Ideas For Your Backyard

Now is a good time to put in your water features.  There are many, many different sizes and shapes of water fountains. And each fountain sounds different.  Some will sound like water  cascading, while others may sound like a steady drip and others may have a splashing sound.  What do you prefer?

Did you know that you can lure specific birds to your backyard.  Like Cardinals, Bluebirds, Thrushes, etc.  You’ll be the envy of neighbors having  a chorus of songs like no other.   It all has to do with the habitat, and the food.

For example, Sparrows like a meadow garden, a weedy field or a patch of prairie flowers.  They really aren’t into a “woody” area.   You will be providing an area to nest as well as food they like.

After checking sources for the types of birds you like you will be better able to provide for them.  What are you favorite birds?

We had a long cold winter and now after a hard day of work, it is so nice sitting on the patio listening and seeing the sites of spring as I unwind.  The birds are chirping and the daffodils and hyacinths are in bloom.  Nearby the sounds of a garden fountain as the water splashes down.  In the distance the melodious sounds of a windchime in the cool evening breeze.  Wouldn’t you like to join me?

Wow.  This is heavenly!!  It is so nice to wake up with the sun shining and the birds singing.  To take my cup of coffee and sit out on the patio.  I can see the the spring flowers blooming and take in the sights and sounds of nature as I contemplate what will be happening today.  How relaxing this is. The sounds of the garden water fountain splashing, and watching the birds take a dip the cool off or clean up whatever the case may be.  Does this sound like a plan or what?

What a glorious morning!!  It is so nice to wake up with the sun shining, the birds singing and a cool breeze blowing.  Spring is one of my favorite times of the year.  Everything is greening up, flowers are beginning to bloom, robins and other birds are beginning to show up as they return from their winter retreat.  These  are sure signs of life being renewed.  It won’t be long before we can witness new life as the eggs in the nest hatch.  Do you feel as blessed as I?

It’s spring and time to start preparing your front and backyards for this season.  You can begin by cleaning the dead foliage from your garden plants if you didn’t do this last fall (maybe the weather turned too cold too soon or that first snowfall came to soon).  Anyway once this is done you can bring the small statues and yard furniture out that you took in to protect them from the harsh weather.

 You can also clean any debris from your pond and fountain features.  Turn your pumps and filters on.  So lets get going and you’ll have this done so you can start putting in your garden when all chance of frost is gone.

Hummingbirds are birds in the family Trochilidae, and are native to the Americas. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12–90 times per second (depending on the species). They can fly backwards, and are the only group of birds able to do so.   Their English name derives from the characteristic hum made by their rapid wing beats. They can fly at speeds exceeding 34 mph.

Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of plants and are important pollinators, especially of deep-throated, tubular flowers. Like bees, they are able to assess the amount of sugar in the nectar they eat; they reject flower types that produce nectar which is less than 10% sugar and prefer those whose sugar content is stronger. Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders, especially when feeding young.

Wouldn’t you like to start feeding hummingbirds and draw them to your backyard, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird

With the weather warming up it is a good time to check on your ponds and fountains.  Remove any debris that may be in the pond.  You can turn your fountain pump and filters on to help remove and clean your water.

Now is a good time to add your submerged water plants such as anacharis and hornwort. When all danger of frost you can begin adding your other plants such a water lilies, lotus, reeds and rushes.  There are many plants to choose from! some are flowering and some are beautiful foliage plants.

Good Morning.  The sun is shining and a great day is predicted….in the 70’s.  Boy have we been waiting for that!!  And judging by the birds singing so have they.  Do you have your bird houses and bird feeders ready and waiting for them.  The birds will be searching for a nice place to nest so they can prepare for their new families.

It is so much fun watching the progress of the birds, building their nests (whether they are in a house, bush or tree) then watching the eggs, waiting in anticipation for them to hatch, then watching the hatchlings to an adult bird.  And what an education for your young children or grandchildren.

Money is a real issue these days to many of us, with the loss of jobs, pay cuts etc.  Don’t let decorating your space get you down.  There are so many ways to decorate without spending alot of money.  Think outside the proverbial box…

Do you have a little paint left over from another project? This is a good way to brighten an area such as a play space, patio, etc. Or maybe some objects that were used to decorate an idea in your home that are now being stored?  You might even see what is availabe at one of the popular dollar stores instead of the department store.