Garden for Birds #3

Well, another week is passing us by.

I want to thank everyone who writes me back.

Gardens and birds can bring total strangers together.

ISN'T IT GREAT!

I feel as though I'm getting to know you and we are becoming neighbors.

You may have fledglings by now.

None for me just yet.

Even with Michigan weather, things are changing in the yard everyday now.

Birds come and go.

Plants seem to grow a foot some days.

New blooms, new plantings.

Chipmunk is still on the loose.

Karen is in a battle with some rabbits munching down her pansies.

Baby powder works wonderful until it rains.

Same with ammonia water.

I may have to break down and get some liquid fence.

Oh well.........................

Last week I was pointing out ways to attract more birds by building under the tree canopies.

There are birds that live in all levels of a forest and our yards.

By gardening with this in mind, attracting several birds will be easier for you.

PERENNIAL GARDENING

Perennial gardens can be a bit of a challenge, yet fun in many ways.

Trees and shrubs become more permanent fixtures in out yards.

As with trees and shrubs, write in on your plans where and what you maywant to plant.

Consider bloom time, how tall your plant may get.

What kind of spread will your new plants have?

Will it be invasive?

Do you want to color coordinate by planting several shades of pinks or yellows?

What about reds and blues?

What will grow in shade and what requires sun?

WHEW! ! !

So many questions I think I'm getting a headache.

FEAR NOT MY FRIEND!

One thing nice about gardening for birds.......

IT'S YOUR YARD!

You can do what you want and however you want to do it.

If you have enough of the attractors planted, birds will come.

Let's go ahead and get started.

Now I know I said it's your yard, but I'm going to help you spend some ofyour money.

You get the rest of the fun.

You get to plant and watch things grow.

You get the rewards of watching nature come to life in your yard.

GETTING STARTED

Once again, go to your zone maps and see what is hardy in your area.

Check out the local nurseries and garden centers.

Look in specialty catalogs.

I like to have something a bit unique if possible.

You know, that one plant that no one else has.

In landscaping, plants are done up in odd numbers.

1....... 3........5 etc.

One is an accent plant, something you want to show off or highlight a certain area.

Groupings are attractors.

Groupings can brake up a mundane landscape.

Highs and lows.

Breaks in the landscape force the eyes to follow more closely.

If you noticed on our walk, your eyes followed every up and down.

You were able to catch colors and wildlife you would've missed if you were watching and walking a straight path.

So it goes in your yard.

WHAT TO PLANT

Some very common perennials are:

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).

Goldfinches love the seeds from these late summer bloomers.

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea).

Finches and other small seed-eating birds are attracted to the seed heads late into the fall.

Did you know there are several other seed-producing plants that you may have in your yard right now?

How about daylilies (Hemerocallis).

Yes, if let go, nice seeds can form on these perennial favorites.

Blanket flower (Gailardia)

Again, season long seed heads.

Crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer')

Besides being great hummingbird attractors, Crocosmia have seed pods

similar to daylilies that open up to show their delights to the birds.

Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus multiflorus)

In late summer into early fall this plant continues to bloom and will fill up with goldfinches.

LOSE THE CLIPPERS

It is so tempting to want that nice groomed look in our yard.

Yet, to make it bird friendly, you will need to lighten up on the clippers and pruning sheers.

Keep some of those old faded bloom stalks standing.

Don't be so quick to cut back that branch.

Your work of art is on going and you will figure it out.

It's fun when you can add a planting or move them around.

Birds will find your yard more friendly when they have a place to rest and feed.

Think of the nesting possibilities.

Another bonus is strangers that will stop just to peek at your masterpiece.

That will give you a warm fuzzy.

An important part to any yard is of course your personality.

Be sure to put plenty of your personality into your yard.

time to go.

Until next time my friend.

Be sure to smile, you might confuse someone

Ron

http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/

Ron Patterson has been feeding and caring for backyard birds for the past 40 years. He is always looking for better and safer ways to fees and garden for birds. Ron is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman as well. This gives him the expert experience and knowledge needed to garden for birds. You can find Ron's weekly newsletter "Backyard Birding Tips" at: http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/

---

Gardening During Hard Times or Emergencies - You Can Feed Yourself!

Do you ever worry about always having to rely on... Read More

Gardeners: Contain Yourselves!

Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on... Read More

Developing the Perfect Landscaping Idea

Using landscaping ideas can be an effective way to attract... Read More

Professional Lawn Watering Techniques - Wireless Sensors for Lawns in Drought Areas

The technnology secrets will help home owners maintain lawns in... Read More

Adirondack Furniture - What It is and Why You Want It

Adirondack is the name given to a style of furnishings... Read More

Gardening is Good Therapy

Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of... Read More

The Incredible Daylily

Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More

Light Up the Night! Quick Facts about Outdoor Lighting

When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may... Read More

Seeds and More Seeds...What Your Garden Needs

Seeds are the most important ingredient in all gardening. Without... Read More

Turn Your Patio Into A Voluminous Vegetable Garden

My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban... Read More

Winter Gardening Looking Towards Spring

Ok, the title "winter gardening" might be a tad bit... Read More

Budget For Your Garden

Have you ever thought about how much it costs to... Read More

International Flower Delivery

As our global community continues to expand we often find... Read More

Sunflowers

Hi there,I am Jhon Saunders and recently took up gardening... Read More

Growing Great Potatoes

Potatoes are so easy to grow in the no dig,... Read More

Seeding Flowers Indoors: An Inexpensive Way to a Beautiful Summer Garden

Every year you plan that THIS will be the year... Read More

How to Control Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is found throughout southern Canada and most of... Read More

With So Many Choices For Patio Furniture, Finding The Perfect Set To Complement Your Yard Is Easy

There is nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a... Read More

Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Come to My Garden

Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a... Read More

All about Tulip Gardens

As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More

An Outdoor Swing is A Great Way to Relax

There is simply no better vantage point from which to... Read More

How to Choose Between Goldfish and KOI

Many people have asked us over the years "Should I... Read More

Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit

Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More

Brighten Your Path By Installing Decorative Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home.... Read More

Composting and Composters: A Basic Introduction

Why Compost?Recent studies show that an average family throws away... Read More

About Window Ledge Gardening

The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More

Durable Wooden Swing - Decorate Your Outdoors with One

There is nothing better to do on a hot, lazy... Read More

The Meanings Behind the Colors of Roses

Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by... Read More

22 Fun Things To Do With Your Dozen Rose Gift

Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More

Feeding the Hummingbirds

Early in May here in west central Wisconsin, I can... Read More

A Guide for Servicing Your Chainsaw

Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep.... Read More

Create and Furnish Your Outdoor Room

More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors... Read More

The Design Principle of Unity in Gardening and Landscaping

A principle of all art is unity. This means that... Read More