Growth Often Means Change...  
By Jon Pinkus-President  

     Over the past 49 years our landscape company has had the honor playing an important role in the growth of our city. We have landscaped some of the finest homes and public properties including the Kennedy Memorial, City Hall, several shopping malls and corporate campuses. Lately, the commercial landscape arena has provided us with big challenges and opportunities. In order to continue this level of growth, we have partnered our landscape departments with Environmental Industries (“EII”) of California. EII is the largest privately-owned landscape company in the country. We have personal friendships with the owners going back 50 years. Some of their projects include the Getty Museum, Bellagio, Mirage, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and both Disney theme parks. The joining of these two landscape companies is a good thing for us and for Dallas.
      The North Haven Gardens retail store and florist will not be affected by this transaction. It will continue to be owned and operated by the Pinkus family. We look forward to continuing to be your garden center choice when you want that unique gardening experience, special plant, or knowledgeable service. We will continue to support your landscape needs through our partnership with EII. We have plans for fun and informative workshops in store events and neat new plants that we know you will enjoy.

By Judy Fender

     Birds are always a pleasure to watch in the garden, and providing a home for their young will enhance your enjoyment. Now is your opportunity to throw off the mid-winter blahs and create a thing of joy for our feathered friends. Rules — YOU have to have made it and/or decorated it (with paint and/or ornamentation). You can make it out of anything and make it — so a potential bird tenant will want to enjoy your housing creation this spring. Individuals, families, kids, clubs, friends are all welcome to collaborate and participate. If you aren’t into “construction,” put your talents to use and create a designer’s decorative birdhouse that will make Martha Stewart want to chirp.
     Birdhouses will be judged on originality, design, and skill level. [Guidelines are on our website and in the store.] A junior division will also be judged. Shake off “Old Man Winter,” come see what the competition enters, and vote for your “People’s Choice” favorite on February 23-24! Gift certificates will be awarded the winners.
     So, gather up that old scrap lumber, plastic milk bottles, or whatever else might make a good bird house. Decorate it with paint, natural materials, glue or nail things to it. You are only limited by your imagination! Deliver it to North Haven by Thursday, February 21st, 5 p.m.

By Carolyn Oldham

     It was once written that “a garden without wildlife has no soul.” Birds are probably the easiest wildlife to attract and the most fascinating to observe. There are 618 different varieties of birds that either live in or visit Texas during the year, and winter gives us opportunities to see the migratory birds at our bird feeders. Providing selective seed for these winter visitors increases your chances to see even more birds in your backyard.
     Plus, our feathered friends are one of the best natural defenses against insect pests in the garden. For example, a little Carolina Chickadee can eat 10,000 insects a season! Finches are attracted by the color yellow — so hang a finch feeder filled with fresh thistle and tie a yellow ribbon on.
      To entice a variety of birds to your yard, hang different types of birdfeeders filled with different food types. Feeders come in all shapes and sizes — tube, hopper, platform, suet, and peanut. The most preferred seed by all birds is black oil sunflower seed, but other seeds are also appetizing to these feathered visitors. Those squirrel “raiders” don’t like safflower seed, but the birds do! Finches love thistle. Millet and striped sunflower seeds will attract a variety of birds.

Need a Meeting Place or a Speaker for a Program?

     Need a Meeting Place or a Speaker for a Program? We would enjoy having your garden club meet at our facilities. We have a large conference room with writing boards and projector available. Our staff of extremely knowledgeable horticulture people have a variety of interesting programs for presentation to your organization or club. Please contact Judy Fender at 214-363-6715 if we can assist you with planning a program for your club here at North Haven Gardens

For the Organic Gardener

     Have you ever wondered where you would find some of the organic things suggested in the articles and garden advice you hear? We have them all — even fox urine to deter garden “raiders” and dispenser bottles, too! Browsing through our organic controls, we have so many organic pest controls, they take up a whole wall! Before you search elsewhere, come discover what we stock.

Gone to Seed...

      Our seeds are ready for your 2001 planting season. Fine selections for the garden, including flowering plants, ornamentals, and vegetables are available here from many fine seed sources. Ferry Morse has provided [free] garden plot plans for creating a Shady Garden, Fragrant Garden, Perennial Garden, and Container Garden. Pick up plans in our Seed Department. And while your’re there, explore new seeds to plant and enjoy.