Winter Garland for Wildlife

Bow of bird-friendly material

This holiday season, turn a familiar decoration into something special for your backyard visitors. An edible garland is an easy way to share the holiday spirit with feathered friends while adding a festive, outdoor touch to your yard. Once hung, you’ll quickly discover that this special garland – made from cuttings of white pine – will be an irresistible smorgasbord to a variety of winter birds.

Materials you will need:

• Roping of white pine
• Florist’s wire
• Large sewing needle
• Heavy thread
• Seed heads of native prairie grasses
• Sprays of sorghum and flaxseed
• Bittersweet berries

Other tasty treats to consider include popcorn, peanuts, orange slices, sunflower heads, and miniature Indian corn.

Begin your garland construction by gathering seed heads of prairie grasses into a bouquet. Secure the stems together with florist’s wire, forming a dense bunch and attach the bunch to the pine garland with additional wire. Continue making several more bunches in the same way with the materials you chose and attach them along the length of the garland. If you have small sunflower heads or Indian corn, you can tuck those in and around the grass bunches. Popcorn and peanuts can be strung using a needle and heavy thread then wrapped around the garland.

Once completed, simply hang the garland on a fence, deck railing, or other spot in your yard, then watch the birds flock to this easily crafted and tasty treat.

Gather wildlife-friendly materials for holiday decoration.	Natural materials can add color and utility to holiday decor.