Benefits of Lavender in Your Backyard Garden

November 19, 2019 by 7 Comments

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the benefits of lavender.  If you’re interested in growing lavender or making DIY medicinal or beauty products using lavender, this post is for you? Lavender is in the mint family; however, it isn’t as invasive as mint.  Furthermore, it’s native to the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean and can be traced back at least 2500 years.

Lavender was initially used as a holy herb.  It is mentioned in the Bible as Spikenard.  It was used to prepare the Holy Essence and gets its name from the Latin word ‘Lavare’ meaning ‘to wash”.  Next, the Romans used lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair.  Many use lavender for medicinal purposes and a variety of other reasons today.

 

benefits of lavender

 

 

Here are a few benefits of lavender:

 

benefits of lavender

 

 

Infused – Infuse lavender with olive oil, sweet almond oil or liquid coconut oil.  After 6 weeks, the oil and lavender must be strained through a cheese cloth.  Store the oil in a glass bottle.  Make body butter, hand cream, lip balm, sugar scrub, lotion, and cleaner from the infused lavender oil.

 

 


 


 

 


 

 

Sleep Aid –  Create a sleep-aid with lavender essential oil or infused lavender oil.  Simply, dilute the essential oil with water and fill a travel size spray bottle with the solution.  Spray a handkerchief or washcloth and place it on your pillow at night.  It’s great for calming down kids too.  Use a carrier oil that will not stain your clothing or bedding.  When you infuse oil, use one that won’t stain your clothing and bedding.  Dilute the oil with water to use as a sleep-aid spray.

 

 


 

Kitchen and Bath Cleaner – Infuse dried lavender with white distilled and water for 2 weeks in a glass bottle.  Lavender is a great bathroom and kitchen cleaner.  (Do not use on marble).

 


 

Diffuser – Lavender calms and reduces anxiety as well as relieves stress and assist with sleep.  I use a diffuser with lights that change colors.  I love the changing lights and colors, they relax me and make me happy.

 

 


 

Tea – Seep lavender flowers in a tea ball, and enjoy a hot cup of tea.

 

benefits of lavender

 

 

Last, we hope that the list of benefits of lavender will make you grab a seed packet and start planting.  Finally, lavender is a perennial.  So, once you have established plants it will return year after year.    You can download the Lavender Infographic here.

 

 

 

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Saving Marigold Seeds From Your Backyard Garden

November 7, 2019 by 7 Comments

Saving marigold seeds is a fun and frugal way to enrich your garden the following gardening season.  Today, I’m sharing flower garden tips on how to save marigold seeds from your backyard garden plants.  French marigolds find a place in my vegetable garden and backyard containers each year.  I companion plant marigolds with my tomato plants.  But, I also love them in containers on my deck paired with a sweet potato vine.

There are actually 50 varieties of marigolds; however, three are the most popular.  Marigolds have a daisy or carnation flower that are produced  as a single flower or in cluster.  They are natives of Mexico and prefer sunny locations.  They should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

 

 

saving marigold seeds

 

 

Here are the three varieties of marigolds:

  • French – Plant throughout the spring and summer.  Dwarf only growing about a foot.
  • American – Plant in the spring.  Tall, usually grows to about 3 feet.
  • Signet  – Plant throughout the spring and summer.   Flat and look like daisies.

The French marigolds are more compact than the American or Signet varieties.  I love them planted among my tall tomato plants.  You can direct sow marigolds in the spring when all signs of frost has past or start them inside.  If you direct sow, preparing the soil by removing rocks and debris and adding compost to the soil will help you grow a healthy and hardy garden full of marigolds.

 

Here’s a few benefits on why you should plant marigolds in your garden:

  • They’re easy to grow and be can direct sowed in the garden.
  • Repel pests.
  • Companion plant with tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, snap beans, squash, onions, and garlic.
  • Marigolds can be dried for flower arrangements.
  • Comes in a variety of colors like white, yellow, orange, or bi-color.
  • Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love to feast on the nectar in the blooms.

 

 

backyard garden marigolds

 

 

Saving marigold seeds from you backyard garden:

Pull marigold plants from your garden and containers at the end of the growing season.  I plant yellow and orange marigolds for the most part.  However, I did plant a bi-color this year too.

 

marigold plants

 

Pull the dead/dried pods from the plants.  You will harvest the seed from these pods.  If you have flowers or pods that aren’t completely dry, place the plants in a bag and allow them to dry completely.  You can remove the seeds later.

 

marigold seeds

 

Remove the top from the dried pods.  A simple twist should remove the top.  Once the top is removed, open the pod to expose the marigold seeds.

 

saving marigold seeds

 

 

Also, the marigold seeds are long with a black tip.  You will want to separate the seeds from the pod and tips.  Once you have the seeds separated, place them into an airtight container, plastic envelope or paper envelope.  Mark the container with 2019 and the type of seed that you saved.  For example, 2019 Yellow French or 2019 Bi-Color Signet.

 

 

saving marigold seeds

 

So, saving marigold seeds from year to year will save you money on flower purchases from the garden center or your local nursery.  You will find that the marigold plants will reward you with plenty of seeds.  You will have enough to share with neighbors, family or friends for years to come.  Plant them in containers, baskets and in your vegetable garden and borders.  You can never have enough marigolds in your wildlife habitat and gardens.

Finally, you may also like Why You Should Winter Sow Seeds.  If you would like a package of free marigold seeds, please contact me at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com.

 

 

 

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Best Sunflower Varieties for Wildlife

October 27, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard flower garden tips on best sunflower varieties for wildlife. Unfortunately,  the bird populations has declined over the years.  Pesticides and herbicides, the decline in insects, climate change and removal from their natural habitat are major factors in their decline.  Today, I’m going to share the best sunflower varieties to grow in your backyard garden to help sustain our wildlife.

 

sunflower varieties

 

 

There are other steps you can take to help sustain wildlife, but today we’re focusing on solely on sunflowers.  I add them to my vegetable garden every year.  I love opening my curtains in the morning and seeing their smiling faces.  Furthermore, I love it even more when I see my backyard birds feasting on the sunflower seeds.  If you don’t have a vegetable garden, add them along a fence line or in your flower gardens.

Sunflowers attract pollinators which include bees, butterflies, honey bees, wasps, moths, flies, and beetles.  We need pollinators to keep our ecosystem going.  There are some sunflowers that are produced to not attract pollinators.  Many gardeners do not want  pollen dropping on their tables and mantels when they cut sunflower bouquets.

 

Here’s a few of the Best Sunflower Varieties for wildlife: 

 

Lemon Queen  – These beauties find a place in my garden every year.  I love the lighter color of the petals versus the regular yellow petals found on most sunflowers.   They are lovely planted among Autumn Beauty sunflowers.  The contrasting colors are stunning.

Velvet Queen – Another beauty that finds a place in my garden.  It’s sports deep red, almost burgundy colored petals.

Red Sun –  I’ve never grown this particular variety, but I try it in my 2020 summer vegetable garden.

Chocolate Cherry – This sunflower has deep, dark, reddish brown petals that look beautiful with any yellow/lemon sunflowers.  Plant a few.

Autumn Beauty – I have planted this variety, and I love it.  It has multi-color petals in colors of gold, orange, yellow, red, and burgundy.  It looks great with the deeper color sunflowers.

Evening Sun – Fortunately, this beauty goes into my garden every year.  I plant it close to the Lemon Queen for the color contrast.

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Wild – I’m not familiar with this variety, but it’s great with pollination so it’s alright with me.  I am going to do my homework, I may want to plant a few.

Russian Mammoth – So, I can’t live without this sunflower in my garden, and neither can my American Goldfinch.  It is massive.  The fence behind these Russian Mammoths is six feet.  I’ve had them grown as tall as 12 – 15 feet.

 

russian mammoth sunflower

 

 

 


 

Earth Walker – I haven’t had good luck with the Earth Walker.  I planted a few this summer, but they failed to germinate.  I haven’t given up though.  I’ll try again in the upcoming growing season.

Mexican – Unfortunately, another variety that has failed to grown in my garden.  I’ll be trying this variety again too.  They’re lower than most sunflowers, they’ll make a nice border in front of some of the taller varieties.

 

Planting any of these sunflower varieties for wildlife habitats will help create or sustain them. Start browsing the internet or catalogues for seeds that interest you.  Make sure they sunflower varieties are good for pollination.  You may also like:  7 Uses for Sunflowers and Soak Up the Rain. 

 

 

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Tips on Creating a Wild Life Habitat

October 19, 2019 by 2 Comments

Now is a good time to start thinking about your backyard and if it has everything needed to create a wild life habitat.  If not, you can start putting together a plan to remedy the problem.  Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on creating a wild life habitat.  My goal is to create a habitat for backyard birds.  However, you can work towards creating a habitat for squirrels, deer, ducks and more.

There are four areas that you should focus on when creating your backyard wild life habitat.  Remember, you don’t have to incorporate every item listed below.  Strive to make it beautiful and an area that you enjoy watching too.  Here’s the areas:

 

creating a wild life habitat

 

 

 

Shelter

  • Wooded Area
  • Rock Pile
  • Evergreen Trees
  • Brush Pile
  • Log Pile
  • Shrubs
  • Ponds

You will need to provide at least two areas of shelter when creating a wild life habitat.  I provide bird houses, a log pile, and plenty of shrubs.  Fortunately, I also have a row of evergreens on my back property line.

 

Food Sources

  • Seeds from a plant
  • Berries
  • Twigs
  • Fruits
  • Suet
  • Feeders
  • Nuts

You will need to include at least three of these food sources.  I offer feeders, suet, nuts and seeds from sunflower plants and berries from a wild cherry tree.   Furthermore, I have black walnut trees on my property.  The squirrels stay busy gathering walnuts in the fall and stealing sunflower seeds and peanuts from the feeders in the winter.

You can also plant native plants, berry bushes and fruit trees to help create a wild life habitat too.

 

 

creating a wild life habitat

 

 

Water Sources

  • Bird bath
  • Lake Stream
  • Pond
  • Spring
  • Pool
  • Butterfly Puddle Area
  • Garden Pond
  • Create a Rain Garden

 

You will need to provide or have one of these sources.  I have several bird baths and a wet weather stream bed.  It usually runs in the spring if we’ve had lots of rain or a heavy snow fall.  I love when it’s running and so do the mallards.

 

Sustainable Practices

  • Use a Rain Barrel
  • Create a Rain Garden
  • Use Mulch in flower beds
  • Reduce Lawn Area
  • Use Native Plants
  • Compost
  • Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

 

I use several of these practices for my backyard garden and flower beds.  Mulch is used in my flower beds and I have two compost bins.  I also eliminated chemicals on my property.  I hope to incorporate a rain barrel in the spring to water my garden and plant more native shrubs.  Check your local Conservation Agency.  Sometimes, they give away free rain barrels.

Place your feeders, bird baths, waters and areas that you can observe and enjoy too.  It’s no fun working to create a beautiful yard, and than not enjoy it.  I love opening my curtains in the morning and enjoying nature throughout the day.  Check out some wild life magazines to get ideas or better yet use your creative eye and instincts.

You may also like:  How to Attract Backyard Birds.

 

 

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Backyard Birds That Love Suet

October 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing a few birding tips on backyard birds that love suet. Cold weather is around the corner.  Not all backyard birds migrate to warmer climates, so they will need help keeping warm and finding food.  One of the ways that you can help is offer foods that will keep them warm and fill their little tummies.   And, how you can help our feathered friends through the cold, winter months.

 

Backyard Bird Suet

 

 

First, here’s a list of backyard birds that love suet:

 

Woodpeckers

  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker
  • Red-Headed Woodpecker

Small Birds

  • Black-Capped Chickadee
  • Carolina Wren
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Nuthatch
  • White-Breasted Nuthatch
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatch

 

Large Birds

  • Black-Headed Grosbeak
  • Brown Thrasher
  • Gray Catbird
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Blue Jays
  • Red-Winged Blackbird

 

 

birds that eat suet

 

 

 

This list is not all inclusive.  So, check the bird list for your area.  I live in West Virginia in Zone 6B.  Birds that are native to West Virginia may not be native to your state.  Last winter, I had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Red-winged Blackbird, Catbird and Mockingbird at the feeders daily.  I can tell you that the Woodpeckers and Mockingbirds devoured the suet.

You can purchase suet cakes or make your own.  I do both; however, I prefer making my own suet.  You can purchase suet cakes in a variety of flavors including peanut, apple snack, cherry crunch, zesty orange, beef suet and more.

 


 

 

 

Also, I make Bacon Birdseed Cookies.  So, be sure to check out the recipe. You can use bacon grease, rendered beef from your local grocery store, melted beef fat from roast etc.  It’s a fun project to make with these kids this winter.  You can hang these cookies in a tree or place in a dish.  Let the kids observe the birds enjoying their treat.

 

 

 


 

Start saving your fat/grease from your meals and start feeding our feathered friends.  They will thank you for it.

 

 

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Backyard Birds That Eat Apples

September 20, 2019 by 14 Comments

So, today I’m sharing birding tips on backyard birds that eat apples.   It’s apple season!  You can buy a few or you can buy them by the bushel.  You can make pies, jelly or jam, cobblers or just snack on them.  But, whatever you do pick up a few apples for your backyard birds.  They love them too.

Apples are an excellent source of sugar.  Sugar provides energy, which is essential during fall migration and winter months.  Furthermore,  apples help our backyard birds to maintain body heat during chilly weather.  So, help our feather friends by providing some of those delicious apples.

 

birds that eat apples

 

 

Here’s a list of backyard birds that eat apples:

  • Mockingbirds
  • American Robin
  • Blue Jay
  • Northern Bobwhite
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Eastern bluebird
  • Eastern Towhee
  • Grosbeaks
  • Gray catbird
  • Hairy woodpecker
  • House Finch
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Orioles,
  • Purple Finch
  • Red-bellied woodpecker
  • Red-headed woodpecker
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Crows

 

birds that eat apples

 

Place chucks or chopped apples in a small dish for backyard birds.  You can also use a platform or hopper feeder too.  Furthermore, you can cut the apples in half, remove the seeds, and just place the apples on the ground. If you can find a way to place an apple on a dead branch on a tree, that’s a great way to attract backyards to it.  Additionally, I have chopped apples in my kitchen chopper and mixed it in with the birdseed during the winter months too.

 


 


 

birds that eat apples

 

 

So, check your area to see what birds from the list can be lured to your backyard.  Please note, my list is not all inclusive.  There may be birds in your zone that are not on my list, so do your research on your backyard birds.  You may also like:  How to Attract Backyard Birds to Your Bird Bath.

 

 

 

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Tips on Landscaping Small Yards

September 11, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Flower gardening can be therapeutic.   Today, I’m sharing tips on landscaping small yards.  The idea of hiring a professional designer for your garden can be daunting for the typical household.  Especially, if you only have a small front yard.  We assume that gardening talents are best suited for large areas.  Furthermore, if you don’t live in a Beverly Hills mansion you probably don’t need a professional gardener.  It is a common belief that garden designs need spacious areas.  Not true!

 

 

landscaping small yards

 

 

We are probably influenced by the pictures of parks, castles and celebrities’ homes.  They include garden designs with luxurious water features.  There are live fish, creative hedge cuttings, and magnificent flower displays.  However, there is more to gardening and outdoor scenes than meets the eye.  Small yards could benefit from the know-how and style of a professional too. Here’s a few tips on landscaping small yards:

 

Eliminate Landscaping Mistakes 

When you work with a small space  you need to be creative.  It’s important to maximize what you have.   It’s precisely what landscaping a small yard is about.  For small yards, landscapers ensure that they maximize the space without compromising on style, diversity, and vegetation. Too many home gardeners are worried about creating an outdoor garden that is inviting and relaxing.  Professionals can help you understand what your soil needs in terms of nutrients.  Furthermore, they understand what plants will thrive in your tiny space.  Adding unnecessary features or plants that won’t survive is not beneficial.  Everything needs to have its place.

 

 

landscaping small yards

 

Learn to Preserve Wildlife 

Your yard may be small, but it can still play a significant role in the conservation of wildlife.  With the help of a professional, you can create a bee-friendly path.  For example, using flowers that naturally attract these active pollinators should be incorporated.  A lavender bush would be the perfect addition to a small garden.  It injects both color and scent.  Additionally, lavender is also ideal for small gardens as it grows in the roughest conditions.  As a result, you don’t have to worry about prepping your soil.  Furthermore, your garden contractor can be a precious ally when it comes to developing eco-friendly maintenance habits.  They will utilize natural repellents rather than pesticides and insecticides.

Maximize Your Money  

Last but not least, your small yard could save you a ton of money.  As a result, you can work on a vegetable bed.  A specialist will advise you on the most suitable vegetables for your soil, your climate, and your lifestyle.  Many veggies come in dwarf sizes, which makes space less of a worry. Ideally, you should opt for vertical growers, such as beans, beets, or cucumbers.  In a small area, you need to rely on crops that grow quickly.  Growing vegetables can soon reduce your need for grocery shopping.  Additionally, you can follow the tips of a professional to create a compost bin that will nourish your vegetable bed while repurposing all your kitchen and yard waste and paper.

 

Every garden can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a certified landscaper.  Homeowners who are struggling to bring their small yard to life could create a wildlife paradise with the help of professionals who can ensure a cost  and space saving design.

 

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45 Compost Items for Hot Compost Bins

August 30, 2019 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing garden tips on household items you can compost.  If you’re a backyard gardener, you should be composting.  What is compost you ask?  Compost is organic material from kitchen scraps, yard clippings, and water that breaks down to fertilizer.  It’s a great way to recycle your kitchen scraps, yard and garden waste, and weeds.  Furthermore, it saves you money on buying garden center products and chemicals.

 

 

items for compost bins

 

 

 

First, there are 3 methods of composting:  hot, cold and trench methods.   Today we’re going to discuss items that you can put into your hot compost bin.  If you decide to start a hot compost bin, you must remember to turn it.  Furthermore, a hot compost bin requires that you add items in layers.  This will help heat the pile to approximately 160 – 180 degrees and start the decomposition process.  Add a layer of green and than a layer of brown in your compost bin.

Next, be sure to place your compost bin on level ground and near your garden area.  It will help when turning the pile and placing content back into the bin.  Here is a list of items that you can and can’t use in your hot compost bins:

 

(Green) Items

  • banana peels
  • melon rinds
  • carrot peelings
  • pizza crust, taco shells etc.
  • apple skins and cores
  • coffee grounds
  • tea grounds
  • peanut and sunflower seed shells
  • weeds
  • fresh grass
  • plant clippings
  • cereal
  • toast
  • crushed egg shells
  • tomato skins
  • squash/zucchini peels
  • stale bread and biscuits
  • grapes
  • blueberries
  • strawberries
  • waffles
  • crackers
  • dead house plants
  • horse manure
  • chicken manure
  • pig manure
    *no dog or cat feces
    *no meats, fats or oils

 


 

(Brown) Items

  • leaves
  • shipping boxes
  • cereal boxes
  • egg cartons
  • paper towel rolls
  • toilet paper rolls
  • shredded mail and paper
  • coffee filters
  • wood ash
  • straw
  • paper towels
  • dried grass
  • wood shavings
  • newspaper
  • sawdust
  • corn stalks
  • lint
  • dryer sheets
  • feather dusters

 

 

 

items used in compost bins

 

 

Researchers have suggested that home owners have an average of 200 pounds of kitchen scraps/waste per year.  Add that to your yard waste and you can start creating your own organic black gold for your garden.  Instead of sending your scraps to the landfill, recycle it.  The landfills will be happy and so will your garden.

You will need a good compost bin and kitchen compost pail.  Your compost bin can be handmade or you can purchase one.  Be sure that is made of quality and you can turn your pile.

C0mposting requires patience, your pile won’t break down overnight.  Unfortunately, it will take months to produce organic matter for your garden and flower beds.  But, once it breaks down you will be thrilled.  You may also like:  How to Prepare Soil for Next Year’s Garden.

 


 

 

 

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Tips for Backyard Bird Fall Migration

August 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing birding tips on backyard bird fall migration.  Fall is around the corner, and many of our feather friends will be migrating south.  Migration usually occurs between September and November.  Are you anxious to assist during the backyard bird fall migration?   Assisting birds in the fall is just as important as assisting them in the spring.

 

backyard bird fall migration

 

 

 

 

Here’s a few tips on backyard bird fall migration:

 

 


 

 

Provide Moving Water  – Place a bird bath in a location that birds can see from the sky is crucial as a backyard birder.  Birds are attracted to moving water.  As a result, you can purchase a floating fountain or agitator to place in your bird baths.  I have floating fountains for my bird baths.  I love them, I can change the fountain heads to different sprays of water when I want a change.  If you’re going to provide water for backyard birds, clean your bird baths regularly.

 


Use Large Feeders – During the backyard bird fall migration, I use large bird feeders.  Hundreds of hungry birds are migrating south and will need to eat while in route.  I have found that using large feeders keeps me from having to refill my feeders so often.  I use several feeders, platform and tubes.  However, I have found that platform feeders draw the largest number of birds.

 


 

Provide High Energy Foods – Provide high energy foods for your feathered friends.  This includes black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, a variety of suet, meal worms, cracked corn and fruit.

 

Clean Out Birdhouses –  Fall is a good time to clean out nesting boxes and store them for spring if they’re not mounted.

 

 

backyard bird fall migration

 

Provide Cover – Leave brush piles and/or piles of leaves in your garden or backyard if possible.  Birds love natural nesting areas like trees, shrubs, and bushes.  Furthermore, most will return to the same nesting spots year after year.  Baby birds will return to the yards they were born in and build their nests in the same area.  As a result, make your yard as bird family as possible.

 

Provide Natural Food Sources –  Providing berries from Wild Cherry, Dogwood, Holly, Chokeberry, Ash and other trees will be welcomed by our feathered friends.  Migrating birds will devour these berries.

 

So, start now so that you will be ready when backyard bird fall migration arrives.  Also, remember that birds scour for resources in the fall.  If your yard is well stocked, and they hang around during the winter month.  They will return to your yard!  When is Fall Migration.

 

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7 Tips for Beginner Backyard Bird Watchers

August 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips for beginner backyard bird watchers.  Birdwatching can be a fun activity.  I love opening my curtains in the morning and listening to the song birds.  I’ve learned to identify several by their beautiful music even when they’re not in my sight.

So, backyard bird watching is becoming one of America’s favorite past times.  It is as enjoyable for me as gardening.  It’s a great way to get in touch with nature, have hobby that doesn’t require you to leave home and it’s budget friendly.  Open your curtains and start watching.

 

backyard birds

Here’s what you will need to begin your beginner backyard bird watching journey:

 


 

  • Binoculars – Invest in a pair of field glasses. When you’re just starting out, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on binoculars. I have a pair that I spent $30 on, and they work just fine for my backyard viewing.  Usually a lens magnification of 8x – 12x will be sufficient. So, make sure you read the particulars before you purchase to ensure the field glasses will be what you need.

 

  • Bird Identification Guide – Purchase a bird identification guide.  Become familiar with the birds in your region.  You can google to obtain a list to help you get started.  For example, I live in West Virginia.  Therefore, I want to look for birds that I will find in my backyard.  Birds that are native to Texas won’t be found in West Virginia and vice versa.

 


 

  • Bird Feeders –  You will find some birds prefer platform bird feeders and some prefer tube bird feeders.  Decide what birds you want to attract and than decide on a feeder or two to place in your backyard.  I use both tube and platform feeders.  I also use suet feeders in the winter.  You may like my bacon backyard bird birdseed cookies.

 

  • Bird Food  –  Next, beginner backyard bird watchers struggle with what to feed their backyard birds.  You can’t go wrong with black oil sunflower seeds and/or suet and fruits.  I started out with the black oil sunflower seeds.  I add suet cakes and birdseed cookies in the winter.  All are devoured.

 

 


 

  • Bird Bath  – Furthermore, backyard bird watchers must offer a water source for their feathered friends.  Place a bird bath were birds can see them from the air.  A heated bath is nice in the winter.  It keeps the water warm and thawed.

 


 

  • Bird Houses – Last, some birds roost in trees.  Others will build nest inside nice warm bird houses.  Decide if you want to build a house for Wrens, Chickadees, Robins etc. Purchase your birdhouse accordingly.  Or, get creative and build your own.

 


 

  • Magazine Subscription –  I love the magazine Birds and Blooms.  I let them stack up during the spring and summer, and enjoy them with a roaring fire and a cup of coffee during the winter.  This magazine has beautiful photos of birds across the country and from other birdwatcher’s backyards.  They also include gardening ideas.

 

Finally, I hope that you find our beginner backyard bird watcher tips helpful.  I’ve been bird watching for years, and I know that all bird watchers have to start somewhere.

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