Apart from general bird habitat requirement in the garden, specific changes for any particular bird can be very effective for growing a bird habitat garden. I use the example of Lesser Goldfinches in this episode but the information can be applied to any bird you are interested in. I will walk you through a process that will make learning and planning the habitat, simple

Websites mentioned in this episode

• All about birds (Cornell Lab)

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/

• Audubon

https://www.audubon.org/

• Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center - Native Plant Database page

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true

• Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center - Home page

https://www.wildflower.org/

• Plant nursery for online plants - It carries many southwestern native plants

High Country Gardens

https://www.highcountrygardens.com/

Birds mentioned in this episode

• Lesser Goldfinch
• Dark-eyed Junco

Native plants mentioned in this episode.

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center links are provided for each plant to get more information

• Chocolate flower ( Berlendiera lyrata )

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELY

• Maximillian Sunflower: Helianthus maximiliani

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA2

• Annual Sunflower : Helianthus annuus

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3

• Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye: Viguera

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIST

• Blanket flower (Gaillardia )

There are many different species of Gaillardia. If you search on the wildflower center website for ‘Gaillardia” or “blanket flower” you will be able to review the different plants in that group

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true

• Tetraneuris scaposa

Same as mentioned above for Gaillardia. Please type “tetraneuris” on Wildflower Center website search bar to see various options

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true

• Elderberry tree (Mexican Elder) : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SANIC5

• Black Dalea : Dalea frutescens

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• Daily maintenance is possible only if it easy. Birdbath design and location are the two most important factors in developing a habit of cleaning birdbath daily.
• Birdbath heater alternatives for frozen birdbaths in the winter.
• Which regions in US Southwest could benefit from having a birdbath heater

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How can you maximize bird sightings every migration season including fall migration 2025 Easily make birdwatching a part of your daily routine. Create a birding hotspot in your garden.

Birds and plants mentioned in the show :

• Rock wren
• Warblers
• Green tailed towhee
• Scots oriole
• Indigo bunting
• Phainopepla

Apps mentioned in the show:

iNaturalist

e-Bird

Audubon

Nature journaling and how to draw birds that you see in nature by

https://johnmuirlaws.com

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Ep. 15

In this episode:

• Water source for birds, bees and butterflies.
• Habitats for lizards, toads and tortoise.
• Create a safe space in patio, play area, other high traffic area :
  1. Rattlesnake fence.
  2. Remove clutter
  3. Simplify outdoor living

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Briefly, an important task for plant care - irrigation adjustments.

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Spring bird migration : New bird in my garden. Yellow-rumped warbler

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Episode 14

Gardening tasks in spring for a native plant garden keep in mind the other wildlife species that depend on the native plant garden. These tasks are different from vegetable garden and non-native ornamental gardens.

Included in this episode:

• Growing new plants - add more plant diversity in the garden, looking for local native plants
• When and how to prune
• How to mulch (not always necessary to buy mulch). Grrowng ground cover
• Fertilizing native plants
• Collecting seeds
• Irrigation

Next episode will continue this series to include tasks specific to birds, pollinators, spiders, insects including butterflies and bees, lizards, toads and small mammals

Native Plants mentioned in this episode (scientific names are in italics)

Mexican gold poppy - Eschscholzia californica ssp mexicana

One of the online native seed company for its seed :

https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/wf035?variant=40837419499674

Native plants that easily reseed and are either aggressive or roots are difficult to pull out

Snakeweed : Gutierrezia sarothrae

Desertbroom - Baccharis sarothroides

Mexican feathergrass: Nasella Tenuissima

Chocolate daisy (chocolate flower, lyreleaf greeneyes): Berlandiera lyrata

Mexican evening primrose: Oenothera speciosa

Native plants that easily reseed but are easy to pull out and not aggressive

Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiata

Ground cover:

Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora : native ground cover, host to butterflies

Apps mentioned in the episode:

• iNaturalist : https://www.inaturalist.org/
• Photos (Apple)

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Episode 13

Native trees are essential part of habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife. Many of us may not be familiar with how elderberry and dessert willow can create a beautiful garden and also invite wildlife including birds.

Scientific plant names mentioned in this episode

1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana

2) American Elderberry: Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

3) Desert Willow: Chilopsis linearis

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Episode 12: Starting seeds indoors.

In this episode:

• Why and when to start seeds indoors
• Growing near window with natural light. When would you need grow lights
• Ways to reduce use of plastic & alternatives to using plastic seed starting trays
• Soil blocks
• Alternatives to buying humidity dome for growing seeds
• What type of soil/seed mix to use for seeds indoors

Check out the image gallery for this episode on the website: https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/starting-seeds-indoors/

Seed companies mentioned in this episode:

• Baker Creek Heirloom seeds : https://www.rareseeds.com
• Tomato grower supply company : https://tomatogrowers.com
• Sandia Seed company : https://www.sandiaseed.com
• Chili pepper institute, New Mexico State university : https://cpi.nmsu.edu

https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com

Soil block maker : Johnny’s selected seeds : https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block+maker&search-button=&lang=en_US

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The best way to keep pests in check is creating a garden that has a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

Here are some of the issues addressed in this episode

• Why not to use chemical pesticides
• What is the harm in using organic pesticides and homemade sprays for pest control such as garlic spray, chili pepper spray, oil or soap sprays etc.
• What does a good garden ecosystem consist of?
• Various elements of garden ecosystem - soil, plants, wildlife, microbial life, water/irrigation, wind, sun etc.
• What plants to grow
• Companion planting
• Diversity of plants

Episode 11

Date published : Oct 29, 2024

Host: Vani Shukla

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