Homemade Suet Feeder for Less than Six Dollars!

Using tools you probably already have… here’s a great, inexpensive, home made suet feeder log for our fine feathered friends for less than $6.00!

What you’ll need: one piece of DRY round wood two to three inches in diameter 14 to 16 inches long, one or one and a half inch wood bit, a 3/8 inch drill bit, electric drill, 2 closed eye or open eye hooks (large and long enough so they don’t pull out of the wood), a 24 inch piece of chain or other hanging material (I use decorative chain so the weather won’t deteriate it), 1 small “S” hook, chunky style peanut butter, one commercial type suet feeder cage and cake with hanging chain, 6 branches six to eight inches in length and 3/8 inches in diameter (you can use just about any type but I prefer hardwood such as apple, cherry, birch, etc.), a hammer, a pair of pliers or vise grip.

First, drill your six suet holes one inch deep at a slightly upwards angle (this allows water to run out of the hole) spaced in a scatter manner enough to allow the birds room to maneuver. Then drill the branch holes about one or two inches below the suet hole at a slightly upwards angle. Be sure to remove all wood chips from each hole.

Next, place the hanging hooks into the center of your wood log, top and bottom. Then, attach the “S” hook at one end of the chain, closing the end of the hook over the chain with a hammer, pair of pliers, or vise grip.

You are almost ready to hang your suet feeder. But first, using a spoon fill the large holes in the log with chunky peanut butter (the holes will take two to three spoonfuls to fill). Next, place your six to eight inch long branches in the holes below the suet hole. Do not glue them in place because you will want to remove the branches when you refill the larger holes! Much easier!

Now you are ready to hang the suet feeder log! Loop the chain over a strong branch on a tree (the feeder should hang down about head high or higher to allow room for the commercial suet feeder) and feed the “S” hook into the chain. Place the suet cake into the commercial suet feeder cage then attach to the bottom hook (adjusting the height with its’ supplied chain, if necessary). WALA!

It took me less than an hour to make and place this suet feeder! The birds absolutely love it! Enjoy!

Meanwhile, back at the farm…

Fertilizing Woody Plants and Trees

Mid February to early March is the time to feed your woody plans and shrubs: Rhodies, Azaleas, Roses, etc. Any fertilizer with a nitrogen count of less than twelve percent and high potash and phosphorus count along with a five to six percent iron in the blend is what they need. 12-20-20-5, 9-10-16-6, or any commercial Rhododendron food is ok. Don’t be afraid to use this blend on other plants as well such as roses, bulbs (if you know where they are), day lilies, trees of any variety (especially fruit), and more. Do not use more than 12% nitrogen as this will give your plants too much growth. The high mineral count is used to build better blooms, roots, and a healthy, overall plant structure.

Any plant that has a circumference of more than 24 inches, evenly spread one cup of fertilizer around the drip line. Less than 24 inches, use one half cup. If applying your plant food without slow release nitrogen, you will want to feed three times before fall. With slow release, feed once now and again at mid-summer.

Meanwhile, back at the farm…

Fertlizer Blends and What They Mean

Fertilizing

It is the time to start your shrub and tree fertilizing program. All plants need food through out the year…spring, summer, fall, and even winter! Just how much and how often depends on a lot of factors, which I will address in my next blog.

Let’s start with just what the heck the numbers mean in a fertilizer blend. When selecting a fertilizer – whether it’s for annuals, vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs, perennials or lawns – the first question to answer is, “What analysis do I need?” The analysis is actually the three large numbers you see on every fertilizer label – put there by law – such as 10-20-10 or 10-10-10 or 21-7-14. These numbers represent the percentage (by weight) of the three major nutrients required for healthy plant growth, always in the same order: Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (N-P-K). Each of these nutrients affects plant growth differently, and the formulation you select should depend on your specific plants, trees, or shrubs you are feeding.

The first number is the percentage of nitrogen in the mix. So a bag of 24-10-0 has 24 percent total nitrogen. Nitrogen provides plants with the ability to produce more chlorophyll, which in turn allows plants to grow quickly. With each additional nitrogen application, plants will grow taller and develop a darker green color. So if you want a dark green lawn, use a lawn fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen – but then expect to mow more often.

The second number in the analysis is the percentage of phosphorus in the mix. For example, a bag of 10-20-20 would contain 20 percent phosphorus. Phosphorous aids in root development and increases the flowering ability and bloom size. The fertilizer industry markets high phosphorus fertilizer as bloom builder food. High-phosphorous fertilizer should be used when plants are being established in your garden – when sowing a new lawn or planting a new tree, for instance.

The third number represents the percentage of potassium found in the product. A bag of 10-10-20 has 20 percent potassium in the mix. Potassium has many functions: It guards the plant against diseases and aids in drought protection and cold tolerance. It also serves a role in improving root development and helps in the process of photosynthesis. Use a high-potassium fertilizer at the start of winter and summer to protect crops from temperature extremes or when insects and disease have caused damage to your plants.

OK, so the numbers don’t add up to 100 %, what’s up with that? That’s because there are other nutrients and filler product in fertilizer mixtures, such as Iron (which will be the fourth number in a blend). This filler helps to apply the nutrients evenly over an area. No need to do the math. The first four numbers in any blended fertilizer mix are the most important for what you are feeding.

Meanwhile, back at the farm...