GardenDC Podcast Episode 185: Birdscaping

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Tim Mack about birdscaping. The plant profile is on Wind Anemone and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events and this week's garden tasks in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Garden Escape by Christy Page of Green Prints.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 174: Wildscaping

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-174-wildscaping.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 36: Gardening for Wildlife

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-36-gardening.html

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SHOW NOTES: 0:54 Get to know Tim Mack, founder of Birdscaping Industries Inc. 3:22 How Tim got the idea for a birdscaping company 4:50 Tim defines “birdscaping” 5:49 “Why should we support birds?” host Kathy Jentz asks Tim 6:00 “...they just bring so much joy to the environment, so they're just super-important and plus they're really good on pest control too” – Tim 8:29 Tim’s talks about his favorite bird 9:03 “Are there any birds from your childhood or in your region that you’re no longer seeing anymore?” – Kathy asks Tim 10:10 Kathy and Tim talk about identifying birds 12:05 How can we support birds in our landscape? 13:47 Tim says to use organic materials like twigs, straw, or milkweed fibers for nested materials rather than indoor materials like dryer lint 16:16 Using nests to identify the bird 17:56 “Any tips for placing that birdhouse in your landscape to attract birds so they'll actually use it?” – Kathy asks Tim 21:08 Providing water sources for the birds 21:42 Tim advises to change the water every other day, with rain water if possible 25:17 Tim talks about feeding the birds and setting up a bird feeder 29:31 “Don't feel guilty putting the feeder up. They’re not going to…depend on you. They didn't evolve with the feeder…” – Tim 32:14 What can we grow as gardeners to support birds? 33:29 Tim’s favorites are black elderberry, high and lowbush blueberry, river birches, and the red, gray, and silver twig dogwoods. 36:10 “Some home gardeners, they want each little plant to have its own separate world with a bed of mulch around it, and that's not going to be as supportive for the wildlife” – Kathy 36:44 Seed-producing native plants 39:24 “Are there any plants that you would advise against growing for a birdscaping backyard?” – Kathy asks Tim 42:35 The fun in gardening 44:11 You can reach out to Tim via email at tim@birdscapingindustries.com and through his website birdscapingindustries.com 44:45 Tim’s last thoughts on birds and gardens 46:43 Plant Profile: Wind Anemone 48:05 What’s new in the garden this week? Saucer Magnolia and Dutch Hyacinth Bulbs 49:31 Register for Potomac Rose Society’s virtual talk on Sun. March 17 at 2PM 49:58 Learn more about Silver Spring Garden Club’s free event Knockout Natives on Mon. March 18 at Brookside Gardens 50:35 Learn more about Takoma Horticultural Club’s free event Gardening with Rocks on Wed. March 20 7:30-9PM 51:26 Kathy Jentz’s book “The Urban Garden” 52:26 Kathy Jentz’s book “Groundcover Revolution” 53:47 Christy Page reading Laurel Radomski’s “Garden Escape, A Week in the Greenery Wonder” 58:08 How to support the GardenDC Podcast

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Episode Credits:

Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edit and Show Notes: Hannah Zozobrado

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DIY: Bird Nesting Material Ball or Cage

This early spring craft can be a fun rainy day activity with kids and then once hung in your garden outside a window, you can watch as bird's gather from your offerings. (You can make several and put them in various spots to see which ones the birds prefer.) Later on, after the fledglings have hatched, you can see what nests used your materials.

Level: easy   Cost: minimal   Use: garden decor/wildlife/gift

Materials:

- dried grasses

- small twigs

- pet hair

- dry leaves

- cattail or milkweed fluff

- twine

- shredded paper

- cotton (I grew my own)

- straw

- pine needles

- coconut fiber

- Spanish moss

- a suet cage, wire ball, or other wire structure

Step 1: Collect materials from your garden and/or purchase them.

Step 2: Tie a 10-inch piece of twine to the top of the cage or sphere and knot it securely. You will use this later for hanging it.

Step 3: Stuff coconut fiber or Spanish moss into the center of the wire cage or wire form.

Step 4: Add your other bird nesting materials loosely into the cage/frame so the birds can pull them out, but secure enough that the wind won't blow it away. Here is where you can get creative -- form patterns or layers with them materials as you wish.

Step 5: Hang in garden.

Note: it is not recommend to use yarn and ribbon as bird's feet can get tangled in them and also avoid dryer lint as it can contain harmful chemicals from laundry products.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a few pennies from Amazon.

This is a monthly blog series on DIY projects for the beginning home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com.