If you like seeing birds in your yard, you may want to set up a bird feeder to attract them. Bird feeders can be purchased from most home and garden stores, or you can make your own. Making your own bird feeder doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Many homemade bird feeder materials can be found in your home or recycled from other items. Here are a few such items and how they can be used.

Soda Bottles, Milk Jugs, and Juice Cartons

Most people have one of these items in their refrigerator and are likely to just throw them away without thinking of how they can be repurposed. These items make a great container for your birdseed. Simply cut a hole into the side of them, fill them with seeds, string them up in a tree or to a post and you have a free bird feeder.

Pinecones

If you do not have pinecones in your yard, chances are you know where to find some. Pinecones are great homemade bird feeder materials because they are free and natural. Simply cover one or two pinecones with peanut butter and then roll them in a bowl of birdseed. The seeds will stick to the peanut butter and create a perfect feeder. Kids love to help make these homemade bird feeders because they are fun and simple to do.

Old Dishes

If you have a bowl or dish that is cracked or mismatched, don’t throw it away. Use it to make a bird feeder instead. Simply place the bowl or dish on a base such as a wooden post or hang it from a tree with yarn. Fill it with birdseed and watch as the birds flock to it. Dishes and bowls make great bird feeders because they are pretty to look at and are easy for birds to access.

Having a bird feeder in your home can bring you a lot of entertainment and happiness. Before you spend a lot of money on a bird feeder from a store, consider making your own with everyday items you already have at home.

Need Professional Help?

Whether you are looking for creative ways to incorporate bird feeders in your landscape, or simply need your lawn mowed, TalkLocal can put you in touch with the help you need. Follow the easy step-by-step process, and you will be talking with someone who can help in a matter of minutes.

If you are someone that takes pride in a beautiful, carefully-manicured lawn, then you probably already recognize crabgrass as public enemy No. 1. This common weed features especially flat, thin stems that are noticeably different from traditional grass. Crabgrass can infest your lawn, choking out the healthy grass you want.

Learning how to prevent crabgrass is paramount for maintaining a well-kept lawn. Here are some methods that will help you keep this pesky weed at bay.

Using Pre-Emergents

When you think of the word “annuals” you might automatically think of flowers. However, crabgrass is considered an annual plant as well, meaning that it does die off on its own every year. Use this time wisely and equip your long with crabgrass-fighting power.

Apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn in early spring. You might consider applying a second round of pre-emergent early in the summer as well, depending how bad of a crabgrass problem you have. Pre-emergent is available at any lawn care store.

A Healthy Lawn As A Weapon

Many people wondering how to prevent crabgrass do not know that it is as easy as fostering a thick, lush lawn. The more dense your lawn is, the less likely it is to allow crabgrass, which usually takes roots in bare spots on the lawn.

You should take all of the necessary steps to promote a healthy lawn, which includes fertilizing appropriately and adding new seed if the lawn gets thin. Also, make sure to water your lawn regularly.

Hand Weeding

Here is a simple answer for how to prevent crabgrass — when you see crabgrass, remove it immediately. This can be done by hand, as long as you remove the root with it. It is imperative to act quickly when you spot even a hint of crabgrass. This is a weed that reproduces at a very high rate, so the longer you ignore it, the worse the problem will be.

Enlist The Help Of Professional Landscapers

Any reputable landscaper knows exactly how to prevent crabgrass. If you need someone like this to help you transform your lawn, simply log on to TalkLocal and submit a request. We can instantly connect you with companies or professionals that offer the services you require.