Susan Nelson Hopkins » Gardening

Platform Birdfeeders

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:53:46 +0000

Check out my latest published article at Ezine Articles about platform birdfeeders.

Platform feeders are equipped for birds that like to eat seed on the ground.... By the way, platform feeders will also accommodate bugs. If you place an additional one in your yard specifically for bugs, you will start attracting insect-eating birds as well. This is especially important all through the winter season, when insects are scarce.

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The Basics Of Organic Gardening

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:21:03 +0000

Ezine Articles recently published an article of mine, Organic Gardening-The Basics. You'll find simple instructions on how to begin organic gardening in your own backyard. Here's an excerpt...

Organic gardening really isn’t as challenging as a lot of beginning gardeners believe it is. The primary difference between the two styles of gardening involves pest control and fertilizers. Organic gardening follows a natural solution, as opposed to applying synthetics or chemicals. Bearing this in mind, we’ll look at the fundamentals of organic gardening for any of you rookies:

BTW, an established garden responds equally well when you follow these four simple organic gardening steps.

Baby Humming Bird Rescue

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:07:57 +0000

A marvellous YouTube video was just posted on Susan's Hummingbird Gardens documenting the rescue for an injured baby humminbird by Peter Tommerup. Check out this baby humming bird rescue video... . . . .

Farmers Market – References and Resources

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:21:26 +0000

Following are some handy references and resources pertaining to selling at farmers markets. We highly recommend checking out this information BEFORE launching into selling your homegrown fruit (or anything) at a local farmers market. Remember, it's all free information...

1. Understanding Farmers Market Rules

Go to the Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. at http://www.flaginc.org/topics/pubs/arts/, for the 8-page printable, and downloadable document, Understanding Farmers Market Rules.

2. Agricultural Marketing Service - Farmers Market Search

You can search the United States Department of Agriculture's database for a farmers market location and data - just go to http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/. Here's how they describe their Farmers Market Search capabilities:

"AMS works to maintain a current listing of farmers markets throughout the United States. Market information is provided to AMS from various sources including state market representatives, market managers, and consumers. The farmers market database is updated on a regular basis."

3. A Guide for Farmers, Sanitarians and the Consumer

Visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/food/business&marketing/ for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture site's 4-page printable, downloadable document, Operational Guidelines for Vendors At the Farmers' Market.

TIP: To find farmers market guidelines for your local area, enter "farmers market vendor guidelines portland oregon" in a search engine... just substitute your city and state. You can also do a statewide search by omitting the city.

The image to the left is what the Minnesota site looks like. Of course, the websites for other states will be unique to them.

4. Farmers Market Publications from Departments of Agriculture

Check out the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources website page at http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/farmersmarkets/Options_consider_selling.htm for information and more resources.

TIP: Do a Google search for "State Department of Agruculture", substituting your state.

The Massachusetts site referenced above is pictured to the right. Again, the websites for other states will be unique to them.

Sometimes, the easiest place to start researching for farmers market references and resources is with your local Chamber of Commerce or City Hall. If you're community is forward thinking and has a farmers market, just ask some vendors to direct you to the local organizer or director. It could save you a lot of time and effort... just be sure to ask about the paperwork involved, and applicable laws and taxes. Don't be surprised when these folks take the time to talk with you and explain how it all works. Farmers markets attract neighborly folks... so, act neighborly and you'll fit right in.

Susan’s Gardening Tips

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:34:49 +0000

This blog has lots of articles and videos full of gardening tips for gardeners of all levels. Here's an excerpt from one of the articles... Add A Garden Shed To Your Landscape Design

This guest article offers some good tips for custom landscaping, which may include a garden shed. Even though the author is promoting a product, the advice is still valid. See for yourself…

Birding-For-Families

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:56:54 +0000

This blog features birdwatching tips and vacation ideas for bird watchers. Here's an excerpt from one of the articles... 9 Bird-Watching Tips.

Wherever you go – your own backyard or another locale – make sure to follow these basic tips for bird-watching:

Try to observe the birds so they don’t know you are there

Move slowly

Make as little noise as possible

Keep your distance

etc...

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Name That Hummingbird

admin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:08:19 +0000

This webiste has tons of information that will help you identify the hummingbirds visiting your USA and Canadian gardens. If you live elsewhere, see if any of your garden hummers look like ours. Who knows... hurricanes can take these tiny creatures way off course, and one of them could be taking refuge in your garden. Check out this hummingbird (one of the dozens of species included)... Allen's Hummingbird. Actually, you'll find 15 of the 24 hummingbird species known to visit the continental USA, and 9 of the 11 species that visit Canada. .

Susan’s Lawn Gardens

admin — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:13:04 +0000

Some of the topics covered on this blog are lawn and garden design, structures, water features, maintenance, pets, organic lawns... and a special section on lawn care business. Here's an excerpt from the Lawn and Garden Structures topic... How To Build A Shed

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, KEITH KINGSTON. He is an expert on garden sheds, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

How to Build a Shed By Keith Kingston

The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard is to make a trip to the local Lowe’s or other hardware shop to purchase a shed-building kit.

Never choose one from a picture in a brochure or from the Internet. When viewing in person, you can check for important quality control details such as thickness of timber, overlap structure of panels, type of wood, whether it is pre-treated with a preservative and the quality of flooring. Thick timber is longer lasting. An overlap structure on wall panels is important to prevent water leakage.

Susan’s Hummingbird Gardens

admin — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:56:03 +0000

This blog is a collection of wonderful YouTube hummingbird videos submitted by people from all over the world. It also has information about hummingbird garden designs, and some journal notes. Here's an excerpt from my favorite article... Auntie Elizabeth's Hummingbird.

Among my first memories are of sitting on her lap, blowing dandelion tufts into the breeze...

As I smiled with the memory, she whispered, “Do you hear him? He’s behind me somewhere.”

Looking past her, maybe two feet, was her friend, The Deacon. [A Black-chinned hummingbird] “Yes, Auntie. He’s just behind you, working his way along the honeysuckle trellis. In just a second, he’ll be along side you. Ok, you should be able to see him now. Why do you call him The Deacon?”

Susan’s Garden Shop

admin — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:18:05 +0000

Although this website isn't finished, it still has some excellent sources for bird and bat and butterfly products. The rest of the site is coming really soon. Check out the up-to-the-minute nectar feeders from Amazon and eBay for Birds and Bats and Butterflies. .