Eco Gardeners

On the 8th day til Earth Day my children said to me,

“Our garden should be full of birdies.”

Now is the time to encourage birds to your garden. With the gardening weather finally here, they will appreciate the shelter, food and water you can provide. They will surely repay the favor throughout the summer by becoming your personal eco-garden pest control.
Along with bird houses, bird baths and feeders, the plants you select for your landscape can have a great effect on the number of insect-eating birds who call your garden “home.” I recommend contacting your local extension office for native plant varieties, but here are a few tips on choosing bird-friendly plants:

Plants for Habitat- A wide variety of plants provide nesting sites and protection from predators. Some of the most popular among birds are Wild Lilac, Wax Myrtle, Oaks, Elderberry, Sage, and Willow.

Plants for Nectar- Planted mostly for their value to hummingbirds, nectar-rich plants also attract a variety of insects, which are a food source for hummers as well as other bird species. Examples include Honeysuckle, Salvia, and Fuschia.

Plants for Fruit- Many species of birds depend on the fruit produced by plants for the bulk of their diet. Shrubs such as Wild Grape, Elderberry, Wax Myrtle, Currants and Gooseberries attract an amazing number of birds in their fruiting season.

Plants for Seeds- Plants such as Oaks, Sages and Bunchgrasses produce an abundance of seeds loved by your feathered friends.

THG offers eco-friendly birding products made from 100% recycled milk jugs, water and soda bottles. Click here to view or go to www.thehappygardener.info

One of the greatest pleasures of winter is to look out over my backyard and see the activity at the bird feeders.  We have our bird feeding station within easy view from our living area. Here are some tips for keeping your feathered friends comfortable during the cold, winter months:
-    Suet is one of the most important foods to offer in winter.  It is a high source of energy and protein;
-    Birds need water all year long.  A small pan or bowl of warm water everyday will help increase the number of birds;
-    Evergreen trees can offer shelter to many birds.  Collect pinecones, spread with peanut butter and roll in birdseed to attach to the limbs of the tree;
-    You may want to put extra seed out during the winter months.  Also, try a Bird Buffet of nuts, fruit, bread, pastries and popcorn;
-    Spread peanut butter on the bark of a tree and sprinkle with birdseed;
-    During the winter months, put your feeders close to trees.  This will provide birds with cover;
-    Squirrels seem to follow the birds to our feeders so keep them happy with corn and/or peanuts. You may consider THG’s fun Squirrel-a-Whirl to provide them with food and you with laughter!

Simple Suet Recipe: Provide your birds with high energy, home-made suet balls. Serve them on your Happy Gardener Feeding Skewers:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup lard or animal fat
1 cup flour
3 cups corn meal
Optional- dried fruit cubes, crushed nuts, oats
Mix ingredients well. Roll into 5” diameter balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet, freeze and serve.

Now is the time to encourage birds to your garden. With the cool weather approaching they will appreciate the shelter, food and water you can provide. They will surely repay the favor in the spring and summer by becoming your personal eco-garden pest control.
Along with bird houses, bird baths and feeders, the plants you select for your landscape can have a great effect on the number of insect-eating birds who call your garden “home.” I recommend contacting your local extension office for native plant varieties, but here are a few tips on choosing bird-friendly plants:

Plants for Habitat- A wide variety of plants provide nesting sites and protection from predators. Some of the most popular among birds are Wild Lilac, Wax Myrtle, Oaks, Elderberry, Sage, and Willow.

Plants for Nectar- Planted mostly for their value to hummingbirds, nectar-rich plants also attract a variety of insects, which are a food source for hummers as well as other bird species. Examples include Honeysuckle, Salvia, and Fuschia.

Plants for Fruit- Many species of birds depend on the fruit produced by plants for the bulk of their diet. Shrubs such as Wild Grape, Elderberry, Wax Myrtle, Currants and Gooseberries attract an amazing number of birds in their fruiting season.

Plants for Seeds- Plants such as Oaks, Sages and Bunchgrasses produce an abundance of seeds loved by your feathered friends.

THG offers eco-friendly birding products made from 100% recycled milk jugs, water and soda bottles. Click here to view or go to www.thehappygardener.info

Shelter for Birds:
The best shelter you can provide for your backyard bird habitat is lots of trees and bushes.
Tall hardwood trees provide a breezy shade on hot, summer days and a canopy of leaves to hold off rain;
Bushy evergreens provide a warm shelter on cold weather nights. The snow will not pile up underneath the spreading boughs so birds can find food easier even in mid winter;
Thick bushes and shrubs give shelter from predators;
Berry producing bushes provide food.

Sample Tree Types for Wildlife:

Pine trees including white and loblolly pines have pine seeds that are a large part of the diet of many birds, such as evening grosbeaks, house finches and gold finches. Pine needles are used for building bird nests. Dense pine trees, like the white pine, are used by birds to perch and hide in. Other coniferous trees, like the cedar, also provide food and shelter for wildlife.

The Yellow Poplar provides Hummingbirds nectar, while yellow-bellied sapsuckers enjoy its sap. Yellow poplars produce seeds, which are favorites of cardinals. Hollow spaces inside this tree provide homes for squirrels and raccoons, among other animals.

The Red Mulberry produces berries eaten by at least 44 different types of birds. Berries produced by the mulberry attract songbirds throughout the summer.

Songbirds, ducks, and other animals eat the acorns of Oak trees. Squirrels are famous for hiding acorns to get ready for the long winter. Deer eat oak leaves and twigs. Oaks provide branches for bird nests and hollows for woodpeckers, squirrels, and other animals to raise their young in wooded protection. The leaves and branches provide shade and protection from the weather.

Having your garden certified as a Backyard Habitat is a fun and rewarding family activity. By inviting beneficial creatures to take residence in your yard you will enjoy the many pleasures of:
• Natural pest control
• Wildlife observation
• Environmental preservation
Simply go to the National Wildlife Foundation’s web site for details and download your certification application at www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat
Simple Suet Recipe: Provide your feathered friends with high energy, home-made suet balls. Serve them on your Happy Gardener Feeding Skewers:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup lard or animal fat
1 cup flour
3 cups corn meal
Optional- dried fruit cubes, crushed nuts, oats
Mix ingredients well. Roll into 5” diameter balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet, freeze and serve.