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Taking care of the Backyard garden After a Snow storm Snow storms, such as the one that hit the East Coast of the United States at the end of 2006, can create havoc on the landscape and flower landscapings. Trees are broken and destroyed; bushes have suffered damages from heavy snowfalls; perennials that were not cut back are iced over. As you survey the damage, you need to understand that not everything is a negative.The following are just a couple of things to think about as you prepare your cleanup method for when the weather warms. Fallen limbs - If you do not currently have a brush pile however have space for one in the back of your lawn, I extremely suggest that you start building one, particularly if you are a fan of wildlife. Brush stacks offer protection to various types of birds, like brown thrashers [see: Bird Watching: Brown Thrasher], which will also construct nests within them. I have a brush pile that has actually ended up being the home of wild rabbits, too, which stick near to it and far from my flower, herb, and vegetable gardens. Brush piles are not pretty, I confess; however, you can camouflage them by planting some appealing shrubs in front of them. (I have winter jasmine planted.) You can also train flowering vines to cover the brush. I have honeysuckle that grows over mine. Not just does it hide my brush pile, the smell is tasty, too. The honeysuckle likewise attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. This suggests that you must consider using a great deal of those fallen, broken limbs for a brush pile. Another thing that you can do with some of the fallen limbs is to make a feeder for your birds. This is not as hard as it might sound. Simply take a substantial limb, cut one end so that it has a reasonably even surface area, and insert an eyehook into the end of the limb. Hang it from a tree or from a deck or pergola utilizing either wire or some type of rope. http://guttercleaningphiladelphia.tumblr.com Smear the limb with peanut butter. Your birds will love it! Downed trees - There is a fairly big pine tree in my yard that has been in risk of coming down considering that we moved into this house 4-5 years back. Woodpeckers like to excavate nesting cavities in dead trees; and I am specific that the downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers will value this tree. See Bird Watching articles on: Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Red-Bellied Woodpecker] Frozen perennials - There are a lot of perennials that I do not cut down at the end of the season; i.e., 'Autumn Joy' sedums, coneflowers, and numerous herbs. The heavy snowfalls did not do them any favors, yet I have actually observed birds munching on whatever seeds that seem to remain. The perennials will, for that reason, stay uncut up until spring when it is time for them to start their brand-new development. Do not believe that a snow storm has actually entirely damaged your landscaping. It has just re-shaped it. Use the damage that has been triggered to your benefit. Keep in mind that snow provides your flowerbeds a great warm blanket plus the added moisture is constantly appreciated. Fallen limbs - If you do not already have a brush stack but have room for one in the back of your backyard, I highly recommend that you begin developing one, particularly if you are an enthusiast of wildlife. I have a brush stack that has become home to wild rabbits, too, which stick close to it and away from my herb, veggie, and flower landscapings. Brush stacks are not pretty, I confess; however, you can camouflage them by planting some attractive shrubs in front of them. Not just does it hide my brush stack, the odor is delicious, too. Woodpeckers like to excavate nesting cavities in dead trees; and I am particular that the downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers will appreciate this tree.