The majesty of winter’s quiet beauty is a breathtaking backdrop for discovering birds on a crisp morning at Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. Birders have seen and heard the beautiful notes of songbirds and witnessed migration overhead.

Ford House and Rosann Kovalcik, owner of Wild Bird’s Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods, continue their partnership by offering novice and experienced bird watchers the opportunity to walk among the magnificent grounds during the Winter/Spring Bird Walk series at Ford House. Over the years, participants in walks have discovered more than 190 species of birds. 

The Winter/Spring Bird Walk series begins Saturday, Jan. 15 and continues on the following days: February 12, 8am; March 12, 8am; and April 16, 7:30am. 

Reservations are required and may be made by calling 313.884.4222. Admission to the bird walk is $7 per person. For additional information, visit www.fordhouse.org.

This is the time of year to start thinking about what to grow in your vegetable garden this summer. If you’re considering spinach, this informative piece from the National Garden Bureau is a must-read.

Forget Popeye! Spinach contains many more nutrients than just iron. Actually, the amount of iron in spinach comes way down the list after vitamins A and C, thiamin, potassium and folic acid (one of the B complex vitamins). Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach, contain lutein and zeaxanthin, both carotenoids. Studies show carotenoids help your eyes stay healthy as you age by preventing macular degeneration and the formation of cataracts. Vitamins A and C, both antioxidants, keep your cardiovascular system healthy, thereby reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Folic acid is essential for the production of red blood cells and for normal growth, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. It’s particularly important for pregnant women.

Read more…

Flickr / Steve Drolet
An apple blossom amaryllis in bloom.There is no better way to brighten your home during winter than growing some bulbs indoors. Here’s a good story from nj.com to get you started:

After the Christmas tree comes down and the wreaths are tossed, a long spell of bleak days looms ahead with nary a hint of green in sight. Fill the void with winter’s brightest bulbs and you won’t have to pine for vibrant, living color.

The key species for winter bloom are two showy flowers: amaryllis and paperwhites narcissus. Both are easy-to-grow windowsill plants offering quick, if not instant, gratification. Delicate paperwhites can bloom in as little as four weeks and gaudy amaryllis in six.

Unlike familiar spring-flowering bulbs, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, these two species don’t require a long period of cold temperatures to trigger bloom. Native to regions of the Southern Hemisphere, they are programmed to flower on an upside-down schedule in our winter months.

Read the rest of the story about indoor bulbs at NJ.com