Dear ##firstname[Friend]##,

Crystal Rennicke

Happy Memorial Day weekend! For many, this weekend means outdoor BBQ’s, planting the last of your annuals and enjoying the action at your feeders. I’m also headed down to my local Farmer’s Market for some fresh-picked produce. For some great recipes to put those fresh fruits and veggies to use, check out the new Farmer’s Market cookbook from our “sister” publication, Taste of Home!

Happy Gardening!
–Crystal

##\keycode.PSCopyHTML##

READ ON TO DISCOVER...

• Regional Report
• Plant of the Month
• Yard Smarts
• Question of the Month
• Frugal Backyard Tip
• Submit Your Story

Regional Report

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to tackle that to-do list or find a local park to enjoy some bird-watching. Keep updated on what’s happening in your region on our Birds & Blooms blog.

• Southwest
• Midwest
• Northeast
• Northwest
• South Central
• Southeast

top

Ball Horticulture

Plant of the Month

Black Velvet petunia
Give a warm welcome to the world’s first black petunia! Ball Horticulture introduced this plant last year, but it is now available to gardeners across the country. Try it in your containers as it pairs well with other sun-loving plants.

Botanical name: Petunia x hybrida
Hardiness: Annual. 
Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and wide.  
Flowers: Deep purple so dark it looks black. 
Light needs: Full sun. 
Growing Advice: Grow in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Try it in your containers with white flowers for a dynamic look. 
Prize picks: Also try the Pinstripe and Phantom varieties available from Ball.    

Attract hummingbirds with these hummingbird award winners.

top

Joyce Rickert

Yard Smarts

Crowd Control
We delight in watching all the birds and critters that visit our yard, but whenever we filled our large feeder, Steller’s jays (like the one pictured) emptied it in 2 hours. At another feeder, we saw a hawk swoop down and carry off a chipmunk, which distressed me.

My husband solved both problems very easily by putting 2-inch by 4-inch wire mesh around the feeders. Smaller birds, squirrels and chipmunks can go right through the openings in the mesh, but hawks and Steller’s jays can’t. –Donna Teel, Port Angeles, Washington

top

Question of the Month

Multicolored Morning Glory
Last year I had a beautiful multicolored morning glory. When I planted the seeds I’d collected from the plant, only one color returned. What happened?  –Virginia Perry, Hicksville, New York

Melinda: When using seeds collected from  your own hybrid plants--like your multicolored morning glory--it’s hard to predict what will sprout. The new plants take on some, but not all, characteristics of each of the hybrid’s parents. The more dominant features usually show up. In this case, one color overshadowed the others. To ensure the color mix you’re looking for, it’s best to use purchased seeds from year to year.

For answers to your gardening questions, click here.

top

Frugal Backyard Tip

Recycled Birdbath
Although she doesn’t fill it with water anymore, our neighbor still makes good use of a birdbath left by the previous owner--she plants flowers in it for a beautiful summer blooming display. This is a good way to make use of an old cracked birdbath that doesn’t hold water. Plus, it brightens up the neighborhood! —Pam Ferkett, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

top

Submit Your Story

Do you have a funny nature photo? We’re looking for more photos for our “You Don’t Say” portion of our magazine. Send us your photos and stories using our Submit Your Story form.

Submit your story»

top