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Warren Garden Club, Warren, PA (2026)

02/06/2025

As we approach the midpoint of winter, many wonder what the long-term forecast has to say about winter’s upcoming second half. The weather forecast for the next few days is very accurate even though the forecast has been for snow and very cold temperatures. But what about the next 6 weeks?
Fortunately, Punxsutawney Phil, Seers of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather-Prophet Extraordinary will, next Sunday, according to legend that dates back hundreds of years, make his forecast for six more weeks of winter or early spring.
According to NOAA the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Phil’s forecast has been correct only about 30% of the time. Since the 1880s records kept by the Punxsutawney Ground Hog Club show that Phil has predicted 108 longer winters and only 21 early spring seasons. Last year he predicted an early spring season.
Historically Groundhog Day has its origins with German immigrants who would select an animal to predict the winter season. If the Hedgehog, later the Groundhog saw its shadow on February 2nd winter would continue. If he did not see his shadow, then spring would come early.
The most popular traditional ceremony for weather prediction is in Punxsutawney, Pa. The first reported news was made by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper in 1886. IN 1887 The first Groundhog Day was made official at Gobler’s K**b where those in charge consult with Phil. People have gathered there annually ever since.
Yearly, crowds of as many as 2,000 met to hear Phil’s weather prediction. After the 1993 film Groundhog Day attendance at Gobler’s K**b had risen to as many as 10,000.
Many communities have similar ceremonies featuring a groundhog who predicts the weather. The Ryan family groundhog, Big Shanty Bob, has been predicting the weather for the Bingham, Mt Alton and Lafayette Area for several years. Bob went to his heavenly reward after a summer nibbling on Mt Alton vegetable gardens. He always predicts 6 more weeks of winter because he says in McKean County that is an early spring.
What will Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction be this year?

01/24/2025

Rebecca Norton Ryan
Penn State Extension Master Gardener

The ardent bird watcher is always interested in investigating equipment that will bring a greater variety of birds to their back yard.
As you enjoy your hobby you might like to try a winter bird bath. This will allow the birds access to clean water to stay hydrated and to preen their feathers, an activity which helps to keep them warm. The bath has a thermostat that keeps the water from freezing so the birds can drink and bathe. A bird bath will need regular cleaning. Make sure you can easily get access to the bath to keep it clean. At some point it may be surrounded by snow. I have read that pennies will prevent algae growth in the water and that marbles, stones or pebbles in the bath will provide secure footing. However, on the coldest days the bird bath will have open water. You can choose between solar bird baths as well as cordless and electric.
Another piece of equipment everyone will enjoy is a bird feeder with a solar camera. With the camera connected to your phone, you can watch the birds at the feeder from any place in the world. You can record videos and photos, save them to your phone and share with friends and family.
An in-house breadbox window bird feeder is easy to install and gives a great close-up view of the birds. This would be a good feeder for senior citizens if they have support to keep the feeder clean.
All of this equipment is wonderful for the bird enthusiast. Talk to friends and family that have winter bird baths or feeders with cameras. If possible, visit their site to see how the equipment operates. Since cleanliness is a very important part of the bird-watching hobby new equipment will add to the amount of time you will need to maintain a clean and safe environment for the birds.
Another task for the bird watcher must be careful storage of bird seed. Your extra bird seed needs cool, dry storage and a container that can be securely closed. Bird seed that is scattered over the floor of your storage building will certainly attract mice and squirrels. You need to be scrupulous about keeping this area free of spilled bird seed.
My grandparents loved their bird feeder. They used their bird book to identify the birds and then kept careful lists of the birds that came to their feeder. I can still see them enjoying their new hobby and with sharing the fun with friends and family. They also had family members who were there every day to maintain the feeder for them. Today they would be surprised by the variety of feeders and supporting equipment available for bird watching.

01/12/2025

It may be a little late to start feeding birds this winter, but it is a great time to plan to get ready to feed the birds in late spring and summer. The birds have a much easier time finding natural food in their environment in the warmer months. However, they will make use of bird feeders in spring summer and in the fall and winter. You can start now to learn which feeder would be right for your situation, which bird seed will attract birds to your feeders and where to position your feeder.
A hopper feeder is a common type of feeder. It is a platform with walls and a small roof. A tube feeder holds small seeds like thistle or nyjer seeds especially popular with finches and is supposed to be out of the reach of squirrels. Suet feeders are cages that hold suet cakes that are made up of fat.
You will want feeders with a good sized capacity especially during snow or ice storms. Squirrels are a problem for people who like to feed the birds. There are many types of feeders that will discourage our friends the squirrels. Remember, they are hungry too.
In my opinion, in general, Black Oil Sunflower seed is the best seed to start with. It will attract many birds like cardinals, chickadees, finches, sparrows and nuthatches. Seed mixes are popular and they are generally less expensive than black oil sunflower seed. Read the packages carefully because there are different seed mixes for different parts of the country. Also consider suet, a great supplement for birds. It is made of animal fat and usually mixed with bird seed and served through suet cages.
You will also want to make plans to clean your feeders. They can get very dirty after a few weeks and should be cleaned with hot water and then allowed to dry. Position your feeders throughout your lawn. Try to put the feeder a few feet from a tree. This allows the birds a place to rest and then swoop in to grab a few seeds.
Last but not least, if you choose to feed the birds they will come to depend on your kindness. If you are planning a trip or even a long weekend the birds will need their seed to survive. Check to see if a neighbor would fill your feeders for a few days.
A good source of information on bird feeding is a neighbor or friend that is already feeding the birds. You can look over their feeders, find out where they buy their bird seed and give you a few tips they have learned over the years.
Feeding the birds is a wonderful hobby. Pick up a good bird identification book that will give you information about the birds at your feeder. There are also many books on bird feeding as well as information online. Start gathering your information so you are ready to start this spring.

10/21/2024

With the beautiful autumn weather we are enjoying it is a good time to take a walk around the garden. You will need pencil and paper.

What perennials need to be replaced? If you have a plant with a dead center that plant needs to be dug, the center removed and the healthy part of the plant moved.
Likewise are there plants that need to be replaced. My Shasta daisies have not had a good season. Next spring I need to replace them in new amended soil.
Don’t be too tidy. Our pollinators need the perennials to hibernate for the winter.
Don’t fertilize your plants. They need quiet rest. Fetalizer sends them the signal to grow. Compost is not a fertilizer but a soil amendment that can be placed on the soil around the plant. Be sure and keep the compost 2 inches from the base of the plant. No volcano mulching.
We have had a wonderful season in the garden. Clean your tools well and tidy your planting bench or garden shed while you enjoy these last warm and sunny days.☺️

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