Comments on: Birdbaths in the Garden http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/ Gardening in a cold northern climate, as the trees grow, the garden is gradually transforming to a more shady woodland garden Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:36:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-3368 Northern Shade Sat, 29 May 2010 22:21:05 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-3368 Coastal Gardener, I empty and refill the birdbaths every couple of days so they can't breed in them. Although I love trees in the garden, it sounds like that tree is too close to your house, if the branches are pressing against the windows. It does need pruning of the branches to keep it under control. Depending on the type of tree, and its eventual size, it may need to be removed if it is too close. A professional tree surgeon could assess it and see if it just needs some branches removed. Coastal Gardener, I empty and refill the birdbaths every couple of days so they can’t breed in them.

Although I love trees in the garden, it sounds like that tree is too close to your house, if the branches are pressing against the windows. It does need pruning of the branches to keep it under control. Depending on the type of tree, and its eventual size, it may need to be removed if it is too close. A professional tree surgeon could assess it and see if it just needs some branches removed.

]]> By: CoastalGardener http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-3367 CoastalGardener Sat, 29 May 2010 21:48:04 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-3367 My concern with a birdbath is mosquitos. If the water is not moving, doesn't this give them a breeding space? (with all the concern about West Nile virus). I have another question.. i have a tree very close to my house, its about 5 or 6 feet from my living room window. It was already here when we moved in (its a rental). It prevents my garden from getting sun, i have planted shade plants, but i'm worried about the roots going under the foundation or sidewalk and the leaves ending up in my rain gutters. The top branches already are touching my bedroom window on the 2nd floor. Is there a solution to this? The only ideas i've come up with are pruning from the top, which i'm not sure my landlord would like, or sending a letter to my landlord company and letting them know of the situation. Any comments or ideas? My concern with a birdbath is mosquitos. If the water is not moving, doesn’t this give them a breeding space? (with all the concern about West Nile virus).
I have another question.. i have a tree very close to my house, its about 5 or 6 feet from my living room window. It was already here when we moved in (its a rental). It prevents my garden from getting sun, i have planted shade plants, but i’m worried about the roots going under the foundation or sidewalk and the leaves ending up in my rain gutters. The top branches already are touching my bedroom window on the 2nd floor. Is there a solution to this? The only ideas i’ve come up with are pruning from the top, which i’m not sure my landlord would like, or sending a letter to my landlord company and letting them know of the situation. Any comments or ideas?

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-497 Northern Shade Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:28:50 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-497 Cegardens, I have a neighbour cat who comes by once in a long while, but otherwise there aren't many 4 legged predators. The birdbaths are very entertaining, attracting a good variety of birds. It's satisfying seeing more life in the garden, and some of them spend some time picking assorted insects off the trees. Cegardens, I have a neighbour cat who comes by once in a long while, but otherwise there aren’t many 4 legged predators.
The birdbaths are very entertaining, attracting a good variety of birds. It’s satisfying seeing more life in the garden, and some of them spend some time picking assorted insects off the trees.

]]> By: Cegardens http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-496 Cegardens Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:26:46 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-496 I'm envious. I want to put in a birdbath into my gardening space, however, with 3 cats, one of which is a 21 pound Maine Coon, I have to settle with the hanging type. Yours are very nice. Even with my kitties, I do get many birds........fortunately, my MC is quite a mellow boy. I’m envious. I want to put in a birdbath into my gardening space, however, with 3 cats, one of which is a 21 pound Maine Coon, I have to settle with the hanging type. Yours are very nice. Even with my kitties, I do get many birds……..fortunately, my MC is quite a mellow boy.

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-40 Northern Shade Sat, 10 May 2008 15:42:35 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-40 Hi Barbara, I love the shady areas and the types of plants that grow there. Another advantage is that there are fewer weeds in the lawn in the shade. Daphne, your mini pond and waterfall sounded wonderful. Hi Barbara, I love the shady areas and the types of plants that grow there. Another advantage is that there are fewer weeds in the lawn in the shade.

Daphne, your mini pond and waterfall sounded wonderful.

]]> By: Daphne Gould http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-39 Daphne Gould Sat, 10 May 2008 14:00:32 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-39 Though I never had a bird bath in my garden, I once upon a time had a small waterfall and tiny pond (1/2 oak barrel). The middle of the tiny falls had a flat spot with gravel underneath. It was only about 1/2" deep at that point. The birds loved it. They would fight over whose turn it was to take a bath. Then the red tailed hawk moved in and started eating my birds while they were distracted. Ack my poor birdies. I no longer have the tiny pond, and now I can plant cosmos in the spring and not have it ripped out by the nesting birds. Though I never had a bird bath in my garden, I once upon a time had a small waterfall and tiny pond (1/2 oak barrel). The middle of the tiny falls had a flat spot with gravel underneath. It was only about 1/2″ deep at that point. The birds loved it. They would fight over whose turn it was to take a bath. Then the red tailed hawk moved in and started eating my birds while they were distracted. Ack my poor birdies. I no longer have the tiny pond, and now I can plant cosmos in the spring and not have it ripped out by the nesting birds.

]]> By: Barbara http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-21 Barbara Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:43:13 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-21 Good morning, I'm glad you made a comment on my blog (thank you for your visit!) so I found the way to your interesting garden too. In my garden there are many shadow places also due to big trees. I guess, I'll find some very good inspirations with regards to plants here in your garden. Our temperatures in winter can go as well to -18°C, luckily seldom! I'll come back for other visits! Have a good time! Barbara Good morning,
I’m glad you made a comment on my blog (thank you for your visit!) so I found the way to your interesting garden too. In my garden there are many shadow places also due to big trees. I guess, I’ll find some very good inspirations with regards to plants here in your garden. Our temperatures in winter can go as well to -18°C, luckily seldom!
I’ll come back for other visits! Have a good time!
Barbara

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-20 Northern Shade Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:21:25 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-20 Great idea, Barbee. My birdbath with the squirrel carving has a recessed area for a fountain, so I placed an upside down container in it. Yes, Mrs. Be, I get quite a kick out of the birds splashing, especially now that the water is flowing again. Last week when it was piled with snow, all I could do was watch them play hockey on it. Great idea, Barbee. My birdbath with the squirrel carving has a recessed area for a fountain, so I placed an upside down container in it.

Yes, Mrs. Be, I get quite a kick out of the birds splashing, especially now that the water is flowing again. Last week when it was piled with snow, all I could do was watch them play hockey on it.

]]> By: Mrs Be http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-19 Mrs Be Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:43:58 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-19 Oh, I'll bet that will waste many hours - watching the birds have fun in their bath! We've spent a lot of time this spring watching a thrush build her nest and now raise her babies in a bush right next to our kitchen table. So lovely (as long as the neighbourhood cats don't get them). Oh, I’ll bet that will waste many hours – watching the birds have fun in their bath!

We’ve spent a lot of time this spring watching a thrush build her nest and now raise her babies in a bush right next to our kitchen table. So lovely (as long as the neighbourhood cats don’t get them).

]]> By: Barbee' http://northernshade.ca/2008/04/28/birdbaths-in-the-garden/#comment-18 Barbee' Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:58:55 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?p=73#comment-18 Before I had a birdbath, I set metal garbage can lids into the ground and placed a brick in the middle so it wouldn't be too deep for the smallest birds. They had wonderful times and kept me busy cleaning it each day. Actually, I had two. Your ferns and cool green areas are so calm and inviting. Before I had a birdbath, I set metal garbage can lids into the ground and placed a brick in the middle so it wouldn’t be too deep for the smallest birds. They had wonderful times and kept me busy cleaning it each day. Actually, I had two.

Your ferns and cool green areas are so calm and inviting.

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