S E N I O R L I V I N G S E N I O R L I V I N G SENIOR LIVING

How To Prepare Soil For Spring Planting

Spring is a season of rejuvenation, & perhaps nowhere is that rebirth more noticeable than in the yard. Extra sunlight & rising temperatures make spring a great time to plant flowers, grasses & trees. To ensure successful planting, homeowners must take steps to prepare the soil. Healthy soil can provide the ideal conditions for roots to take hold, helping plants establish themselves before potentially harsh summer conditions arrive. Preparing soil might seem like an extensive job, but a simple approach may be all that’s necessary.

• Clean up the previous months’ mess. It’s a good idea to clean up an area prior to spring planting. Fallen leaves, rocks, grass clippings, & other debris can contribute to compacted soil that makes it hard for plants to establish strong, healthy root systems. Clear away any debris prior to planting before taking the next step in your soil preparation routine.

• Loosen the soil. Once debris has been cleared away, loosen the soil. Depending on the size of the area where you’ll be planting, you may need to invest in tools like a shovel, spade, spading fork, and/or a lawn edger. If you’re planting in a small area, such as a deck planter box that still has soil from last year, you can either clean the box & replace the soil entirely or dig around with a handheld trowel. It’s important to loosen all of the soil around where you will ultimately plant prior to planting to ensure water can reach the roots & help them establish.

• Test and, if necessary, amend the soil. A simple pH test can help determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. This is an important step as soil that is too acidic or alkaline can decrease the availability of nutrients for plants. In addition to conducting a pH test, which can be purchased at little cost at a local home improvement store, homeowners can contact their local Cooperative Ext. Service to test their soil quality. Once the test is conducted, the local Coop Ext. Service may recommend amendments to improve the nutritional quality of the soil. Soil conditions go a long way toward determining if new plants will thrive. Preparing the soil prior to spring planting can ensure a successful season. For more tips on gardening sign up at the Ida Public Library for monthly presentations by the University of Illinois Extension Office. The next presentation will be at 6 PM on Tuesday, February 21st at 320 N. State St. To register visit idapubliclibrary.org/registration or call 815-544-3838.

This Month’s Healthy Recipe

Spinach, Mushroom & Feta Pizza

Ingredients

1 t. rapid rise or instant yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vegetable oil

1 cup pizza or spaghetti sauce

Directions

1 cup flour (plus add. flour up to 1/2 cup if dough is too sticky)

8 oz. fresh mushrooms (or 1 can sliced, drained)

1/2 to 3/4 of 10 oz pkg frozen spinach (thawed)

1/2 cup feta cheese (or parmesan or mozzarella)

1 T. Italian seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash hands with soap & water.

2. Mix yeast, warm water, salt & vegetable oil in medium bowl. Add flour until it makes a stiff dough (about 1 cup).

3. Knead dough until it stretches easily without making a hole. If dough is too sticky, add 2 T. flour at a time.

4. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread dough on pan to 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Set aside & let dough rise.

5. Slice mushrooms. Spray small skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Sauté mushrooms over medium heat until tender (Skip if using canned).

6. Squeeze thawed spinach to remove excess water.

7. Poke dough with a fork. Spread pizza sauce onto dough. Add toppings, cheese & seasoning.

8. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until dough is cooked through & lightly brown with cheese melted on top.

Types Of Bird Feed For Backyard Feeders

Birding is a wildly popular hobby. It’s not uncommon for birding enthusiasts to travel great distances to see beautiful birds in serene settings. But individuals also can entice beautiful birds to come to them. Bird feeders beckon birds to millions of backyards every day. After choosing a bird feeder, novices may not know which food to use. This breakdown, from the National Wildlife Federation®, can help anyone find the right food.

• Nectar: You can attract hummingbirds with nectar, which the NWF describes as colored sugar water. Nectar must be placed into a hummingbird feeder & also might attract orioles to the backyard.

• Black-oil sunflower: The most popular bird seed. It attracts an array of birds, including blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, & sparrows. Novices may like that black-oil sunflower seed can be found at many grocery stores.

• Mixes: Seed mixes also can be found at grocery stores & appeal to a variety of birds. Individuals who want to keep their feeders close to their decks or patios may want to look for mixes described as “no-mess.” These mixes have been de-hulled, which means there won’t be as big a pile of unwanted seeds beneath the feeder.

• Suet: Suet is sought after in winter by bird lovers who want to help birds stay healthy & strong during times of year when food sources are scarce. Suet requires a suet feeder, which is unlike most bird feeders. Suet comes in squares & isn’t in seed form, though seeds are typically mixed in to the gelatinous cake.

• Thistle or nyjer: Goldfinches love this small, high-quality seed. Because thistle or nyjer is something of a specialty seed, birders who want to put it out will need to purchase a finch feeder.

Birding has millions of devotees across the globe. Knowing what to feed birds can be a great way for birding enthusiasts to attract these beautiful creatures to their own backyards.