Projects + Crafting

DIY Pinecone Bird Feeders

Image © Natureal Mom

Old fashioned pinecone bird feeders are fun, easy to create and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand:

Pinecones
Nut butter (Omit if anyone has a nut sensitivity or allergy)
Ghee or butter
Finely chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit

Steps:

Tie a piece of string around the pinecone. This is a great way to re-use ribbon, twine or jute.
Image © Natureal Mom
Mix together equal parts nut butter and ghee. Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone.
Image © Natureal Mom
Roll the pinecone in the mixture of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
Hang it on your favorite tree or where the birds will find it.
Watch for feathered friends to visit!

To keep the birds coming back to your spot, keep the following tips from the National Audubon Society in mind:

Provide birds with a variety of quality seed.
Provide fresh water for drinking and bathing.
Give the feeder ample cover, preferably provided by native plants. Native plants also provide potential nesting sites and a source of natural food.

Fun Eco Project: DIY Terrariums

Terrariums are wonderful, magical environments. They are fun to make and are a great opportunity for children to learn how ecosystems work. Terrariums are essentially miniature ecosystems that can sustain themselves for long periods of time, very similar to that in the real world. The glass lid creates a continuous rain cycle: Moisture evaporates from the soil and plant leaves, water gathers on the top and sides of the jars, and then it returns to the moisture-loving plants. This was a fun and educational eco project that my niece and I did together to celebrate the early days of spring.

Items You Will Need:

* A glass jar and lid (apothecary jar, mason jar, candy jar, repurposed food jar, etc). Make sure the opening is large enough.

* Small stones, pebbles or aquarium rocks

* Activated charcoal (found at your local garden center)

* Potting soil

* Moss

* Small live plants – Select plants that have similar environmental needs. Slow growing, low light varieties work well.

* Decorative objects – I used a miniature gnome and mushroom toadstool to add character to my whimsical woodland-themed terrarium.

Instructions:

1. Find a good spot to assemble your terrarium – it can be a little messy.

2. Clean your jar well to prevent bacteria from growing and so you can see all the wonderful things growing inside.

3. Place a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the jar to allow for proper drainage.

4. Add a small layer of charcoal on top of the pebbles to filter the water and keep the soil fresh.

5. Add a layer of moss on top of the charcoal to keep the soil out of the drainage area.

6. Add a layer of soil deep enough for proper root growth.

7. Add your plant selections. Be sure to loosen up the roots a bit and pack the soil tightly around the plants.

8. Add the decorative objects to their new habitat.

9. Mist with water to dampen. Place the lid on.

10. Place your terrarium where it will receive indirect sunlight.

With a little care, terrariums can last many years. The plants will need to be trimmed occasionally to keep the balance of the ecosystem, but most maintenance will be to mist or slightly water the terrarium about once a month. A little condensation is ideal but be careful not to over water. If it is too wet, simply remove the lid and it will evaporate.

Enjoy!