Provide a few basics like food and water to draw in a variety of feathered friends.
These simple tips will help you keep them coming back for more.
Part of the beauty of any landscape is the fascinating wildlife that lives in it, including beautiful songbirds.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Whendesigning and planting beds and borders, think both horizontally and vertically.
Include annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, and grasses.
Suet and mealworms attract insect-eating birds such as nuthatches and woodpeckers; cracked corn draws pigeons and doves.
Credit: Bob Stefko
For goldfinches, indigo buntings, and towhees, include a finch mix; finches also love nyjer seeds.
Trees that bear fruits and nuts, such asflowering crabapple, also offer food to many songbirds.
Include several specimens for as much variety as possible.
Include at least one thorny species, such as hawthorn or rose, to provide protective perches.
Bonus: Many trees are also attractive to butterflies.
it’s possible for you to also leave brush piles fromcleanup chores.
These fallen branches are a great ground-level shelter for birds.
Clean out and repair boxes in late winter beforenesting seasonbegins.
Clean feeders weekly to keep them free of disease-causing bacteria.
This is especiallyimportant for hummingbird feeders.
Empty feeders, then soak them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
Rinse off well in warm water and allow to dry before refilling.
Avoid Herbicides, Pesticides, and Fertilizers
Any of these substances can be deadly to birds and other wildlife.
Your best bet for attracting songbirds to the garden is to separate the two.
