The Garden Enthusiast- Backyard Nature Station
Update August 2012
Fellow Backyard Nature Lovers,
Mid August already! The blistering heat of 2012 will soon be
behind us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's
New in the Store?
Birding: New Birdfeeders/Houses, Squirrel Feeders
Garden art: Pottery by Rick Knob, Statuary by Tony Dileo,
Windchimes
Tool Shed: Hydroponic Supplies, Cedar Seeders: Handmade by local
artists using untreated, decay-resistant Western Red Cedar. Mobile Garden can
be used as either a planter or a raised bed! ; Seed Organizers
Miscellaneous: Gift Totes, Chicken Waterers. Books
Botanical Interests Certified Organic Seeds, Non-GMO Seeds and
Heirloom/Open Pollinated Seed
New artists: Handmade soap by Local Artist, Julie
Frye; glass art
We now carry Birds and Blooms in the store. If you've not seen
this magazine, check it out. Great info on birding and ideas on gardening.
Coming this summer you'll have an
opportunity to drop by and talk with knowledgeable friends of The Garden
Enthusiast who will be there to answer your gardening questions. Check the
Classes and Events Schedule for details.
Old
Town Tucker Update
120th anniversary of Tucker continues!
Welcome Yellow Llama and
Thanks to Jason & Jenna and all the other volunteers that
helped to assure the success of the Tucker Summer Festival.
GREEN MARKET ON MAIN - Old Town Tucker's own farmer's market
Sundays from 10am - 2PM on Main Street
If you want to volunteer for the market or any events, please
let me know.
Upcoming events on Main Street
Add these to your calendar now!
September 8th- Cruise In (live music)
The following events
are sponsored by the Old Town Tucker Merchant's Association (OTTMA)>
Proceeds benefit the Main Street District.
- November 17th- BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
- December 8th- Christmas on Main
- March 2, 2013- Chili Cook-off
Classes & Events
Lots of new classes! Please take advantage of them when you can.
(Note:
preregistration is requested - class size is limited - call 404-474-7072 to
register or for more information)
Thursday,
September 6th (6:30-7:45pm)
- PRUNING TO RETAIN THE NATURAL FORM OF PLANTS (Barbara Dorfman/Landscape
Consultant): This presentation will cover the tools you will need, timing
and when to ignore the rules, renewal pruning on overgrown shrubs, how to thin
overly dense hedges, where to remove tree branches and why, and how to predict
the way plants will respond to pruning.
Saturday,
September 8th (10:00am-11:30am)
- Acrylic Stain on Muslin Fabric (Sonya Prater/Art Teacher): We will
be painting on muslin fabric and creating stains with acrylic paints. The
different steps will be discussed and demonstrated in detail including how to
transfer a drawing, fabric preparation, how to create acrylic stain, and apply
stains to muslin fabric for your finished product. Drawing examples from nature
will be provided or you can bring your own 8x11 line drawing to class. Acrylic
stain on muslin fabric is fun and gives you the opportunity to create wall
paintings, pillows, quilts and other great ideas. Price: 30.00 supplies included.
(Ages 16+)
Saturday,
September 8th (10am-12pm)
- You will have the
opportunity to address your gardening questions and concerns with a member of
the Dekalb Master Gardner Association, Jimmy
Dorsey! Come in any time during the 10 -12 time frame to meet Jimmy.
Saturday, September 22nd (10:30-11:30) - Birding by Ear (Pam Higginbotham/Atlanta
Audubon Society): Whether you are new to
birding or want to raise your level of expertise, learning bird songs is
essential. It's a tough task, but doable with the right guidance and
information. Pam can help you get a handle on some of Atlanta's common birds.
Donations to Atlanta Audubon Society welcomed.
Saturday, September 29th (10:00am-12:00pm) - Five Ways to Make Your Pictures More Interesting
(Chuck Holmes): Flowers and plants are
beautiful, but as some smart person once said there's no reason
you can't make your pictures of them even better and more interesting.
This session takes up five ways you can make your digital photographs of flowers,
plants, and nature scenes much more striking. The techniques include
framing your shot in the camera, perspective, size, color (or lack of it), and
digital manipulation with low-cost or free software. Bring your camera
and shoot some truly different pictures. Cost: $25
Sunday,
September 30th (1pm-2:30pm) - Pruning to Retain the Natural Form of Plants (Barbara Dorfman): This presentation will cover the tools
you will need, timing and when to ignore the rules, renewal pruning on
overgrown shrubs, how to thin overly dense hedges, where to remove tree
branches and why, and how to predict the way plants will respond to pruning.
Saturday,
October 6th (1-3pm) - Mycology 101: With a Hands on Tutorial for Building your Own Mushroom Log
(Brady Bala): Learn the
basics of Mycology by starting your very own mushroom culture. Cost: $35
(supplies and mushroom log included)
Saturday,
October 13th (10:00am-11:30pm):
Coil Wrap with Yarn (Sonya Prater): Coil
wrapping is a great way to create baskets, wall hangings or sculptures. This
coil wrapping class includes different designs to choose from and complete
instructions for good wrapping techniques. During this class you will be able
to work on your design and leave with supplies needed to finish your project at
home. Due to variety of designs and techniques each piece will vary in time. Cost:
$30 (supplies included) Ages 16+
Saturday,
October 20th (10:30-11:30) Plantings
for Birds (Pam Higginbotham) Native plantings are stressed, especially
those that provide food (berries, seeds, and the like) or are habitats for
insects (which draw in all of the insectivorous birds warblers, wrens,
bluebirds, vireos, etc. to your yard).
Saturday,
October 27th (10am-12pm)
- You will have the
opportunity to address your gardening questions and concerns with a member of
the Dekalb Master Gardner Association, Jane McLean! Come in any time during the
10 -12 time frame to meet Jane.
Saturday, November 3rd (10:00am-11:30am) - Dream Catcher made from a Branch
in Nature (Sonya Prater): Dream catchers have been
a part of Native American culture for many generations. Learn how to make your
own dream catcher from a branch and feel free to bring symbols to add. The
history of the Dream Catcher will be shared. Cost
$30 (supplies included) Ages 16+
Saturday, November 10th
(1pm-2pm) - Trees of Our Lives: Small Native Trees for the Landscape (Dawn
Hines, Master Gardener)
Saturday, December 1st (10:00am-11:30am) - Drawing/Blending with Pencil
(Sonya Prater): The focus of this class
is learning how to draw and to apply different blending techniques. Learn to
draw by looking at different images provided and using a variety of blending
tools. Drawing can be a great way to express yourself. Cost $30 (supplies included) Ages
16+
Saturday, December 13th (10:00am-11:30am) � Bamboo Wind Chime (Sonya Prater): Wind chimes bring a soothing musical sound to any
garden or outside space. Learn about the history of wind chimes from different
cultures. Enjoy making your personal wind chime made of bamboo and other
natural objects. Cost $30 (supplies included) Ages 16+
2012 Best Backyard Squirrel Photo Contest!!!
Here's how it works!
Contest begins on August 31st and
ends on September 31st. The finalists will be posted for public
voting on October 2nd through October 10th. The image with the
most votes wins! The winner will be announced on Saturday October 11th!!
Prizes will go to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
winners!!
Contest is open to professional and amateur photographers alike. New entries only - no previous submissions please! Images must be the creation of the entrant. One entry per person.
Don't forget to put your name and phone number on the back of the picture!
~1st Place 2011 Photo Contest~
Bird of the Month
Painted Bunting (Passerina
ciris) 
Male Painted Buntings are the most spectacularly colored of all North American songbirds, with a gaudy combination of red, blue, and green feathers. This species has two distinct breeding populations in North America, but overall, it has shown a significant decline across its entire range during the past 35 years. The exact causes for Painted Bunting's decline are not known, but they are believed to include habitat loss, cowbird parasitism, and trapping for the pet trade on its wintering grounds.
An adult male Painted Bunting is arguably the most distinctive songbird in North America, with the combination of a deep blue head, red under parts, a green back, and a red rump. While not as brightly colored as males, female Painted Buntings are also distinctive. The female has an overall greenish plumage which is more darkly colored above than below.
Painted Bunting has two distinct breeding populations: one found along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina south to central Florida; and another that stretches across much of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, southward into northern Mexico.
Painted Bunting favors somewhat open areas with dense brush at all seasons. Its diet consists mostly of seeds and insects, with insects predominating during the breeding season. These birds forage mostly on the ground or in low brush. Males defend territory by singing from a high perch, often hidden among the uppermost foliage of a tree. Males, who may have more than one mate, will actually fight to hold territories; these fights are sometimes bloody and even fatal. The nest is an open, woven cup of grass, leaves, roots, and animal hair. Painted Bunting often associates with Indigo Buntings in migratory flocks, and sometimes interbreeds with that closely-related species.
Community
Events (& SPIRIT)
Henderson Park Community Garden is waiting the final results but
it looks like they have come in 3rd place and will win $4000 which
they will use for a greenhouse. Congratulations Henderson Park and thanks to
everyone who voted!.
Master Gardener Training - MG TRAINING CLASS 2013 STARTS JAN 9 and runs through April
1 (all Wed) we need lots of good applicants so please recruit
for us and ask them to contact us right away. Application sessions for DeKalb
group will be Sept. 5, 12 and 19 from 9:30 to 11:30 but we need their contact
info. to remind them. LOOKING FOR
A FEW GOOD MEN & WOMEN (25 to be exact) just like the MARINES - these are
garden-marines, worker bees and leaders.
Welcome back from your
Summer Vacation!
DMGA will have its August Meeting on Monday the 27th at 6:00PM. We
will be meeting in the Northlake Public Library as usual.
Barbara Dorfman of the Georgia Native Plant Society (GNPS) will
present a program by Doug Tallamy entitled "Bringing Nature
Home".
For the most current information on DMGA activities, go to our website www.dmga.org
October 13th- Taste of Tucker
Ongoing at The Garden
Enthusiast-Backyard Nature Station-
Wish List -add your list of what you'd love for people
to give you from the store.
Gift certificates
Hope
to see you soon,
Linda,
Brittany, Jessica, Jeremy & Greyson
The
Garden Enthusiast - Backyard Nature Station
2316
D Main Street
Tucker,
GA 30084
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 6PM
Sunday
10am - 5PM
Monday
Closed
Contact us at 404-474-7072 or
[email protected]
Like us on Facebook
