Make Your Hanging Baskets A Hummingbird Magnet With This Easy Tip

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If you're a fan of birds, few things are quite as fun as hearing the gentle whir of a hummingbird's wings as you step onto your porch or patio. If you're constantly looking for creative ways to get these delightful, iridescent avians to visit more often, you're definitely not alone. While most people opt to hang a feeder or grow nectar-rich flowering plants, combining the two is an even better idea. Hanging mini hummingbird feeders off your flower baskets is an undeniably smart way to draw more hummingbirds to your yard or garden. They won't be able to resist the arrangement. Plus, top-tier birdwatching, pollination, and pest control are among the benefits of attracting hummingbirds to your yard.

This brilliant hack maximizes vertical garden space, making it great for small patios and balconies. Plus, it gives the birds twice the reason to stop by and stay awhile. Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to flowers with bright colors and a tubular shape. When they zoom in to investigate the flowers in your hanging basket, they'll be thrilled to discover the easy-access nectar reservoirs alongside the lovely blooms. It's a veritable hummer buffet. The best part is that you don't need to spend a fortune on supplies or possess advanced DIY skills for this project. All you need is a sturdy hanging basket filled with hummingbird-approved flowers, a few small feeders, and some nectar.

Creating this dual-purpose hummingbird feeder is easy; it only takes a few minutes to set up. Start with a sturdy, well-draining hanging basket. Fill the planter with potting mix and add a selection of flowers that will transform your space into a hummingbird heaven while looking great on your patio. Plant species with bright red, purple, or orange blooms are among these birds' favorites — think trailing fuchsias (Fuchsia magellanica), lantana (Lantana camara), or calibrachoa (Calibrachoa x hybrida), among many others. They will alert any passing hummingbirds to a nearby sweet treat.

Once your basket is planted, it's time to attach some small, single-port feeders, like these 2³⁄₁₀-ounce Vimoa Mini Plastic Hummingbird Feeders, which come in a four-pack for about $12. Hang two or three feeders from the outer rim of the flower basket using black or white Esfun S-Hooks, evenly spaced around the perimeter. Hummers can be territorial, so having multiple feeders means more than one hummingbird can sup nectar at the same time without causing a fight. Fill the feeders with store-bought or homemade nectar made from 1 part white sugar dissolved into 4 parts boiling water. Let the nectar cool completely before using it. Hang your flower basket and feeder combo in part shade to keep the nectar fresher for longer, and clean the feeders regularly. Soon, your creation will be humming with activity.