Winter Closes in...

Winter's definitely here! Temperatures are already plunging into the thirties here in Texas! Already I miss the hummingbirds, watching their antics and seeing the colorful display! But there are a few things we can do to get through these cold lonely months of missing them.

If you miss them as much as I do, well...until they return, here are a few ways to combat those hummingbird blues. Decorate your desktop with hummers here:Hummingbird Desktop Wallpaper and get some hummingbird cursors here:Animal Cursors You can even get a Hummingbird screensaver:Animal Screensavers

Even better yet, visit the great website of: Harlen E. and Altus Aschen of Port Lavaca Texas, where you will see some incredible photos such as this:

and find a wealth of information not only on Hummingbirds, but many other birds and Monarch Butterflies as well!

Just remember, it won't be long before you'll be seeing this:

once again! Spring will be here before you know it! And you'll be needing more recipes Courtesy of The Dirt Doctor. Once again I thank Mr.Howard Garrett for the use of his Recipes:

Garlic Sprays

To make garlic/pepper tea, liquefy 2 bulbs of garlic and 2 hot peppers in a blender 1/2 to 2/3 full of water. Strain the solids and add enough water to the garlic/pepper juice to make 1 gallon of concentrate. Use 1/4 cup of concentrate per gallon of spray. To make garlic tea, simply omit the pepper and add another bulb of garlic. Add two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses for more control.

Tree Trunk Goop

Mix 1/3 of each in water and paint on trunks: diatomaceous earth, soft rock phosphate, manure compost. Paint onto cuts, borer holes or other injuries on trunks or limbs. Reapply if washed off by rain or irrigation.

Organic Herbicide

Here are two versions. Let me know which one works best for you. 1 gallon full strength vinegar 1 cup orange oil 1 teaspoon Basic H or other mild soap or 1 gallon full strength vinegar 1 cup orange oil 1 cup molasses 1 teaspoon Basic H or other mild soap Vinegar strengths vary. 5% is regular vinegar. 10% is pickling vinegar. 20% is the strongest you should ever use and it is dangerous and needs to be handled carefully. Avoid contact with skin and breathing the fumes. Be sure to keep the mix well shaken while spraying..

A Special Thank You to Harlen E. and Altus Aschen for the use of their photographs!

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