Wildlife, Seedlings & Garden Marker Test

February is a slow month for gardening.  The ground is frozen and covered with snow.  The skies have been a hazy grey for weeks.  Cabin fever is setting in.  Despite the oppressive weather, I have managed to keep busy doing a bit of this and that.  I have recorded these bits here...

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

PART 1: Tracking the Wildlife in My Yard

 
Mindful of the fact that gardens are important for the support of wildlife, I decided to track how many species of animal I can observe in my small yard this year.  (Our yard is approximately 40ft x 160ft (12.2m x 48.8m).)  I am not trying to track the total number of animals, but only the number of species.  This is because it is hard to tell if I am seeing the same animal over and over, or several of them coming and going (especially with regard to birds). So far, I have noted 10 different species since January 1, 2017.  I think this is a fair number of creatures considering the harsh winter weather and small size of the land being observed.  The species I spotted are as follows:

1. Humans (Homo sapien) - (My husband and I)
2. Dog (Canis domesticus) - (Snickers)
3. Tufted Titmouse (Baeolopholus bicolor)
4. Chickadee (Poecile atracapillus)
5. House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
6. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Nuthatch (Sitta caroliensis)

7. Nuthatch (Sitta caroliensis)
8. Black squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
9. House Finch (Haemorhous meixcanus)
10. European Starling (Sternus vulgaris)




I spotted most of these at the bird feeder.  It is fun to watch the birds flit around.  I have also been recording my sightings on the "eBird Cornell Ornithology" website at http://www.ebird.com.  I hope to take part in The 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count from 2/17/17 to 2/20/17, and to record more sightings throughout the year. However, I look forward to finding more than birds once the weather warms up. I am hoping to see a great variety of insects, arachnids and mammals. 

House Finch (Haemorhous meixcanus)

PART 2: Starting Seedlings
    

Every year, I start my first set of seedlings in February.   With regard to vegetables, I start peppers, rhubarb and eggplant first.  The reason for this is that each of these plants benefits and produces more with a longer growing season.   By starting them early, I am giving them a jump start on the season, and have a better chance at greater production throughout the season.  The peppers that I started this year are: California wonder (bell pepper), Anaheim pepper, Hungarian sweet pepper, Scotch bonnet, ancho, jalapeno and cayenne.  I am growing the eggplant 'Black Beauty' and rhubarb 'Victoria.'

In addition to vegetables, I am starting some annuals and perennials this year.  I plan to work on the shaded garden in my front yard this summer and wanted to supply some plants for that area.  For that reason, I started: red valerian (Centranthus ruber) , common valerian (Valeriana officinalis), wood betony (Stachys officionalis), coleus (Plectranthus) , and stocks (Matthiola incana & Matthiola longipetola).  I am starting some plants to put in pots around the deck as well. These include: Scented geraniums (Pelargoniums), blue pimpernel (Anagallis monellii), cosmos and toothache plant (Spilanthes oleracea).  

Of these plants, I am most excited to grow the common valerian and the toothache plant.  Both of these are considered herbs and are useful in different ways.  The valerian not only grows well in shade, but the roots have traditionally been used as a sedative or sleep aid.  While I don't plan to use them this way, it is nice to know that I have such a useful plant on hand.  On the other hand, I do plan to use the toothache plant.  This is an edible plant that causes temporary tingling in the mouth when chewed.  This should make for an interesting culinary experience. I look forward to trying them.

Part 3: Garden Marker Test

 I decided to do a not-so-scientific comparison of various permanent markers to see which type works best for marking plant tags in the garden.  I chose to test 3 markers with marketing claims that they stand up to weather and UV light.  For comparison, I am testing their ink along side ink from a regular sharpie and lines drawn by a standard #2 pencil.  The brands I am testing are: 1. Sharpie Pro,  2. Artline Garden Marker, and 3. Inkzall Industrial Marker. 

I thought it would be good to start with a price comparison of the markers.  All prices listed below are based on what Amazon.com is charging for each item in February 2017:

                                                                                                                                                   

Price:

• Artline Garden Marker costs $4.50 per marker.
• Inkzall Industrial Marker costs $3.95 per marker.
• Sharpie Pro Marker costs $2.49 per marker.
• A standard Sharpie costs $2.79 for a pack of 2, working out to $1.39 each.
•  A standard #2 pencil costs about $4 for about 30 pencils working out to about $0.13 each.

First impressions: 

Each of the markers seems to write well and clearly when first purchased.  

The Artline Garden Marker is the easiest to hold, and is about the same width as a standard pen. It also has a finder tip than the other two markers, although not as fine as a pencil or pen. 

The Inkzall is nice because it has a chiseled tip.  This allows the choice between making a thick line or a thin one.  However, it would be easy for someone who was not paying close attention to accidentally draw a wide line when they want a thin one or visa versa. 

The sharpie pro is a bit awkward to write with because it has a larger diameter than the other markers.  The tip is also wider than the other markers, making it more difficulty to draw a thin line than with the other two types.  

Testing:

To see which marker holds up to the weather best, I drew lines from each on wooden shims, plastic plant markers and a metal plant marker.  I drew either 3 lines or 3 x's on each of the types of plant labels.  I then put them in a pot and placed them on sunny south-east facing part of my garden next to the drive way.  I think this location will provide the most exposure to sunlight and other types of weather in my yard, while keeping it out of the way of human/pet traffic.  

I plan to check the markings and photograph them in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months time to see which types of ink hold up the best.  I also plan to use the markers throughout the year in my garden.  I will post again to let you all know the results of my little "experiment" and will also let you know how the markers themselves hold up to regular use in the garden.

By the end, I hope to have chosen a favorite marker for myself, and to be able to make recommendations to you all about which one is the "best buy." 

Pot of labels sitting in the snow on the SE corner of the garden bed.

And Etc.

I also made some chicken wire covers for my 3ft x 4ft raised strawberry beds this weekend.  I created these while staying warm and snug in my basement.  Unfortunately, the building process did not photograph well, and showing the covers out of context doesn't make much sense. So, I plan to post about these later and to show you all photographs of what these look like when placed over the beds. Hopefully, they will help to keep the squirrels, birds and chipmunks from chowing down on my berries before I can.  Did you know, I have been growing the berries for 2 years now and have only been able to eat a grand total of 5 berries!?!  It's not because they aren't growing well... it's because those little rodent thieves are snarfing them while I'm at work!  The finks!  

Anyway... I hope you all stay warm this February.  The days are getting longer, so hang in there... spring is on its way!