I thoroughly enjoy spring time. It's freshness and renewal of the earth is rejuvenating. I especially enjoy getting my little garden growing. Unlike years past where a good portion of my backyard become a gardening oasis, now my garden is limited to a smaller area and several large pots. Whether your garden is small due to age, availability, or maybe because you are a beginner, size doesn't really matter when it comes to gardening.
Just remember anyone, anywhere, can grow a garden if they want to. Plant a pot of carrots for all summer fresh greens for your bird. Find a bigger pot and add some herbs and/or safe flowers for bird treats. Place some pots in your yard, on a patio area, or just hanging out in a sunny window area of your home.
Sometimes our minds swirl with the many reasons we can't do something, instead of focusing on the reasons why we can and should do something. Many think that growing fresh healthy organic vegetables and greens for your bird is a whole lot of work. Well, there is going to be some work involved, but you got this. Maybe you don't want to spend your free time getting rid of all those weeds you envision trying to commandeer your dream garden. Think smaller, think container gardening and those pesky weeds will be easy-peasy to control. Maybe you don't feel like you have that "green" thumb you hear people speak of. That's the great thing about gardens, try new plants or seeds, change it up, experiment; out with the old, and in with the new.
So just dig in and give it a try. Depending on the plants you choose to grow, containers can vary from a plastic shoe box, to a big storage tub, or anything in-between.
Some great plants to try if you haven't already are romaine lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and radishes. They don't take much room, grow fast, and your birds will probably go crazy for them. Just rinse and serve and watch the fun begin. Weave romaine leaves through cage bars for foraging fun. Both carrot tops and carrots can be rinsed and fed to birds, and if you only cut the tops to feed, the carrot tops will continue to grow for all summer long for healthy eating. Cut the leafy tops off radishes and discard, rinse the radish bulb well, and give whole or cut into pieces. You do not even have to wait until cabbage plants grow into a round cabbage ball, rinse and feed at any time during the growing cycle.
Since you are feeding these healthy goodies to your bird, it's best not use any type of chemical pest control on the plants. A few bugs never hurt a garden anyway and some are quite beneficial. However if the bugs begin to take over by eating more than their fair share of the plants, spraying plants lightly with a mixture of water and a little dishwasher detergent will help deter the bugs for a while. You may have to respray every few days.
If you feel brave and have some experience, try growing a big tub of corn, cucumbers or squash, and some carrots or radishes together. Okra can be grown in a medium size container easily and most larger parrots love the okra pods whole. Watching my cockatoo Cookie open the okra pods and enjoy the okra seeds inside is great fun indeed. I do blanch my fresh corn on the cob (put in boiling water for 3-4 minutes) before feeding.
Pictured are Toby and Grumpy Grey, Cookie Cockatoo, and PJ Amazon enjoying their fresh corn on the cobs
Always remember to have fun and enjoy gardening for your special feathered friend.
You can also find lots of gardening suggestions for you and your bird on our Pinterest Board
Happy Gardening!
Debra