A garden to attract hummingbirds' should provide food, water, and shelter. Hummingbirds need shrubby plants in which to nest and get out of inclement weather. They like evergreens, dense shrubs and vines. They especially like trees that have small stems on which they can perch.

            Hummingbirds do not visit traditional bird baths, as most of these water sources are too deep for them. They prefer to bathe and drink from droplets of water or spray mists. They often drink or bathe in cupped leaves of flowers or swoop through sprinkler sprays.

        The Knock Out® Family of Roses are easy to grow and do not require special care. They are the most disease resistant rose on the market. They have stunning flower power with a generous bloom cycle (about every 5-6 weeks) that will continue until the first hard frost. They are also self-cleaning so there is no need to deadhead. They are winter hardy to USDA Zone 5 and heat tolerant throughout the entire U.S.  

        If unpruned, Knock Out® Roses can easily grow to be more than 3-4' wide x 3-4' tall. A once a year cut (to about 12" above the ground) in early spring (after the last hard frost) is also recommended for maximum performance. The Knock Out® Roses can fit into any landscape. Plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds and borders. Plant them in large groups to create a colorful hedge. Plant them along a foundation to provide a bright border.

Advice from a Rose: Make someone's day, Enjoy the sunshine, Remember your beauty stems from within, Be colorful, Look past the thorns, Make new buds, Bloom!, Be scent-sational!

        Our staff has spotted this Pine Sawflies in large numbers recently. You may want to take steps to protect pine trees and shrubs.

        Sawflies are non-stinging wasps that have their ovipositor serrated like a saw. The "saw" is used in making slits in the plant. Eggs are then deposited in the slit. The redheaded pine sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei) over-winters in a prepupal stage in the litter under the tree. In the spring after completing pupation, the adults emerge. Eggs are laid in slits in the edge of needles. The larvae feed on the foliage. At first the small larvae eat only the outer layer of the needles.

Hello Dear Readers!   

        Pookie here with all the latest news! The flock and I are taking advantage of this cooler weather and scouring the Nursery for bugs and bits of news! The hot topic this week is MOM! Yes, Mothers Day is this weekend, and we Roosters have all kinds of surprises in store for the hens! I don't want to spoil anything, but I will tell you that we have outdone ourselves! If there is a special hen in your life, just remember - roses, wine, bath oil and donuts! This next tip is critical! If you are planning to serve breakfast in nest, clean up whatever mess you make!

        Chloe, Kim and the Twins report seeing a lot of activity in the retail greenhouse to get ready for the weekend. They have spotted many containers and hanging flower baskets that they are planning to acquire for the outside of the coop. They are currently in intense discussions regarding this years decorating color scheme! Naturally, we chickens want containers that look and taste good! You humans need more flowers in your diets! They are ever so yummy!

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