The Natural Gardener
Are you feeling Christmassy yet? As we reach the peak of the festivities you’ve probably finished putting up all your indoor tinsel and lights, so why not get in the spirit and expand your decorating outside?
I looked out my window and thought the garden could do with some of the indoor bright, sparkly cheer taken outside, so I’ve created my own fun feature for the birds this year as a bit of a talking point for family visitors. Instead of just getting weatherproof lighting and adding a bit of tinsel I thought I’d make my large cypress ‘Goldcrest’ sing for its supper and provide for wildlife! To make your own, choose a tree near existing feeders – ideally by a window so you can marvel at your handiwork, and you’ll hopefully catch a few nibblers in the act, feasting on the food. Next make your own decorations – I’ve used plain popcorn threaded with a needle and cotton, apple halves strung up with coloured twine, and I found some fun hanging fat ball feeders that look like baubles from Peckish. You could go all out and make your own star-shaped cakes from suet and seed and hang those up too, or pinecones strung up with twine, smeared with peanut butter. For a touch of colour thread through some blueberries and cranberries to create garlands to drape around the branches.
If nothing else it’ll look good! Also it might encourage loved ones to consider a more eco-friendly Christmas, sparking the idea to make home-made and reusable decorations. Happy Christmas!