows- apparently another huge threat. Every time we park in this part of the driveway, we have to bag our mirrors! Not much to do about the windows except to wait it out and yell at him when we catch him in the act. The war is on! I hope he has a sore beak! He always wins…

*Entrance to feeder ringed with unsalted butter!*

Of course, feeding the wild birds will keep them close by, and thus perhaps more willing to check out the housing market, no matter the species. Speaking of feeding, remember that bluebird feeder mentioned and pictured in my January blog? It’s that house-shaped hopper style with plexiglass front and back, a 1 ½” hole on either side, and a sunken dish for mealworms within. Here’s the whole story behind that picture. Upon first placing the feeder on its hook, we decided to remove both pieces of plexiglass so the bluebirds could get used to it (that’s the January blog picture). That worked like a charm until starlings started stealing everything and knocking the dish to the ground. Ok, now replace the plexiglass on one side. After learning they couldn’t quite get through the plexi side, the bluebirds were successful in approaching from only the open side. So far so good; now we close both sides, and they’ll surely go through the ports. Ah…nope. But smart little ol’me came up with this brilliant solution. I placed a ring of unsalted butter around both ports and stuck a thick layer of mealworms to the butter. Even better if it froze, right? Well, they consumed all the worms but would not enter. Gene then decides to raise the full dish of worms onto a cardboard platform level with the ports. They’ll surely go in now! Nope again. Gene then raises the roof with clothespins creating a 2” slot for them to pass through. So many ways to enter, right? Failure again. Now we’re back to leaving one side completely open. The bluebirds are leery and have decided that we are whacko. What’s in their birdbrains anyway?

Deer and rabbits are not so much of a problem these days. Coyote and fox tracks in the snow riddle the entire property and lead right up to our back steps. They still have some work to do with voles, however. The vole’s u-shaped tunnels on the surface are way too prevalent. (Vole trail picture here?) Eat voles you guys, not chickens! Enough animal talk.

So on a different note, I have yet to start any seeds. Though the pull is strong, it’s still too early. It’s exactly the time, though, to plan garden layouts, decide on varieties that you want to grow, and get all your supplies in line. At Nashua Farmers’ we have everything you need to get you started. We have more seeds than ever before, but we can’t guarantee for how long. Now is the best time to drop by to browse and to ask questions. Soon we’ll be very busy! As a heads up, a Seed Starting Seminar is scheduled at Nashua Farmers’ for Saturday, February 22 at 10 am.

Hey, chicken people, with times as crazy and uncertain as they are, we recommend making sure you have these supplies in order early also. Will you be purchasing chicks this year? We will post our chick order form online as soon as we have prices secured from the hatchery. Remember- chick orders are pre-paid.

I’ve spouted on far too long… I don’t know- maybe that silly woodchuck is right… sigh.

That’s it for now.

Judy

February 2025 Musings

Nashua Farmers’ Exchange