paula bonelli | Paula's Patch: A Minnesota Garden

Let Mother Nature Have Her Way April 17, 2012

Filed under: Gardening,Midwest,Spring — Paula B @ 3:00 PM
Tags: Gardening, Midwest, paula bonelli, paulas garden patch, spring, zone 4

I’ve always approached my garden with an attitude of “what will be, will be”. I don’t make great efforts to water, spend hours tidying up beds, or prune (much to my husband’s chagrin!). It’s funny because indoors I’m pretty organized — “everything has a place and everything’s in its place”. But in my garden I’m much more relaxed. I let my plants coexist messily with each other and, for the most part, let them fall prey to Mother Nature’s hand. Now, I’m not always happy with what she dishes out — 70 degrees one day and 40 the next — but it sure makes for an interesting garden each year. I don’t think there are two years alike.

It helps greatly to have perennials that are native to my area; they require much less fussing, upkeep and are mostly tolerant of our summer weather. I get to see my garden fresh and new each year — see what decided to naturalize and where, wonder how a columbine from the side yard found its way to the back bed (birds, I think), and see how unexpectedly large that shrub grew that I put in last Fall. I’m content with the joy of simply digging in the dirt, figuring things out by trial and error, and learning from fellow gardeners everywhere.

It’s a good thing I started gardening this way from the start, because as I age, I’m noticing that I’m much less limber than I used to be, have less energy and ache more. It’s more fun now, and physically practical, to take 10-15 minutes to pinch back, weed or move pots during a morning coffee break or when dinner is in the oven instead of marathon weekend days that totally wipe me out.

Like my gardening habits, many things in my life have slowed down since becoming an empty-nester. I kind of like it that way. I’ve grown to enjoy the pace; to take notice of things I missed in my early years of being a busy mother. So, if your garden beds don’t look nice, redefine nice!

What garden tasks do you enjoy in short sprints of time? I always enjoy hearing your thoughts.

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Spring’s Dawn March 20, 2012

Filed under: Birding,Gardening,Spring — Paula B @ 10:54 AM
Tags: Birding, Gardening, Midwest, minnesota, paula bonelli, paulas garden patch, spring

The dawn of another Spring is upon us! On the first day of Spring here in the Midwest, we have mild temperatures, fresh rainfall from a late evening thunderstorm, and the serenade of many birds. New plants are emerging, birds are looking for places to nest, and people are waking from winter’s hibernation.

Before it rained yesterday, I took some time before dinner to get out my rake and clean up a bed uncovering little green nubs poking their heads out of the ground everywhere.

But this hasn’t been a typical Spring dawn. We’ve already enjoyed several meals al fresco, donned our shorts and sandals, moved our jogging outdoors, and even considered turning on the A/C! No, not your typical Spring.

Many things are new in Spring – maybe that’s why it’s one of my favorite seasons. I’m not sure I actually have a favorite. But I DON’T like Winter much, so any of the other seasons could vie for my fav. After a long, dark winter I’m anxious for “new” — new things to look at, new projects outside, new travels, new ideas — everything has promise in the Spring.

Spring’s dawn is definitely different this year, but welcome just the same. What new things will you do this Spring?

P.S. If you need bulbs or perennials this Spring, would you consider supporting a garden fundraiser I’m participating in? I sing with our local community choir (Hymnus) and we are raising money to support a trip to NYC in November. We were invited to sing Handel’s Messiah with a festival choir at the Lincoln Center! We are a non-profit, community-based 501(3)c organization. You order direct with Gurney’s Flower Power and items will be shipped directly to you. The choir earns 50% of each sale. Thanks, in advance, for your help!

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Where Are The Birds? February 12, 2012

Filed under: Bird-Watching,Birding,Winter — Paula B @ 4:41 PM
Tags: backyard birds, bird activity, bird-watching, Birding, coopers hawk, cornell university, Midwest, minnesota, paula bonelli

This winter has been nothing but strange; mild weather, little or no snow and very low bird activity. I blamed the weather for the reduction in bird visits, but last week I saw our friendly neighborhood Cooper’s Hawk a block away soaring over the road. We noticed that our cardinal pair had been hunkering down in the pine tree out front staying close to the house. Then we spotted the hawk chasing a Bluejay around the pine tree and ultimately taking a rest in our Maple tree, where I was able to capture this pic. Suppose he was exhausted after trying to catch up to that Bluejay! But, alas, the Jay was safe. In pursuit of prey they can be seen dashing through vegetation at top speeds to catch birds.

(Too bad you can’t see his head very well.)

When we experience fewer bird visits in the summer, I know it’s because the hawk has been hanging around. He’s stealthy. Unless we happen to spot the large shadow flying overhead, we rarely hear him. But the telltale signs are there — the frantic songs of the birds in the yard followed by a couple of days of low bird activity. It’s the cycle of nature I suppose, but when he enters the yard and is after MY backyard birds, I have something to say about it! The diet of this hawk is mainly songbirds. I can’t remember seeing the Cooper’s Hawk during the winter, but maybe with this year’s milder weather they’ve pushed farther north than usual. I wouldn’t miss a few squirrels or rabbits, but my songbirds are special.

Do you have hawks in your backyard? Both the Sharp-shinned and the Cooper’s Hawk are becoming more common around feeder areas looking for an easy meal (Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology). And except for the difference in size, it’s very hard to tell one from the other. The average size of the Sharp-shinned size is 10-14″ or similar in size to a dove or jay, while the Cooper’s measures 14-20″.

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2 “Cabin Fever” Escapes in Minnesota January 20, 2012

Filed under: Gardening,Midwest,Winter — Paula B @ 1:04 PM
Tags: bachmans, como park zoo, garden store, Gardening, greenhouse, minneapolis, minnesota, paula bonelli, st paul minnesota, winter

bachmans floral gift and garden fixture sale | paulasgardenpatch.com | paula bonelli

Bachman's Prop & Fixture Sale

Hey Minnesotans! Bachman’s Prop & Fixture sale is going on now. 50% off all the unique & vintage pieces previously seen at the Ideas House. (Ideas House is the historic Bachman’s family home decorated a few times during the year with fresh ideas. It’s located on the main campus of Bachman’s Floral, Gift and Garden in Minneapolis and there is a nominal walk-thru fee. The Spring Ideas House is March 22 – April 15, 2012.)

While you’re escaping cabin fever and browsing the sale, check out the rest of the store. For me, there is no better way to spend a day than meandering through the green plants and flowers on a chilly winter day. It’s warm in the greenhouse and you can take a break among the flora and fauna for some hot cocoa at the cafe. Seriously, I could make a day of it — heaven on earth in the middle of winter!

Bachman's Greenhouse Cafe

Plus I love getting ideas for my garden and home. If you’ve been following my blog, then you know I’m not particularly good about coming up with original ideas AND I’m a bargain hunter. I love to look at what others put together as inspiration for my own ideas.

With my own ideas comes a price I’m willing to pay (almost ALWAYS less than what they want at a retail location!). So the hunt begins to reproduce a look at a REALLY affordable price, whether that means getting it on clearance, at a thrift or antique store, or at a garage sale. I love the occasional ‘junk’ sales you can find now; great place to pull a look together!

Cabin Fever escape #2 in Minnesota is the greenhouses at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota. They even host a gourmet Valentine’s Day dinner. Nestled among the gardens are candle-lit tables for 2. The dinner includes 2 entrees, wine, dessert and coffee. Add to the ambiance a few live musicians and you have the makings of a romantic dinner. Wow, where do I sign up?! Tickets are a bit spendy at $165.00/couple, but since it’s a .org a portion of the cost is tax-deductible.

Valentine's Dinner 2012 Como Park Conservatory St Paul MN

Valentine's Dinner Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

So what are you waiting for? Get your camera and enjoy a summer day in the middle of winter!

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Unusual Bird Sightings January 13, 2012

Filed under: Birding,Midwest,Nature Photography,Winter — Paula B @ 10:26 AM
Tags: Birding, broad-tailed hummingbird, Midwest, paula bonelli, red-flanked bluetail, winter

2010 truly was a different kind of year weather-wise and unusually volatile in some parts of the country. Changes have also been observed in the birding community. There have been non-native birds appearing in unusual areas of the U.S.

This Broad-tailed Hummingbird, native to the south, southwest and as far south as Mexico, showed up in Illinois. It rarely shows up in states north of the central U.S. It caused quite a stir! Read the whole story here.

broad tailed hummingbird | copyright jerry goldner | paulasgardenpatch.com

Then there was a rare sighting in December of a Red-flanked Bluetail in California. This bird is rarely seen in North America. This is only the second ever found in North America outside of Alaska. The first was a juvenile male banded on Southeast Farallon Island, California. It’s an old world species that breeds mainly in Siberia and winters in southeast Asia. It visits North America (on rare occasion) mainly in spring to western Alaska, especially the Aleutians. Read more about the sighting here.

red flanked bluetail | justyn stahl | paulasgardenpatch.com

I think the birds know more than we do. I’m keeping my eyes open for unusual birds in my yard and on my trail hikes. I usually have a camera with me, but I’m going to start taking my binocs. I recently spotted a bird I’ve been trying to catch for some time—the Pileated Woodpecker. And ever since hearing Barred owls camping last summer and seeing one near a road in December, I’m on a mission to catch one up close. Turns out it’s not so easy. Check out this short video of an Eastern Screech Owl and you’ll see what I mean.

Want to hone your bird ID skills? Take this quiz at AllAboutBirds.org. It will sharpen your observation skills and help to build an online Bird ID tool.

I haven’t seen any unusual birds yet, have you? Keep your eyes open! And let me know if you do!!

Paula's Patch: A Minnesota Garden

Come wander in; my gate is always open! Gardening / Birding