Birds look for four things: food, water, shelter and a safe place to nest. Offer all four and your yard becomes a stopover, not just somewhere they fly over. Food: feeders and seeds Different birds eat differently, so variety brings variety. Ground-feeding birds such as juncos and doves appreciate a platform feeder. You can make … Read more
A homemade bird feeder is a good weekend project, including with kids. This design is a covered platform feeder: a tray with a roof that keeps seed mostly dry and lets you watch birds easily. It attracts a wide range of species, from cardinals and chickadees to finches and sparrows. What you need Tools: saw, … Read more
A relaxing outdoor space does not require a big yard. A balcony with two good chairs and some plants can be more restful than a large, bare patio. What matters is that it feels sheltered, comfortable and pleasant to sit in at the times you actually use it. Decide how you will use it Morning … Read more
A fire pit turns a backyard into a place to gather in the evening. A simple ring of concrete retaining-wall blocks around a steel insert can be built in an afternoon. The planning matters more than the building, because this is a structure designed to hold an open fire. Check the rules first Many towns … Read more
A backyard is a great place for a dog to play and sniff, but it also holds hazards: gaps in the fence, toxic plants, chemicals and water. A walk around with a dog’s eye view, at nose level, catches most of them. Fencing Toxic plants Common garden plants that are toxic to dogs include sago … Read more
