Beyond the Basic Storage Shed

Modern-Shed by Grey Design

This modern storage shed is just one of 5 models by Grey Design. This is the most stylish shed I have come across on the web and you have a choice of eco-friendly building materials. The Garden Shed is great for storing bikes, lawnmowers, and other garden necessities.

Visit Modern-Shed for a list of materials, different models, shipping, customer photos, and more.

Help Stop the Spread of Bird Disease

Prevention is key to stop the spread of bird diseases to humans and other birds. Backyard bird feeding has been a favorite pastime for many homeowners. However, birds can carry various diseases that can be passed along to other birds and sometimes to humans through their saliva and feces. >>What To Do If You See A Sick Bird

Birds can become sick after eating leftover feed that has become moldy and from bird poop that piles up around the feeder. Promote a healthy feeding environment for birds, and you for that matter, by routinely cleaning your feeders. >>About Birds and Bird Feeding

Feeder Care

• Clean feeders once every 2 weeks or more often if you have heavy traffic.
• Wash your feeders thoroughly in soapy water then soak or rinse in a solution of 1 parts bleach to 9 parts water.
• Completely dry before refilling with bird seed.
• Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days when you refill the nectar.
• Remove any excess seed that accumulates on the ground below the feeder.

Birds play an important role in ecological balance by propogating plant life and controlling insects. A healthy population is vital in maintaining other natural resources. Whether you live in urban, suburban, or rural areas, there are birds that need your help. >>Getting Started: What You Can Do

More Safe Feeding Resources

• Safe Bird Feeding
• Is Backyard Bird Feeding Helping or Hurting?
• National Wildlife Health Center
• Feeder Placement and Landscaping

Birds For Natural Pest Control

Attracting birds to your backyard is not only fun for birdwatching but can also serve as natural pest control. Spring is a time when migrating birds return to our yards to enjoy the warm weather. However, so do the many unwanted pests that prey on the new growth of our precious plants. Don’t get me wrong, not all bugs are bad. Actually, 95% of all insects are beneficial or harmless to people. So keep the insecticides on the shelf and reach for the birdseed instead (see also Other Bird Foods).

Insect-eating Birds

Most birds that visit your feeders are not interested in eating seed, but rather the live insects and other cold-blooded vertebrates that are flooding your yard come spring. Remember, not all insects are bad so get rid of that ugly bug-zapper and let nature do its thing.

• Crawling insects: Blackbirds, bluebirds, sparrows, crows, wrens, cardinals, bobolinks, and more
• Tree catepillars: Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, warblers
• Flying insects: swallows, nighthawks, flycatchers, warblers, swifts, Cedar Waxwings
• Tree-Crevice insects: chickadees, nuthatches, creepers, woodpeckers, Black-and-white warbler
• >>More on insect-eating birds

Create Your Own Garden Art

I recently stumbled across this unique succulent chair by Sandra Nelson, a fellow blogger at Art In The Garden. Susan found this retro style chair at a thrift store and was drawn to the shiny chrome frame. Although there are no before pictures, the photo shows Susan cut off the less-than-fabulous material and replaced the form with chicken wire.

As with any wire container, you must keep the soil from seeping through the holes by filling them with dampened sphagnum moss (note: don’t buy sphagnum peat moss). Be sure to press the pieces firmly into the holes and fill the spaces completely. Chicken wire and peat moss can be found at any local, full-service nursery or home improvement store. To limit messy leakage when watering, line the moss with a sheet of plastic, which also acts as a moisture barrier. Remember to cut one good drainage hole at the bottom of both the seat back and bottom.

Next, slit the plastic where you plan to insert the roots of your succulents. Sandra planted sedums, hens and chicks, and thyme. Buy the smallest plants available to make inserting the plants’ roots through the wire holes and plastic slits easier.

Fill the frame’s center with potting soil. Not just any soil but a free-draining potting mix with slow-release fertilizer. Firm the soil around the roots of the plants by pressing it down with your hands.

Ever so gently, water your self-acclaimed artwork thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist until new growth appears. At that point, you only have to water when the soil becomes dry. You’re better off giving your container a good soaking, rather than just misting the top layer. TIP: If the plants start looking wilty, then you’ve waited too long.

Be prepared to learn from your mistakes because no one said this was an exact science.

Thanks Sandra for your creativity and best of luck to you! Imagine how fabulous this chair will look once the plants fill in. If you would like to see your project featured on my blog, please respond with your ideas or visit Have A Garden Question .

Modern Pots For Urban Dwellers

Here’s a modern twist to the traditional window box from designer Michael Hilgers. This is a great way to add color and greenery to spaces that, well, have no space. The polyethylene pots are water-resistant and can rest on any railing up to 60mm thick. Read more on Container Garden Design.

Design Within Reach sale $60

Stool or Table?

I love these multi-functional stools by OFFI and Company. The design is inspired by Tiki mugs and barware from the 60’s. Why bother with standard folding chairs? This is a fun solution for entertaining family and friends, inside or outside.

Attracting Wildlife To Your Garden

Pest management comes to mind when I think about attracting wildlife to my garden. Pesticides are often used to eliminate those annoying creatures from damaging your tender plants. However, you also eliminate the beneficial insects and increase the risk of contaminating your local water supply. Harmful pests have natural enemies like birds, snakes, frogs and other beneficial insects. Selecting plants that provide food and shelter is a great way to attract beneficial predators. For more information on environmental friendly ways to eliminate pests click here. More resources for designing beautiful gardens that attract wildlife:

• A garden for birds
• Another great article from High Country Gardens on how to make birds happy
• Attract butterflies to your garden
• The Hummingbird Garden

Botanical Inspired Wine Glasses

Check out these stemless wine glasses from Peek Keep. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just hanging out with friends, add this stylish collection to express your inner gardener.

Cheers!