Welcome to Winding Pathways
Winding Pathways encourages you to create a wonderous yard, whether that yard is an expansive acreage, a suburban lot or a condominium balcony. Go outside and play!
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Corn an “A-maizing” Crop
Get ready to feed back yard birds and attract those you want to encourage.
SUNFLOWER SEEDS
Nearly half of all American households set out a bird feeder. Most are stocked with sunflower seeds, and birds love them. The story of this seed is an interesting mix of nature, science, and culture.Wild sunflower seeds were brought to Europe hundreds of years ago. Ironically, Old World scientists developed cultivated varieties of this American plant, which became an important crop in the Soviet Union long before improved seeds were imported to the United States during the Cold War. Sunflower cultivation remains more important in Europe than North America, and Russians eat thousands of tons of them each year.
BASIC BIRDFEEDNG IN A NUTSHELL
Offering several types of food in a variety of feeders enhances success. One of the best feeders is a picnic table. Just scatter sunflower seeds on it. Cardinals, in particular, like to feed on a large flat surface and rarely visit silo type hanging feeders. We put out suet for woodpeckers, sunflower seed for a diversity of species, corn for squirrels, millet for doves, and corn for our squirrel friends. But, if we had to choose just one type of seed and feeder they would be black oil sunflower scattered on the picnic table!
MOLES-MOTHER NATURE’S ROTO TILLERS
Few animals frustrate homeowners as much as moles, but at Winding Pathways we appreciate them. Moles are Mother Nature’s roto tillers, and like mechanical tillers they soften and mix soil, helping plants grow.
Leaning Into the Light: A Metaphor for Relationships in Organizations
“Our true nature is like a precious jewel: although it may be temporarily buried in mud, it remains completely brilliant and unaffected. We simply have to uncover it.” A Pema Chodron quote
DELICIOUS ACORNS
Every fall zillions of acorns cascade down into lawns, tumble roll off roofs, and pile up in American driveways. Raking them up is a dreaded autumn chore. Anyone who collects and disposes of acorns is tossing away delicious food.
POISON IVY PRODUCES BRILLIANT FALL FOLIAGE, BUT WATCH OUT!
Poison ivy is common in urban and rural areas. It is highly adaptable, preferring light shade, but also thriving in full sun and dense shade.
OAK TREES
A white oak could shade the ground and feed squirrels for up to 400 years.
Tranquility – Ephemeral, Elusive, Attainable
Tranquility, “The quality or state of being calm,” has many faces. Where do you go for tranquility?
Pollination Pockets
Worldwide concern over dramatic declines in honeybee populations the past few years have hit the news. These intriguing and highly beneficial insects pollinate thousands of species of flowers, but media reports lead us to believe that they are the only pollinator and the disappearance of honeybees will leave plants unable to pollinate.
Tranquility
A home and yard can be a place to find peace and tranquility in a stress filled world. Many recent studies reveal that being embraced by nature’s beauty offers stillness that calms the soul. But, it does more. Being in nature lowers blood pressure, stimulates the...
Even the Tiniest Yard Offers Free Food
Before the invention of agriculture nearly all people were expert hunters and gatherers. Although our world still provides plenty of wild food, free for the taking, few modern people even realize that delicious food goes unharvested in nearly all unsprayed yards.
Hay Fever Plants
Late summer is the dreaded hay fever season! Ragweed is the prime culprit.
Kid Camping
Children take to camping out. Even a tiny backyard can easily be converted into a temporary campground. Equipment is simple.
Tick Time
Many people believe that long cold winters freeze ticks to death so abundance of these pests will be lower the following summer. That isn’t always the case.
Solving Yard Problems Caused by Woodchucks, Rabbits and Chipmunks
Damage, or perceived damage, often infuriates homeowners. Woodchucks have the uncanny ability to harvest lettuce the day before it is to be picked for an evening salad, and raccoons raid the sweet corn patch the moment ears are ripe. Moles hump up hills of dirt that lawnmowers hit, and skunks mine into the sod for grubs. What’s a homeowner to do?