Attracting Birds with Backyard Habitat

Attract birds to your backyard by providing a habitat of perennial flowers, shrubs, trees and reliable water source.  If you provide the birds with their needs then you will develop a following of feathered friends.

When the birds visit your yard and garden for water or to feed from your plant seeds you will find that their visits are enjoyable, however the birds will be also providing you with a valuable service as they are a natural way to rid you yard and garden of insects.

Feeding Birds

Keep the birds happy by providing nourishment.  Buy wildlife shrubs and trees that that are fruit or nut bearing.  Also choose flowers that are high in nectar as well as flowers that produce seeds; sunflower, black-eyed Susan and coneflowers to name a few.  

Providing a Water Source

Consider a stone bird bath with a ledge for perching.  This will allow the birds an area where they can land and drink easily.  Before using a bird bath clean it with antibacterial dish soap and rinse well.  Let it air dry in the sun.  

1. Install a water source in a safe area in your yard that is away from human foot traffic and cats; however the bird bath needs to be in an area where you can watch the birds from a distance.  I would recommend setting the bird bath in the center of a garden where the plants will conceal the birds from a cats view.
2. Maintain the bird bath by changing the water daily.  Empty the water from the bird bath daily.  
3. Clean the bird bath by removing the feathers, bird droppings, mosquito larvae or algae.  
4. Rinse well with a garden hose before refilling the bird bath with tap water that has been treated with Aqua Safe to remove chlorine or fill the bird bath with purified water.   
5. Another way to fill the bird bath is to collect rainwater in a barrel, then use this natural water.

Tips

1. Choose an area for the bird bath and then install it.  Leave the bird bath in that location and refrain from moving it.  It will take a few days for the birds to notice the water source.
2. Hang peanut and suet feeders throughout your yard to attract woodpeckers, wrens and chickadees.

Learn how you can create your own wildlife habitat in your yard by viewing this You Tube video: 

Attribution introduction image: http://mrg.bz/qUd5n0

Harvesting Herbs (How to)

Many people grow herbs in gardens both indoors and outdoors. These herbs are grown for their ornamental properties and for culinary and medicinal usage.  If you enjoy using herbs for your recipes then they should be harvested throughout the growing season.

Learn the parts of the herb plant that are needed for usage; tea, cooking, soaps, potpourri or sachets to name a few uses for herbs.  The herb leaves and stems are used for cooking and for crafts. For medicinal usage you would harvest the seed, flowers and roots.

Harvest your herbs in the morning.  I prefer to pick the leaves and flowers when the dew is still noticeable on the leaves.  I use my herb scissor to cut herb springs two inches above the soil line or I will remove the leaves from the sprig.   When you harvest the herbs in the morning the oil in the leaves is more concentrated and thus your recipes will be more flavorful and if you are making wreaths or potpourri with the herb flowers then they will be more aromatic.

View this video for tips on harvesting indoor herbs:

Growing Wildflowers – Which Flowers are Right for You

Growing wildflowers in a carefree area; field, meadow, or a large area in your yard will provide you with an eye-catching garden throughout the summer season.  Wildflowers are not difficult to grow provided you plant flowers that are native to your area.  

Which Wildflower is Right for You?

There are a variety of wildflowers available the best way to choose the type that is right for your area is to know your growing zone. 

Wildflowers are flowers that grow naturally in your area and thus they are tolerant of your environment. This means if your summers are dry then the natural wildflowers in your area are accustomed to these weather conditions and are drought tolerant. 

 

These flowers come in different heights; some are low growing and these can be planted in a border garden or in a raised garden bed.  Most wildflowers are tall, with stems up to three feet.  These tall beautiful flowers are eye appealing growing in masses in a large garden; prairie, cottage or a cutting garden.

There are perennial wildflowers that will return yearly and there are annual wildflowers that will grow for one season and then die back.  They will not return the following summer and you will need to replant.

Choose a wildflower seed that will accommodate your garden needs, buy seeds in packets for small gardens and seeds in bulk to cover large areas of ground. Also, choose the flowers that will grow in your sun exposure.  Some flowers are formulated to grow in shady conditions and others are meant to grow in sun. 

Planting

Test your soil before planting as wildflowers grow best in moderate humus dirt that is well-drained.   If your soil is poor, then amend it with organic compost, manure or topsoil. For clay based soil then amend this soil with sand and with organic compost.  

Follow the directions as to when to plant. Some flowers are planted in the fall and others in the spring.  Water wildflowers seeds every day.  Seedlings need plenty of water until the roots are established. Best time to water is in the morning.  

Notes:

Fertilize with water applications I like to use miracle grow bloom booster.  A light application of fertilizer when seedlings are about a foot tall is helpful.  Also, apply a thin layer of mulch to aid in retaining moisture and to deter weed growth. 

Water newly planted wildflower seeds and seedlings lightly and frequently during germination, then water as needed in the morning.  Generally, I water daily with a soaking hose so the water gets to the roots.

If you enjoy watching wildlife; butterflies, hummingbirds then grow a garden of wildflowers.