Make A Festive Birdseed Wreath!

As we slowly start edging towards the holidays and outdoor decor, my thoughts turn to the birds... quite literally.



It has become tradition for me to make several dozen of these gorgeous birdseed wreaths each winter, at Christmas time. I hang a couple in my own yard, share them with friends, and sell them as gifts to fellow gardeners.

I love the look of these wreaths against my cedar, while birds of all sorts, from Nuthatches to sapsuckers, happily and busily visit them all winter long.

Watching the birds flit around the lovely wreath is one of my favourite things about winter, and most especially during the holiday season.

Here is my tried and true recipe so that you can make your own healthy, lovely birdseed wreath with bird friendly ingredients ... 

To make the wreath, you need will a small bundt cake pan or Jello mold. 

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup suet
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth, birds like either - make sure it is not sweetened with xylitol)
4 cups really good quality birdseed

Slowly render the suet on low heat (heat to melt)
Add the peanut butter, melt it into the suet
Add cornmeal
Add seeds, mix well to coat 

Push the seed mix into the bundt pan and let set overnight. 

Tie a loop of twine around wreath for hanging from a tree, plant hook, or fence.
Add a festive ribbon, if desired.

* If you want a 'peanut topping' on the wreath to make it even more festive, drop some unsalted, roasted peanuts into the pan before filling with the seed mix. Do not use raw peanuts. If you cannot find roasted ones, toss them into the oven for 15 minutes first. 

Additional tip... when the birds start to eat the wreath, they always start pecking on one shoulder rather than evenly all around. To keep the wreath from getting too weak in that spot and cracking, I have taken to adding a ring made out of grapevines into the mold and pressing the seeds all around it.

This ring keeps the wreath intact and yet looks completely natural as they peck around it.   

Alternately, use a mini bundt cake pan and make these super cute wee birdseed wreaths.

Give the birds a very merry Christmas this year, feed them with this natural and organic wreath of goodness.

Happy Holidays!