How to build a bird feeder/plant hanger

Getting the most out of your focal point requires a little imagination and ingenuity. Adding function to an otherwise decorative item makes it even more valuable. Birds will love this beautiful feeding station, and you'll love how lovely this plant hanger is for a focal point in the yard.


Items you'll need:

* 1 rounded shovel
* 1 level
* 1 metal bird feeder, we used a lantern style
* 1 4X4 pressure treated post
* 1 bag of ready mix cement
* Phillips head screw driver
* 4-6 plant hangers with their hardware for attaching to post
* 1 pint of paint (optional and your color choice, stain can also be an option)
* 4-6 hanging flower baskets
* birdseed

Pick a spot in your yard or garden that you want to be a focal point. Make sure you have easy access to it though, because you will need to fill the bird feeder on occasion.

Dig a hole 2 feet deep into the ground. Place two feet of your post or more if you like it lower, into the ground. Pack some dirt around the sides to stabilize and have someone hold it for you. Make sure to use your level on all sides so that it is perfectly straight.

Add one bag of Ready mix cement into the hole.

Fill the hole with water. Let the post set for 5-6 hours. Once cement hardens, cover the hole completely with any remaining dirt.

Now attach your Lantern style bird feeder to the top by drilling holes and securing with the screws that come with your bird feeder.

Paint or stain your post in any color you desire and allow to dry. This time will vary depending on weather conditions/humidity..etc.

Once your post is dry, you are now ready to attach your plant hangers. I put mine at varying levels to showcase the hanging baskets that I wanted.
This is a long term beautiful focal point for any area of your yard that needs a little something extra.

Please note:

* Bird seed will fall into your hanging baskets so keep an eye on the grass that sprouts in your baskets.
* You can also hang wind chimes and birdhouses from this post just primarily for decorative looks.
* Try planting a climbing rose at the base, or a Mandevilla vine to train up the post for an even more dramatic effect.

Weed remedies that use no poison

Dandelion (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

If you're like me, you really hate to use any chemical in your yard. You never know what kind of an impact it can have on your lawn, other plants, pets or even ground water. If there are gentler ways to rid ourselves of weeds, I am all for it. Here's a few suggestions:

1. Pour hot - near boiling water on the weed- This is an effective way to kill single isolated instances of weeds in your yard.

2. Pour a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to one part hot water on the weed.

3. Use salt mixed with hot water. Once cooled and salt has become diluted add to a spray bottle and spray entire weed with the solution. The ratio is 1/2 cup salt to 3 cups water.

4. Fill spray bottle with ordinary white household vinegar and spray weeds thoroughly.

5. As a weed preventative, some have had success using corn gluten meal. It is supposed to stop the weed seeds from germinating.

6. For really difficult weeds try a stronger vinegar solution currently called Weed Pharm. See Amazon link below. It actually has 20% more acetic acid than your regular household vinegar and is still safe for use.

Spring time in the South

How to correctly prune your rose bushes

Josephs Coat Rose (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

Roses are a beautiful addition to any garden but they do require some maintenance to keep them looking beautiful. Proper pruning and dead heading your roses is one part of the maintenance that must be done every season.

1. Prune your rose in early spring and once all danger of frost has past.

2. Make sure you have clean, sharp by-pass pruners and thick gloves. Some roses like the Joseph Coat are extremely thorny and can really cause a lot of damage to your hands and arms.

3. During the growing season, prune roses by looking for the first set of five leaves where you'll see a leaf bud. Prune just above this bud at a 45 degree angle that will assure the new growth will grow outward from the plant and not inward. This can be done as you dead head your roses.

4. Remove all dead and dying wood and any spindly canes that are less than the diameter of a pencil. Also look for sucker growth. These are canes that shoot out from the base of your plant under the main bud union. The main bud union is where all the main canes of the rose bush emerge from. Anything growing and shooting out from under this is a sucker and should be removed completely.

5. If you have a problem with cane borers, it is suggested that you can cover fresh pruning cuts with basic white school glue to prevent infestation.

6. Once roses go dormant for the year and have been exposed to several hard frosts, cut the rose down to one third of its original size and only leave three to four healthy canes for best results. Add a thick layer of fresh mulch.

DIY network's newest “Dirtiest Landscaping” sweepstakes is here

If you love watching any of the great shows on the DIY network, be sure to enter their latest sweepstakes. The details of this latest sweepstakes are the winner receives $50,000.00 cash to create the backyard of your fantasies. With a grand prize of $50,000.00 and other giveaways, it is hard to resist entering this sweepstakes.

If you have a landscape that is in dire need of help, this sweepstakes can be the chance of a lifetime to finally get everything you ever dreamed of for a back yard oasis. Your own little slice of paradise. Just think of what you can do with the sum of $50,000.00 to create your perfect yard. Maybe all your yard is missing is a swimming pool, or perhaps you have one that would be beautiful flanked with palm trees and gorgeous tropical flowers and landscaping. The possibilities are endless.

Those who enter will also be eligible for six additional prizes of Sears gift cards in the amount of $1000.00. The Sears gift cards will be given away weekly so if you want to enter you may enter once a day through May 4^th, at 5 pm eastern standard time.

To enter simply click on this link: DIY Network Dirtiest Landscape Sweepstakes Entry Form
For more on home improvements see: Dawns Decorating Solutions.
For more on gardening see: The Southern Garden

Suggestions by this author:

How to lighten up a dark space

Furnishing small spaces

Maximizing limited space in your small home

Going retro and getting it right

Hot interior decorating trends for 2012

Related articles

• HGTV launches Mortgage Madness Sweepstakes
• Spring cleaning and organizing
• Furnishing small spaces
• How to grow and care for Dogwood trees
• Planting Azaleas in your garden

How to grow and care for Dogwood trees

If you have been bitten by spring fever, you have probably made a trip to your local nursery and or hardware store that sells gardening supplies and flowers. One tree you may have wondered about is the ever present southern bloomer, the Dogwood trees. Lining many streets, and prominently blooming in yards all over the south, the Dogwood tree is a favorite for many homeowner.

Dogwoods can be found throughout the south eastern portion of the United States growing under a thick canopy of taller trees in forests. Dogwoods can be a fickle tree if it isn't happy with its growing conditions so there are a few things that need to do to insure that this tree will thrive in your landscape.

Soil
The soil should be acidic and when planting be sure to plant the root ball slightly above ground level. Replace the soil from the hole dug with a prepared garden soil specifically for acid loving plants,shrubs and trees.

Light
Remember many flowering Dogwoods can be found growing in shady forest locations, so they like a shady environment in your yard too. Try to find a spot that has dappled sunlight, and if you plant them among other trees, try to make sure these trees produce natural mulch on the ground since this will keep the soil moist and provide lots of leaf mold for the Dogwood tree.

Watering
Newly planted Dogwoods should be watered on a weekly basis and during dry periods water regularly.
When first planted be sure to water, wait until absorbed, and water again. Repeat this.

Fertilizing
Dogwoods need a good start in order to thrive in your landscape. Be sure to give new plants a slow release fertilizer to ensure the best possible start.

Pruning
Dogwoods require very little pruning. You can prune them after they have flowered using good quality pruners if you want to manage their overall shape, but too much pruning can invite disease to your new plant and if its not necessary avoid doing any pruning until your Dogwood is well established, one or two years after planting. Be sure to prune damaged and dead branches on your Dogwood. Keep an eye out for disease and pests and be sure to remove any of these beforehand.

Related articles

• How to grow and care for the eastern Red bud tree
• Planting Azaleas in your garden
• How to grow Camellias in your southern garden
• Adding ornamental grasses to your landscape

Growing Camellias in your southern garden

Pink Camellia (photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

One shrub you will find beloved by many a southerner is the lovely Camellia bush. Camellias are sturdy small shrubs that produce vivid blossoms appearing October-March. They have thick dark green glossy leaves and the flower heads are similar in size to a rose. Camellia blossoms can come in a myriad of colors from white, soft pinks, vivid reds and in Southern parts of China yellow.

Growing conditions:
Camellias can be grown in full sun, partial or even full shade. Dappled shade is perhaps ideal especially for white flowering forms. Camellia shrubs are known to thrive quite well underneath Pine and Oak trees due to the naturally acidic soil around these types of trees. Basically, a Camellia will grow well wherever a n Azalea will thrive. When planting a Camellia bush, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and once the bush is centered in the middle of the hole be sure to fill in the hole with compost, and a good prepared soil mix.

Zone hardiness:
Camellias can grow in zones 7-9. Many new cultivators have developed varieties that can tolerate zones further north.

Pruning:
Camellias can be pruned almost any time of the year but ideally can be pruned lightly after it is done blooming.

Watering:
Newly planted Camellias do well with regular watering that keeps the soil moist. Do not over water or keep the plant soggy. Normal annual rainfall is well tolerated, however, when there is extremely hot and dry weather a Camellia should be watered during those times to keep it healthy.

Pests and diseases:
Camellias are prone to tea scale. Tea scale are small insects that have cotton like masses underneath the leaves and the presence of yellow blotches on the top side of leaves. If left untreated the bush will not thrive. Use of a systemic insecticide is preferred. Camellias can become subjected to root rot as well if it is grown in soil that is too damp or is over watered.

Related articles by this author:

• Planting Azaleas in your garden
• The Confederate Rose
• How to grow and care for the eastern Red bud tree
• How to keep Boston Ferns alive all summer
• Ornamental grasses

Weeds in your garden

If you have been dismayed by the presence of weeds in your garden, there are some things you can do to eliminate their taking over.
1. Use pre emergent herbicide
2. Make sure your lawn is completely dry between waterings to slow weed growth
3. Don't cut your grass too short, weeds germinate in the top most layer of your garden soil. Grass that is allowed to grow to 2 to 3 inches will inhibit weeds from thriving.
4, When establishing your lawn, use weed free seed.
5.  A healthy lawn is one of the best defenses against weeds, Use Root Maximizer, Kelp Meal and EM-1 for best results with your lawn.

Related articles

• Planting Azaleas in your garden
• Adding ornamental grasses to your landscape
• The Confederate Rose

How to keep Boston Ferns alive all summer

Boston Ferns (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

Boston Ferns are some of the most beautiful easy to grow hanging plants around. During the hottest months, they can dry out and die without proper care. The most important thing they need is in the form of lighting and watering. Once you figure out what they need they are a welcome addition to any yard, porch or landscape.

Step 1
First things first, once you get your fern home from the store you want to stick your finger in the soil and go around the perimeter of the pot. If you feel a lot of roots, and very little soil your plant is probably root bound and needs a larger pot. Go atleast two sizes up, and use a good potting soil mix with a slow release feed.

Step 2
After repotting your fern, hang it in a an area out of direct sunlight. It thrives on a area that has some shade and good circulation. Keep your Boston ferns looking their best with a trim and keep them free of debris and dead fronds.

Step 3
Give your fern a good drink of water after re-potting. Boston ferns need really good drainage, and at the same time are thirsty plants. To keep them beautiful big and lush all through the hot months is to water every two days. Drenching them with a sprayer is the best way to ensure they have gotten a good dose of water. An occasional shot of liquid fertilizer or feeding will keep them going too.

Oak trees in danger in South Carolina

Tree with sunlight streaming (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

Trees in the south have to be  strong. They face environmental stresses that can take them down quickly or have them struggling for centuries. Many diseases prey on trees that have been damaged from lightening strikes, wind, heat, and low rainfall averages.

Oak trees are no exception, and botanists and homeowners alike have seen an acceleration of death taking place with the giant oak trees and it is due to the fungus hypoxylon canker. Unfortunately, once there is signs of this fungus present on your tree, it is too late to do anything to save the tree.

If the tree is large and next to a structure, it is a good idea to have it removed as the fungus will eventually make the branches weak and damage to any surrounding structures will occur.

Caring for Azaleas in your garden

Gorgeous pink Azaleas (Photo credit: dawnella66)

Azaleas can be a truly spectacular show of color in your landscape. While they aren't the most difficult plant to care for, they do have a few requirements that will ensure better results. There are very few yards in the south that don't have at least one Azalea. If you are a novice gardener, this shrub may be the one to try out. Inexpensive and usually easy to grow, it's an easy way to add beauty and color to your landscape.

1. Research Azaleas before you buy. A little research can go a long way when it comes to investing in your landscape. Ask questions from your local nurseries and find out which variety you are most likely to have success with. 
   
   
2. Plant Azaleas in a partially shaded location. Ideally it is best to plant Azaleas in early Spring or Fall. Azaleas do well in zones 6 through 8, however many have success in slightly cooler and warmer zones, when they apply more specific care to the shrub.
   
   
3. Make sure dig a hole that is twice as large as the root ball of your Azalea.
   
   
4. To ensure a good start, replace garden soil from your newly dug hole with Miracle grow garden soil mix specifically for all types of deciduous, evergreen, and flowering trees and shrubs. 
   
   
5. Azaleas prefer an acidic soil with a ph level at about 5.5. Have your soil tested if you aren't sure.
   
   
6. Once your Azalea is planted, be sure to give it a long deep drink of water. This eliminates air bubbles and settles the fresh soil. Water like this every day for about two weeks to help your Azalea settle into its new environment. 
   
   
7. Add your mulch. Use fine shredded pine bark mulch, and/or pine straw around the base of your Azalea. Leave a little space between the base of the plant and the mulch. 

Bright red Azaleas (Photo credit: dawnella66)

Tip: Drive around your immediate neighborhood area and observe what results others are having with their Azaleas. If you see great results, take note of where the Azaleas are located. If you feel extra friendly stop and ask your neighbor what variety they are growing. Make sure to compliment their yard Most gardeners love the positive feedback for their efforts and don't mind sharing their advice with you.

Related articles

• The Confederate Rose
• How to grow and care for the eastern Red bud tree
• Spring Hill Roses grand opening

The Eastern Redbud tree for your garden

Eastern Red bud tree

One tree that will bring a beautiful boost of color to your spring garden is the Eastern Red Bud tree also known as the Judas Tree. This is the state tree of Oklahoma and with good reason. It is a beautiful and welcome site that Spring is on the way with its lovely bright purple flowers that arrive early in the Spring. One lovely trait of these trees in addition to the purple blossoms are the beautiful, large heart shaped leaves.

A small tree with a sturdy upright trunk which divides into stout branches that usually spread to form a broad flat head. Found on rich bottom lands throughout the Mississippi River valley; will grow in the shade and often becomes a dense undergrowth in the forest. You will see these trees growing in abundance in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.

The Eastern Red bud is hard as far north as zone 4, grows rapidly and an ideal ornamental tree. It has low water requirements and displays a high tolerance to salt and alkali soils. One variety that you may want to check out when selecting a Red bud tree is the beautiful weeping Red bud tree which is available at the *link at the end of this article.

Red bud care and specifications:

Hardiness Zones:  4 to 9
Height:  30 ft
Spread:  25 ft -30 ft
Form:  rounded
Type:  deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate:  12 to 20 inches
Light:  Full sun to partial shade
Moisture:  Grows best in moist soil
Flowers:  Purplish-pink small and grow along the branch

Caring for Red buds:

Soil type:  Red buds can grow in almost any garden soil, preferring soil that is a little on the moist side.

Lighting:  They do well planted near other trees that can filter some of the sunlight so that they have a partial shaded environment.

Pruning:  Pruning lower branches helps the the Eastern Red bud develop a lovely crowned top and always remove dead, damaged limbs. Pruning should be done in late Winter or early Spring before the blooms appear.

Fertilizing:  Slow release light fertilizer

Diseases and pests:  Red buds are sometimes prone to caterpillar infestations and do well to have a preventative spraying of borer spray. Fungicides can also be used where there may be leaf spots and can be applied mid to late Spring ideally.


*Spring Hill Nursery Lavender Twist Weeping Red bud

For more information on Southern gardening, see: The Southern Garden

Spring Hill Roses Grand Opening

Joseph's Coat Rose

If you love the convenience of ordering plants online then you may want to consider adding Spring Hill Nursery to you list of possible gardening resources. *Spring Hill Nursery has a long history beginning in 1849 in North Dayton, Ohio by its founder Peter Bohlender. Spring Hill Nursery was originally a wholesale operation, but as the years advanced became a mail order nursery.

If you live in South Carolina and enjoy the beauty of roses, consider a trip this May to Orangeburg, SC and enjoy the *Edisto Memorial Gardens Rose Festival. It will inspire you to try a few roses in your garden. If you are chomping at the bit to get into your garden and plant some beautiful roses, you're in luck.

The grand opening of **Spring Hill Roses online website is currently running a sale on some of the most popular and beautiful roses seen anywhere. Spring Hill roses are shipped bareroot and ready to be planted with simple instructions to insure that your rose performs to your expectations. One rose in particular to take note of is the ***Twilight Zone rose with is stunning showcasing a deep purple blossom with a lemon and clove scent.

In addition to offering competitive prices and a wide selection of some of the most exotic and beautiful roses in the world, the ****Spring Hill Nursery site also can supply you with gardening needs like fertilizers, and gardening gadgets galore. Spring Hill offers a free catalog so you can peruse at your leisure and a newsletter for those who like to receive exclusive deals and offers.

*Edisto Memorial Gardens Rose Festival
**Spring Hill Roses
***Twilight Zone Rose
****Spring Hill Nursery

Related articles by this author:

• The Confederate Rose 
• The Southern Magnolia 
• Gardening tips for zone 8 in Autumn 

The Confederate Rose

Image via Wikipedia

Many may be under the impression that the Confederate Rose is a member of the rose family. However, one look at this magnificent plant in person and you will soon discover it has very little to do with any actual rose as we know it. The Confederate Rose is actually a member of the Hibiscus family. Other names for this flowering plant are: cotton rosemallow.

Image via Wikipedia

 
Some interesting characteristics of this plant have to do with the blossoms, in early morning they are white, and by mid day the blossoms turn soft pink and in the evening, the flower turns deep pink. There is a variety of this plant that have blossoms that turn red in the evening. This variety is called, “Rubra” and is stunning. The plant grows fast and needs a place in the garden that will allow it to grow properly.

Image via Wikipedia

The blooming season of the Confederate rose is usually from summer through fall. Propagation by cuttings will take root ideally in the Spring time however, the Confederate rose can be propagated almost any time of the year, making it a favorite among gardeners.

Image via Wikipedia

In areas that experience a frost, the Confederate rose will not reach it's full potential in height, which can be almost twenty feet tall. However, keeping the plant to a 5-8 foot height will yield more flowers typically. The flowers themselves are massive measuring any where from 5 inches in diameter to larger and real show stoppers when the plant is in good health. The plant is flexible can handle partial shade or full sun and likes a rich soil, but has been known to thrive under less than ideal conditions.

Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grass like this Pampas grass are popular landscape features

Ornamental grasses add interest, texture, color and versatility to any garden landscape. Ornamental grasses are particularly great for growing in poor soil, drought conditions and in full sun. Some of the most beautiful varieties can fill in bare spots in a landscape where little else will grow. Try these varieties.

Pink Muhly Grass

This is a beautiful example and grows in clumps of narrow foliage in Spring and Summer, then in late Summer it becomes a real show stopper in the landscape. Plumes of pink grow and flourish above the foliage, maintaining their vibrant color until the end of Fall. Extremely easy, thriving despite heat, humidity, drought, even poor soil! Birds will enjoy these plants as well and will enjoy the seeds. Grows 3' tall and 2 1/2' wide.

This plant is particularly ideal for the southern garden:

Zones:6-9
Light:Full Sun
Height:18-36
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Frost

Select Blue Festuca

You will no doubt notice this plant in the garden, stunning blue and silver foliage will definitely rival less impressive plants but will highlight and add beauty to other flowers in the garden. Growing 8-10" tall, this grass is ideal in rock gardens and also will grow well in containers. It grows with lovely and numerous flower spikes from early to midsummer. Drought-resistant.

Zones 4-9

Light: Full Sun

Diamond Grass

This plant's name comes from the way the morning light  sparkles as it catches the dew. Feathery grass is a lovely backdrop for any landscape. This stately grass has a graceful upright habit. It even performs well in shade, which is a rare find for ornamental grasses. A wonderful focal point for beds, borders or even pots! Grows up to 4' tall.

Zones : 4-10

Light: Full sun to full shade

Height: 4'

blooms: Late Summer to Fall

Related articles by this author:

• How to grow and care for the eastern Red bud tree
• The Confederate Rose
• Spring Hill Roses grand opening

The Southern Magnolia

Image via Wikipedia

This is the queen of all flowering trees. A common fixture in the south and in many southern landscapes, the Magnolia is a magnificent giant flowering tower capable of reaching nearly a hundred feet in height. One of the largest blooming trees around, the Magnolia is slow growing, and able to produce dozens of dinner plate sized, fragrant blossoms during the summer months.

Image via Wikipedia

Once the flowering season is done, the blossoms leave behind large pods that produce brightly colored red seeds. Birds and squirrels are particularly fond of these and having a Magnolia in your landscape will definitely attract wildlife. If you love supplying wildlife with a great source of shelter and food, the Magnolia fills the bill.

Image via Wikipedia

Lumber from all three species is referred to as “magnolia”, and can be found in some types of furniture, boxes, pallets, venetian blinds, sashes, doors and used as veneers. Southern magnolia has yellowish-white sapwood and light to dark brown heartwood that is tinted yellow or green. The wood has a straight grain and tightly space rings and is an attractive choice for veneers.

Image via Wikipedia

The wood is ranked moderate in heaviness, hardness and stiffness; moderately low in shrinkage, bending and compression strength; it is ranked moderately high in shock resistance. Its use in the southeastern United States has been supplanted by the availability of harder woods. Symbolic of the south, the Magnolia grandiflora is the state tree of Mississippi and the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. The flower was also used as an emblem of the Confederate army in the US civil war.

Image via Wikipedia

Southern magnolia grows in warm temperate to semitropical climates. Average January temperatures along the coast are around 50° to 55° F in South Carolina. Temperatures below 15° F or above 100° F are considered unusual within the species natural habitat. A well established and healthy southern Magnolia can often withstand more extremes in temperatures than the younger ones.

Image via Wikipedia

Because of its showy flowers and big glossy evergreen foliage, southern magnolia is considered by many to be a highly prized tree. That being said, don't expect grand results for many years if you are purchasing one. It takes a long time for the to fully reach their glory in size, and flower production. However there are many who consider the tree a nuisance due to the fact it's leaves are very bothersome as mentioned earlier the large older trees drop leaves (many) and the seed pods in great numbers and can cover a massive portion of the yard it is planted in.

Image via Wikipedia

In many urban areas where other species do poorly, the Magnolia can grow because of its resistance to damage by sulfur dioxide. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossums, quail, and turkey. Red Cardinals particularly love the seeds produced by this tree. Once a Magnolia has been established in your yard, it will withstand anything nature can throw at it. These trees are tall, strong, and require little care. Just make sure you have a rake...you're going to need it.

Image via Wikipedia

The Magnolia is a tree that speaks to southerners on a deep level, it not only is a symbol of the south to many, but there is something about it's strong willed, defiant nature that seems to almost define the southern constitution, and our southern men. Its beauty and sinfully subtle fragrance lingers a hint of our southern belles. The southern Magnolia is a piece of living history, and should be respected as such.

Related articles by this author:

• Blooming shrubs and trees for your southern garden
• Top Articles on your southern garden
• Top three flowering plants for your southern garden
• The carefree Peony for your southern garden
• Create a "Memory garden" for Mother's Day