Nature Nurture Need Know!?

I have always been into nature but i need some help in how to make my own little patch and grow plants and veggies. The problem is i have searched lots of websites like Cbbc , the wildlife fund but i just cant seem to find the right stuff to make the things i need. Please could you help me by giving me some information ( newbie type) on how to start my own little gardening patch and veggie patch. Also some good nature websites and places to visit for free that are nature reserves and birdwatching. I know this is a lot but i get bored easily and I’m trying to cut down on my computer use and keep me busy with stuff outside the house. Thanks a bundle IQ.uestion xo

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Darn Pests. Eating my strawberries and cherries. Any gardeners that can help?

I have a fairly large yard, and it is the norm in my neighbourhood to have gardens, trees, and the like. The problem is, this has attracted different species of wildlife. Now there are rabbits, squirrels, occasional raccoons, in the winter, foxes, many birds, crows, woodpeckers.. The list goes on. All these mammals and birds are usually a joy to behold, but they seem to be eating my strawberries.. I have not yet caught the culprit, but they are getting off easy anyhow as I like to use non-lethal ways to deal with pesky critters. Leaf-sapping, cherry-destroying, shirt-staining, sticky, tiny, little insects, however, I cannot give as much slack. I describe them as small, round beetle-like bugs. They cannot fly and are very, very, tiny. Maybe 1millimetre in length and width. They don’t eat the leaves, but it seems like they are more parasitic; they latch on and sap the life out of the leaves. The leaves remain green, but they shrivel and slowly turn rotten. Oh, and they reproduce at the speed of light. I am still against chemical warfare, though, but other than that, I’ll do anything. I value my cherries above all other fruits in my yard. The old tree is 50 years old, and undoubtedly it’ll survive these pests, but I don’t know if I can. Help?

Regular or Electric Fence?

I’m planning on putting up a fence to keep goats. I’m on a two year plan here. Anyways when I get enough money saved up, which should I chose? I’m afraid with regular fencing, not only will goats jump out, but that the dogs that local owners who let them run wild and chase deer, will simply jump the fence as well and kill the goats, along with coyotes, and foxes. Yes some of the dogs and wildlife carry rabies around here – I plan to vaccinate but I would prefer to eliminate bites from the start. Which will give me peace of mind, knowing that my animals will be the safest I can make them? I was also thinking on another part of the farm planting a large veggie garden surrounded by electric fence. Which is best in both costs, protection, and service life? The land I’m thinking of fencing is 5-6 acres, and I would need to be able to pull the fencing up quickly in the case of flooding. And as for regular fencing I just mean like 6ft. grid wire with posts. For the electric I like the solar powered units. I think 25 miles would be more than what I’m planning on fencing at this point.

How can i make my backyard nice without spending too much?

We have been living in this house for the past 6 or 7 years. The people who owned the house before were gardeners so the backyard had a ton of flowers and plants. A year after we moved in we took care of the garden and put in a little pond with plants. But now it’s just have gotten out of control. The pond is just nasty now (due to weather and kids in the neighborhood trashing it). We tried get rid of all the weeds but every spring/summer they grow taller than my almost 6 foot dad. we have cleaned the pond many many times. My mom and I want to fix it up so it looks nice and I want to bring more wildlife to our yard (such as birds and butterflies…). How can we do this? And were can we get stuff without spending to much??? Thanks I live in Ohio. I had a bird feeder but it broke so i have to fix it. I put bird feed on the railing outside so birds do come. But 2 days ago a raccoon was at our window so we don’t want raccoons. here’s what the yard looks like right now. It just rained so it looks muddy http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad69/lizardwiz/?action=view&current=PICT1189.jpg http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad69/lizardwiz/?action=view&current=PICT1191.jpg http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad69/lizardwiz/?action=view&current=PICT1192.jpg

What fruit trees are good for butterflies & hummingbirds?

I live in North Broward County, Florida and am trying to setup a butterfly & hummingbird garden. I’ve a number of bushes and trees that already attract them both but want to plant a fruit tree. Are there any that are good for both the wildlife and the fruit? Where I live is Zone 10 so Tropical fruit is my primary wish. And if anyone knows where in my area I can get fruit trees, I’d appreciate a heads up. Please read the question before answering. I’ve got tons of trees and shrubbery for the wildlife. Room for one more tree and want a FRUIT TREE that is also good for them.

What fruit trees are good for butterflies & hummingbirds?

I live in North Broward County, Florida and am trying to setup a butterfly & hummingbird garden. I’ve a number of bushes and trees that already attract them both but want to plant a fruit tree. Are there any that are good for both the wildlife and the fruit? Where I live is Zone 10 so Tropical fruit is my primary wish. And if anyone knows where in my area I can get fruit trees, I’d appreciate a heads up. Please read the question before answering. I’ve got tons of trees and shrubbery for the wildlife. Room for one more tree and want a FRUIT TREE that is also good for them.

What containers are viable and look attractive enough for a small patio turtle pond?

I have a 15 year old turtle who’s shell length is 9″ about. My turtle and I live in SW Florida currently and will be staying in tropical climates for the forseeable future. I want a new pond for her that I may keep on my lanai/patio. The patio is screened and glass lined with a lock, so no chance of wildlife or petty theft. She is currently in a kiddie pool the standard size you find at kid stores and Wal-Mart, holding about 60 gallons at the moment. Since pets are allowed, I dont have to hide her in a cramped apartment under my desk anymore, but instead may let her stretch her legs a bit in a nice roomy patio pond. The pond needs to be 3 ft circumference maximum, with a depth of about 2 feet maximum. Preferrably black, metal may do, but it has to be a non toxic, sturdy material, what ever it is, the metal should not rust, and the rubber has to be fairly sturdy, the pond is standing on itself, with no props or half way in the dirt/half way out. Preferably from a store in the area, garden center/landscaping place. Rocks and landing will come later, but I have something in mind involving cement blocks if necessary or bricks and flat rocks in the middle. There is a pretty big filter I got today that does up to 600 gallons/hour. Filtration and maintenance is not a problem here folks, I am a college student, cleaning a pond at 2 am is not really much different from anything else I would be doing. The idea is to give my roommate and her parents a bit of pay back for letting me keep the turtle on the lanai, make it look nice, as in not an eyesore please. Any decorating will come later too, the idea is a stand alone pond, that may be used above ground. Thanks in advance for anything you guys can come up with

Helping out with nature?

I really love nature, and being surrounded by it, helping out with the birds to the ants. Now its winter though, and I feel so like restless. Is there anything I could do to help out animals? I started reading nature books, and everything is for spring and summer! I live in zone 6-7 in Long Island. Some info on my yard: I have a small pond, 100-250 gallons, Most of my yard is brick, I have a vegatable garden, my backyard is like this: Pond with rocks around it, pebbles, brick patio, and a little garden, about 10′x 30′. Any suggestions on helping the birdies, or frogs, or bugs, or hedge hogs, or any other wildlife near me at this time of year?

What’s the most effective way of stopping a cat crapping on my vegetable plot?

The next door neighbor actually has a couple of cats – and aside from them adding to the depletion of native wildlife – they’re constantly digging up a small garden patch that I’m trying to grow potatoes, herbs and tomatoes in for the kids … I want the kids to appreciate nature and learn something … but these cats are constantly spoiling the party, leave excrement that attracts flies and can’t be hygienic and just up-rooting all the seeds that we’ve planted … I could talk to the next door neighbors but I don’t think it’ll do much good – short of locking the cats in the apartment … which wouldn’t be practical. I’ve covered the garden with wire – but resent the fact that I have to do so simply because of these cats! I tried sprinkling pepper powder on the garden too – but that didn’t work.

Digging and making a pond. In need of help!?

I’m digging out a pond in my garden and am struggling to find some information on how to go about doing it. I know to dig in layers for wildlife and such but was wondering if anyone can suggest any good sites for me to read up a bit more before cracking on with it. Also my garden is constantly flooded so i was wondering if it is necessary to put a waterproof liner in the pond or if it will be okay as it is?

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