January is a perfect time to select shrubs, trees, groundcover and any other ornamental for the backyard and garden areas.

photo credit: skypilot2005

Today I have been selecting shrubs for the yard. I will probably need to remove the trees by the road. I want a tree or shrub that will provide more privacy and act as a noise and wind barrier. It also needs to be tougher than the average plant.

I think I will go with Spartan Juniper. It grows 15 foot tall and 3 foot wide. I need a shrub that will not interfere with electrical lines and this should do well. It will also provide more privacy and act as a break for noise. My first search has not found any problems with this shrub but I will look one more time. It’s best to really research a new plant, shrub or tree before you add it to your yard.

photo credit: dougww

I also want to get a few Mountain Laurel shrubs. I have always liked the colors and look and they will be good for naturalizing the backyard down by the creek.

I will place my order this weekend so that my selection will still be available. They will ship my order in April.

I also started Rose of Sharon shrub seeds a few weeks ago. They are about one inch tall and look healthy.

Tip: for Rose of Sharon seeds I place then in a wet paper towel and let set for 3 days then plant in soil. This softens the seed casing and the seedling usually emerges in a week. My success rate is very high using this method.

Around the Spartan Juniper shrubs I will be growing a few ground covers so that will be my next backyard garden project this weekend. Selecting a few groundcovers that will grow well with junipers.

photo credit: cliff1066™

And after I have groundcovers and shrubs selected, its time to get the few fruit trees I need.

Even in the winter months there are garden projects that can be planned and taken care of.

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The snow is higher than I want to look at but I have to admit the view from the window over the backyard is breath taking. The snow is sparkling on the branches and the reflections in the Conewango Creek add charm and mystery to the day. It’s a great view from indoors where it’s warm.

photo credit: eeyorerox

Winter is a perfect time to make new plans for your backyard oasis.

• Do you need a fresh look to the patio or deck?
• Have your children grown and the play areas need to be redone?
• Would new plants, shrubs and trees add more of a feeling or relaxation to your yard?

Without the added chores of mowing, picking up sticks, weeding or many of the other backyard chores, this is the perfect time to sit down with paper and pen and plan changes for the backyard.

I like to start with small changes, usually the least expensive plans and branch out after that.

January is the perfect month for selection new flowers, perennials and herb varieties. I like to order my seeds and plants as soon as I can so the selection is still available.

Next I think about my shrubs and trees. Do any need removed or replaced. Would I like to try a new flowering shrub or a smaller tree?

I know I need to remove one damaged shrub and one tree. I also want to replace a peach tree that suffered from blight and died.

So I will check out Seeds of Change, Richters and Pinetree Seed catalog. These are a few of my favorite places to order from. Tip: see if your friends also want to order and share seed packets or shipping costs.

I also want new gourd varieties and some heirloom tomato seeds.

When making changes in your backyard its best to look at what worked and any changes you want and go from there.

I like to keep a backyard garden journal of my plants, hardscape and how we use the yard. This helps me with my planning.

One area I have overlooked is the backyard in the winter. There are shrubs and trees that will add color and interesting lines and by setting up a patio area you can use it a little more, even in my cold zone 5 climate. Varieties of hardscape landscaping also add interest in the winter months.

And the addition of coldframes, a mini greenhouse or workshop will add more use and interest to your backyard in the winter months.

If you are planning on large backyard projects this is the time to start making you plans and contacting anyone you need fro contracting and prices before the busy season starts and you left behind.

I find planning and designing the backyard takes my mind off the cold and gets me ready for the upcoming gardening season and changes I would like to make in the backyard

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By adding certain plants, shrubs and bushes you will attract more birds to your backyard and garden areas.

photo credit: SearchNetMedia

Shrubs and trees will provide shelter for birds year round. They will also provide them a place to nest. You will notice that once you have establish safe places for birds to nest, they will generally return from year to year.

Creeping vines, such as Virginia Creeper, offer an excellent mating and nesting haven for many species of bird. I myself am not fond of Virginia creeper. It tends to be invasive and hard to remove, but the birds love it. Holly bushes, privet trees, and conifers are also favorites for birds.

Berry trees and bushes will attract birds in the wintertime when other food is scarce. And in our area the shoemac tree is a popular feeding retreat for a large variety of birds.

Butterfly bush, Snapdragon, black-eyed Susan, golden rod, evening primrose, marigold, larkspur, yarrow, herbs and thistle will also attract birds.

photo credit: Lilmsmrtas

If your garden is relatively open or you don’t have room to plant shrubs or trees, you may want to consider putting up nesting boxes. These boxes will give the birds protection from weather and animals.

And while the winter season is here, it’s the perfect time to plan a bird garden. A small garden with flowers that attract bird can easily be grown in a small area, containers, or on an unused hillside.

In your bird garden you may want to add bright colored flowers, which will attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are good for pollinating plants and they are non-stop fun to watch.

Plants that will attract humming birds include azaleas, honeysuckle, morning glory, lantana, red buckeye, acanthus, and butterfly bush.

You can also place Hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water around your yard.  Feeders usually have bright red flowers attached so that the hummingbirds can readily recognize them.

photo credit: Lori Greig

And last but not least, add a water feature to your backyard or garden. This will beautify and create a relaxing feel to your yard and give the birds a resource for drinking and bathing during drier months.

A small fountain or traditional birdbath will attract a wide variety of birds to your garden area. And if a fountain does not fit into your décor a dish of water on the ground will water the birds in dry weather.

Tip: You may want to float a leaf on the surface of a small container of water so it’s easy for birds to recognize. And empty it daily to avoid attracting mosquitoes.

With a little effort you will add birds to your backyard, which will add pleasure, color and insect control to your home and garden areas.

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The addition of birds will add color and laughter to your backyard. Even in the winter months with planning you can have birds visiting your birdfeeders and birdhouses.

photo credit: gerrybuckel

Create a bird haven by purchasing  a bird feeder. They are available online or at your local garden center. If you are creative you may want to build your own.

Bird feeders come in a variety of sizes and shapes. You may also want to add seed feeders, suet feeders or nectar feeders. Your choice will depend on the time of year and the birds you want to attract.

Bird food will also be chosen based on the types of birds you would like to attract.

• Seeds attract the widest variety of birds, including chickadees and cardinals.
• Suet attracts insect-eaters like woodpeckers and nuthatches.
• Nectar feeders will attract the entertaining hummingbird, a personal favorite of mine.

Place a birdbath in your yard. Water is just as important as food in a bird’s diet. Bathing is also a daily bird routine and is often comical to watch.

If you want a more upscale birdbath, find one that has running water or a fountain. A bird bath with running water is a plus in the winter to keep fresh water available plus the sound of the water will also add to your personal enjoyment. Just make  sure that there are dry ledges in and around the birdbath so the birds can drink in cold weather and not have to get wet.

Place a birdhouse or two in your yard. There are many birdhouse varieties that will fit in well in your backyard décor.

photo credit: mtungate

Try to keep the birdhouse in a protected location and not exposed and out in the open. And remember when selecting a birdhouse the size of the bird hole entrance will determine which bird will use the house. Ask the garden center when purchasing the house what bird variety will use the house.

Gardens, shrubs and trees will influence the birds that will use your backyard. Choose plants that have nectar and others that have seeds. Bushes that are prickly or thick are great for shelter. There are also plants that attract insects, which will provide natural food you’re your birds. Trees will also provide food and shelter for many different types of birds.

photo credit: liangjinjian

Tips

Keep the area clean under any bird feeder. This leftover food and seed material can create unhealthy bacteria.

Always keep your birdbath clean. And in the winter you may have to add fresh water to a birdbath or remove frozen water.

Squirrels can become a nuisance at a bird feeder. Try to discourage their use of the feeders. Bears are also attracted to feeders so you may have to remove them if bears become a problem in your area.

You may want to consider adding feeders, birdhouses, birdbath or fountain and even a mini garden that will attract birds to your backyard oasis area.

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One reason why the perennial plant is sought after is because of its remarkable ability to survive year round through most weather conditions. Another reason is perennials save time and money.

photo credit: Rowdy Rider

What is it about perennials that enables it’s winter survival abilities, whereas other plants will shrivel up and die as soon as the going get tough?

By understanding our plants in the backyard we can take better care of them and plan for further plants to add to our backyard oasis.

As with most things in the natural world, not all plants are created equal, however some biologists have succeeded in re-engineering annual and biennial plants to last longer.

Although stretching the life of a non-perennial would certainly make the plant and floral businesses flourish, marketing isn’t the only reason scientists and many others have this question. If we had vast amounts of plants that have medicinal and life saving properties, we could study their curing capabilities at an exponential rate. The longevity of the perennial plant is definitely an exciting curiosity for many people.

photo credit: prudencebrown121

Interestingly enough, the perennial plant is able to thrive year after year due to a few survival tricks it has up it’s sleeve. Trees and shrubs are a perfect example. These drop their leaves and protect their next year’s growth with waxy scales.

If you examine the bud of a perennial plant and you’ll see that it covered with a sticky looking waterproof wax. When the bud begins to bloom, it scars as its scales fall off and the distance between its scars are an indicator of how many times a year that perennial plant grows.

The perennial plant gears up for the winter by draining its own food supply from its leaves down inside its trunk, branches, and twigs. As the weather gets colder, the tissues of the perennial plant will slowly change and become cold resistant in a process called “hardening.”

During these changes, the chlorophyll of a perennial plant will decompose and lose its propensity to project a green hue – leaving the tree with its trademark red, yellow, orange, and brown autumn leaves.

At this time of year I am re-evaluating the backyard and plants. I plan to start several shrub seeds I have and work with perennials in the mini greenhouse. This will give me more shrubs and plants for the yard and a head start on changes for the backyard garden areas.

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