Cheap Ways To Attract Birds To Your Yard

In writing this post, I'm supposing that everyone already knows the benefits to having birds in your yard - they eat bugs, they're indicative of a healthy eco system and they're just so fun to watch. You don't need to be convinced to attract birds but you may wonder how to do it without breaking the bank. Recently, I stopped by a specialty store just on bird watching but it was so incredibly expensive that I didn't buy anything. Apparently, lots of rich people enjoy birds too. However, if you are not one of them, then this post is for you.

Feeding

Gold finches on cone flowers.

The first thing people think about to attract birds is to put a feeder out. However, you can spend lots of money on a feeder and then spend tons of money keeping it full. It may surprise you to know that I only have two small feeders in my yard with no intention of putting up more. A small suet cake feeder can cost you only a few bucks and I don't spend more than $1 per refill. Despite it's size, I've seen large and small woodpeckers on it as well as chickadee's, titmice, nuthatches and many more birds. The other feeder I have is a small humming bird feeder that cost only a few dollars and the refills I can make myself.

You can, of course, make your own bird feeder out of anything from a milk carton to wood, to whatever strikes your fancy. You can also grow your own bird food. Sunflowers grow readily from seed and perennials like thistle and cone flowers attract many birds with their seeds.

Water

Unless you are lucky to already have a water feature of some kind in your yard, then adding a bird bath is a great way to attract more birds. My big advice here is to wait for sales or clearance items. Don't buy anything cheap that will blow away in the next storm. I recently found a great bird bath for only $23 on clearance. Of course, it's a one time purchase that can attract birds for years to come. You'll want to put it out someplace near your hose to make is easy to keep filled.

Housing

Bird houses come in all shapes and sizes but a simple, sturdy bird house doesn't have to cost more than $10 and will last for years if you clean it out during the winter. Bird's don't need anything cutesy, just the right size and shape. Perhaps that's a great post for the future...

Plants

By far, the biggest thing you can do is install bird friendly plants. Almost any plant can provide great nesting spots, protection from predators and shelter from storms. Keep in mind that evergreens will provide cover for birds all year round. Some plants, like holly's and other bushes with berries will also provide food. What I love about these plants is that you buy them once and they live for a long time. If you focus on buying native plants, then you will increase the likelihood that they will succeed in your yard.

Avoid Pesticide

Ok, so this picture wasn't taken in our yard. Ha!

Any kind of pesticide or harsh chemicals put on your yard or garden will drive away any kind of wildlife. Your efforts to create an organic, natural environment will result in birds feeling comfortable in your yard.

So, that is my whole approach to attracting birds. Have you had success or failure in your attempts to watch birds at home? Feel free to post about it in the comments below.

Getting Rid of Pests Part 3

In the previous posts, I wrote about strategies to keep damaging fungus and diseases and also bad bugs out of your garden. In this third and final post on garden pests, I'm going to give you some strategies for preventing animal damage. Whole books have been written on this subject so my goal is to give you some great ideas to get started.

What do I mean by animal damage? Squirrels, rabbits, mice, voles, groundhogs, dear and more can get into your garden and eat it long before it's ready to be harvested. Nothing is more disheartening than seeing months of work destroyed over night by the local wildlife. To prevent this happening to you, consider some of the strategies below.

Fencing
One of the most effective methods for keeping out animals is fencing. Of course, the type of animal you are keeping out determines the type of fence you put in. I've had great success keeping out rabbits with cheap chicken wire fencing from the hardware store. $10 for 50 feet. If you're keeping out burrowing animals (moles an voles) then the fence needs to go at least 6 inches into the ground. If you're trying to keep deer out, then it needs to be a taller fence. The only animal it won't work on is a squirrel.

Scare Crows
It's a long running tradition in gardening - scare crows. They may or may not work for you. My advice is to only put it up during the season so as to prevent the animals from getting used to it. An alternative to the traditional scare crow is a fake owl. Owls prey on lots of rodents, Another take on the same idea is to hang up shiny things, like aluminum plates or flashing tape as they are supposed to scare away animals away as well. However, to me that just looks like you have garbage hanging up in your garden so I'd be reluctant to trying it.

Encourage Natural Predators
There are only two ways I know to do this. First, if you live around a wooded area, then put up an owl box to encourage nesting. Seriously, you really want birds of prey in your area. We are really lucky to have lots of hawks around us but I don't know how you can set out to attract them. But you can put out a box for owls. Second, and I know this is controversial, is to get an out door cat. It's not the PC thing to say but my mother never had problems with rodents for decades, until she no longer kept barn cats. It's something to consider.

Trap and Release
If you're the compassionate sort with the time and means, then you can trap and release animals to another area. I've heard of people having good success with squirrels this way. Of course, you need to check with your local municipality to be sure it's legal where you live. Speaking of legality...

Well, those are my best suggestions. What has helped you to keep animals out of your garden?