Tulips as gifts

TULIPS AS GIFTS

 

 

After bringing your tulips home get them in water ASAP 

 

In just  two weeks we will be celebrating Easter on April 5th and Passover which begins the evening of April 3rd this year. As we gather with family and friends many of us will bring flowers as a hostess gift.

 



A simple vase of tulips is a beautiful gift that brings the glory of spring indoors.

The most popular spring flower for many of us is the 'TULIP' (Tulipa).
Tulips are a bulbous spring flowering plant  with boldly colored cup-shaped flowers.




It amazes me that tulips grown in Holland and shipped overseas are be such
an affordable flower in the United States.  I love it.

After arriving in Europe during the late1500's as a gift from the Sultan of Turkey, tulips became very popular  among  the rich. When tulips finally reached Holland they became the focus of a craze known as 'Tulip Mania'.  Tulips were bought and sold for hundreds of dollars at such a rapid pace that Tulip mania is considered the first 'economic bubble'. Great family fortunes were gained and lost by trading this bulb and its seeds. In February 1637 the entire trend collapsed within a few days leaving many bankrupt.

This tulip was one of the most popular during the age of  'Tulip-mania' 

In modern times most of the tulips we purchase still come from Holland and are a major international export.

 In April and May tulips are sold as potted plants and cut flowers. They are affordable and always appreciated as a special gift.

The combinations of tulip colors are as endless as your imagination
 

To get the most from your cut tulips try to buy flowers that are still tight. They will open quickly. Give them a fresh 'straight' cut and place them in a vase with cool (not cold) water and flower crystals. In a few days your tulips will require a fresh cut and clean water.

 Potted tulips also make a nice gift. After potted tulips have bloomed they are depleted and will not do well as a garden plant.  Sadly, they are not worth the effort it takes to plant  them.



After potted tulips have bloomed add them to the compost pile.
Sadly they will not preform well in the garden next year. 

It wouldn't  seem like spring without a pot of colorful pansies by my front door. Pansies are a welcome sight to family and guests when they arrive and are a wonderful gift.

Although tulips will bloom for about a week, pansies are a gift that will last
for a few months, until the heat of early summer strikes

To keep pansies happy hide a jug of water close by for easy daily watering and deadhead old flowers once a week.

The flower pot is an important part of the gift and will last for years. It is worth spending extra money on a nicer pot if you want to impress your hosts.

A nice flower pot will last for years and can be an excellent investment

 

Happy Gardening,
James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawks in the garden

 

WINTER BIRD FEEDING - HAWKS

 

This morning we were surprised by a large Red Tailed Hawk in our garden. As is often the case it had missed its prey and flew away with his talons empty.

 

COOPER'S HAWK

Although we pay little attention to hawks flying overhead, they are impossible to ignore when they visit our back yards. There are a few hawks native to New Jersey; the             Red Tailed Hawk being one is a very large beautiful bird.

These majestic birds of prey strike horror into many people who don't want their favorite song birds taken. Often we blame ourselves for setting up the situation that also draws in hawks. During the winter when many critters are in their dens, the large number of birds at feeders creates an ideal hunting ground.

In reality Hawks are successful only 40% of the time. Not often considering the amount of energy birds of prey must put into every strike.

 

RED TAILED HAWK WITH PREY



DON'T TAKE DOWN YOUR FEEDERS

Often the first reaction to a hawk sighting is to stop feeding garden birds. According to the Audubon Society this is not recommended. The benefits to songbirds by back yard bird feeding out weights the losses that occur during the long winter. Like all living creatures, hawks need to eat also.

You can help your birds by knowing the main predators in your area. If your main predators are hawks keep your feeders close to shrubs so birds can make a quick getaway. I also place feeders close to fences that smaller birds can scurry though but the larger hawks cannot follow. This will give your birds a better chance to get away.

If you have neighbor cats the opposite is true. Keep your feeders away from shrubs that cats will hide in while stalking prey. Place them closer to the center of your yard so birds will have time to flee pouncing cats.

 

SHARP SHINNED HAWK IN FLIGHT 

 

A few years ago a lady told me a story. She was in her house when she saw a hawk in her back yard. She grabbed a towel and ran out swinging, trying to chase the hawk away. The hawk, having made a successful strike would not let it go. Spinning around, yelling and swinging the towel, she must have been a sight to see.

Moral of the story: Don't be crazy. Hawks are an important part of our natural environment.

Happy gardening,

James