Raising Chickens as Pets in the Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 9

Few growing chickens in the playing area

We know people raising chickens in their backyard for many reasons. Few of them are:

- as pets

- fresh eggs

- meats

- just for fun (without clear reasons)

A long time ago, we have less than 10 chickens as pets at our backyard. Morning crowing sounds from roosters make us happy.

Off course, we have daily fresh eggs as a source of healthy protein. We love soft boiled (half cooked) eggs.

It is said that we should wash our hand with water and soap after handling raw (uncooked) eggs to prevent transmission of microorganism from egg shells to other items, especially other foods.

Little baby chickens, just for illustration

Other advantages to have chickens are:

- control bugs and weed on lawn

- source of fertilizers.

- in addition to eggs, chicken is a source of meat (home grown meat).

Chickens does not require a big space, a chicken need only:

- 1 square meter to grow and play

- 0.3 square meter for nesting and hatching eggs

People love certain chicken breed, these are 5 favorite breeds in the America, just for examples:

- Rhode Island red

- Wyandotte.

- Silkies

- Cochin

- Easter Eggers

Have you ever raised chicken in your backyard? What is your purpose?

What Causes of Unhealthy Lawn? – Gardening and Hobby 8

Fig 01- Moth caused lawn damages

I was familiar with large number of moths in my lawn about two years ago. They flew away when I walked on the grass. Their size is small around 0.75 inches (1.95 cm)

I have no ideas about relationship between moth influx and lawn healthiness on that time.

After reading from several articles, these moths may damage our lawn. At least there are three species of lawn moths:

- Nomophila noctuella.

- Tehama bonifatella.

- Crambus sperryellus.

Adult moths take nutrition directly from grass leaves. They love juice from leaves interior.

Fig 02- A webworm is a worm stage of the moths

The abundance of moths may lead to damage of lawn permanently, but harmless if they are in lower numbers.

Female moths lay eggs on grass leaves, the eggs then hatch after several days or a week.

Fig 03- A house with beautiful lawn, just for illustration

Larvae or worm stage is veracious stage, dangerous pests for grass. These larvae may destroy grass significantly, especially turf grass.

The signs of our lawn has been damages and infected are:

- appearing of dead brown patches on the grass

- growing of weed

- present of vine grasses

- growing of moss around the house.

- number of birds feeding on lawn, because a lot of worms.

How to control the larvae?

Using soapy water is one of good ways to get rid off Webworms from lawn. We may mix proper amount of liquid dish soap water.

People usually use 2 table spoon liquid soap per gallon of water, then spray on the infected grass.

Have you got problem with your lawn? What problem?

My Neighbor Small “Paradise” at Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 7

Fig- 01- Little pond with small waterfall

One of our neighbors designs their yard with a nice small pond for Koi fish. Lovely place to sit around, especially during hot seasons (days).

I believe the pond characteristics are following:

- size 12 feet x 16 feet x 6 feet (3.7 meter x 4.9 meter x 1.8 meter), twelve feet by sixteen feet with six feet deep.

- at least 2000 gallon of water.

- there are more than 10 koi fish in the pond.

Water fall makes the pond not only beautiful, but also good for water circulation which has “trickle down” effect on:

- more oxygen creation to keep more fish

- healthy plants in the pond

- chemical and thermal stratification will be prevented

Fig- 02- Koi fish swimming in the pond

There are many types of Koi fish available, based on their size, at least there are 3 kinds:

1) Domestic Koi fish

- sizes between 12 to 15 inches (30.5 cm to 38 cm) long

2) Japanese Koi

- fish may grow from 22 inches to 26 inches (56 cm to 66 cm) long

3) Jumbo Koi fish

- sizes between 34 to 36 inches (86 cm to 91 m) long

Fig- 03- One corner of backyard

In general, Koi fish could reach their maximum size in 3 years, but Jumbo koi may reach its maximum size in 2 years only.

In nature of Koi fish, everything might be available in their environment, include:

- bugs

- insects

- algae

- plants.

Interestingly, this critter may consume human daily foods as well, such as:

- cereals

- rice

- peas

- watermelon

- lettuce

Have you ever have Koi fish as a pet? What is length size?

Are Yellow Elder Blooming in the Fall? - Gardening and hobby 6

Fig– 01- Blooming of Yellow Elder in early Fall

We just walking regularly this morning in the city garden after stopping a while because of pandemic.

Surprisingly, many flowers are blooming in the early fall season with lower temperature, below 21 C (70 F) degree.

One of them is Yellow Elder. This flower has several species, the popular one is called with scientific name Tecoma Chrysantha.

It is said that Yellow Elder is a good shrub flower for both big landscape and our home garden. Other best flowering shrubs are:

- Paper-Chase Tree

- Golden Dewdrop

- Bougainvillea

- Purple Wreath

- Allamanda

Fig- 02- beautiful color

The interesting features of Yellow Elder:

- flowers are very bright yellow with trumpet like

- leaves are green and look like head of spears

- tolerant of drought

- good to grow in areas of temperatures about F 35 (C 1.7) degree, also well growing in warm regions.

Fig- 03- Flowers are climbing the roof

What I like that it is said the flowers are able to attract critters such as:

- hummingbirds

- butterflies

- bees

Fig- 04- Shining and beautiful yellow flowers

Hummingbirds and butterflies are my favorite critters, I am planning to grow this flower in my small garden by near coming future.

Other feature of Yellow Elder is its ability to climb the objects. Thus, it is good to cover:

- wall

- fence

- old tress

Is there Yellow Elder flower in your area?

Should We Use Pepper Seed to Feed Wild Birds? - Gardening and hobby 5

Fig 01- Green peppers have seeds for birds

We may try to attract wild bird by bird feeders to come to our backyard. In fact, we are able to invite hummingbirds with sugary solution.

Please read previous post:

- Attracting Hummingbirds by Suitable Feeder at Backyard 

Our neighborhoods use mainly commercial bird foods bought in groceries (pet shops).

The problem with the commercial bird foods is a good meal for other wild animals such as:

- squirrels

- raccoon

- rats

Some friends told that wildlife may ride the feeders without giving a chance to birds to consume a single bite.

Fig 02 - A wild bird crossed the neighborhood street

Other animals include deer and bears are interesting with feeders as well. And, even bears able to breaking the feeders to deplete all foods.

Fig 03 - Bell pepper, just for illustration

Few neighbors suggested to use pepper seed to feed wild birds. Most birds love these seeds.

They observed that other animals did not touch the pepper seed. The following animals are avoiding the seed:

- rodent

- squirrels

- raccoon

Should We use Pepper seed to feed wild birds? Yes, I will try this kind of bird food by next spring.

Do you have any special foods to invite wild bird?

Roses in the Late Summer - Gardening and hobby 4

Fig – 01. Red and light pink roses

Roses disappeared from our garden now, they are blooming quite longer, could be months (more than 20 weeks), from mid Spring to to late Summer or early Fall.

In nature, roses have less than 10 colors, but breeders develop more than 60 colors or combined colors recently.

Our backyard has 4 different colors only, they are:

- pink

- red

- white

- yellow

It is said that colors respect to certain symbols. Pink symbols of joyful, Red refers to love, White to pure and Yellow symbols of friendship.

Fig – 02. Yellow rose, lonely flower

In case you may not know, the price of rose is between US$ 1.5 to US$ 8 per flower, depend on where we buy.

Fig – 03. White flower symbol of purity

Wholesale price is quite cheaper compared to retail price. Wholesale at least 20% cheaper.

The price depends very much on the:

- supply and demand

- quality

Fig – 04. Pink rose, quite popular color

We think that it is easy to take care the Roses. We do the following:

- growing under the sun

- using good (organic) fertilizer

- watering regularly

- using organic mulch

Organic mulch is mixed of material include grass clippings, shredded bark, pine needles, sawdust and wood chips. The functions mulch are:

- improve quality of soil

- discourage weed growing around our flower plants

Do you have or love Rose flowers? What color?

Can Fish in the Tank Improve Your Health? - Gardening and hobby 3

Fish in the tank

Million Americans, and their number are growing well year by year to have fish in the tank as a pet.

There are many list of most popular freshwater fish, I just quote 10 fish (my source is: 19 Most Popular Freshwater Fish for Your Aquarium):

- Beta fish

- Fancy guppy fish

- Mollies

- Angelfish

- Rasboras

- Rainbow fish

- Plecostomus

- Swordtail platy

- Corydoras catfish

- Neon tetra

Koi, ornamental fish in the small pond

In case of Neon tetra, this is a good fish for aquarium. We may finds this fish at almost aquarium shops (please see my previous post: Why Neon Tetra Fish is Good For Aquarium? | Tanza Erlambang Update) with advantages:

- reasonable price.

- easy to handle

- beautiful

- lively and peaceful fish

Moreover, Can Fish in the Tank Improve Your Health?

Yes, our health may improve by looking aquarium fish. It is said that some health advantages:

- lower stress

- make more sleep

- feel better

- lower heart rate

- lower blood pressure

- body will function better

Do you have fish as a pet? What is aquarium size do you have?

Red Amaryllis is a Flower which to Grow – Gardening and hobby 2

 

Red flowers in the yard

Blooming period of Red Amaryllis has been over, usually from January to July, about 7 to 10 weeks duration.

It is need about 6 to 8 or 10 weeks to grow plants from beginning until they produce flowers. We should begin as late as December to have flower blooming in the Spring.

We know, Amaryllis plants (Hippeastrum sp.) have many varieties, some of well known are:

- Red Lion

- Summertime

- Fairy Tale

- Matterhorn

- Ice Queen

- Apple Blossom

Flowers surround the old big tree

Plant could grow well in pot with:

- good soil with little bit fertilizer

- indirect, but bright light

- watering every day.

Flowers are common to be used as decoration during holiday, and cut flowers for gifts on a special day.

Be careful that Amaryllis plants are poisonous for humans and pets. The toxic parts are:

- leaves

- stem

- bulb.

Red Amaryllis is good both for indoor and outdoor. However, the plant is easy to grow in yard or garden.

The flower is perennial (tend to perennial). Its life span is quite longer, could reach to 75 years.

Have you ever known about Amaryllis flowers? What varieties do you like?

Cutting Down Trees Due to Fungus Diseases - Gardening and hobby 1

Chunk of woods

Our neighborhood and some Southern states trees have been attacked by diseases in the last 3 years.

We may know some diseases which could cause sick, and eventually dead of trees. The diseases are:

1) Dutch Elm diseases

The diseases caused by beetle, originally from Europe, and spread in many cities in the USA now days.

2) Armillaria Root Rot

It is a fungal diseases on rotting woods. This kind of fungi may infect living trees as well.

3) Black Knot Disease

A kind of fungi, attack on branches. Spreading from one tree to other trees during rainy season.

Branches and twigs

4) Bur Oak blight

This diseases caused by fungus called Tubakia dryina. We may see spots on leaves, then make leaves fall off the trees.

5) Spruce Decline

Fungus caused bald branches of blue spruce trees, then gradually make branches die, and fall. Diseases spreading to many parts of America.

Wood trunks, ready to pick up

6) Fruit tree diseases

One of well known diseases infects fruit trees is “Apple Scab.” Yes, the fungi caused green or brown spots of apple trees. Fallen leaves in great number may followed by tree death later on.

Moreover, we believed that our trees and neighborhood trees are infected by diseases called as “white powder.”

White spots are everywhere: roots, trunk, branches and twigs. We tried to save some trees by fungicide. It seems not work well.

Do you have trees in your backyard or garden? Do they have diseases?