April 2026

Have you welcomed the first day of spring? My daffodils are poking up almost ready to bloom. So far, with a few warm days now and then, you’ll find most of my March hints are still reverent for April.  So, this month I’ll talk about what’s important in our gardens beside the plants.
     Have you noticed the songbirds are returning every day.  All looking for food, safe nesting sites, and water sources. Establishing a bird's habitat in your garden is very easy, and you will reap many benefits from doing so. Some birds will nest in houses, which should be cleaned up and cleaned out. Some nest on the ground and some in the crook of a tree branch. Did you know the male wren will build several nests so when his mate returns, she will have many choices to choose from. It’s made of all small twigs.  It’s fun to see what the other birds use too. If you put out the clothes lint from your clothes dryer, they will find it and really appreciate it for their nesting material.
     Though most birds will eat seeds they find in the wild, some songbirds will only eat bugs, worms, grubs, slugs, fruit, and berries. They all feed their chicks insects, worms, etc., though.
     In Salisbury, we have an abundance of mosquitoes. Once my husband established his bird habitat, the mosquito population was almost nonexistent.( We have a bat house also. Bats eat a lot of mosquitoes too.) We put out seeds and suit year-round. Planting fruit trees, berried shrubs, and native vegetation is very beneficial to them especially in the winter when food for them is scarce. Use only organic pesticides on your lawns and gardens as non-organic herbicide, and pesticides will harm them.
     A water source is one of the most important elements for our feathered friends.  Make sure there is safe cover for them, like trees and shrubs nearby, so they can drink and preen unhampered. Bird baths and fountains should be kept clean and refreshed every few days.  A stiff brush will remove any algae that forms. Though this may sound like a lot of work, it’s great entertainment watching them feed and bathe.
Finally, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to dig up in your gardens to prepare for our upcoming plant sale on Saturday, May 9th. Doing it now will have your plants looking great for the sale.
All questions are welcome. <3 Carole