Suburban Gardener Helps Backyard Birds Fuel Up for Winter

As of October 7th, 2025, a suburban gardener in New York has been taking steps to support the local bird population during the upcoming winter months. The gardener has recently filled a couple of birdfeeders with a high-energy seed mix to help migrating birds fuel up for their long journeys south.

Additionally, the gardener plans to keep the birdfeeders well-stocked throughout the winter to provide sustenance for the non-migratory birds that will tough it out in the area until spring. The gardener has also whipped up a batch of sugar-water "nectar" to feed the migrating hummingbirds.

To further supplement the birds' diet, the gardener has opted to leave most of the perennials, including native plants, standing in the garden. The plump seeds hidden in the faded flower heads will serve as a valuable food source for the non-migratory birds when other options are scarce.

The gardener has long abandoned the idea of a tidy winter garden, recognizing the importance of providing shelter and sustenance for the local wildlife. The asters, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, goldenrods, and ornamental grasses will continue to serve the garden and its inhabitants for months to come.