Article & Images Submitted by Melanie Angbao & Kate Broyles, Owners & Innkeepers at the Maplegrove Inn
May is such a wonderful time of the year in southern New Brunswick! The garden is beginning to stir after a long winter and the first 2 weeks of this month are marked by the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds.
The male hummers arrive first to establish their territory and the females follow. The experts suggest hanging feeders by May 1st to ensure that energetic early arrivals have a food supply. We use a simple 4:1 mixture of water and white sugar which we boil to prevent fermentation. We also change the sugar water 2- 3x/week to avoid mold and bacteria growth.
May is such a wonderful time of the year in southern New Brunswick! The garden is beginning to stir after a long winter and the first 2 weeks of this month are marked by the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds.
The male hummers arrive first to establish their territory and the females follow. The experts suggest hanging feeders by May 1st to ensure that energetic early arrivals have a food supply. We use a simple 4:1 mixture of water and white sugar which we boil to prevent fermentation. We also change the sugar water 2- 3x/week to avoid mold and bacteria growth.
To support the health of our little hummingbird friends, it is also important to provide natural opportunities for their feeding, resting, and nest building. Planting a variety of bell and trumpet-shaped flowers in the yard provides a natural food source for these tiny territorial creatures. Bee Balm, Honeysuckle, Garden Phlox , Salvia, Red Columbine, Magenta Beardtongue, Zinnias and Petunias are all good options! Spread those plants out around the property to provide lots of opportunity for hummingbirds to stretch their wings and not get in arguments over resources!
The Maplegrove Inn will be hosting a very special Mother's Day Tea on May 9th and 10th. Fingers-crossed that our guests will enjoy a slice of Hummingbird cake while being treated to the sight of these gorgeous little birds flitting about in our garden!
Hummingbird Cake Recipe (makes a very large, moist cake)
Ingredients:
3 cups AP flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cup veg oil
3 large eggs, room temp
8 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups mashed bananas (5-6)
1½ tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 9 inch round pans
Sift dry ingredients and add sugars in a bowl
In separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients
Add dry ingredients to wet until just combined.
Bake for 25 - 30 min until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 min, then turn out to cool completely.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting.
The Maplegrove Inn will be hosting a very special Mother's Day Tea on May 9th and 10th. Fingers-crossed that our guests will enjoy a slice of Hummingbird cake while being treated to the sight of these gorgeous little birds flitting about in our garden!
Hummingbird Cake Recipe (makes a very large, moist cake)
Ingredients:
3 cups AP flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cup veg oil
3 large eggs, room temp
8 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups mashed bananas (5-6)
1½ tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 9 inch round pans
Sift dry ingredients and add sugars in a bowl
In separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients
Add dry ingredients to wet until just combined.
Bake for 25 - 30 min until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 min, then turn out to cool completely.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting.
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