As soon as the wind blows in the garden, it is time to take care of the winter preparation birds.

I simply cleaned out and helped your migrate backyard friends move south for their long journey to fill a couple. And I will stock it well with high-energy seed mixture in winter, which makes it hard to feed non-resident birds that make it difficult till the spring in my suburban New york Garden.

After all, this is now, when the garden is slowing down, that birds need the most. Providing livelihood is one of the many ways we can support them.

When selecting road food (sky meal?) For birds, I always look for options that provide high quality sources of fat and protein, such as unsalted peanuts, black-oil sunflower seeds and suits, which are cakes made of animal fat, seeds, grains and food pests.

I will also whip a batch of Chinese-water “nectar” to migrate the hummus by dissolving 1 cup white sugar in 4 cups boiling water, then allowing it to cool it.

All of this is to complement the buffet of seeds and berries that will provide my perennial, shrubs and trees naturally.

Let some perennial food, accommodation, visual interest to remain

I left the idea of ​​a well -organized winter garden long ago, instead of most of my perennials, many of them stood up to spring. Their faded flowers will also feed the plump seeds hidden in the heads that take it out from here in New York in winter, when other food sources are rare.

Asters, Conflower, Black Eye Susan, Golden Roads and decorative grass will soon become dry and crispy, but they will continue to serve the garden and its inhabitants for months.

So will be the nest between my spiked leaves American Holi Bush, and who soon stick to bare-wibernum and dogwood branches. With any fate, the nuts will fall on the ground attached to their “pincon” packages, although I suspect it may be an off year for me Norway Sprous.

If you are not already in habit, consider leaving your spent perennial standing in winter. Not only will they serve the necessary wildlife, but they will also serve you.

Birdsong in winter is a cure in the garden of my suburban New York, and the scene of snow-covered seedheads from my window is definitely beautiful that sees my neighbor that when she sees a flat, cleaned-out garden barren barren land.

Add trees and other plants

If you do not have seeds- or berry-producing plants in your landscape, then you are in luck. Not only is a great time falling for quick bushes and perennials, but plants are likely to give great discounts in the garden center.

Also consider adding trees. Ox, FIR, Hicaries, and Evergrains are among them that provide quality food, shelter and nest hunt for winged friends. And this friendship will never be more pronounced than spring, when they repay you with free insect-control services, feed their baby with thousands of insects that will otherwise proceed to destroy your plants.

Leave some leaves and cut some lights

To insulating plants, pushing and nourishing soil in garden beds will also shelter hibernate pests, which in turn will maintain the ground-birds. This is much better for the ecosystem – and easier for the gardener – compared to raising them up and sending them to a landfill.

I will also disconnect my solar-operated landscape lighting and keep the pores light closed for the next few months so that migratory birds rely on the stars to avoid disorientation, which rely on the moon and stars and rely on the stars as astronomical navigation cues to find their way to the south. It is closer to them to GPS, and I, for one, do not want to be responsible for interfering with their signals.

Finally, bird care during lean moths is a gift that will fly back to you.

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Jessica writes a weekly horticulture column for Demiano AP and prize winners publish the weekly dirt newspaper. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

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