Spring Arrives in the Demo Garden


The demo gardens are coming back to life! We're looking forward to another wonderful season here at Penn State Extension Bucks County. Thank you, Master Gardeners, for your beautiful and inspirational work!


©Kathleen Connally

©Kathleen Connally



©Kathleen Connally

The Great Backyard Bird Count by Sandy Stickel



© Sandy Stickel

 

On President’s weekend, I participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count for the first time. I’ve intended to get involved in past years, but somehow always missed the actual days to participate. It was easy and fun for someone like me who always has a feeder out and can spend hours watching the various species come in for a bite. You merely pick a day or more during the designated timeframe (Feb. 14-17, 2014), print out a list of birds expected to be seen in your area from the website, and watch and count for 15 minutes or more. Then you report what you saw, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology along with the Audubon Society compiles all the info to use in keeping track of bird populations and in many other bird studies. You can count from the warmth of your home, or go on a walk in your favorite park or woods – whatever strikes your fancy. I’ll definitely watch again!

 

Submitted by Bucks County Master Gardener Sandy Stickel

Sue's Witch Hazel

 

© Susan Schneck

Sue Schneck sent us a photo this week of her lovely Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) "Arnold's Promise" now blooming in her Yardley garden. Sue says, "It's profuse and bright and the tree loses it's leaves so the flowers really stand out. Some of the red flowering ones hold onto the old leaves and obscure the flowers."