Florida's unique tropical climate offers a bevy of glorious flora this time of year and they're all in bloom and my sinuses can vouch for that! While the sneezing and sniffling brought on by these fragrant flowers is uncomfortable for me, the bevy of butterflies flitting around must find them irresistible.
Besides the unannounced afternoon showers that keep these allergy instigators growing, spring also brings forth flocks of birds and nesting squirrels. One such squirrel family is in my giant oak tree.
Each morning before going to work, I go out to my front yard and scatter bread, peanuts and wild bird seed for the numerous guests and residents that stop by for a snack before their morning commute.
I was thinking how I could incorporate the food with a wreath and came up with an idea that is simple to make using several dried items. Keep in mind, this is not a "decorative" only wreath but a food source to be used by critters so expect it to get frayed if not demolished.
First item needed is a straw wreath base. While a grapevine base can be used, the straw base has more area where "things" can be attached.
Size of the wreath is up to you but suggest 14" to 16" base to start. Snippet You could also make miniature wreaths to hang in various places throughout your yard.
Additional dried supplies needed include dried wheat shafts, wild bird seed, sunflower seeds, peanuts in the shell, cuttlebone, honey sticks (sticks with honey base coated with birdseed), sturdy twigs or popsicle sticks for perches, small containers for the seed and peanuts, wire, wire cutters, bag of natural moss. If you live in an area that has Spanish moss, like Florida, you can use the real thing, and any other bird or squirrel food source you'd like to add.
Looking at my finches in their cage gave me another idea. You could purchase several water holders (tube type) that are used to attach to the bars of a birdcage. You an use these on your wreath. These could be used to hold small birdseed (without sunflower seeds) and would give the visitors another source of water.
For containers to be used for larger seeds and peanuts, you can be very creative. Small plastic butter dishes, plastic pudding or jell-o containers or small yogurt containers would be ideal because they are lightweight and disposable.
