Hummingbird Flowers and Plants for Backyards

May 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on hummingbird flowers and plants. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.  They are fascinating creatures that eat once every 10 to 15 minutes.  As a result, they visit approximately  1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day.  Hummingbird flowers provide nectar, which they absolutely love.  Are you wondering what flowers to plant to entice them?  I have a hummingbird flowers and plants list, check it out.  

 

 

hummingbird flowers and plants

 

 

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants:   

 

  • Yarrow
  • Larkspur
  • Bee Balm
  • Trumpet Vine
  • Day Lilies
  • Petunias
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Honeysuckle
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Red Hot Poker
  • Zinnia
  • Sunflowers
  • Impatiens
  • Foxglove
  • Coneflowers
  • Geraniums
  • Morning Glory
  • Hollyhocks
  • Coral Bells
  • Lantana
  • Rose of Sharon
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Iris

 

My list gives a good variety of hummingbird flowers to choose from.  Hummingbirds love red and yellow, so choose as many red and yellow flowers as you can.  The petunias in the window boxes on my deck never fail to bring hummingbirds.  So, tubular flowers are excellent choices.    

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants Provide Nectar:  

Also, these flowers provide nectar, which makes up 90% of a hummingbird’s diet.  Furthermore, nectar provides energy.  In additional to planting these flowers, hang a nectar feeder.  They are inexpensive and hummingbirds love them.  Red feeders with yellow ports are just what the hummingbird ordered.  To help hummingbirds find your feeders. tie a red ribbon close to the feeder.  

So, you can purchase nectar food packets at a local store.  However, I suggest that you save your money and use the ingredients that you have on hand.  I try to provide natural products to my backyard birds when possible.  As a result, use the natural nectar recipe below.  

 

 

 

hummingbird flower and plants

 

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: 

  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 cup sugar 

 

  1.  Boil 4 cups of water. 
  2.  Add 1 cup of white granulated sugar.
  3.  Mix the sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved. 
  4.  Once the sugar is dissolved, continue to boil mixture for 2 additional minutes. 
  5.  Allow the mixture to cool thoroughly. 
  6.  Pour nectar into clean hummingbird feeders.

 

Attracting Hummingbirds to Feeders:    

Change the nectar every 3 – 5 days.  Be sure to clean your feeder too.  This will keep bacteria from invading your feeder.  See my post on how to clean bird feeders.

Set up territories in your yard, and place a feeder in each territory.  This will attract more hummingbirds to your backyard.  

Also, hummingbirds like to perch.  So, leave branches with open tips on them where hummingbirds can preen and rest.  They should be placed near nectar feeders or flowers that they love.  

Last, hummingbirds prefer to bath by flying through water mist.  Place a water mister in your birdbath.  If you can place it near the nectar feeder or among your flowers the hummingbirds will love you for it.    

I hope that you will plant a few hummingbird flowers and plants either in your garden, shrubbery bed or in containers.  Your hummingbirds will love you for them.  You may also like Hummingbirds.  

 

 

Filed Under: Backyard Birds, Flower Gardens Tagged With: , , ,

Beef Stew Lard Suet Cakes

January 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Homemade lard suet cakes is the topic of the day.  My backyard birds devour my DIY lard suet cakes within days.  So, rather than continually spend money on commercial suet cakes, I started making my own. Whether there are fights over the food in your home or in your backyard, you know the food is good. So, I suggest that you start making homemade suet cakes for your backyard birds.  Especially, if you want to keep them coming back to your feeders.

 

 

lard suet cakes

 

 

Furthermore, Suet cakes are a great source of heat and energy for birds in the winter.  And, you can get creative and create your own recipes.   I have created tons of recipes for my backyard birds, and it was fun making them.  Especially, with my grandkids. Beef stew is the flavor of the day.  Lets get started.

 

 

Beef Stew Lard Suet Cakes:

  • 1 cup chopped boiled potatoes (Be sure to remove the skin).
  • 1 cup grated raw carrots (Raw carrots are good for the birds eyes).
  • 2 cups of black oil sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup of oats (I forgot to include them in the picture below).
  • 1 cup beef lard  (I used the fat from my ground beef)
  • 1/2 cup regular lard if needed
  • containers to mold your mixture (container should be at least 5 x 5 so it will fit into a suet cage)

Note:  This recipe makes 2 suet cakes.

 

 

Lard Suet Cakes

 

 

  • Step 1 – Melt 1 cup of lard in a pot, and than allow it to harden.
  • Step 2 – Melt melt the lard a second time and allow it to harden again.  You can add more lard here if you don’t think you have enough for your mixture.
  • Step 3 – Melt the lard again.
  • Next, mix your birdseed, oats, potatoes, and carrots thoroughly while the lard is melting.  Once the ingredients are mixed well, pour the melted lard over the mixture. Stir the mixture so it is covered well with the lard.  (You can save a little lard to pour over the mixture once it is packed in the containers).
  • Pack the mixture into your containers.  ( I spray my containers with Olive Oil before I add the mixture to ensure an easy removal).
  • Pour the last of the melted lard over the mixture in the packed containers.
  • Freeze or place your containers in your refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
  • Last, remove the suet cakes from your containers and store in a freezer bag in the freezer or refrigerator until you need them.  (I mark my bags with the type of suet cake that I’m storing.  For example, Beef Stew).

 

 

Note:  I am an Amazon Affiliate.  If you make a purchase, I may receive a small fee; however, there will be no additional cost to you.

 

 


 

 

Some of the birds that visit my suet cake feeders are:

  • Woodpeckers
  • Mockingbirds
  • Northern Flickers
  • Carolina Wrens
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • European Starlings
  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Hairy Woodpeckers
  • Pileated Woodpeckers
  • Black-capped Chickadees
  • House Finches
  • Sparrows

 

 

lard suet cakes

 

 

Finally, check out my carrot raisin suet cake recipe before you leave.  It’s another favorite of my backyard birds.  You may also like Understanding Suet.

 

Filed Under: Suet Cake Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,

How to Clean Bird Feeders

November 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on how to clean bird feeders.  Keeping your feeders clean is as important as the food you offer our feathered friends.  Leaving feeders up for months without cleaning them could cause mold and fungus, which leaves to disease.  Feeders should be cleaned at least once a month, twice a month is even better. Clumps of food is a sign that moisture penetrated your feeder.  Moist food can lead to mold and fungus.

I have several feeders that I use at my feeding station.  I always keep several feeders that are clean so I can replace those that need to be cleaned with the sanitized feeders.  As a result, my feathered friends can continue to enjoy their buffet.  You always want your feeders to be stocked; otherwise, your birds will go elsewhere for food.

If you’re a beginner bird watcher and feeder, you may be wondering how to clean your bird feeders.  No worries, I’ll give all the information you need below.

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

How to Clean Bird Feeders:

 

Rinse Feeders

  •  Make sure your feeders are empty before you start cleaning them.  So, you’re first step is to remove any seed and dispose of it in a trash bag.  Next, place the bag of seed in a sealed garbage can.  Otherwise, you can attract unwanted critters if you just leave the seed in your yard. Spray your feeders gently with a water hose to dislodge any seeds and debris.  Don’t use a full force water spray on your feeders.  It could damage the feeder or parts on the feeders.  Additionally, I wear gloves when cleaning my feeders.  I suggest you wear them too during the cleaning process.

 

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

 

Soak Feeders

  • Next, soak feeders in hot, soapy water.  I use water as hot as I can get to soak my feeders in along with Dawn dish washing liquid.  A 5 gallon bucket from Lowes works great for soaking feeders.  You can perform this task in your garage, driveway, patio or deck on a nice sunny day.  Also, immerge your feeders for at least 15 – 20 minutes.  Once they’ve soaked for 15 – 20 minutes, scrub them from top to bottom with a stiff brush.  You want to make sure you get into the crevices as well as the inside of the feeder to remove mold, fungus, and debris.  Use a bottle brush for tube feeders.  Using a bottle brush versus a scrub brush will make your cleaning endeavor easier.  Trust me.

 

Disinfect Feeders

  • Last, disinfect your feeders.  I use white vinegar and water to disinfectant my feeders.  White vinegar is a staple in my home.  I use it to clean my shower doors and for other cleaning jobs.  Bleach is harsh on the metals and/or plastic in my opinion.  So, I use vinegar and water to disinfect.   I simply use a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of the water and vinegar.  Cover the feeders with the solution.  After covering the feeder with the water and vinegar solution, I use a rag to wipe the solution over the feeders.  I keep old towels cut into rags, and they work great.  Rinse your feeders thoroughly with clear water.

 

Air Dry Feeders

Last, allow your feeders to air dry in a dry spot overnight.  They will be clean, sanitary and ready to be used at your next birdseed buffet.

 

Finally, if you’re going to help feed our feathered friends, please ensure your feeders are clean and well maintained.  My cleaning tips will help ensure your feeders are welcoming.

 

Filed Under: Backyard Birds Tagged With: , ,