Using Suet Feeders for Backyard Birds

December 28, 2013 by
Today, I’m going to discuss using suet feeders for backyard birds.  Food sources for backyard birds become scarce during the winter.  So, I decided to put up a couple of suet feeders in addition to my regular feeders.   What is suet you ask?  Simply put, it’s fat mixed with corn, fruit, peanuts, hot peppers and/or  dehydrated insects.  Furthermore, it comes in a brick or log form.  The bricks fit into most suet feeder cages.

suet feeders for backyard birds

Also, you can use suet cakes year round.  So, they’re not just for winter feeding anymore.  That just happens to be the time of year I use them because the birds need the fat and protein.  If you’re going to use suet feeders for backyard birds in warmer months, I recommend using the No Melt Suet.  Check the package to ensure you have the No Melt version before you leave the store.  It’s easy to get the packages mixed up.  Also, using suet feeders are cheaper than buying bird seed.  So, if you don’t want to invest a lot of money in bird seed, a suet feeder is the way to go.

Furthermore, I’ve discovered that some birds prefer suet rather than seed.  Suet is important to birds, especially during the colder months.  It helps to keep them warm.  Mostly insect lovers like Mockingbirds, Orioles, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Chickadees flock to suet feeders.  I have been able to get my Woodpeckers and Chickadees to eat from my platform feeder too.  They love black oil sunflower seeds.

 


 

 

As a matter of fact, I really hoped to attract Orioles this past spring.  I tried using oranges this spring, but no luck.  I did manage to attract a Mockingbird and Catbirds.  They are both beautiful birds.  The Mocking Bird loves my bacon birdseed cookies.

 

 

suet feeders

 

 

The Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers are frequent visitors to the suet feeder.  I purchase the bricks made specifically for woodpeckers; however, I think they will eat any that contain nuts and fruit.  They love it.  Also, they will visit the platform feeder and indulge in the black oil sunflower seeds.

 

 

suet feeders for backyard birds

 

 

It’s cheaper, and the suet cakes last longer.  That’s if the squirrels, Starlings or Grackles don’t find the suet cages.  They can devour a cake or two in a day.  As a result, I purchased this bottom suet feeder to try to deter them.  So far it’s working.  I can put 3 of the suet cakes in this feeder.  The woodpeckers love it.  I have both Red-Bellied and Downy Woodpeckers that visit.  For larger woodpeckers like Flickers, the cage suet feeders are better.  They are large birds, and it seems easier for them to hold on to the cages rather than the bottom feeder.

 

 

suet feeders

 

What backyard birds visit you?  Do you feed them?  If so, what methods do you use to attract them?   Check out my other posts on attracting backyard birds before you leave.

 

suet feeders for backyard birds

 

 

This is a Downy Woodpecker on a cage suet feeder filled with raisins and cranberries.  So, you can get creative and use other food besides suet in your suet cages.

 

 

 

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Backyard Birds – Dark-eyed Junco Visits

December 15, 2013 by

Attracting backyard birds is a fun and interesting hobby.  I ‘ve had new visitors at my feeder recently, the Dark-eye Junco.  These backyard birds are also known as “snow birds”.  We had about 8 inches of snow, and they appeared on que.  They are beautiful birds, a grayish black with a white belly.  Some look almost coal black with a white belly.  They prefer colder climates, which explains why they have suddenly appeared at my feeder now that it has snowed.  Today, lets discuss how to attract Dark-eyed Junco to your backyard.

 

 

dark eyed junco

The Dark-eyed Junco visits backyard feeders in the winter, but breed in forests across Canada, the western U.S., and in the Appalachians.  I recently added a tube feeder to my feeding station, my tree, because the platform feeder holds the snow.  However, the Dark-eye Junco actually prefers the platform feeder.  They are called snow birds because they love the snow.  So, forging for seed buried under the snow in the platform feeder doesn’t seem to faze them.

They have interesting habits too.  I’ve seen them lay in the snow covered platform feeder and just chill.  Or, you will find them scouring the snow covered ground for dropped seed.

                                     Dark-eyed Junco
So, if you want to attract these entertaining birds to your backyard feeder, use a platform feeder.   and fill it with millet, bread crumbs, cracked corn or hulled sunflower seeds.  Platform feeders need to be emptied and clean more often than tubes or other feeders.  Why, because they are open to the elements.  Make sure the seed is fresh rather than wet and moldy.  I try to add fresh seed at least twice a week to my platform feeder.
Dark Eyed Junco
Furthermore, Dark-Eyed Junco like bread crumbs.  However, not just any bread is acceptable.  Make sure it is multi-grain.  Just like us, birds need to consume healthy foods.  As a result, rather than throw out the end of my multi-grain loaf that everyone refuses to eat and other pieces that are getting old,  I save them for the birds.  I stick them in the freezer.  I toast a slice and spread peanut butter on it.  The birds love it.
attracting Dark Eyed Juncos
Another trick to draw Dark-Eyed Juncos to your feeder is to spread birdseed on the ground.  Use a mix of black oil sunflower seeds mixed with cracked corn.  To avoid rodents or unwanted animals, limit the amount of seed that you spread on the ground.  I’m looking forward to watching my new visitors frolicking in our fresh snow.

 

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Homemade Salsa Canning Recipe

December 2, 2013 by

I decided to make a batch of salsa for the winter.  It was so delicious.  So, today I’m sharing my Homemade Salsa Canning Recipe with you.  This recipe can be eaten fresh or canned for later use.  I thought it would be a great dish during the holidays while watching movies or entertaining. Canning salsa is a big part of my  backyard vegetable gardening  projects.  

 

 

gardening, canning, salsa recipes, fresh garden recipes

 

 

I used ingredients from my garden to make this batch of salsa, but you find the same ingredients at your local grocery store or Farmer’s Market.  Farmer’s Markets in warmer climates are usually open during the holiday season and still have fresh produce.  So, take advantage of the fresh produce if you’re lucky enough to have a farmer’s market near you.

Here’s what you need:

  • 5  – 6 lbs. tomatoes skinned and chopped  (I used whatever variety I had that was ripe.  I suggest allowing them to drain in a colander after chopping to get rid of some of the water).  Roma and Amish Paste are great tomatoes to use for canning salsa.  Check out my post on How to Blanch Tomatoes.  
  • 3 cups chopped onion (I used yellow, red and white from my garden)
  • 1 1/4 cup chopped peppers (You can use a combination of Belle Peppers. I like my salsa spicy so I used a combination of chili, jalapeno, and belle)
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 heaping tablespoons garlic
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt

 

 

  • Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.  I like mine chunky. If you don’t like yours chunky, cook it longer.
  • Water batch for 15 minutes if you have a  canner. This recipes makes about 8 pints of salsa.  It can be served fresh, and it’s just as delicious too.  I couldn’t resist eating the salsa while I was trying to get it into the jars.  So, I only managed 7 pints.

 

 


 

 

Finally, grow your own tomatoes, peppers and onions next season.  You can use paint buckets or tubs on your patio, balcony or deck.  Either is a great way to garden if your space is limited.  Buckets and tubs are great ways to grow tomatoes and peppers during the summer.  I will doing a post on how you can start your seeds inside to give you a head start on the growing season.  I hope you enjoyed my salsa canning recipe, and you will be putting up a few pints for the winter.

You may also like: How to Pickle Peppers and Heirloom Versus Hybrid Tomatoes

 

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Holiday Gift Ideas for Gardeners

November 24, 2013 by

Today, I’m sharing holiday gift ideas for gardeners.  Any gift that I can use in my backyard vegetable garden is a great gift to me.  They will help you select the perfect gifts for your gardening friends.  I’ve found that my most memorable gifts have been homemade items and gift baskets that I’ve put together for my family and friends.  Furthermore,  I’m a huge garden and birding lover.  I assure you, if your family and/or friends are garden and bird lovers, they will love these gifts too.

 

gift ideas for gardeners

 

 

 We have put together a list of holiday gift ideas for gardeners:

  • Packets of seeds – You can’t go wrong here.  Sunflowers, flowers for borders, and vegetable seeds are great gift ideas.
  • Garden Tools – Every gardener needs tools.  Pruners, hand trowel, hand rake, hand shovel, and a bulb planter are ideal.
  • Kneeling Pad – I use mine regularly.  Helps protect the knees when planting and pulling weeds.
  • Gardening Gloves – I go through several pair each season.
  • Gardening Hat and Sunblock – Protecting yourself from the sun is a most for the gardener.
  • Gift Certificate to a Local Nursery – We love to browse any place that has vegetables and flowers for sell.  I’ve found that nurseries have unique items that you can’t find at most garden centers such as Lowes, Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

 



 

  • Tool Caddy – We love organization, a tool caddy keeps our gloves and tools in one place.
  • Garden Cart – It’s easier on the back when you can sit and pull weeds.  Check out the Garden Hopper at Amazon, I’m sure this item is on every gardener’s wish list.
  • Flower pots – We love to place geraniums in clay or decorative pots. I also love large pots on my deck for petunias.  They won’t fit into a gift basket, but they will look wonderful with a pretty bow.  My favorite pots came from Big Lots and Dollar General.
  • Indoor Heat Pad and Grow Lights – I sow my seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season.  For successful germination, heat is a most.  Seed germination heats pads and indoor grow lights will make excellent gifts.
  • Peat Pots or Seed Starting Kits – Gardeners love to germinate their seeds in peat pots.

 

Last, we hope that you find one or two selections from our holiday gift ideas for gardeners beneficial.  Also, check out my ideas for a bird lovers gift basket.

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Peanut Butter Pine Cone Bird Feeders

November 11, 2013 by

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on how to make pine cone bird feeders.  These peanut butter pine cone bird feeders are a fun project to make this winter with the kids.  Our feathered friends need our help finding food during the cold months.  Insects are scarce and most berries are gone.  Most importantly, pine cone bird feeders are guaranteed to attract backyard birds.  So, let’s check out the instructions on how you can make them below.

 

 

pine cone bird feeders

 

 

Pine Cone Bird Feeders:

 

  • Medium – large pine cone(s) with a strong top  (Take a walk with your children and let them pick the pine cones)
  • Peanut Butter (Store Brand or whatever you would like to use)
  • 1/4 Cup Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
  • 1/2 Cup Cracked Corn
  • 1/4 Cup Chopped Dried Cranberries
  • Peanuts  Pieces
  • 1/4 Chopped Dried Apples
  • string/twine
  • Cutting board or Cookie Sheet
  • Freezer bag

Note:  So, you can purchase bird seed already mixed if you don’t have individual ingredients listed above.

 

 


 


 

 

Step 1 – First, spread newspaper to work on if children are assisting.

Step 2 – Second, wrap a piece of string or twine around the bottom of the pine cone.  You will be using the string to tie around a tree branch, so make sure the ends are long enough to tie around the branch.  You can use twine or string.  Just make sure it will hold up in inclement weather.

 

peanut butter pince cone for birds

 

Step 3 – Also, use a plastic knife to spread the peanut butter over the pine cone. I use store brand creamy peanut butter for this project. However, whatever brand you select will be fine. Be sure to spread the peanut butter thickly onto the pine cone.  Furthermore, you can use crunchy peanut butter in place of the chopped nuts.  Get creative with your ingredients.

Step 4  – Next, chop the dried cranberries, peanut pieces, and dried apples in a chopper.  As a result, I get small pieces that roll easily into the pinecone mixture.  So, roll the pine cone in the seed/fruit mixture until covered.  Also, you can also use a plastic spoon to help fill in the gaps by spooning the seed over the peanut butter on the pine cone.  Use the spoon to push the seeds into the peanut butter if needed. (Beware, this can get messy with children).

 

peanut butter pine cones

 

Step 5 – Carefully, roll the spread the peanut butter covered pine cone into the seed and fruit mixture.  I actually mix the seeds and the dried fruit and nuts together.   (Do not put peanut butter at the top of the pine cone near the string).   You don’t want the birds peaking at the string.  

 

 

pine cone bird feeders

 

 

Step 6 – Next, place the pine cone(s) in a freezer bag and freeze until you’re ready to use this winter.

Step 7 – Last, hang the bird seed peanut butter pine cones in a place where you can watch the birds enjoy the treat.  I love hanging them during snow storms or very cold weather.

 

I suggest that you keep plenty of peanut butter pine cones bird feeders on hand. Your backyard birds will love them, therefore, they will devour these delicious treats in a few days.

 

 

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Holiday Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers

November 10, 2013 by

Attracting backyard birds is becoming a popular hobby for many people.  Today, I’m sharing holiday gift ideas for bird lovers.  Gift baskets or gift bags don’t have to be full of toiletries, candles, and food.  Better yet, don’t wait for the holidays.  Our gift ideas are appropriate for birthdays or just because.

 

 

 

gift ideas for bird lovers

Here’s a few holiday gift ideas for bird lovers:

 

 



 

  • Binoculars – Consequently, every bird watcher needs a pair of binoculars.  As a result, I purchased a pair of Bushnell Falcon’s binoculars from Amazon. I had a wonder time watching the American Gold Finch eat my sunflower seeds in the garden. They devoured every seed.  These binoculars are great for beginners.  Yet, they are getting good reviews from advanced watchers too.
  • A Subscription to Birds and Blooms Magazine – This is one of my favorite magazines. Each magazine contains articles filled with beautiful photos of birds, butterflies and flowers.  What bird lover wouldn’t want to curl under a cozy blanket this winter browsing the magazine for gardening and bird attracting ideas for the spring and summer.  Click on the link above, they’re offering a 2 year subscription for $15.00.
  • Bird Houses –  For this particular gift, I would suggest that you do a search to determine the backyard birds in the gift recipient’s area.  Make a selection based on your finding, different birds like different types of houses.  No need to purchase a bird house for a bird that doesn’t habitat in the recipient’s backyard.
  • Bird Feeders  – Another idea, check out your local Lowes, Tractor Supply or Home Depot for feeders.  Also, different birds like different feeders.  Buy according to the birds in the gift recipient’s area.
  • Gift Certificate – Next, a gift card is great for purchasing seed, suet, a bird book or magazine subscription.
  • CD With Bird Calls – Bird calls are fun to listen to when gardening or working in the yard.  Great gift for beginners who are just learning the calls.
  • Book to Identify Backyard Birds – Mine sure has come in handy.  I enjoy studying their habits and becoming familiar with the color and markings.  I bird watch from my bedroom window during the colder months while I’m watching TV or blogging.  It’s nice to flip through a book or Google to identify the birds.
  • Packs of Sunflowers Seeds – Birds love them, they’re easy to grow, and they’re so pretty in a garden.
  • Coffee Mug  – Fill a coffee mug with the recipient’s state bird with a package of coffee or tea bags.
  • A Hummingbird Feeder and Nectar – Also, I would suggest a feeder with an ant guard they love the nectar too.  It may be difficult to find  a feeder this time of year in colder regions.  Try on-line if unsuccessful locally.

Last, place your gifts for the bird lover in a gift basket.  Furthermore, purchase a basket, filler, ribbon and holiday cellophane bags from the dollar store.  This material doesn’t have to be expensive, spend your money on the gifts.  Remember, put the larger items in the back and work forward with smaller items.  If you need to hold items in place, use clear packaging tape.  Finish off your gift with a twist tie to close the bag and a bow.  Now, you’re done and your bird lover will thank you for this great gift.

Finally, we hope you enjoyed our gift ideas for bird lovers.  You may also like:  5 Amazing Gifts From Your Garden.

 

 

 

 

 

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How To Bring Birds To Backyard Bird Feeders

November 6, 2013 by

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on how to bring birds to feeders.   First, when I started gardening years ago, I’ve starting noticing the backyard birds more.  It seemed that gardening and birdwatching went hand in hand for me.  So, I placed several feeders throughout the yard to see what birds I could attract.  I love watching the birds enjoy the food and show their personalities.  Yes, birds have personalities.  Now, I find bird watching to be relaxing.  It’s a great way to connect with nature and a great way to peak intellectual curiosity about these beautiful creatures.  

 

 

backyard bird feeders

So, some of my favorites backyard birds are the Blue Jays,  Cardinals, and the American Goldfinch.  I find the colors on all of them striking.  Unfortunately, the male Goldfinch molts and loses it brilliance in the fall.  It turns a dull yellow.  It becomes hard to distinguish the male from the female.                                                 

Next, learning the identity of various birds is a great to stimulate the brain.  It requires research and opportunity to learn their cousins and their habits.  I have feeders outside my bedroom window and feeders outside my family room window.  I blog, read and watch TV by both windows, it provides an opportunity for me to capture great photos.  And, my favorite photo opportunities are during winter snow storms.  I open the curtains, enjoy the fireplace and wait for the perfect opportunity to grab a few photos.  The feeders have lots of activity when it’s cold and snowy.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Furthermore, placing a feeder in the yard is a great way to get your children off electronics and interested in the birds.  They can learn the calls of backyard birds and watch them interact with each other.  Fortunately, their habits are quite interesting too.

 

 

 

backyard bird feeders

 

Bring Birds to Backyard Bird Feeders: 

 

  • Fill feeders with a quality mix of birdseed.  I have a large feeder that lasts for 3 days.  You can cut the recipe in half if yours is smaller.

Here’s the recipe to bring backyard birds to your feeder: 

 

  • 8 ounces of no waste bird seed
  • 8 ounces of chopped peanut pieces
  • 16 ounces of black oil sunflower seeds
  • 8 ounces of dried cranberries, raisins or apples
  • 8 ounces of cracked corn

Note:  I use an 8 ounce plastic cup to measure my ingredients.  Also, if you have raw peanuts instead of the peanut pieces, use your kitchen chopper to break them into smaller pieces.  And, I chop the dried fruit. Mix the seed mixture thoroughly.  I use a long handle spoon

  • Fill a feeder with Safflower Seeds  –  You can attract different birds with different types of food.  Not all birds love safflower seeds.  However, Norther Cardinals, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadees and more love it.
  • Use Suet Cages – Also, suet is the perfect food to offer backyard birds, especially in cold, snowy months.  My backyard birds can’t get enough of my homemade suet cakes.
  • Fruit – Catbirds devour fruit in the spring.  Cherries, apples, and grapes are favorites.
  • Shelled Peanuts – Last, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, and Carolina Chickadees love unsalted shelled peanuts.

 

Additionally, I grow sunflowers in my garden in the summer.  The American Goldfinch and Cardinals devour the seeds.

 

 

Cat Birds

Catbird

 

 

So, the feasting starts at the backyard bird feeders most mornings around 7:00 am and doesn’t stop until sunset.  I fill my feeders every 3 days.  In the winter, I add suet in addition to the feeder, peanut butter birdseed pinecones or birdseed cookies to the feeding station.  The birds need the fat during the colder months to help keep them warm.

Finally, I hope that you found my post on backyard birds helpful.  Follow tips and you will have feathered friends in your backyard in no time.  Also, if you missed my post on making Birdseed Cookies, just click on this link.  It’s a fun activity for the kids this winter and they will be helping nature feed our feathered friends.  Do you have your children involved in nature?  What activities do they do?

 

 

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Freezing Green Tomatoes

October 29, 2013 by

Today, I’m sharing tips on freezing green tomatoes.  My mother and sister loved fried green tomatoes.

 

 

 

fried green tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes anyone?  They’re delicious.  I had a ton of green tomatoes left in my garden, and decided to freeze them for use during the winter.  Yes, you can freeze them or water bath them in the canner in wide mouth pint jars.

I decided to slice and freeze mine.  The easy way to prepare them for the freezer is to slice and than place individual slices on a cookie sheet or pizza pan.  Make sure slices are completely frozen, otherwise, they will stick together.  Place individual slices in freezer bags.  When you’re ready to prepare them, place the frozen slices into an egg and flour batter and drop them into hot oil until golden brown on both sides.  Season to taste.

Filed Under: gardening tips, green tomatoes, home gardens, Uncategorized, Vegetable Garden Tagged With: ,

Reasons To Garden In Your Backyard

March 11, 2013 by

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on reasons to garden in your backyard. I started gardening years ago, and it quickly became a passion.  Planting a vegetable garden was something that I always wanted to do, but never made the time.  I love fresh vegetables, especially tomatoes.  The taste and price of tomatoes in my local grocery store sent me into high gear.  They were expensive, hard, and tasted like cardboard.  

 

reasons to garden

 

My grandfather had a garden when I was growing up. Picking weeds out of his garden was an expectation when I was visiting.  I also remember all of his children being supplied with fresh vegetables during the summer, and the week-ends spent canning the harvest.  Fortunately, I decided to grow my own vegetables, and I’m so glad I did.  I look forward to each growing season now.  

 

Reasons to Garden: 

 

  1. It’s so relaxing. And I’ve learned to appreciate the open country and the quiet that it brings. 
  2. My land wasn’t being using to its full potential.  
  3. Store brought fruits and vegetables are expensive.
  4. I love working with my hands, and making things grow. 
  5. Saving money on my grocery bill is a plus. 
  6. Provides an opportunity to connect with other gardeners.  Connecting with others who grow fresh vegetables and flowers provides an opportunity to learn different techniques and make new friendships.  
  7. My vegetables are better than the stores.  I love walking by the produce in the grocery store smiling because I know mine is better.   
  8. I’ve learned to grow my vegetables from seed.
  9. I love having fresh vegetables, homemade salsa and sauce during the winter.   
  10. I love sharing my harvest with family and friends and the local food banks.
  11. Great exercise without leaving home.  

 

 

 

reasons to garden

 

 

Yes, gardening is time consuming, but it’s so rewarding.  It’s a great way to get out of the house and get moving.  I sleep so much better after a day of working in my yard. Furthermore, involve your children.  They can get a sense of how food grows and will make better choices in food selection.  They will also learn how to sustain themselves, and save on the grocery bill.

You don’t need acres of land to garden.  If you lack land, put a few planters on your deck or patio.  You can grow tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, radishes and the list goes on in containers.  Do you currently garden?  If so, do you use containers, raised beds or row garden?  Also, check out my other backyard vegetable gardening tips before you leave.

 

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Using the Winter Sowing Method for Seeds

February 5, 2013 by

Today, I’m going to share gardening tips on winter sowing vegetable seeds.   Check out my other backyard vegetable gardening tips before you leave too.  I have the winter blues!  So, I decided to start my vegetable seeds for my spring and summer garden.  Planning my garden takes the blues away and gives me a head start on growing strong, healthy veggie plants. 

For the past several years, I have started my seedlings using heat mats and grow lights.  I have about a 90% germination rate with what I sowed.  However, it takes a lot of time and space to nurture the seedlings. Using the winter sowing method eliminates the heat mats, grow lights and chances of growing leggy vegetable seedlings.  You simply place your containers in a location where they will get sunlight and rain water and let them go until spring.  

 

gardening tips

 

 

I decided to use the winter sowing method for the past few years.  It’s much easier than setting up the mats and grow lights.  As a result, I’ve been saving plastic liter bottles as well as  juice and milk bottles.  Anything that I can cut and punch holes in the bottom for drainage is fair game.  I started about 20 bottles over the week-end.  Tomatoes, dill, zucchini, squash, sunflowers and petunias. Yes, you can winter sow flowers too.  I love that dill and petunias reseed for several years after planting.  

I will sow a few tomatoes inside under grow lights, but I’m sold on the winter sowing method.  And, it’s doubtful that I will ever return to to a full fledged indoor sowing setup again.

 

 

winter sowing vegetable seeds

 

Winter Sowing Vegetable Seeds:

 

  • Wash your bottles in hot soapy water and rinse well.
  • Allow bottles to dry.
  • Use a box cutter to cut around the bottles.  Leave an inch on the bottle for a hinge.
  • Add drainage holes in the bottom of your bottle.  To accomplish this, I used a hot glue gun on the bottom of the milk bottles.  However, I was unsuccessful using the glue gun on the liter and juice bottles.  The glue gun wouldn’t penetrate.  So, I used the box cutter to make slits on the bottom.  You could also use a drill on the bottom.  If you have another method of punching holes, bring out your equipment and punch holes in the bottom of your bottles.

 

 

winter sowing method

 

 

Next prepare your seed starter mix:

 

  • Mix your seed starting mix as directed on the package.  I use warm water when mixing the soil.  Mix it thoroughly.  You want it wet; however, not soggy.
  • Add 2 – 3 inches of the mix to the bottom of each of the bottles or container.  I use Miracle Gro Seed Starting Mix.  I have a great germination rate each year with the mix.   I have also used Miracle Grow potting soil, and my seeds germinated as well.
  • Plant your vegetable or flower seeds according to the directions on the package.  Once you have the seed planted, wrap the bottle with duct tape.  I purchased my duct tape from the Dollar Store.
  • Mark the bottles with a permanent marker, which I also purchased from the Dollar Tree.
  • You can discard the bottle tops.  I moved the bottles and containers to my deck to ensure they get rain. Let them go until spring.  At that time you should have sprouts that will need water.  As they grow, you will have to remove the top of the bottles. Just remove the duct tape and remove the top.  You can use a pair of scissors to cut the hinge on the bottle.
  • You can place your bottles in trays for a little more organization, but it’s not necessary.  My are placed randomly on my deck.  Once I remove the tops, I organize them so I can tgrans
  • Your seedlings will already be hardened off.  Which is a step you will have to take if you start seedlings indoors.

 

Finally, if you are a gardener and use the winter sowing method, please share your experience.  You may also like My Winter Sow Seed List.

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