- Start keeping garden records — Keeping records is rather like exercising: either you already do it or you're never going to. However, it's worth making an effort. Any records are better than none! Garden records can be kept on a computer or in a binder. Microsoft Works has worksheets for garden records in the word processing section, and other software is available. You can also design your own. The type of records you keep is up to you, but a good start is simply to have information about what you plant each year. Digital cameras make it easy to keep photo records. A journal that records weather, plus planting, harvest, and bloom times is also helpful.
- Edge flower beds — To save yourself hours of weeding later in summer, apply an edging around your flower beds before grass and weeds from the surrounding lawn become invasive. Look for a metal or rubber edging that that can be pushed at least six inches into the soil.
- Prepare for bluebirds — Bluebirds are gardeners' favorites not only for their beauty but also for their bug-eating capabilities. Bluebirds will move into houses with oval holes that measure 2-1/4 inches tall and 1-3/8 inches wide, or round holes that measure 1-1/2 inches in diameter. This size hole will keep starlings out, but not house sparrows. To thwart the latter, use a house that has an open roof covered with hardware cloth. Also, avoid using a house with a perch in the front.
I am hoping to have some resident Blue Birds this year! I spotted some nearby (within a quarter-mile).
