Upcycle An Old Tomato Cage Into A Simple Bird Feeder For Your Feathered Friends

Spring is here, and you're ready to welcome all the chirping birds into your garden. You love to sit and watch them flutter about your flowers and plants, but don't want to spend a ton of money on expensive feeders to attract and nourish them. Fortunately, you can make a bird feeder with just a few simple items you might already have on hand with this budget-friendly DIY feeder that will keep birds flocking to your yard.

You might have seen people transform an old tomato cage into a cool and refreshing birdbath for your garden, but did you know you can also turn that tomato cage into a bird feeder? That's exactly what we'll be doing today. With so many benefits to having a bird feeder in your yard, it's hard to pass up this easy DIY. Plus, the benefits aren't all just for our feathered friends. Research studies have shown that being in nature, and around birds in particular, can improve mood and mental health.

If you're ready to create a bird haven in your yard or garden, let's gather our basic supplies. You'll need an old tomato cage and something to serve as the seed holder. You can use an old trash can lid, a terracotta saucer, or any type of shallow bowl or tray with a raised edge. Optional supplies include E6000 glue, spray paint, and decorative accessories.

Grab your old tomato cage and give it a good wipe down if it needs to be cleaned up a bit. You can use the cage as it is or, optionally, spray paint it for a fun burst of color that stands out in the yard or garden. If you do paint it, wait until it's fully dried before installing it. When it's ready, push the stake ends of the cage into the ground. Before placing the seed holder, you can fill the cage with large rocks for a gabion-style structure, adding stability. Alternatively, you can set a potted plant inside the cage for a fun nature vibe. Or you can leave the cage empty.

Place the saucer or garbage can lid on the top rung of the cage. If the saucer or plate is a bit too small, it's okay to set it on a lower rung where it might fit better. You can also use some E6000 Multi-purpose Glue to secure it to the cage. Add any type of decorative accessories you want, such as attaching faux flowers to the cage or painting designs on the plate. Then pour bird seed onto the plate, using a pre-packaged blend or a mix of black oil sunflower and white proso millet to make your own blend. As birds flock to the feeder, you'll likely need to restock seed and clean the plate every couple of weeks.