At this time, my spray schedule calls for copper for the nects and oil for the apple aphids. See no need to spray pears at this time.
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Thank you, Lois.
Dax
Couldnât get my eyes on them, but I heard bluebirds today while I was pruning. It always seems to be right around March 20th no matter what the spring is like.
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I put my Oriole feeder up today. I wouldnât be surprised to see one, today.
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What about an Oriole feeder makes it different from a generic birdfeeder?
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Itâs usually early to mid May before orioles return here. All we put out for them is cheap grape jelly in an orange bowl.
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Hi guys,
I know itâs early, I just feel like everything is early. Itâs sort of imprinted into my fibers of my body to feel. I donât know. Itâs how it is.
Hereâs Orioles here in 2013 on April 2nd. It just happens to be the date on this photo.
Hi @marknmt all I know is this is the single best Oriole feeder there is. When you put one out, Orioles flock to it vs. all the other ones where people try to bring them to the feeder with fruit.
You should buy Welchâs only. Itâs first ingredient is Concord grapes. Everything else first ingredient is concentrate of grapes. Welchâs is very-healthy for them and the other brands arenât. They need the real grapes. Just a tip!
Dax
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I learned something today, so it has not been wasted. Thanks, Dax!
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We donât have Orioles around here.Maybe if I get one of those feeders and some Welchâs Grape Jam,they will come flying in.
Other than that,the closest seeing some,was when Baltimore played against the Mariners in Seattle.
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You get hit in the head with a baseball 
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No,but I caught a few.
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Close to 70 here today, as was yesterday.
Two of three pluots are starting to bloom (never shouldâve planted them) . Some peach buds are pink, even had a few pear buds starting to break open. Considering itâs supposed to be 28 Sat night, thatâs not a good sign. Seems like things are waking up sooner than previous years.
Apples have swelling buds, but still look pretty quiet, same for blackberries. Still getting daffodils blooming on the hillside, been going on about 3 weeks now.
Since I had to work on the riding mower yesterday (put in new battery, swapped the blades from mulchers to regular, and untangled the remains of wire dog leash from blades), I went ahead and mowed the front yard, as it was looking a bit shaggy. First mowing of the year, maybe the earliest.
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73 at 6:30 hereâŚAsian pears full bloomâŚbut blackened by cold 9 days ago.
Frogs arenât mating yetâŚso cold isnât over for good yet.
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Got those too!
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Hellebore buds just popped up, about to open
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Thatâs normal I suppose in IL. Iâve had them in full bloom all of FebruaryâŚan the h. nigers in Nov. and Dec. From shiny deep deep burgundy to most other colorsâŚtheyâre georgeous.
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First robins of the year this morning. The remaining ornamental crab fruit should disappear quickly now.
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The rabbits are out running around and grazing - probably on my shrubs
