Create the perfect habitat for the birds

Even if you live in the city, no suburban garden is without birds.  With creative planning you can easily increase the variety and number that visit.  Instead of putting in plants that are attractive just to you, provide flowers and shrubs that please both birds and people.

Consider specific nutritional needs and requirements for shelter and nesting places.  Birds need both sweet and fatty seeds at different times of the year.  This is necessary for their metabolism to grow new feathers and while helping with the essential build up of fat reserves for long migratory journeys.

A careful selection of native plants adapted to your annual rainfall and soil will greatly enhance the appearance of your yard while creating gardens with staying power against weather extremes, insects, and diseases, but can also benefit songbirds throughout the seasons.

In order to maximize the number of birds in your yard, provide food, shelter and water. You will be thrilled as the birds brighten your day with their grace, song and color.

For more ideas please visit our web site at delightinyourgarden.net

Your yard .. your oasis!

Take a look at your yard as you drive up and think about what you see.  Do you like the way it looks or wish it were different?  Little things can make a big difference when it comes to appeal.

The first thing is to make sure you have a clean canvas to work on.  That means taking care of all the weeds and taking out any dead or diseased plants.  Then take a hard look at what you have to start with and put your plans on paper.  Draw out a draft of what you want to do or even what you wish for.  Take your time and make plans.  Some ideas will take longer to complete and your vision will probably change as you progress so be prepared to be flexible.

Plants and garden décor go hand-in-hand in making your yard everything you dreamed of.  Don’t break the bank – purchase things as you can and watch your vision become a reality.  Look for items at yard sales, swap sales, etc.  A little bit of cleaning and new paint can truly transform things!

To learn more about subjects like garden decor please visit our web site at: http://www.delightinyourgarden.net/

Tranquility at home

One of the most soothing and relaxing sounds in nature is listening to running water; as in a brook, stream or quiet lapping of water on a shoreline.   It is peaceful, calming and very comforting to close your eyes and allow the feeling of peace fill you.

We can recreate that soothing sound with water features in our yard.  Consider a fish pond in the corner, a water fountain as a central feature, hanging a wall or just a small one sitting on the patio table.  You can put one some type of water feature in your yard, not matter how large or small.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be effective and give you a tranquil space.

Birds will love to visit your water feature and if they have food nearby, will probably build a nest to raise their young.  You will have your own oasis to enjoy!

Take a look at delightinyourgarden.net for more ideas.

Use your yard as an extension of your home

Do you think of your yard as an extension of your home?  It really is!  Think of the expanded space you have that is not being utilized.  Think about how much you will use your yard by making it clean, attractive and useable.

Simple things can have a tremendous impact, such as; green plants, bright flowers and garden décor.  If you have the space, consider putting some furniture outside, some chairs and a table or maybe a bench. You don’t have to purchase expensive items, just something that is comfortable and inviting.

Select garden décor that says something about you.  There are so many options available – you can ‘decorate’ your outdoor living space to resemble your inside space or make it look like something entirely different.  For instance, you have a traditional style inside and want to continue that look outside.  Use some stone statues and classical sculptures, urns instead of flower pots, tuck in some Victorian-style bird feeders and bird baths.

Make the best use of your home, inside and out.  For more ideas and options, visit delightinyourgarden.net

Chase the winter blahs away with music

For the next few months the winter weather will be cold, wet and, at times, harsh.  All the leaves have dropped from the trees and the wind is blowing.  Put the wind to use and hang wind chimes up.  They will give you something beautiful to look at as well as listen to.

There are many, many types of wind chimes to choose from, including different designs, sounds and materials.  If you collect a certain type of décor (such as frogs, birds, country, Asian, traditional, etc.) you can find wind chimes that fit the bill!

You may find that the music you hear is more important than the design of the wind chime.  If you enjoy the classical music, J.W. Stannard makes wonderful wind chimes that will make you wish for the wind to kick up!  You can also choose metal or wood chimes to dictate the sound you hear.

Wind chimes are a wonderful addition to your yard, in terms of sight and sound.  They pick up the sunlight, bringing shine, glitter and color to your space; every little breeze is caught and used to fill the air with delightful sound.

Enjoy your space, rain or shine!  For a great selection of wind chimes, visit delightinyourgarden.net.

Don’t forget to feed the birds!

Birds are such a delight to watch and listen to.  During the winter months it is especially important to remember to take care of our feathered friends.  This is the time when their food supply is scarce and they need all the help they can get. You can use loose seeds, a bird seed block, suet and fruit.  A special treat for most birds is a piece of fruit, halved apple or orange, with peanut butter topped with nuts.

If you live in an area that has hummingbirds during the winter you can put a feeder out for them. Remember that once the birds start coming to your feeder, they will rely on that food supply.  It is very important to thoroughly clean the feeder prior to filling it each time.  You can make your own food:  four parts water to 1 part sugar, with a dash of red food coloring.  After the birds are used to coming to your feeder you can decide to forgo adding red food color.

You will have hours of fun watching the antics of the birds and their interaction with each other…enjoy!

For a great selection of feeders, take a look at delightinyourgarden.net

Get the most from your yard, day or night

Well placed lighting on your patio or throughout the yard will increase your enjoyment and allow you to stay outside after the sun goes down.  You have a variety of lighting options to choose from; including solar lights, battery-operated lighting and candles.

We don’t often think of putting candles outside for anything more than using a tiki torch or citronella candles.  However, there are a wide array of candle holders and lanterns that give you an option for soft, romantic lighting or enough light to entertain with. Depending on the space you are planning to use the candle in, you may want to choose a holder that is enclosed so the wind doesn’t blow out the candle.  You can really make a visual impact with your lighting when using colored glass, intricate metal framed pieces or a nature-themed piece.

For a great selection of outdoor lighting option, please visit our site at delightinyourgarden.net

Garden sculptures and statues add charm to your yard

Garden sculptures and statues give your yard appeal and distinction. By strategically placing items in areas you want to either highlight or draw attention to, you can make the most of your space.

If you need serenity and peace in your life, consider using angels and cherubs figurines.  You can place them on a wall, fence, sitting on a flat rock or up against your green shrubs.  As you look at your yard or walk around it, you can enjoy a feeling of harmony and tranquility.

Many people take pleasure in having fun or humorous items in their yard.  Some entertaining items would be playful frogs, adorable garden gnomes or playful children statues.  Regardless of whether you find them a fun addition or funny, a pair of flamingos makes a bright statement as well.

Placing animal sculptures in and around your plants or ‘eating’ on the lawn gives the impression that you are in tune with nature and support it.

For more ideas take a look at our selections at delightinyourgarden.net

Using garden decor to your best advantage

Well maintained green lawns and lush green plants make the yard look manicured and beautiful.  However, when you put in bright colored flowers and garden decor, it really stands out.  Saying that, you don’t want to fill every available space and make it look cluttered.  You can create islands in the lawn or at the edges and fill them with a tree for shade, small shrubs and annuals – then put in your garden decor. You may find that a bench is perfect under the tree or a small table cafe table and chairs.  Place a garden gnome or an angel sculpture nearby for company; make an area for the birds with a bird bath or fountain, bird feeders and bird houses.

Your view from each corner of your yard can be different and unique, a special place to go depending on your mood.  Make the most of your yard – be creative and have fun!

For more options on garden decor take a look at our website:  delightinyourgarden.net

Brighten up a dark spot in your yard

Bring light, color and dimension into your yard with garden decor and annual flowers.  If it is too cold for flowers, put a striking metal sculpture or statue in a dark corner or hang a beautiful wind chime, bird house or put garden stakes among the trees. Water features are beautiful in a sunny spot but can be put in quiet corners to bring in wild life.

Individual preference and lifestyle will dictate what will work best in your yard.  It may work well to make several separate areas for a flower garden, vegetable garden, relaxing in a hammock, a bench tucked in for reading, etc.  Place annual plants in flower pots for easy changing at the end of their season; define your path with stepping stones and place bright, motivating wall plaques through the area.

Make your space a place that you will want to be in.  For more suggestions on garden décor, visit our site at delightinyourgarden.net