Carlene's Blog

Sideyard Birding

This year in addition to my cattle farming, veggie garden, flower garden, fruit trees, and other various tasks. I am adding another task to my list. Not one that I’m doing because I have to or because I feel it is important for one to be able to sustain oneself. But because I enjoy it.

I love birds so I’m going to try to turn my side yard into a little birdy paradise. (The dog pen is in the backyard, and I’m afraid they would scare away the little feathered guys.)

I have read that setting out water and hanging feeders is the quickest easiest way to attract birds to your yard. That sounds easy enough. Tube feeders seem to be the most popular and black oil sunflowers are supposed to attract the largest variety of birds. So I think I’ll try purchasing a bird bath and a tube feeder and see how that goes.

I’m really looking forward to luring the birds into my yard. I might do a little research on housing for the little guys so that I can keep them here to enjoy watching for even longer periods of time.

What have you found that is helpful in attracting birds to your yard?

Soon We’ll Be Gardening

So I’m gonna post a little info about hand spreaders for those of you who are thinking about gardening this year:

Earthway Hand Spreaders are an ideal solution for seeding grass seed, spreading ice melt, fertilizer, and all types of granular products. EarthWay Ev-N-Spred products are recognized as the industry leader in spreading technology and quality. If you only need to spread material over a small area we recommend either the 3400 or 3500 model. The 2700 and 2750 series are sling type spreaders for use in medium size areas. The 3100 and 3200 are professional level chest mounted spreaders with larger material and spreading capacities.

Small and Medium Areas

The Earthway 2750 Hand Operated Spreader-Seeder is ideal for all types of grass seed and can be used to apply ice melt, sand, fertilizers and other granular products (no rock salt).  The 2750 is a sling type hand spreader – seeder for use in small and medium size areas.

The Earthway 2750 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder features:

• Heavy Duty Nylon bag – resists tearing and rotting
• High-speed Gearbox with fully enclosed nylon gears
• Pivoting self-feeding shut-off system
• 7lb capacity

The Earthway 2700A Hand Operated Spreader-Seeder is ideal for all types of grass seed and can be used to apply ice melt, sand, fertilizers, and other granular products (no rock salt).  The 2700A is a sling type hand spreader-seeder for use in small and medium size areas.

The Earthway 2700A Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder features:

• Nylon bag with zippered top
• High rpm gearbox for a smooth, feathered edge broadcast with fully enclosed nylon gears
• Pivoting self-feeding shut-off system
• 15lb capacity

The Earthway 2700AL Hand Operated Spreader-Seeder is also ideal for small and medium size areas.

The Earthway 2700AL Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder features:

• Model 2700AL has the same features as the 2700A but with a rigid poly bag liner
• High rpm gearbox for a smooth, feathered edge broadcast with fully enclosed nylon gears
• Pivoting self-feeding shut-off system
• 15lb capacity

The Earthway 3400 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder is ideal for use in small areas.  This spreader’s features include:

• High impact poly hopper has scoop design with a 110 cu. in. capacity
• Easy pull trigger style on/off control with ergonomic comfort grip handle
• Infinite setting flow control on handle
• High RPM gearbox with enclosed smooth anti-skip gears

The Earthway 3500 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder is also ideal for use in small areas.  This spreader’s features include:

• Large high capacity poly hopper (180 cu.in.)
• Infinite settings and flow control on handle

Medium and Large Areas

The Earthway 3100 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder is a professional level chest mounted spreader – seeder for use in medium and large areas.

The Earthway 3100 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder features:

• High volume 1,180 cu. in. capacity hopper is rustproof
• Heavy-duty gearbox with enclosed gears and powder coated axle ensures years of trouble-free use
• Durable powder coated chassis for long life
• Exclusive Ev-N-Spred Dual Port shutoff system with right and left side adjustable throwing ports that allow spread pattern adjustments based on material density or size of area to be covered
• Easy operator shutoff setting control at handle
• 40lb capacity
• Rain cover included

The Earthway 3200 Hand Operated Spreader – Seeder is very similar to 3100 it is a bit smaller than the 3100.  Here are the features:

• Large 1,050 cu. in. capacity rustproof hopper
• Heavy duty gearbox with enclosed gears with powder coated steel axle for years of trouble-free use
• Rugged rustproof chassis for long life
• Easy operator rate setting control and hand-crank handle that can be used from the left or right side
• 25lb capacity
• Rain cover included

All of these hand spreaders will work for areas that are uneven or where a push or tow spreader just won’t go. And that makes these spreaders great additions to your gardening equipment. You can always spread ice melt, sand, fertilizer and other granular products with these spreaders, but not rock salt.

Using a Bulb Planter

Project Using the Ames Deluxe ANY Hand Bulb Planter (cannot find the Ames Deluxe…)

1. Get your items together. You may or may not want to use gloves.  It is whatever you prefer, I wear gloves and highly recommend them.  Pick out your flowers you are going to plant, whether you want to use new bulbs or replant previous ones.  You can also plant small flowers with this planter and follow the direction for the plant that you are planting.

2.  Find the area that you are going to plant your bulbs. You probably already had something in mind when you started your project. Keep in mind that trees may have large roots that can hinder your progress.

3. Start making your hole. While you are pushing down on the planter, you want to twist the hand in a circular motion, kind of back and forth.  This helps cut the ground and move any rock or roots that may be in your way.  The teeth work in a cutting motion when it comes to the small roots. 

4. Depth. The flowers that I am using have a four inch depth and the planter is marked, so when I get to the mark I can pull the planter out of the ground.  Depending on the dampness of the dirt you may have to use your hands or a trowel to remove the dirt from your hole.  Mine was a little damp and clay like so the dirt stayed in the planter. 

5. The bulb. The bulb that I used needed to be planted with the point pointing upward and that is what I did.  

6. Covering up the plant. I put the planter back in the hole and used my fingers to push the dirt out of the planter and back in the hole.  You may have loose dirt.  Then you just fill your hole back up and you have successfully planted your plant.

Review

I would recommend this product to anyone that would have a small job.  It tends to get tiresome when you have 10 or more bulbs or flowers to plant.  The cutting action that this model has is handy as well.

While I was unable to find my exact bulb planter I did find one called the Beaver Long Handle Bulb Planter that looks very similar. I purchased my bulb planter over 8 years ago, so I’m sure brands and models have changed a bit since then. But I’m sure any bulb planter will get the job done.