THE GRATEFUL GARDENER

by Tim Kennelty

Feeding Birds in Winter and Holiday Plants

It’s hard to believe it's already December, except when you gaze outside to see the frozen Tundra that your yard has become, seemingly overnight. I mean, what happened to fall? Time to put on those warm socks and heat up the cocoa.

Even though it’s cold outside, I find that there’s always much to be grateful for, like the beautiful and often entertaining birds at my feeders. Everyday I fill my sunflower, peanut and suet feeders to watch the amazing titmice, nut hatches, cardinals and bluejays. Yes, I’m the crazy guy in the checkout line in front of you with his cart loaded with jars of unsalted peanuts and suet cakes. 

In my defense, I’m not alone. It’s estimated that 59 to 96 million people in the United States feed the birds in winter, and that 40 percent of U.S. households participate in bird feeding. Whether you’re an old hand, or new to feeding the birds, you’re sure to pick up some tips by listening to our podcast episode with local ornithologist and fellow master gardener,

Kathryn Schneider. You can hear our interview with Kathryn here: feeding birds in winter. And if the interview inspires dreams of serious birdwatching, take a listen to our interview with Kathryn on birding in the Hudson Valley here: birding-101.

If you’re not into feeding the birds, maybe you’re thinking about brightening your home with some holiday plants, or perhaps Uncle Fred gifted you a beautiful poinsettia and you’re afraid that your “brown thumb” will be the end of it. If you're like me and have a notorious history as a holiday plant killer, you may want to

listen to our interview with Rachael Ashley from Storey’s Nursery, here: holiday-plants, or read about how to successfully maintain a wide variety of holiday house plants here: care of holiday plants.

That’s all for now. Stay warm and have a healthy and joyous holiday season,  and remember to plant native! 

For comments about this column, gardening topics you’d like to read about, or general gardening questions, you can reach me at: tjkennelty@gmail.com