Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. We’re about to enter our coldest time of the year, but the days are getting longer and spring will be here before we know it. Even with the cooler weather, there are still plenty of things we can be doing outside. In fact, the Backyard Ecology podcast episode that will air on Thursday features a discussion between Anthony and I about some of the things we enjoy doing on our farm at this time of year related to pollinator and wildlife habitat management. Once that episode goes live, you can find it at www.backyardecology.net/podcast or by searching for “Backyard Ecology” on your favorite podcast listening platform.
January Pollinator and Wildlife Gardening Tasks
- If you had a real tree for the holidays, take off all of the decorations including lights and tinsel, then consider either using it to make a brush pile on your own property or donating it to your state Fish and Wildlife Department for them to use for brush piles and/or fish habitat structures. (Here’s the link for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Christmas Tree recycling program.)
- If you are planning to plant native wildflower seeds in the spring, consider going ahead and doing it now. Many of our native wildflower seeds need to experience a winter before they will germinate. You can simulate that by doing a cold, moist stratification in your refrigerator or you can plant the seeds now and let Mother Nature provide the winter for you.
- Now is a good time look for invasive species on your property, as well as, interesting natives that you might have like ground cedar or cranefly orchids. (While looking for and marking invasive species at this time of year is fine, in most cases, we prefer to wait until the temperature is at least 50 degrees before using many of the herbicides to treat invasive species. However, there are some herbicides and some techniques that can be used in cooler temperatures. Always read and follow the instructions on the labels when using herbicides.)
Upcoming Deliveries
My monthly winter deliveries will continue through April.
My January deliveries will be:
- Glasgow
- Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
- Beaver Trail Park parking lot
- Bowling Green
- Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
- parking lot of the WKU Small Business Development Center (a.k.a. old mall)
This month I will have:
- Honey from my bees in Barren County
- 13 oz glass jar for $15
- Beeswax from my bees in Barren County
- 1 oz block for $3, tax included
- Gift certificates
- You choose the amount.
- No expiration date.
- Good for any of my products or services.
- Plants Honey Bees Use in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys
- $32 tax included
- Let me know if you want your book signed
How to Order:
If you are interested in ordering anything, please contact me and let me know what you would like. The deadline to send in your orders is noon on Thursday, January 6.