Attracting birds to your garden

The creation of multi-layered habitats will provide food sources for birds, as well as creating shelter in different layers. Small trees will initially attract birds to the garden, giving them a structure in which to alight, while they survey the area below. Larger shrubs will then provide the security for them to come closer to food sources, which may be nectar from flowers and seed pods as well as insects. A dense understorey of growth in the garden will provide areas for smaller birds to survive. 

Placing plants closer together will create dense, protective thickets. Climbing plants and medium-to-tall shrubs are ideal for this type of planting. The application of mulch to the garden bed will encourage insect life for insectivorous birds.

The selection of plants that grow naturally in the local environment will encourage birds, as they will produce food that the local birds feed on. The garden will become an additional source of food to that which is naturally occurring. Local plants will also be more tolerant of, and suited to, climatic conditions. 

Planning planting to produce food sources at critical times of the year will encourage preferred breeds. 

Avoiding fruiting plants, such as cotoneaster, will discourage larger, predator birds such as currawongs from coming to the garden. This will, in turn, allow smaller breeds to come to the garden. Plants that produce seeds or nectar during the cooler winter months will provide food sources.

Reducing the number of weeds in the garden as well as using chemical-free weed and pest controls will also increase food availability in the garden. Mulching the garden will encourage smaller insects that will then form a good food source. Planting native grasses that produce seeds on stems will be attractive to native birds such as finches and crimson rosellas.

One feature that is sometimes neglected but is nevertheless most important for attracting birds is to provide a good source of fresh water. Birds will soon find the water, particularly in the hotter weather and, if the supply is large enough, birds will enjoy splashing about in the water.

A flat dish, with stones or other material placed in such a way as to allow smaller birds to stand while they drink, will work well. It should be placed where it is away from access by cats. A bird bath will be enjoyed by larger birds.

Placing the sources of water so that they are accessible within vegetation will also be beneficial for birds.

Garden beds can now be prepared for planting out with spring flowers in the near future. Digging over the soil, with a good animal manure and an all-purpose plant food being added to the soil, is a good method of preparation.

However, while the soil is still warm it means that it is unwise to plant most spring-flowering annuals as they prefer to grow under cooler conditions.

There is one main exception. That is the popular sweet pea.

Most plants require certain conditions in order to complete their flowering and fruiting cycle. This can include hours of daylight, temperatures and amounts of moisture. These patterns and requirements can lead to certain traditions in gardening to ensure good flower or fruit production.

One of these is the tradition that sweet pea seeds should be planted out on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March. By doing this the gardener will ensure the correct temperature for seed germination, as well as the production of flowers in spring, before the warmer weather commences.

 Prior to planting out the seeds, a trellis or framework for climbing sweet peas should be constructed, although the actual construction needs only to be sturdy, rather than ornate, as the sweet pea plants will cover the structure as they grow. Small, dwarf growing varieties will not require this preparation. 

Sweet peas seeds generally have a hard outer surface so it is usually helpful to scarify the outer surface of the seeds. This means rubbing the surface of the seed, opposite the small white part, on a piece of glass paper. The white part is where the roots emerge and so needs to be avoided.  

Following this, the seeds should be soaked overnight in warm water. They will swell to about five times their normal size. After this, the seeds will germinate quite quickly, particularly in light soils. Heavier soils probably don’t need treating because there is enough moisture.

The seeds should be planted about 20 centimetres apart, and two centimetres deep to encourage lateral branching. 

Vegetable gardens can now be prepared for planting.

Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, silver beet, broccoli and beetroot are all suitable vegetable for the home garden.

Growers of these types of vegetables need to be observant to ensure the Cabbage White Butterfly doesn’t cause harm.

The butterflies can be seen flying around the plants and prefer to lay eggs among the seedlings, and more mature plants. The caterpillars that emerge then eat large areas of the tender young leaves.

The use of an environmentally friendly control such as Dipel will help to eliminate the pests.