I’d like to make my garden more welcoming to birds this summer. Can you give me some tips?
Summer in the garden is a symphony of color, scent, and sound—and nothing completes the scene quite like the cheerful chatter of birds. Not only do they add life and beauty to your outdoor space, but birds also play a valuable role in the ecosystem by controlling pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds.
Offer a Variety of Food Sources
Birds need reliable food supplies throughout the season. While bird feeders are a great place to start, planting bird-friendly flora ensures a more natural and sustainable source of nourishment.
Native plants are especially helpful, as they’ve evolved alongside local bird populations. Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, bee balm, and sunflowers are all excellent choices that produce seeds birds love. Plants like serviceberry, elderberry, and viburnum provide summer berries for fruit-eating species like orioles, robins, and cedar waxwings.
To attract insect-eating birds like wrens and warblers, let a portion of your garden go slightly wild. Leaf litter, mulch, and native shrubs can harbor insects and larvae that birds will eagerly gobble up.
Don’t Forget Water
Summer heat can be intense, and birds need fresh water not just for drinking, but also for bathing to keep their feathers clean and functional.
Install a birdbath in a shaded or partially shaded area and be sure to clean and refill it every few days. This interrupts the mosquito life cycle (which takes 7–10 days in warm weather). For added appeal (and also to discourage mosquitos), consider a birdbath with a small solar fountain or a gentle drip feature—birds are naturally drawn to the sound and movement of water. If space allows, a shallow pond or water dish on a patio can work just as well.
Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites
Birds need safe places to rest, hide from predators, and raise their young. A mix of trees, shrubs, and dense foliage can offer ideal habitat. Evergreens like spruce and arborvitae are great year-round shelters, while deciduous shrubs provide thick cover during summer months.
You can also put up nesting boxes, especially for cavity-nesting birds such as chickadees, bluebirds, and nuthatches. Be sure to install boxes out of direct sun and away from high-traffic areas. Clean old nests out in early spring to prepare for new arrivals.
Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides
Chemical treatments in your garden can harm more than just pests. Birds that feed on insects may ingest toxins, and even herbicides can contaminate water sources. Try natural methods like hand weeding, companion planting, or using neem oil and insecticidal soap if you need to treat an issue. Creating a bird-friendly environment starts with a healthy, chemical-free habitat.
Let It Be a Little Messy
One of the best things you can do for birds is… a little less. Resist the urge to keep your garden too tidy. Leaving seed heads on flowers like echinacea and rudbeckia, letting fallen leaves accumulate in quiet corners, and allowing a few dead branches to remain can provide vital food and shelter sources for months to come
Birds bring vitality and joy to the garden, and with just a few adjustments, your outdoor space can become a thriving summer sanctuary for them. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty, welcoming birds into your landscape is a rewarding–and surprisingly simple–way to connect with nature.
Bonus Tip: Keep a pair of binoculars and a bird guide handy. You might be surprised how quickly your garden becomes a lively stage for feathered visitors.
Want to learn more about gardening or spend time with people who like plants? the Capitol Hill Garden Club, more information on the club website at capitolhillgardenclub.org.
