Native Plants

[ysabetwordsmith]

I've started browsing around for my spring plant orders. I've made a couple of posts about places to find native plants for attracting wildlife:

Prairie Moon Nursery

Attract Birds with Larval Host Plants


I also launched the community birdfeeding for all kinds of bird-related interests such as birdfeeding and birdwatching. It's already quite lively, with members scattered around the United States of America and one in Scotland. So if you enjoy birds, drop by and check it out. I've been crossposting a lot of things to my blog and to birdfeeding, like the ones above on native plants.

Comments

[darkcedars]

I'll have to join. I am feeding the birds for the first time this winter and having a good time.

Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I'll have to join.<<

We'd love to see you there.

>> I am feeding the birds for the first time this winter and having a good time.<<

Go you! What kind of feeder(s) are you using, and what birds are you seeing?

Re: Yay!

[darkcedars]

Hahaha I haven't evolved that far. I'm pouring food on the back of a plate in the yard. The sparrows, finches, and mourning doves are the primary patrons.

Re: Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

If you're putting food out, it counts. My grandmother never used a feeder either. She threw stale bread in the back yard for pigeons and blackbirds, sometimes put sunflower seeds on the porch for cardinals, and corn for squirrels.

However, feeders do let you offer different foods in ways that attract a wider variety of birds.

Re: Yay!

[darkcedars]

It will probably be my thing to do before next winter. I would like to have more variety.

Re: Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Two cheap things that would offer variety: a suet cake in a cage, or a thistle sock.

If you're a bit crafty, you can also make your own birdfeeding materials, like spreading peanut butter on a pinecone to hang in a tree.

https://www.thespruce.com/diy-bird-feeders-5081999

https://www.diyncrafts.com/3515/home/23-diy-birdfeeders-will-fill-garden-birds

https://happyhooligans.ca/32-homemade-bird-feeders/

https://www.thesawguy.com/diy-bird-feeders/

https://freshpatio.com/diy-bird-feeder-plans/

[elainegrey]

+100 recommendation for Prairie Moon for US South East (when paying attention to range maps and zones.)

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I appreciate the extra input. I'm in central Illinois, so I know they do great with prairie territory. They've got a few items for the southwest. Knowing they cover the southeast well is useful too.

[prettyarbitrary]

Oh, I love Prairie Moon. It's my favorite online nursery. Their plants are so robust and healthy, and they have such a cool selection!

Also helpful, since I'm a habitat gardener, all their plants are wild-type.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Oh, I love Prairie Moon. It's my favorite online nursery. Their plants are so robust and healthy, and they have such a cool selection!<<

It's one of my favorites too. They're expensive, but you get what you pay for.

>>Also helpful, since I'm a habitat gardener, all their plants are wild-type.<<

Yeah, I grow some domesticated stuff, but most of the yard is native species expected to take care of themselves.