Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is mostly sunny and cool.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a flock of starlings, a tufted titmouse, and a goldfinch.

I put out water for the birds.

I found the next flat of pots that I will be filling shortly.

EDIT 2/23/35 -- I filled 18 pots in a flat. I had to put this one on the new picnic table because the old one is filling up.

EDIT 2/23/35 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 2/23/35 -- I sowed 6 pots of Gaillardia 'Firewheel' (from Siskiyou Seeds before 2025), 6 pots of Native Kansas Wildflower Grayhead Prairie Coneflower (Buffalo Seeds 2023), and 6 pots of Native Kansas Wildflower Black-eyed Susan (Buffalo Seeds 2023).

EDIT 2/23/35 -- I watered the new pots.

I am done for the night.

Comments

[ribirdnerd]

We had a little warmup yesterday and later this week it may end up in the 50's.
I like that Prairie Cornflower, I may have to buy some.

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> We had a little warmup yesterday and later this week it may end up in the 50's.<<

It was well up in the 40s today.

>> I like that Prairie Cornflower, I may have to buy some. <<

There are many species of coneflower, most of which grow in the Great Plains and/or Midwest. You might be able to get them to grow in your locale. Most coneflowers like part to full sun; many can grow in heavy or rocky soil.

However, check out green-headed coneflower, which is native to your area and very similar in appearance to prairie coneflower. Your local pollinators will have an easier time recognizing familiar native species than exotic ones.

I grow a mix of native and exotic plants. With wildflowers, I try to grow ones that are either native here or from places with similar habitats. I'm also keeping an eye on plants that grow to the south, in hopes of adapting the local ecosystem to climate change.

Re: Yes ...

[ribirdnerd]

Thanks I'll look for the green-headed coneflower.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It's likely to appear at native plant nurseries in spring.

I'm happy I could help. It's interesting to see what different plants are important across different habitats. Just recently I was looking up stuff for New York.