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Post by Hezz on Aug 11, 2021 0:00:44 GMT
You could halve that amount, willowsmum, and he would still have enough, so there is one day’s worth in the freezer already.
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Post by willowsmum on Aug 11, 2021 12:04:52 GMT
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2021 0:53:14 GMT
Just to clarify, this is the photo I was referring to:
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2021 5:41:04 GMT
jellybean, here are some of the grasses that I picked this morning. They don’t all show up very well, but hopefully well enough. The teaspoon is for size reference Don’t know this one, some sort of reedy thing. One of Loki’s favourites. Don’t know, but they all love it. Bahiagrass, one of the paspalums. Two different types of nut grass A large and small version of signal grass. No idea, but another favourite. Sow thistle. (Not spikey)
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2021 5:55:37 GMT
Red Natal
No idea. Still no idea. Crow’s foot. A few different types of digitalis. A large and a dwarf form of guinea grass. Remember, it is winter here now and while most grasses still grow, they aren’t as prolific as they are in summer. There are several smaller grass heads that just didn’t show up well - they are a bit spindly a the moment.
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Post by ariella on Aug 12, 2021 6:46:51 GMT
What a wonderful variety of grass Hezz! I have to be careful with the grass I grow and pick due to the dogs. Foxtails and doggies don’t go together well! I’ve tried to search online but can’t find a definitive answer whether ornamental grasses are okay. We have a sort of beach theme front garden with boardwalk style decking, a dry pebble riverbed, bridge to the front door and ornamental grasses (mainly carex) which have grown out of control and need a haircut yet again. Does anyone know if the carex is suitable and safe for buds?
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2021 7:19:37 GMT
Ornamental grasses are usually given a “fail” as often they do contain toxins. Your normal paddock/field/meadow, the pasture grasses, are considered safe, as long as they don’t come into contact with fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides, and not close to busy motorways. I haven’t found anything specific for Carex either, but if not good for dogs, I would definitely give it a miss for the birds.
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Post by ariella on Aug 12, 2021 8:08:38 GMT
Thanks Hezz, no carex then. I shall give them their haircut and not offer any. The foxtails are the pointy seeds that get sniffed up noses, work their way into ears and paws and once in, continue to work further in and embed in dogs (and cats too I imagine) requiring vet assistance to remove, so I have to be careful with grass. The dogs aren’t allowed in the room when the buds are out but they love being in there the rest of the time and make a beeline for any scraps the find on the floor, mung beans and spinach especially. Anyone would think I starved them! Carex just has these strange sticky seed heads that look a lot like sperm with a head, tail and boy can they wiggle into clothing! I grow dandelion, sowthistle, plantain, nipplewort and many other weeds/wildflowers so can check easily which are safe for birds and they can share the food I grow for the tortoises. It’s nice they come from the garden and I know there’s no pesticides or other chemicals on them. They get a good wash at any rate. The birds seem to love them a little damp. I shall stick to offering weeds.
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Post by jellybean on Aug 12, 2021 18:33:13 GMT
Thank you for taking the time to do that Hezz, it's much appreciated. That is a fantastic selection of grasses, I'd be over the moon to have an all year round supply for my boys. I don't recognise any of your grasses compared to the ones available here.
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Post by Hezz on Aug 12, 2021 22:29:16 GMT
I would have been surprised but did wonder if one or two had been familiar, jellybean, since these are grasses that thrive in the tropics.
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Post by willowsmum on Aug 12, 2021 23:23:49 GMT
Thanks Hezz, that's a great variety of grasses! It's really interesting to see how completely different they are to our grasses here. I guess I just always assumed that your grasses were similar just more numerous. Thanks for showing us.
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Post by Hezz on Aug 14, 2021 1:20:35 GMT
There are other grasses that I could pick, and have done in the past but stopped as no one seemed interested in them. Occasionally I will throw them back in the mix just to make them work a little harder for the bits they do love.
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Post by willowsmum on Feb 1, 2022 19:19:28 GMT
Just wanted to thank you Hezz for such fantastic advice. Freezing the grass has been a big success!! I only started to do it at the end of the season last year so only ended up with 3 ziplock bags in the feezer, a variety of types with the stalks cut short to save space (not much room to squeeze them into the freezer unfortunately). So far I have used some of the Perennial Rye-grass (pics below) which we get quite late in the Scottish season and the buds are thrilled to be offered a few stalks each day (it's also proving to be a very good bedtime bribe if necessary ). I'm not sure how the more fragile seed heads will have fared but even if they aren't intact when I pull them from the freezer the seeds will still go down well in a bowl. It's nice to be able to give them a treat while we are waiting for the first grasses of the season and I'm definitely going to freeze more in the future. Just thought I would let everyone know that it was a success. Thanks!
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Post by jellybean on Feb 1, 2022 19:47:29 GMT
Thanks willowsmum, if the grass is more plentiful this year, I will give it a go. That grass type is my boys favourite, they will eat all that's given, but that's a favourite for sure. Nice to have you back BTW 👍
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Post by willowsmum on Feb 1, 2022 22:50:11 GMT
Thanks jellybean it's so good to be back and fully caught up now, I feel like I know what's going on again I was thinking of you when I posted as we have the same grasses and season. The rye grass really hasn't suffered much at all by being frozen, it's a bit more dried out but Willow and Bramble certainly don't seem to mind. I'll keep an eye out for this years grasses appearing and will shout as soon as I spot them
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