Self Sufficiency
5 Things You Need To Attract More Birds To Your Yard

Bird bath, bird house, and bird feeder are all essentials in keeping your feathered friends happy. Here’s how you can have the best bird bath, bird house, and bird refuge on the block!
Bird Bath To Make Your Backyard A Destination For Birds
Aren’t wild birds simply awesome? Chirping beautiful songs in the morning as you wake up, visiting your bird bath in the evening for a little bath, nesting in the birdhouse you made yourself… doesn’t that sound amazing? To me it does, and to some of you it probably does too, for others, you just don’t understand the pleasure. Why don’t you just hang up a bird feeder and see for yourself how those little-feathered souls turn your life around towards the best!
1. Hang Up A Bird Feeder
There is a reason why bird feeders are the most popular item bought to attract birds. Birds love feeders. Who doesn’t love free food? Imagine: coming to your bird house after a fly at the beach and visiting a restaurant for free on your way there. You’d feel like royalty, wouldn’t you? If you go to a local hardware store or pet shop, you’ll discover a huge variety of feeders. Some have suction cups so they can get stuck to windows, others have rods so they can get attached to posts or walls.
Then there are suet feeders. They are like cakes made from beef fat and usually have seeds added. They are very nutritious and high in protein, and from my experience, birds like suet feeders more than normal feeders! Most people buy little boxes made from chicken wire to slip the suet inside.
Do not put up feeders close to windows because birds will be scared of you and won’t visit them. You also don’t want them to crash into your window, this is not good for the bird. Also avoid hanging them where rain water will gather and pour down, as bird seeds will rot if they get wet. Make sure to wash your feeder with mild soap every time you add seeds.
2. Add A Bird Bath
Most people think that bird baths are useless to attract birds, as the only purpose they serve is for decoration. That is incorrect! Birds love bird baths almost as much as bird feeders. Actually, birds need the bird baths just as much as seeds! Birds need to bathe because bugs cling to them and could be deadly. Birds also need to stay hydrated. These are two reasons why birds need bird baths!
Just keep in mind that bird baths aren’t deep, and if you’re planning on making one yourself, make it shallow 1 inch to 3 inches max.
A bird bath should be placed in a sunny area, preferably near a food source such as grass or a feeder. The reason for this is because birds enjoy a drink of water before and after having food. Birds are also very clean animals so they enjoy having a little bathe after having food.
Make sure that a bird bath is placed as far away from your birdhouse or nesting box as possible, as birds don’t nest in places where birds visit often. As I mentioned before, bird baths are very important. They provide water, a place to bathe and relax, and it can double as a very beautiful feature to your yard!
The ones that are built to be hung up are usually just a shallow plate with string. Some are built for standing on the ground. These ones are usually about 2 feet in height. And have one thin leg with a plate on top. The water added to bird baths should be chlorine free. Change the water every week, and rinse with a hose. Do not use soap!
The problem with bird baths is that mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water and they reproduce within days! To stop this, you can buy little tablets made to add to water. Some are okay for animals and others aren’t. Make sure to check the label, as those that are dangerous for animals can kill birds!
3. Build Birdhouses Or Nesting Boxes
I hate seeing birds fly out of my backyard, and I’m sure most people do, too. But there is a simple solution, build the birdies a home! That way they can live in your backyard! If you want to add bird houses to your backyard, you have three options.
Option 1: Buy A Bird House That Has Already Been Made
Some of these are made for decoration, they aren’t liked by birds, and they probably won’t nest in them. Then there are other ones which are expensive, but birds love them! They normally are made of wood, aren’t painted, and have a hood so the house doesn’t get wet from the rain.
Option 2: Buy A DIY Bird House Kit
These just are generally sold at craft stores. And just like with the first choice, some can be cheap but not good and others can be expensive but very good. The kit will contain pieces of wood (already cut into the pieces you need), nails, and all the building materials.
Option 3: Make One Yourself
Most of the bird houses I’ve got I’ve made myself, and birds like them the most.
A good bird house should…
- Have ventilation slots
- Have a hood/roof from the rain
- Be made from non-treated wood
- Have a door or removable wall (so it can be opened and cleaned by humans if needed).
4. Plant Trees And Shrubs
Trees and shrubs have important roles in birds’ lives. They provide shelter, fresh air and food. They are essential!
When choosing a tree or shrub, keep in mind that birds love berries. However, fallen fruit will attract wasps and bees. Birds love bushy and leafy plants. However, you won’t be able to see birds when they’re inside bushy plants. The bigger the tree or shrub is the more big birds it will attract.
Here is a list of trees that birds love:
- American Holly
- Black Cherry
- Cascara Buckthorn
- Mountain Ash
- Dogwood; Silky, Flowering, Gray, Red Osier, etc
- Pin Cherry
- Red Mulberry
- White Mulberry
- Serviceberry
- Flowering Dogwood
- Hackberry
- Hawthorns
- Madrone
- Red Cedar
- Sour Gum
- Eastern Red Cedar
Here is a list of shrubs that birds love:
- Blackberry, Raspberry
- Chokeberry
- Chokecherry
- Dogwood shrubs
- Elderberry
- Shadbush
- Snowberry
- Viburnums
- Bayberry
- Blackhawk
- Cotoneaster
- Highbush Cranberry
- Holly
- Mistletoe
- Sumac
- Highbush blueberry
- Nannyberry
- Winterberry
5. Moving Water Is A Must
Water attracts birds. Moving water attracts bird even more! I just can’t express how much birds love moving water. I once got a tiny fountain, and oh boy it was a hit! Every time I peeked out my window to look at it, I could see a minimum of 3 birds relaxing there.
If you’re new to the bird attraction business, installing a mini pond or mini waterfall is probably a big step for you, am I right?
Digging up your backyard and filling it with water may not sound so attractive to some! However you don’t have to turn your yard upside down, just to make birds happy, you can make a mini pond from a bucket! Sounds easy, doesn’t it?
Here are good ideas of moving water:
- Pond
- Fountain
- Mini waterfall (a normal one wouldn’t fit, right?)
Some Things To Remember:
- Don’t ever disturb your birds! Cleaning the bird house should only be done if they’ve moved out.
- Do not add chlorine or bleach to bird baths! Not only does it kill mosquitoes but birds too.
Here’s my favorite source of moving water: a mini pond in a bucket! It is so easy to make, check out this video from emmymadeinjapan:
Alright, my friends, that is how you create a bird paradise in your own backyard! Try it out, don’t be shy! Even hanging up 1 bird feeder to a post in your yard will attract hundreds of birds weekly! If you’re new to attracting birds and don’t quite know the pleasure of watching wild birds you soon will! Good luck!
Are you ready to invite more feathered friends in your backyard? Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: Keeping Bully Birds at Bay And Protecting Your Garden
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on September 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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Self Sufficiency
NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.
The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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