Here’s what you need to know about winter bird feeding, bird food, and creating a haven for wild birds in your backyard during the coldest months. The cold and snowy winter months can be hard for all wildlife, including our favorite backyard birds. For wild birds, the tough weeks of winter can be especially hard, as most food has run out. A reliable source of food from our gardens and feeders can make all the difference after a severe snow or ice storm. By keeping your bird feeders full of the food they need, you’ll find that helping backyard birds through the winter is both easy and rewarding. Winter Bird Feeding Wild birds may benefit from bird feeders year-round, but they need them most in winter. Energy-rich seeds and suet provide our feathered friends with the calories they need to keep warm, especially when food is scarce or buried under ice and snow. To attract winter birds to your backyard, consider setting out one or more of the following: Don't have a good … [Read more...] about Tips for Winter Bird Feeding and Care
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Gifts For Gardeners This Holiday Season
Here is an assortment of perfect gifts for gardeners and homeowners on your holiday shopping list. Let’s face it. The colder months of the holiday season do not lend themselves to gardening in most climates. But that doesn’t mean gardening is completely out of mind. Avid gardeners and homeowners who must keep their yards neat and tidy appreciate garden-related gifts during “the most wonderful time of the year.” It is actually quite easy to find great gifts for gardeners and homeowners. These folks always need something to satisfy their green thumbs, finish a DIY project, or add one more personal touch to the property. That’s why the editors of Home, Garden and Homestead have put together their annual list of the best gifts for gardeners this holiday season. Heck, you might even want to give some of these gifts to yourself. Gifts for Gardeners: Yard Decor Solar Wind Spinner Wind spinners have been a popular yard decoration for many years. But … [Read more...] about Gifts For Gardeners This Holiday Season
What Can Chickens Eat?
“What can chickens eat?” is one of the first things to know about raising healthy backyard chickens. Raising chickens in your backyard can be a fulfilling experience, not only for the fresh eggs but also for the joy they bring as pets. Whether you are raising Rhode Island Reds, Lavender Orpingtons, or Leghorns, you need to know what to feed them. That's because one of the key aspects of keeping chickens happy and healthy is offering them a balanced diet. But what exactly can chickens eat? If you're a backyard chicken keeper, this guide is for you. The Basics of What Chickens Can Eat: Commercial Chicken Feed Start with a foundation of commercial chicken feed. This feed is designed to offer a complete and balanced diet, including all essential nutrients for layers or broilers. There are three basic types of chicken feed, based upon the age of the bird. Starter Feed for Chicks Baby chicks need a food with a higher protein content for growth. These starter feeds provide … [Read more...] about What Can Chickens Eat?
How to Plant an Apple Tree
Plant an Apple Tree Using these Step-by-Step Instructions. Planting an apple tree involves a combination of art and science. It begins with understanding your local conditions and ends with ongoing tree care. In this story, we will provide step-by-step instructions and photos showing the mechanics of how to plant an apple tree. Container-grown trees can be planted in the spring or fall. Bare root trees can be planted in the spring or fall when the trees are dormant. For more information about selecting the specific variety of apple tree that’s best for you, please read Chose the Right Variety of Apple Tree. Before You Go to the Tree Nursery Before you buy an apple tree, make sure there is enough space in your yard to accommodate a mature tree. Standard (full-sized) apple trees can reach 30-40 feet tall and can have a spread (width) of 30-40 feet. A semi-dwarf apple tree can grow to 14-20 feet tall and wide. A dwarf apple tree at maturity will typically reach 6-12 feet … [Read more...] about How to Plant an Apple Tree
Benefits Of A Portable Chicken Coop
Raising chickens is more popular than ever, and more and more people are discovering the benefits of a portable chicken coop. Whether you have lavender orpington chickens in your backyard or have flocks of Rhode Island reds, leghorns or Plymouth Rock chickens, you are in good company. During the Covid-19 pandemic, sellers and manufacturers of products related to raising chickens reported record sales. There are several possible reasons for this, including fears of supply chain issues. In addition, at various times during the pandemic, there were shortages on various food and personal items. Naturally, some people tried to become more independent. Producing your own food takes you out of the commercial food system. That means you don’t have to worry when prices change or when there is a shortage. In addition, raising chickens gives you the benefit of having not only meat but also eggs. You can’t just buy some chicks and put them in your yard, however. You need to have … [Read more...] about Benefits Of A Portable Chicken Coop