Because who doesn't love a nice, warm bath?

Because who doesn't love a nice, warm bath? (Or for the wild birds, any water that is not frozen in winter). Give the birds some much needed water to help them survive the winter. Besides for drinking, birds need to clean their feathers to keep them fluffy and warm in winter. Check out these heated birdbaths and de-icers available in our Garden Center - then come visit us for the item(s) that are right for you.

Songbird Essentials Heated 14” Bird Bath with post - $139.99.
Songbird Essentials 14” Heated Deck Birdbath - $85.99.

Bird Bath De-Icers - various types ranging from $24.99 to $60.99

Bird of the Week 1/12/21 - Tufted Titmouse

Basics: The Tufted Titmouse is a little gray bird approximately 6 inches in length with a white front and grey upper body outlined rust colored flanks. Other characteristics include their black forehead, and the tufted grey crest on their head. It is common in deciduous forests and a frequent visitor to feeders. The large black eyes, small, round bill, and brushy crest gives these birds a quiet but eager expression that matches the way they flit through canopies, hang from twig-ends, and drop into bird feeders. When a titmouse finds a large seed, you’ll see it carry the prize to a perch and crack it with sharp whacks of its stout bill. You’ll often hear the high, whistled peter-peter-peter song well before you see the bird.

Housing: Tufted Titmice nest in tree holes (and nest boxes), but they can’t excavate their own nest cavities. Instead, they use natural holes and cavities left by woodpeckers. Therefore, putting up nest boxes is a good way to attract breeding titmice to your yard. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young. If you have a natural wooded area leave some dead trees for nesting titmice.

Food: Tufted Titmice are regulars at backyard bird feeders, especially in winter. They prefer sunflower seeds but will eat suet, peanuts, and other seeds as well. They also eat insects, which is a good reason to attract them to your yard.

How to Attract: Tufted Titmice will visit feeders year-round. Offer sunflower seed, a seed mix containing sunflower seeds, and/or suet in feeders. In addition, hang bird houses and leave some older dead trees in wooded areas so they can nest in old woodpecker holes and crevices. Don’t forget that a birdbath will also help attract these and other wild birds.

Facts: Tufted Titmice hoard food in fall and winter. Usually, the storage sites are within 130 feet of the feeder. The birds take only one seed per trip and usually shell the seeds before hiding them. Their nest (probably built by female) has foundation of grass, moss, leaves, bark strips, lined with soft materials, especially animal hair. Bird may pluck hair from live woodchuck, dog, or other animal, even from humans.

Tips for the Garden - January 2021

            HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We truly welcome 2021!!  May the COVID pandemic become a thing of the past and just a bad memory. But this past year has taught us so much about ourselves and our communities. We do normal activities in a very different way now, such as going to church, grocery shopping, family gatherings, hangouts, and parties. I believe some of these new habits will stay around for a long time.

            But when this pandemic started here in mid-March of last year, we did hunker down and stay home. That has brought a lot of families closer together and now enjoying bonding at home. We are doing more home gardening and there has been a lot of success with that. So now is a great time to gather the seed varieties you want to grow and plan out your garden process for this year. We are here to help if you need assistance.

            Birds appear to be homeless in winter, which makes people wonder where they go at night. In general, they choose to roost in the same kind of places as they build their nest during breeding season. Some birds will use the same roosting spot every night unless predators disturb them.

            It’s hard to say who benefits more from backyard bird feeders, the birds or the people who feed them.  It is important to provide unfrozen water for the birds throughout winter. Put your birdbath in an open area, but near some trees or bushes to permit a quick escape if predators approach. Birds will visit regularly once they discover it is a safe and steady source of fresh water. Open water in freezing weather will attract as many or more birds, as a well-stocked feeder! Besides for drinking, birds use water to help keep them warmer in winter. By cleaning their feathers and grooming them with natural oils, our feathered friends are able to help insulate their bodies from cold. You can keep water thawed with a submersible heater placed directly in the water. Heated birdbaths are also available.

            Visit the nursery often as the greenhouse is a great place to spend some time during dreary days of winter. In addition, new houseplants will be arriving weekly!

            Time flies fast, so enjoy this winter, do an analysis on your landscape and prepare for spring projects… and we will “see you in the garden”.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Bird of the Week 12/29/20 - Northern Cardinal

Basics: Male Cardinals are easily spotted by their red plumage while female cardinals have lovely red highlights in their fawn colored feathers. A pair of cardinal remains together year round. So if you see one, look closely for its mate, as it will probably be nearby. Generally, one of the pair keeps a lookout while the other feeds.

Housing: Enclosed housing may not be appealing to this species. Platform housing is best for Cardinals. The planting of thick berry producing plants and evergreens are also very beneficial for this species to roost and nest in.

Food: Black Oil Sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds are two of their favorite foods!

How to attract: Provide food, water, shelter, and nesting sites

Fact: Keeping warm bodies is a number one priority during winter, a snug place to roost overnight is just as important as a full belly.

Tip: Choose larger, heavier feeders that will not sway, or placing feeders on sturdy poles rather than hanging them to provide more stability when cardinals are feeding.

Tips for the Garden - December 2020

The month of December brings the holiday season and warm thoughts of family, friends and community. I would like to say, “Thank You” and wish you and yours a “Blessed Holiday Season” with all the best in the New Year!

Fall will turn into winter this month. It may not always be the most comfortable time to be planting anything in your landscape, but it is a great time for the plants. Trees and shrubs are completely dormant now, so the concept of transplant shock does not apply. 

If you want to think of warmer days of spring, garden seeds for 2021 are available for purchase in the store. Our selection of Botanical Interests seeds is a large diverse selection. Start gardening in your mind to make you feel better when it snows.

Houseplants are another way to keep the warmer thoughts of spring and summer around! And they are fantastic for keeping your home fresh and cleaning the air! Here are a few tips on winter houseplant care. Flowering plants need at least half a day of direct sunlight. Cacti and many succulents require a sunny location, and croton plants need direct sun to maintain the decorative color. The ideal temperatures for foliage plants are 68-70 degrees during the day and slightly lower at night. The amount of water the houseplants need declines during winter, so increase the amount of time between watering.

Some of the plants in your landscape can help you decorate for the Christmas season as you prune them for next year. Holly and Boxwood can be trimmed now with some of the cuttings used to accent wreaths or live indoor plants. Some of the growth of evergreens such as White Pine, Norway Spruce, and even some of the seed heads of ornamental grasses can be used to make a harvest wreath or basket for your front door or porch. Talk about recycling! After Christmas, you can take them to your compost bin for future fertilizer!

Continue to feed our fine feathered friends and place heated birdbaths with fresh water out for them. Our wildlife needs care and attention as numbers have been dwindling and they are needed for pollination and health of our planet, join in the fun, or ask us how you can. We will show you the way.

Again, I wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas season. Let’s get to work on planning that beautiful garden scene for next year!

See you in the Garden……

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Give to Local Charities

Dear Friends,

       It is not without regret that we have had to cancel our popular holiday events for 2020 including the Evening Holiday Party and Pictures with Santa. In the midst of a pandemic we cannot consciously hold these events knowing that they normally draw large indoor crowds. Even more regretful, these events always brought in a good amount of donations for some wonderful local charities. This will be a very difficult season for charities that may not receive the usual amount of donations from fundraising events and private donors. If you are able and can find it in your heart, we ask that you please give to our many wonderful local charities in honor of the Holiday Season.

Here are pictures of donations in 2019

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View fullsize

       Below is a list of charities that we collect donations for through our events this time of year. You can send donations to the charities directly by mail or online for some. If you will be visiting our store this season, you can also leave your donation with us and we will give the donations to the charities at the end of the season.

Loving Hearts Outreach, 1902 West Main Street, Washington, MO 63090  http://www.lovingheartsoutreach.org/

Graces Place Crisis Nursery, PO Box 83, Washington, MO 63090, https://gracesplacecrisisnursery.com/

The Pregnancy Assistance Center, 310 International Ave, Washington, MO 63090, https://www.facebook.com/pregnancyassistancecenter/

Franklin County Humane Society, P.O. Box 400, Union, MO 63084, https://fchsmo.org/

Area Food Pantries:

     St. Peter’s UCC Food Pantry, P.O. Box 510, Washington, MO 63090, https://www.stpeters-washington.org/children

     St. Francis Borgia Church Food Pantry, 115 Cedar Street, Washington, MO  63090, https://borgiaparish.org/food-pantry

ALIVE - Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments
Franklin County Office - P.O. Box 223, Union, MO 63084
St. Louis Office - P.O. Box 28733, St. Louis, MO 63146
https://alivestl.org/

            Thank you all so much for your generosity throughout the years. We wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

The Hillermann Team