Use the hammer and scratch awl to make three or four drainage holes in the bottom of the garbage can lid, near where the handle is. Step 7: Make Drainage Holes Jessica Walliser The rope’s knot should be on the outside of the lid and it should sit just below where the zip tie arches through the awl holes. Use the zip ties to secure the loose end of each of the three ropes to the garbage can lid by running the zip tie through the scratch awl holes and securing it on the inside of the lid. Step 6: Secure The Rope Hanger To The Garbage Can Lid Jessica Walliser Next, tie each of the three rope pieces in a single knot at its loose end. Step 5: Tie Knots At The Base Of Each Rope Piece Jessica Walliser If any of them are too long, cut some off so it matches the others. Then, lay the tied rope flat and make sure all three pieces of rope are still equal in length. Step 4: Tie The Top End Of The Hanger Ropes Together Jessica WalliserĬollect the three pieces of hanger rope together at one end and tie them together in a tight knot. For example, if you want the feeder to hang three feet below the tree branch it’s hanging from, cut each piece of rope to a length of 42 inches. Measure and cut three equal pieces of the decorative rope, each approximately six inches longer than you want the feeder to hang. Jessica Walliser Step 3: Measure & Cut The Hanger Rope Jessica Walliser Then, make a second hole about 3/4 of an inch to the left of the first hole you made in each of the three marked spaces. Hammer the scratch awl through the rim of the metal lid to make a small hole on each of the three equally spaced markings. Step 2: Make The Hanger Holes Jessica Walliser Round grill grate (smaller diameter than garbage can lid)įlip the garbage can lid over so it’s upside down and begin by marking three equally spaced spots around the diameter of the inside rim of the lid.It works best with large seeds such as peanuts and dried corn cobs, but you can cover the grill slats with a circle of hardware cloth if you want to use it for smaller seeds, like sunflowers and safflowers. It also allows the discarded seed hulls to drop through and collect in the base where they can be emptied into the compost pile from time to time. This DIY platform bird feeder uses an old, round grill grate to keep the seeds dry. Squirrels and chipmunks also enjoy eating from platform feeders, and many gardeners enjoy watching their antics as they crack open peanuts and sunflowers and shove their cheeks full before scampering off to bury them.Ĭlosed-bottom platform feeders are a no-no because water collects in them and causes the seed to remain wet and possibly develop mold. The seeds are exposed and easily nabbed by feeding birds. Instead of the seed being stored in a hopper and “fed” to birds via small openings in the base or side of the feeder, platform bird feeders are completely open so birds can land directly on them. To attract these birds and others who don’t use regular feeders, it’s easy to build a DIY platform bird feeder and keep them happy all winter. There are many species of birds that can’t or won’t land on the slender ledge of typical backyard feeder, including jays, grosbeaks, woodpeckers and native sparrows. But there’s another important way to feed your feathered friends: with a platform feeder. We enjoy filling our bird feeders with black oil sunflower, safflower, thistle and millet seeds. Feeding the birds is a favorite pastime of many gardeners.
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