Temperatures drop and many plants go dormant in winter, but that doesn't mean your garden has to be quiet and lifeless. If you intentionally create a haven for birds, it can by a time of surprising vibrancy.
Here's what to do:
- Plant with purpose. Select plants with blooms or berries in the winter to privide much-needed food for birds. In the southeastern United States, some plants that grow well are junipers, holly, Blackhaw Viburnum, Wild Indigo, Beauty Berry, Golden Rod, and Partidge Pea.
- Provide shelter. Leave some brush piles or stacked logs in a corner of the garden. Avoid cutting back dried perennials and ornamental grasses , add bird houses, try to have a quarter of your trees and shrubs be evergreen (like junipers and holly).
- Provide water: Heated birdbaths (change water daily), shallow dishes with stones, slow-dripping containers all provide water. Remember to keep them elevated so cats and other predators can't get the birds.
By incorporating these things into your winter garden, you'll create a welcoming haven for birds.
Today's IWSG question is: As a writer, what was the coolest gift I've ever received? When my daughter visited Paris, she took a trip to see Monet's gardens. While there, she visited a gift shop and got me a blank writing book with one of Monet's paintings on the cover. This put together two things I really enjoy—writing and gardening.
What about you? Have you ever received a cool writing gift?
Speaking of writing: I'm excited to announce I have a new picture book out. Just in time for America's 250th birthday in 2026!
And the last thing: My book, Bubba and Squirt's Adventure's Around the World, published by Dancing Lemur Press, is in All Author's Cover of the Month Contest. If you like it, please consider voting for it.
Here's the link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/20230/ Thank you!
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Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday season!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThat was a cool gift.It is something that you will always cherish. I like Monet's paintings too.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
Poor birdies... I have two turtle doves living in front of my house on our tree and pooping daily right all over my gate! Terrible businesss....
ReplyDeleteYour daughter's gift is a cool one. Congrats to Sherry on her new book release!
ReplyDeleteThe perfect gift!
ReplyDeleteWe have several bird feeders for our birds.
That's a great gift! I forgot to mention journals in my post. Congratulations on your newest book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gift from your daughter, Sherri. Congratulations on your picture book--much to celebrate for USA! By the way, I think you found an old version of my blog. I moved to wordpress at http://jenniferlanebooks.com in 2019 :-)
ReplyDeleteI meant Sherry not Sherri!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice for attracting birds to our garden during winter. We have a feeder and birdbath in use all year round, plus some native grasses and evergreens. Last summer, a wren laid eggs in one of the large pots on our deck that contains ornamental grasses. Shortly thereafter, I found one of the hatchlings on the deck. It had fallen or jumped out of the pot and was too young to fly. I was able to catch it and safely put it back in the nest. A few weeks later, the nest was empty, giving us a sense of accomplishment.
Congratulations on the new picture book and your B&S entry in the cover contest. Merry Christmas to you and your family, dear friend Sherry!
Receiving a gift from someone who knows you so well and loves you is the very best.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gift and great advice, dear Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter gave you a very special gift, Sherry! Congrats on your book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool gift! I hope to make it to Monet's gardens someday. Congrats on your new book coming out! It sounds perfect for the Fourth!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift! I also love Monet. They are comforting to look at.
ReplyDeleteHope you get tons of votes on your cover.
ReplyDeleteI need to check our bird bath tomorrow!
I'm sorry, Sherry. I tried to vote and had to log in to do it. Facebook says my email address is invalid, which makes no sense. I'll try again tomorrow after work.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I was able to log in and vote!
DeleteI love all of your books. I hope the Kroger in store time proves fruitful. Congrats on your continued publishing success. It's been quite a journey and I've enjoyed your blog throughout. Consider me a loyal fan.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry - congratulations on the new book ... and to the old USA!! Love seeing the birds in the garden, or out and about ... and very necessary to plant useful plants for our birds, bees and insects. Love the idea of your Monet notebook - good on your daughter - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI always do a fall clean up because otherwise the mess in the spring is beyond horrible. Sadly the bushes I have that produce berries have been eaten this year by the deer. I've chased them away, I've put out deer scram, and I bought some of those sonic posts that are suppose to keep them away. It's never been this bad; very frustrating. So not much for the birds. Even my tree with fruit/apples isn't too helpful for them, in that it didn't produce much this year. Hope next year is better. You listed some good ideas for the winter gardens.
ReplyDeleteTraveling Suitcase