Decorative Bird Baths Signal Spring Has Arrived
Sometimes it takes more than a little warm weather to get us in the mood for spring, so a good rite of passage to get you prepared might just be to get your yard ready for spring.
If you’ve kept your lawn watered over the winter months, you’ll probably have fewer problems as the warm weather arrives. In colder climates, snow and frost help lock moisture in the ground to keep your lawn and flower beds healthy. Warmer climates often also lack winter moisture, so if you haven’t been watering this winter, it’s time to start.
Pulling out the patio furniture can sometimes be a depressing task. The sun and weather can wreak havoc on wooden furniture, and even metal patio furniture can fade after a few seasons of outside use.
So as you ready your yard for a summer of entertaining, it’s a good time to power wash your furniture, wash the cushions, and use exterior spray paint to brighten up tired looking chairs. Check for weak spots so your guests won’t fall embarrassingly through tattered wicker or tired canvas slats.
Setting the stage for enjoying all that nature has to offer should include hanging some bird feeders in your trees and filling them with fresh seeds to welcome feathered friends as they return from their winter retreats.
A decorative bird bath located near a feeder and away from areas where people gather will encourage birds to take up residence in your trees. Keep your bird bath clean by changing the water frequently. An occasional "hot bath" is a welcome treat as the winter chill lingers, so fill your bird bath with hot water in the early morning so that mid-morning visitors can enjoy a slightly warm bath.
In the summer, warm water will discourage the birds and offer a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitoes. Change the water in the bird bath as often as you water your flowers and plants. The birds will appreciate it.
Once you have the stage set for the birds to come, add a little color to their world by planting flowers at the base of trees. Many birds enjoy the nectar of sweet flowers and will return to an environment that offers this delicacy.
Now that the stage is set, sit back and enjoy the feathery activity. With small amounts of attention to important details (like keeping your feeders full and your bath water clean), your patio guests will have an extra bit of entertainment when they visit you this year.
