Dear ##firstname[Friend]##,

After two years of working on Birds & Blooms, they finally convinced me to show my face! I’ve done a little bit of everything—from writing for the magazine to answering your e-mails. Each month, I’ll bring you the things you love (like Bird of the Month and Project of the Month), and I’ll also share what’s going on in our world.

Stay tuned because we’re about to introduce some exciting new features to our Web site! I’ll have more about that in next month’s newsletter.

But in the meantime, don’t forget to check out our birdhouse and feeder auction. This is the last week of the auction, so start bidding!

Kirsten
Birds & Blooms

• READ ON TO DISCOVER...
• Follow Us On Twitter
• Bird of the Month
• Best of Glad You Asked
• Project of the Month
• FREE Wallpaper
• Talk to Us!

Follow Us On Twitter

Do you twitter? If not, get started today and follow us for exciting Birds & Blooms updates.

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Bird of the Month: Black-Capped Chickadee

As one of the friendliest backyard birds in North America, many have convinced this flier to eat from their hand.

Learn how to attract a black-capped chickadee to your yard and listen to its song.

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Best of Glad You Asked

Rooting Roses
Can you tell me how to root a rosebush cutting? I’ve tried, but always end up with a dried-up stick rather than flourishing roses.
—Lucille McNeal, Elora, Tennessee

Melinda: Timing is everything. You should take the cuttings as the first set of blooms is starting to fade. Make a 4- to 6-inch cutting and remove the flower and lower leaves. Then dip the cut end in a rooting hormone, which is available at most garden centers. This encourages the stem to grow roots while inhibiting rot.

Place the cutting in moist sand, vermiculite or a well-drained potting mix. Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and place it in a warm location away from direct light.

Though shade tolerant, dogwood need sufficient light to flower. Those growing in excess shade have sparse growth and very large blossoms.

Pecking Away
For the past several years, woodpeckers have pecked large holes in the siding of our house. Owl decoys don't scare them away. Do you have any other ideas?
—Bill Campbell, Versailles, Missouri

George: To the woodpeckers, your house is just another way to make sound. Thy often drill on houses—or trees, utility poles, antennas, etc—to declare their territory to other woodpeckers. The noise also helps them attract and keep mates. In other words, the tapping is the woodpecker’s song.

There are many ways to prevent woodpeckers from drilling on houses. You can scare them with noise or hang shiny strips of Mylar tinsel, aluminum or metal on your house. I’ve even heard of home owners squirting woodpeckers with water from their garden hose. Another strategy is to cover the area with netting or wire.

It takes persistence, but it should pay off when the woodpeckers move on to find more hospitable territory.

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Project of the Month

Make this birdhouse with only a few materials. The design even offers an easy way for you to peek inside. Find out how to make your own!

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FREE Wallpaper

Download great wallpaper for your computer, like this photo of a monarch butterfly by Susan and Jan Clark.

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Talk to Us!

We are looking for clever bird and garden recycling ideas. Send us your best story and photos by using the Submit Your Story form.

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