News — october

Pumpkin Bird Feeder

One way to recycle the pumpkins after Halloween is to create a pumpkin bird feeder.  Super simple and fun - and amazing for the birds, especially now it is getting colder.

1. Open up the top of the pumpkin up nice and wide using a knife. 

2. Make 4 holes evenly spaced around the rim of the pumpkin

2. Cut one long piece of garden twine around 2 metres long and thread through the holes and around the side of the pumpkin - then bring the threads together in the centre and tie. Make a loop with the remaining string.

4. Fill the pumpkin with seed (I put some crumpled up news paper beneath the seed to half fill the pumpkin to reduce seed waste).

5. Hang on a tree & watch the birds come

It won't last long but is worth a go!

Video: Pumpkin Bird Feeder - watch Ben's video

Ben has recorded a video to show you how to create a pumpkin bird feeder!

One way to recycle the pumpkins after Halloween is to create a pumpkin bird feeder.  Super simple and fun - and amazing for the birds, especially now it is getting colder.

1. Open up the top of the pumpkin up nice and wide using a knife. 

2. Make 4 holes evenly spaced around the rim of the pumpkin

2. Cut one long piece of garden twine around 2 metres long and thread through the holes  - then bring the threads together in the centre and tie. Make a loop with the remaining string.

4. Fill the pumpkin with seed (I put some crumpled up news paper beneath the seed to half fill the pumpkin to reduce seed waste).

5. Hang on a tree & watch the birds come

It won't last long but is worth a go!

Looking after your garden wildlife in October

Its Halloween this month so make sure your birds get a "treat"!  Give your feeders and water baths a good clean with a 5% disinfectant solution.  Using a stiff brush get into all the nooks and crannies to help remove any left over seed which can attract the bugs.  It is also a good idea to move feeders around so droppings don't start building up underneath.

I know I mentioned this last month, but keeping a pile of leaves, logs and twigs is critical for all sorts of wildlife who need a warm, safe sanctuary over the winter months.  Insects, hedgehogs, dormice will all love you for providing a haven for them!  A thriving insect population then feeds the birds so this is critical to a healthy, vibrant garden the following Spring.