Nehrling Gardens

by | Mar 21, 2024 | Past Event

Nehrling Gardens

Attracting Birds and Butterflies to our Gardens 

Nehrling Gardens representative Teresa Schretzmann-Myers spoke in February 2024 to Orlando Garden Club members on attracting birds to our yards and feeding them.  Nehrling Gardens is the 6 acres that remains of Dr. Nehrling’s homestead and gardens.  Dr. Henry Nehrling purchased 65 acres in the 1800s near the town of Gotha. As a Florida pioneer horticulturist, he developed 25 acres into a tropical garden. Today the Henry Nehrling Society cares for the property, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

Bird Feeder Care

Clean your bird feeder with vinegar before refilling to prevent spread of disease. Teresa recommends Sky Café bird feeder to thwart squirrels. If not replacing your feeder, add Fiery Feast seed which has hot pepper in it to foil the squirrels. There is also a Suet with hot pepper to keep squirrels away.

She encourages a ‘puddling area’ of water for bees and butterflies in a quiet sheltered corner of your yard. Cut back your butterfly weed regularly to prevent the spread of diseases butterflies leave behind. It is good for the plant as well.

Some Flowers that Attract Butterflies
  • Jatropha Integerrima (Coral Plant)
  • Buddleia Davidii Buzz (Butterfly Bush)
  • Cestrum (Orange Zest)
  • Verbena
  • Liatris Spicata (Blazing Stars)
  • Seudogenoxys Henopodioides (Mexican Flame Vine)
Feeding Hummingbirds

To feed hummingbirds mix one cup of sugar and 4 cups of water until dissolved. Clean the feeder with bleach between fillings and let dry. Store any spare sugar water in the fridge. Do not add food coloring.

Resources:

Fresh Food and Clean Birdbath Essential

Plant Sources for Cover, Food, Habitat:

  • Florida Association of Native Nurseries
  • fann.org
  • Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association Inc. Seed 99% pure seed, no fillers. floridawildflowers.org, Email: businessmanager@floridawildflowers.org.
  • FNGLA Free Nursery and Plant Directory, Wholesale and Retail: plantant.com Fresh Birdseed, Bird Feeders, Stations, Birdbaths Fully Washable

Wild Birds Unlimited, 8015 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32819.

 

September Program – Home Composting

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Past Event

September 15, 2023, 10:30 am

710 E Rollins Street, Orlando

Program:  Home Composting

Lecture delivered by Calvin Gardner     UF Extension Office Agent, Orange County

What a great way to continue nurturing our gardens after such a hot summer than with our first Program for the year: “Home Composting.” Calvin Gardner, (yes, that is his surname) of the Orange County UF Extension Office will share with us gardening techniques and sustainable horticulture.

Composting is a great way to go green. By composting you re-utilize your vegetable waste converting it into rich nutritious soil for your indoor and outdoor plants. See you all on September 15 at 10:30 am.

Calvin Gardner joined as an Urban Horticulture Extension Agent at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County in 2022.