Easy ways to make Bird Bath at home

Summer is here and it's time to think about those tiny tree hopping winged creatures who look for water expectantly. With the concrete structures cropping up and acquiring their natural hub, I feel,  we should be considerate and provide for them as well.

Making a bird bath is really easy.

Things required -
1. Any old container
2. A planter hanger or jute rope or braided thread

We can also use empty coconut shell and clay pots.

We can easily purchase these hangers online. I got them quite cheap from Amazon.

Secure the hooks around the container and it's ready to be hung on a branch.

I have used a clay bowl which was lying around uselessly in my balcony. I also used some glue to secure the hooks firmly.

 Hang it on a high branch and fill some water in it.

 Old clay pots can be left in a balcony corner as well.

 

 This one is made from an empty coconut shell.

 If you are lucky, you can also view them stealthily, quenching their thirst and bathing in this sundry weather.

 Here's another one hopping by.

So let's do our bit and co-exist.

Also see, why sparrows are going to be extinct.

5 Useful Tips for Easy Spring time Kitchen Gardening

There is not much spring time in Hyderabad. It is usually a short pleasant climate gap between winter and summer starting after the 1st week of jan and lasting till the 1st week of March. So I decided to make the most of this really short duration by working on my kitchen garden. Here are some easy tips to start yours too.

1. Use hanging planters.
 If there is a dearth of space, these can be extremely uselful. Railing planters too are a good option.

Small hanging planters save a lot of space

2. Segregation
You can use small pots for different seeds or divide a large planter in different portions for different seeds and name them.

Fenugreek seeds on one side and coriander on the other

3. Use Shallow planter
Shallow planters can be used for growing coriander and Fenugreek. It will require less soil and less space. Bigger ones are needed mostly for Chilli, Tomatoes, Ladiesfinger, Brinjal, Kadi patta, lemon  etc.

4. Co-plant
Coriander and fenugreek can grow along with  other bigger plants. For example, you can sprinkle these seeds around a climber or a chilli plant.

Coriander growing under a flower plant

Green Chillies

Chilli plant needs sunlight and lesser water. Coriander doesn't need harsh sunlight.

5. Use a mix of soil and coco-peat
It will help in water retention and provide the required nutrition. It is useful specially while plucking out the coriander/fenugreek leaves as the soil stays loose when mixed with coco-peat.

Lemon sapling

Lemon doesn't need a lot of sunlight. Best to plant under a larger tree so that it remains under shade.

 A Tomato plant needs sunlight and doesn't need a lot of water.

Enjoy your organic produce :) Happy gardening to you!