Once you have been brainwashed converted into wintersowing, you will find that you cannot in good conscience throw out a milk jug. Never fear, gardener! There are hundreds (well, at least quite a few) of ways that the humble milk jug can be made to earn its keep.
I made up this simple birdfeeder this winter, and it was a hit with the finches.
Here's how to make Milk Jug Bird Feeder #1:
I made up this simple birdfeeder this winter, and it was a hit with the finches.
Here's how to make Milk Jug Bird Feeder #1:
- Cut a hole about 2 inches wide in the center of your clean, rinsed milk jug for the entrance
- Poke (or drill) a small hole underneath the entrance hole
- Take a length of dowel rod (about 8 or 9 inches) and push it through the hole you just drilled
- Mark where the dowel hits the opposite side of the milk jug
- Poke (or drill) another small hole where you marked in Step 4
- Push the dowel all the way through. Make sure to leave a nice long length of dowel right at the entrance hole so the birds land there or just stand and admire the food inside.
- Poke a few small holes near the top and thread some wire through for a hanger.
- Fill with seed and hang her up!
The finches would come in flocks and fight over who got to go inside the all-you-can-eat feeder.
"Brunhilda! You've been in there for the past 3 minutes! You're gonna eat up all the good seed! The rest of us can't pull your overstuffed self out of that little entrance, you know! We don't have hands!"
(My apologies if this posted twice on Blotanical...my computer wonked out and published it when I was not looking. Bad computer, bad!)
Dear Hanni, What an ingenious use of a milk container. How do you think up all these ideas?
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Hanni, now I need to steal your idea for my garden.
ReplyDelete@Edith - I see ideas here and there and just tuck them away for a rainy day. :)
ReplyDelete@Masha - And I must steal some rose ideas for my garden from your blog too!
I went to a lunchtime class on winter sowing using milk jugs. It was great and I do want to try it. My problem is that I buy organic milk that comes in cartons and not milk jugs. Great idea to use them as bird feeders? Do the squirrels get in them?
ReplyDeleteHello - what a brilliant blog - love the recycling!! Thank u for a look at mine x
ReplyDelete@ Karin - You know, I haven't had a problem with squirrels here...so I'm not sure. The cartons would make good feeders, though!
ReplyDelete@Fay - thank you and you are welcome! Love finding other gardeners.
I really like your feeder. Looks pretty squirrel proof to me. I see them sliding off in defeat.
ReplyDeleteDelightful! Idea, pics and your words. Sure hope those little birdies don't over eat!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely brilliant - inelegant but brilliant. Cheap, practical, long lasting, replaceable.
ReplyDeleteEsther
this is great to get the job done and especially fun for kids to do!!
ReplyDeleteThat's really clever. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and to repurpose something. Welcome to blogging. I love the blogging world and have met so many good people all over the world. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your gardens.
ReplyDeleteLooks great and I'm sure the birds love it!
ReplyDeleteI am going to try the birdfeeder tomorrow. I have greedy mourning doves and squirrels who do not allow anyone else to feed. Fab idea!!
ReplyDelete