Page 12 - 10-25-21

Page 12, RURAL-URBAN RECORD, October 25, 2021
Get Ready for Winter

How to care for winter a one-inch margin to allow for sewing and eventual stuffing. and what to do if tempera- · Broccoli
tures push winter vegetable
· Brussel sprouts
Duplicate the shape of the doll onto another piece of fabric to
birds that visit your yard make the back of the elf doll. Place the front elf image face gardens to the brink. · Cabbage
down on the back piece of fabric and sew the edges togeth-
Though it’s up to garden-
· Carrots
er, leaving a small opening at the end. Using that opening, ers what they want to plant, · Collard greens
The pristine, white backdrop of a snowy winter day can flip the elf right-side out and stuff with pillow fill material. Sew the following are some pop- · Endive
be a wonder to behold. While fresh snow on the ground can the small opening closed and enjoy a personalized elf doll ular winter vegetables that · Parsley
make for awe-inspiring landscapes, the absence of greenery for the holidays. can make for wonderful, · Parsnips
amid the starkness of winter poses challenges for animals Holiday candle fresh additions to any dinner · Kale
that do not ride out winter in a state of hibernation. This craft is attractive and also smells good. Gather one table even after the tradi- · Radishes
Several bird species stay in colder climates over the win- bar of fragrant soap (like Irish spring); a small, white wash- tional gardening season has · Rutabagas
ter. Red-winged crossbills, snow buntings, bohemian wax- cloth; red and green ribbon; a round of colorful mesh or tulle come and gone. · Spinach
wings, evening grosbeaks, and cardinals are just some of fabric measuring roughly 12 inches or enough to wrap your · Arugula · Swiss chard
the birds one may find while gazing outside on a chilly win- bar of soap; craft glue; a piece of yellow felt cut to look like
ter’s day. Birding in the winter can be a rewarding hobby be- a flame; and one or two sewing pins. Roll the washcloth into
cause, despite the chilly conditions, birds tend to be easy to a cylinder shape to serve as the “wick” of the candle. Glue
find in bare trees. Furthermore, the colder temperatures may the edges together and wrap a piece of ribbon diagonally
keep many people inside, meaning neighborhoods, trails around the wick and adhere to secure even further. Glue the LAND
and parks can be very quiet, making it easier for those who felt flame to the top of the wick. Place the soap in the center
brave the cold to see birds. of the round piece of fabric. Attach the wick vertically to the
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds indicates that soap using the pins. Then gather the tops of the mesh fabric
winter is a difficult time of year for birds due to the weather around the base of the wick and use another piece of ribbon WORKS
and the scarcity of food. Furthermore, birds must consume to tie into a bow and secure the fabric to the wick base. The
a lot of food in a short amount of time to have the ener- soap and pins should now be concealed. Place the “candle”
gy and body warmth to survive each day. Even birds that out of direct sunlight and away from heat, preferably on a
store food in caches or have developed special scavenging little dish so the soap will not damage any furniture.
strategies to find as much food as possible can benefit from Growth indicator ornament
a little wintertime help. Penn State Extension suggests pro- Purchase a large glass or plastic Christmas tree ball. Se- Fall Clean-up
viding a variety of foods to attract the greatest number of lect an acrylic paint in your color of choice and squirt some
species. Small, black-oil sunflower seeds are preferred by into a paper plate. Have a child dip his or her hand into the
many smaller species of bird and have a high oil content paint and then transfer the handprint to the ornament. Let Specials!
that is nutritionally important for birds. Other sunflower seeds dry and then attach a ribbon to hang on the tree. Through
will be appropriate for blue jays and cardinals. Some other the years see how much children have grown from that little
popular foods include white proso millet, thistle seed, niger handprint. Stay Dry Home Drainage
seed, and peanuts.
Consult a wild bird store, which likely sells a birdseed mix Winter Veggies Aeration
that enables you to place a variety of seed into one feed-
er. In addition to seed, suet, which is made from high-qual- experts at Michigan State Lawn Restorations
ity animal fat, is crucial for birds in the winter. Families can Spring and summer may University Extension note
get crafty by spreading peanut butter onto pine cones and be the seasons most often that gardeners may need to
sprinkling seed on top. Hang the pine cones tied to pieces of associated with gardening. utilize floating row covers to Landscape
string from tree branches for homemade feeders. But people who love to grow protect sensitive crops from
Birds likely need a little help surviving the winter, when their own vegetables can do frost. Gardeners interested 30 Years Experience
conditions can be bleak. Offering food and observing back- so even when the weather in planting winter vegeta-
yard visitors can be a great way to unwind on winter after- outside is frightful. bles can speak with a local No Job Too Small!
Various vegetables thrive
noons. in cool temperatures. The garden center professional CALL 440-452-9353
3 holiday crafts families home and garden experts about which crops to plant
at HGTV note that some
can make together winter vegetables are hardy.
That means they can handle
frosts in temperatures as
Decorating for the holidays can be made even more spe- low as 25 F without being
cial when decorations are handmade creations families can damaged. Others are even
cherish for years to come. Holiday crafting is an enjoyable sturdier in the face of all that
way to pass some time and create lasting holiday traditions winter can throw at them,
and memories. The following are some crafts families can capable of tolerating tem-
make together. peratures that dip into the
Personalized elf high teens. ®
For families who want to make their own personalized elf Growing vegetables in The Personal Plumber
dolls, all it takes is a little computer knowledge, some clever winter requires a different
photo work and a some sewing skills. Find a template for a approach than growing in
rag doll sewing pattern or an illustration of an elf online. Su- spring and summer, as gar- 440-324-4321
perimpose an image of your child’s face on the template in a deners must be ready to
photo editing program. Print out the entire image onto iron- prevent damage from frost
on fabric transfer paper. Iron it on to a light-colored piece if temperatures get especial- or 330-721-0680
of fabric from the craft store according to the product direc- ly chilly. For example, the
tions. Cut out the fabric with ironed-on decal, leaving about

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