Dear $$firstname$$,

Greetings from Birds & Blooms magazine! We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, which includes a summer suet recipe, some tips for skyscraper sunflowers, a "hot debate" about the weather and more. Read on and you'll discover...

> Suet's Not Just for Winter
> We're Talkin' TALL!
> It's a Hot Debate
> Don't Miss Future Newsletters!
> An Easy Sale
> Water-Wise Xeriscaping
> Flat Hose Saves Space

"MANY PEOPLE think suet is strictly a wintertime treat for birds," writes Pam F. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "But I offer it to birds in summer, too, in a different form--I make suet dough."

Suet dough doesn't melt in warmer temperatures because it has cornmeal and flour mixed in, Pam explains. That raises the melting point.

"It's been very successful. I have so much fun watching the chickadees and nuthatches...I've even seen a red-bellied woodpecker take chunks of suet dough to feed to its young waiting patiently in a nearby tree."

Pam adds that rendered suet (suet that has been melted and then cooled) will also help prevent a melted mess in warm climates.

Gwen N. of Lillian, Alabama says the suet dough recipe she follows is an all-time favorite of her backyard visitors. "It's called 'Summer Suet', but I use it year-round," she says. "It's easy to make. Just melt 1 cup lard with 1 cup crunchy peanut butter over low heat. Stir in 1/3 cup sugar and mix well with 1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 cups oatmeal and 2 cups cornmeal.

"You can add raisins, nuts or birdseed for variety," Gwen notes. After combining all the ingredients, Gwen pours the mixture into a pan and chills it overnight. Then she cuts it into squares for easy use and storage.

"Put a square in your suet basket and you'll have birds galore," she says.

WHEN IT COMES to sunflowers, some of our readers know how to get the most from their plants. Here are some suggestions from Shane R. of Buff Oak, Kansas and Jean J. of Garfield, Minnesota:

> Choose the right varieties. Both Shane and Jean use giant gray-stripe varieties.

> If you see good stands of wild sunflowers, Shane says the following growing season should be a stellar year for domestic varieties.

> Plant in rich loam soil. "I add compost to my garden in the fall and plant the sunflowers the following spring," Jean says.

> Hoe a trench around each plant (be careful not to damage the stem or roots) and water once each week. "I put about 5 gallons of water on each plant when I water them," Shane says. "The trench reduces runoff."

> Plant sunflowers where they will receive mid- and late-afternoon sun. "I've found plenty of afternoon sunshine is important to a sunflower's growth," says Shane.

> Nearby trees and fencing will help shield sunflower plants from summer storms.

Jean lets wild birds enjoy her sunflowers as the seeds ripen. "It provides them with plenty of food in autumn," she says. On the other hand, Shane protects ripe seeds from goldfinches by covering the sunflower heads with netting. "I save the seed heads for winter to help supplement the finches' diet during the cold season," she says.

To view a photo, click here.

WHEN IS SUMMER? It depends where you live and who you ask.

The National Weather Service defines summer as the complete calendar months of June, July and August, totaling 92 days. Most wall calendars highlight the solar summer, which is based on astronomy. It provides the longest "official" summer season--95 days.

Solar summer begins June 20 with the summer solstice--the day the Northern Hemisphere receives more light than any other day of the year--and lasts until Sept. 22.

Kansas state climatologist Mary K. notes there's another definition of summer--the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays.

This "holiday" summer--late May through early September--is the longest summer season of all, lasting about 100 days.

UNWANTED E-mail has become a problem for many of us, and some ISPs and businesses are taking aggressive measures to control "spam". They may soon prevent you from receiving newsletters like this one simply because they are mailed in "bulk" to thousands of subscribers.

If your ISP plans to activate a "bulk mail filter" or "spam filter", be sure to let them know that you wish to continue receiving this newsletter!

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By Susan L., Citrus Heights, California

I WAS SHOPPING at a nursery in town when I spotted a tiny hummingbird nest in a pineapple guava tree. I pointed it out to the owners, who hadn't noticed their guest's new home.

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to take a close-up photo, so I rushed home to get my camera.

When I returned, I was pleased to find the female hummingbird in her nest...plus a new addition to the tree. Someone had attached a small sign to one of its branches. It read: "SOLD--to Mrs. Hummer".

To view a photo, click here.

From Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide By Melinda Myers

NO MATTER where you live, conserving water helps you, the plants and our environment, too. There are many things gardeners can do to conserve water, and one that tops my list is to use plants that minimize water use. This is called "xeriscaping". Here's how:

> Look for plants that survive on your average local rainfall. You may have to water during unusually dry periods, but they won't need constant watering if Mother Nature cooperates. Let nature be your guide--select native plants that are suitable for your growing conditions.

> Group plants by water needs. This saves time and water, concentrating your efforts to specific areas rather than individual plants scattered throughout the yard.

> Limit moisture-loving plants to high-visibility areas. This gives you the greatest impact for the water and effort.

> Improve your soil! Add compost and other organic material to improve water-holding capacity

> Design landscapes that conserve water rather than waste it. Create windbreaks and shade structures that help reduce water loss. Mulch plantings with organic materials. This conserves moisture and reduces erosion.

> Let your lawn grow to its tallest recommended height. Tall grass forms deeper roots and tolerates drought better. Let grass go dormant during drought. Believe it or not, it will bounce back once the rains come.

> Recycle water from downspouts and other areas. Many new water-collecting systems are designed to store water but keep out mosquitoes. Check with your municipality for any local restrictions.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You'll find much more information in the Birds & Blooms Ultimate Garden Guide. We'll share more practical tips from this new book in upcoming newsletters. To order a copy for yourself, click here.

FROM the trusted brand of Melnor comes a 50-foot hose that's flat to save space. It features three water channels that maintain their shape to conduct the flow and a threaded end to connect to sprinklers or nozzles. Six-pattern sprayer and mounting hardware included.

To order the Melnor Flat Hose from Country Store On-line, click here.

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Birds & Blooms magazine brings beautiful backyards from across America into your living room--through vivid, full-color photos. It's like a friendly "chat" over the back fence with your bird-and flower-loving neighbors. 

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