There’s something magical about watching nature in action. It’s more awe-inspiring than what you see on TV, regardless of whether you’re watching deer graze by the road, rabbits bouncing happily through your yard, or the many different types of birds you can see while hiking. We often believe we have to travel to our local zoo or visit the closest park to see animals, but with a few simple items, you can create a bird sanctuary at home. Turn It Into a Backyard Bird Magnet Don’t Toss That Bottle
The warm weather and sunshine beckon us to come sit outside. With more time outdoors, you may notice your deck is becoming dirtier with use and wear. You may feel compelled to pressure wash the area to freshen and rejuvenate it. However, you can’t just pick up a pressure washer at your local home improvement store and start spraying, as it could damage the wood beyond repair. CLEAN DECK, CLEAR CONSCIENCE Pressure Washing Done Right
Bird feeders are a surefire way to attract feathered friends and other critters to your backyard. You can find countless options at home goods and home improvement stores, but those are often pricey and aren’t necessarily easy for birds to use. Maybe you even considered building your own but figured you lacked the necessary crafting skills to make one work. Thankfully, there is an easy solution that will keep your birds and budget happy.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to refreshing your deck and giving it a clean, polished look.
Gather materials: Before you begin, ensure you have everything you need. This includes a pressure washer, chemical-resistant gloves, a deck scrub brush, drop cloths, eye protection, your garden hose, a plastic bucket, putty knives, deck stripper, and oxalic acid powder.
Prep the area: Remove or cover all plants nearby, spray down your siding with clean water, and repair any cracked or split boards.
Apply and remove stripper: Using a wide-mouth nozzle on the pressure washer wand, apply stripper to the top rails and posts, then move to the deck itself. Apply the stripper one board at a time, using a gentle sweeping motion, and let it sit for the manufacturer’s recommended time. Once it’s ready, attach a 25- or 30-degree tip to the wand and set the psi to 1,200 for pressure-treated wood or 600 for soft woods. Spray the area until all coatings have come off.
Start by emptying and cleaning out a plastic bottle. Regular soda bottles from any store are a great option. Then, follow these directions:
• Remove the cap and poke several small drainage holes at the bottom of the bottle using a pin.
Clean out board gaps: Use a putty knife to remove all trapped debris between your deck boards. You may need to sweep or vacuum after.
• Create two small level holes about a third of the way up from the bottom of the bottle, directly across from each other.
Brighten the wood: Use a low-pressure setting to soak the deck with clean water. Mix the oxalic acid with warm water, and use the wide- mouth nozzle to spray the rails, posts, and deckboards. Scrub the area in the direction of the wood grain before rinsing off any brightener residue. Let it dry for 3–4 days before applying any paint or stain. You may also need to sand the area before staining the wood.
• Find a stick, about the diameter of a chopstick, and use scissors to widen the holes just enough to push the stick through the bottle, through both holes. There should be about 5 centimeters of stick protruding from each hole for the birds to perch on.
• Create larger feeding holes slightly above each perch using scissors.
Now, you’ve got a beautiful deck primed and ready for entertaining!
• Add two more holes in the neck of the bottle using the pin. Widen with scissors.
• Thread the string through both neck holes for hanging.
• Fill the bottle with birdseed up to the bottom of the larger feeding holes.
• Hang the feeder in a sheltered area by the string.
Just like that, you have an easy-to-replenish bird feeder that will keep all your feathered friends full and happy for years to come. You can always use a bigger bottle and add more holes if your home becomes a hotspot for local birds.
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