Attracting wild birds to your yard and garden is a win/win, benefiting both the birds and the garden. Not only will you get a team of bug-eating helpers, but you’ll also be providing crucial habitat for birds that helps them survive. Three things will need to be in place for your garden to be a bird haven: food, shelter, and water.
Goldfinch in the Garden
Some gardens already have one or two of these elements, so birds will visit occasionally. But if you’re sure to include all three then it will make a huge difference!
Shelter: birds can use both natural and man-made shelter. You can grow native trees and shrubs as natural cover, keeping in mind that varieties producing berries or pinecones will do double duty as a food source. Different kinds of shrubs can attract different birds, so plant a variety. A man-made shelter can include handcrafted birdhouses (made from gourds or wood)
or nest boxes. Keep birdhouses at least 9 feet off the ground, and don’t use one that has a perch below the hole. The bird doesn’t need it, and it makes it easier for predators to get in.
Water: a simple birdbath will attract many types of birds, but the ones with small fountains that create the sound of splashing water will be an irresistible bird magnet! Make sure whatever you use is 2-3 inches deep, and if the surface is slick you should add some rocks or sticks. Of course, you’ll need to clean off any algae that may form and change the water every few days. A fountain or small garden pond is an excellent source of water as well.
Food: There is a wide array of choices for bird feeders, designed to hold common seed mixtures, sunflower seeds, suet (in winter) and thistle seed.
Depending on your area, you may be able to attract an even broader variety of birds by offering orange slices, grape jelly, and peanuts in the shell.
There are many plants and flowers that you can grow to encourage birds to take up residence. Here’s a list of flowers by bloom season, feel free to click each one to learn more!
Spring-blooming: Bachelor’s Buttons, Baptisia, Butterfly Weed, Columbine, Foxglove, Lupine, and Phlox.
Summer-blooming: Bee Balm, Black Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Coriopsis, Cosmos, Nicotiana, Penstemon, Yarrow, and colorful Zinnias.
Fall-blooming: Aster, Four-O-Clocks, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Marigolds, Nasturtium, and Sunflowers.  Over time, you may realize that creating a natural habitat in your yard is more satisfying than maintaining a large grassy yard, and is a lot more fun! The birds will thank you and give you hours of entertainment in return.
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