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Family of Eastern Bluebirds Brings Beauty, Entertainment to Student’s Backyard GardenBy Laura Payne Class of 2009 This spring, my husband builta generic birdhouse for the backyardgarden. No sooner were we open forbusiness than an Eastern Bluebirdcouple took up residence. I watched asthey gathered various things to makea nest, and, soon, the female wassitting on some eggs. The daddybecame very protective of the nest, as is expected. It was quite by accident my husband had built anest the bluebirds liked, because this was his first attemptat building this kind of addition to our backyard, and hehad followed the simplest of plans. I had to send a photoof the bird to a bird-loving friend of mine to learn whatkind of bird had taken up residence in the bird apartment:Eastern Bluebirds! Apparently, it is quite a feat to landeastern bluebirds in your yard. How exciting! So, I researched how to accommodate ourbluebird guests. I read about possible dangers to thenesting house, one being house swallows. To discouragethat problem, I removed a feeder we had stocked foryears. Typically, swallows dined there; but I wanted tokeep them away from the bluebirds. Sorry about thatswallows. Go visit the neighbors' feeders. Our yard also offersrunning water that is supposed to help keep the birds cooland hydrated. It turns out our B&B for the birds is fivestars. I began to watch them all the time and tookmany photos, mostly of dad perched on his protectivepergola. The birdhouse was just outside a bedroomwindow, and I was able to watch mom as she sat insidelooking out, sometimes looking at me looking at her. Itried not to bother them, but the birdhouse is in thegarden; and I work in the garden every day. I tried talkingto the birds to let them know I was just one of them. Then, one morning there was commotion aroundthe birdhouse. Both mom and dad were flying all over theFather Blue Bird perches near the backyard birdhousebuilt by the writer’s husband. Father watched over thenest until they all left the area. Laura Payne photoyard, obviously very anxious. A couple of sparrows triedto approach the house, but the bluebirds were too muchfor them. You know what they say about parents whenthey smell danger to their youngsters ... Finally, thingssettled down, and I went on about my business for theday. Next morning dad was not on his usual perch. Ieven walked close to the birdhouse, which would alwaysbring him closer like he did not trust me. Why? I mean,after all, look at all I did for them - watching themconstantly, around them all the time, taking pictures andtalking to them, showing them off to anyone who cameinto the backyard. This day though there was no sign ofthe birds. They had unceremoniously left the house. Noteven Thanks. The wife and younguns and I appreciate yourhospitality, but we have outgrown this house and are movingon. Hope to see you next year. Well, I have to say, I was hurt. I was a good hostand made their stay here very comfortable. I looked in onthem all the time, and, without a simple thank you, theywere gone. It reminded me of some of other house guests.They use your house, eat your food, drink your water,never lifting hand to help and then they just leave. Mostof the time, I am ready for the human guests to go, but notthe bluebirds. Then, I got to thinking from the birds’ point ofview. Probably, the daddy said to the mommy, Can youbelieve this lady? She is interrupting our routine by alwaysbeing too close to the nest, always taking pictures and lookinginto our private home with those big binoculars. She is forevertalking to us, even though we cannot understand a word shesays. The kids are big enough now: Let’s fly this coop. That is exactly what they did.Editor’s note: Laura Payne is a student in this fall’s classand is already contributing. Thank you, Laura, for sharingyour wonderful story!OKLAHOMA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS November 2009 MASTERGARDENER@OKSTATE.EDU2
Plant Offers Triple TreatGrow Cardoon for Thistle-like Blooms, Lovely Grey Foliage, Unusual Vegetable FlavorBy James Ashmore Try something different inyour garden next year. Many MasterGardeners have discovered Cardoonwhile enjoying our AnniversaryGarden. This beautiful plant is alsoquite edible and easy to propagate. Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)was first cultivated there by theRomans and is an ancestor to the Artichoke. The OSUFactsheet lists only one variety, ‘Gigante’, an obvious nodto the vegetable’s popularity in Italy. Here it should beconsidered a tender perennial or annual. This vegetable figures into the cuisine of France,Spain, Iran, Australia, Belgium and England. Although Ifound a local newspaper source, and some incidentalreports from Oklahoma gardens; much of the data I haveadapted to the Oklahoma City climate. It is tolerant of most soils but prefers a fertile,well-draining soil, with a pH from 6.6 to 7.8. Cardoonsrespond to the incorporation of organic material and,when sufficient, they need no additional fertilizer. Afterestablishment, irrigation is similar to most crops, twoinches a week, if not supplied by rain. The Cardoon is,however, drought tolerant, with silver foliage and taproot. Here, the Cardoon will go semi-dormant in theheight of summer. At this time, it can be cut back, andwill resume growth when temperatures drop a little.Shade cloth might extend harvest into the heat. In thedead of winter, the plant will go into semi-dormancy, but,if mulched, the crown will remain green. Harvest time extends far beyond the first frostand before the last frost, starting in late February to Juneand late September to December. This is my observation,but harvest might be improved with row covering ormicro-climate. Care should be taken when harvesting, asCardoon leaves can become spiny and may irritate theskin. Cardoon seed can be planted early (before lastfrost) or transplanted after last frost. Transplants shouldbe handled carefully to avoid damaging the tap root. Amature cardoon will often reseed and give off pups, whichcan also be transplanted. Spacing depends on the methodof harvest. If you cut stalks throughout the growingseason or stake the plants, 24” spacing is sufficient. If youharvest most of the plant late, using a blanching method,36” would be better. If you under plant with lettuce andcarrots until the cardoon grows, then 46” spacing willwork well. Blanching methods vary, from the old Italianpractice of digging up the plant before the frost andtrenching under soil for two to four weeks, to tying thestalks upright and covering with soil, straw or cardboard.Whatever the method, this practice should impart abitter-sweet, decidedly European flavor. Cardoons are rarely bothered by pests. Onecultural concern, however, could be rotting due to winterwet, so special attention should be paid to drainage. Postharvestcare should be similar to that of shard or celery.Being a cool-to-temperate weather plant, a summerharvest would need a cool-down. As opposed to the way greens are prepared, it isthe mid-rib that is eaten on a cardoon. The favor isdescribed as like an artichoke, but more intense.Marketing opportunities include: Italian and ethnicmarkets, upscale food stores and restaurants. Success atFarmer’s markets would depend largely on supplyingrecipes, which are many, from fondues to casseroles,gratins and even deep-fried versions. There are other uses for the Cardoon. An oil canbe extracted from the seed much like canola or saffloweroil. Seed heads feed birds in winter and attract bees andbutterflies in summer. No matter how it is used, theCardoon is a spectacular ornamental specimen whoseflowers can be used for both fresh and dried arrangements.No gardener should be intimidated by itsEuropean pedigree: The cardoon was a staple of thecolonial vegetable garden, making it a truly Americanplant!Writer’s Note: As a horticultural student at OSU-OKC, Ihaven't been able to participate in Master Gardener activitiesas much as I would have liked, but know that I have beenactively recruiting on campus. I hope you will give Cardoon atry, as a great garden specimen plant and/or vegetable.Sources: The Seed Grower: A Practical Treatise onGrowing Vegetable and Flower Seeds and Bulbs forthe Market, by Charles Johnsonhttp://www.hortmag.com/article/artichokes/The Ponca City News, Thursday, September 23, 1999http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/913/“The Noble Thistle” by Mireille Johnston, Saveur magazineIssue #15: http://www.saveur.com/article/Our-Favorite-Foods/The-Noble-ThistleOKLAHOMA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS 3 November 2009 MASTERGARDENER@OKSTATE.EDU
Page 1: From the President ...By Susan Hill
Page 5 and 6: Gardener Celebrates Fall Garden’s
Page 7 and 8: Schroeder Asks: Which Plants Perfor

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