Where to hang your feeder or feeders – once you start, guaranteed you’ll have to have more than one – is up to you and layout of your home and yard.

If you have an open porch this is a great place or from tree branches. Most people look for spots where birds can be seen; after all half fun comes from watching these little dynamites. Feeders that mount to windows with suction cups are another alternative.

What To Fill Them With:

Two choices here, pre-made solution or hand made, choice is up to you. I personally have done both but if you prefer to make your own following is standard recipe.

1)One part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

2)Boil water is you wish however it is not really necessary.

3)Store unused syrup in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

If you choose to make your own solution, do not add honey as it ferments very rapidly and can be fatal to birds. Also addition of red food coloring is not necessary, they will find food without it.

Maintenance of Feeder:

Sugar and water mixed together will ferment – not good for birds – which limits it’s usability, this can happen very quickly during hot summer months.

Therefore when temperatures range between 60-85 degrees – or higher – mixture really should be changed about every three days, of course if you happen to have a few Hummingbirds visiting your outdoor diner then you will be refilling about this amount of time anyway. If you should notice any cloudiness in mixture change it right away.

Before refilling feeder be sure to thoroughly clean feeder with warm soapy water and rinse very thoroughly. This is where having a feeder that comes apart easily is important.

Attracting these wonderful little birds is not only entertaining it’s also beneficial as they also eat insects.

Plant some Bee Balm, hang a container filled with a beautiful Fuchsia plant and last but not least put up a feeder.

You’ll find that having your peaceful afternoon snooze on porch interrupted is worth it.

If you would like to learn more about Hummingbird following web site are filled with lots of great information.

The Hummingbird Society -www.hummingbirdsociety.org

The Hummingbird Web Site - www.portalproductions.com

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.

7)Fountains: Water is a necessity in garden; therefore having a fountain just seems natural. They provide a soothing sound and become a beautiful accent. The most common styles include; wall mounted, free standing, single basin and multi-tiered.

8)Birdhouses: Found at nurseries, home improvement, discount stores and flea markets, this is probably easiest of accessories to add.

They can be simple square wooden boxes to elaborately detailed versions; you might even try your hand at making your own. Mount or hang them on a tree, place on top of a pole or simply sit one on an old bench or chair.

If your also hoping for them to take on tenants, make sure to check dimensions as different species of birds prefer certain sizes.

On two trees that sat back away from house we attached simple rectangular shaped wooden houses with small entrance holes in front.

Each spring we were rewarded with two families of beautiful Blue Birds making a home in those houses. Watching mom and dad first preparing inside then little heads peeking out and finally first flight was marvelous.

9)Sundials: Here’s an accent that may not be common but has been around since early civilization. Of course in beginning their sole purpose was to measure time. You can still mark time with them but what a unique decorative accent they’d make in your garden.

10)Stepping Stones: Another fun way to accessorize your garden. Even if you don’t use them to walk on one or two placed amongst your plants look wonderful. Plain or decorated with a picture, pick whatever suites your garden.

I’ve used simple terra-cotta color stones around colorful flowers, light colored cement ones with embedded pebbles and bits of ground glass that sparkle around shrubs.

Around shrubs or flowers that attract butterflies or hummingbirds find stones with a print on them to match theme of plant.

Whether it’s an elaborate water feature, a simple resin turtle or something just for fun like tree face picture at right, keep in mind it’s just like dressing a room in your home.

After all main elements in place final touch is to embellish and personalize with decorative accents.

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating & Savvy Outdoor Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Stop by for information and ideas for both inside and outside your home.