Alocasia Polly (aka "elephant ear") has dark green leaves with pale veins running through them.

If you are concerned about bugs attacking your indoor plants, Flowerland Recommends regularly using Bonide’s Systemic Houseplant Insect Control Granules. It protects plants from aphids, whiteflies and more. Plus it also protects new growth in your indoor garden!

Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control granules protect new growth on plants for up to 8 weeks!

When it comes to bird feeding, there are an abundance of choices on what to “serve.” If you are just getting started, Flowerland Recommends Black Oil Sunflower Seed. It is a good all-around feed and attracts wide variety of birds.

Black Oil Sunflower Seed is great for attracting a wide variety of birds.

If you’re looking to attract chickadees, woodpeckers or jays, Flowerland Recommends Suet Plus suet cakes. Suet is great for attracting birds that eat insects. Plus the cakes are convenient and easy to slide in a suet feeder.

Suet Plus is a great feed for birds like chickadees, jay and insect-eating birds.

One tip I read was to put a plastic tree bag under the tree stand when you set the tree up. After you take the decorations off, you just pull the bag up over the branches and out it goes. Little or no left over needles to clean up. OK, admittedly that would have been helpful before we put up the tree. But I try to plan ahead; I found some tree bags at Flowerland that are biodegradable and should work very nicely next year.

Another related tip: Sweep up as many of the dropped needles as you can with a broom and dust pan. They can clog up your vacuum cleaner.

Once you have the tree out of the house, check with your local department of public works or trash service to see what type of recycling is being offered – usually curb side pick-up or designated drop-off locations. The following local communities are offering tree drop-off events:

Wyoming, Grandville, Grand Rapids (several locations), East Grand Rapids, Walker (3 locations), Kentwood, Courtland Township, Cedar Springs, Alpine Township, Caledonia, Plainfield Township, Lowell Township, Sparta, Kent City and Holland

Each community has its own requirements as far as dates for pick-up/drop-off, bagged/not bagged, who can utilize the location, so you will want to check the web or give them a call for details.

Be aware, if your tree is “flocked,” you won’t be able to recycle it.  A “flocked” tree is one that has been spray-painted white to give it a “wintry” look.

Other ideas for used Christmas trees:

• Put it in your backyard or garden and use it as a bird feeder and sanctuary.  Put fresh orange slices or strung popcorn on it for food; the branches will provide shelter.
• Since a Christmas tree is biodegradable, you can remove the branches, run them through a chipper and use them as mulch in the garden.
• Some people burn their Christmas trees, others say don’t do it. It’s up for debate. Some contend it will contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire. Others argue that getting your chimney cleaned regularly lessens that problem.

The first step to attracting birds is food. Read part one of this blog to help you choose which seeds will work best for you.

It is important for birds to have a source of water in the winter. If you do not live near a flowing water source, it is recommended that a source be artificially made. A bird-bath heater, or product such as a “water-wiggler” will keep an open source available for the birds in the coldest temperatures. Place your birdbaths under cover, and near a food source if possible.

A water heater is a great investment for your winter birdbath. Water is essential for birds in the winter. Without it they may look elsewhere for a source and food.

The next step is shelter. Birds need cover in the landscape to protect them from predators and inclimate weather.  Choosing the correct landscaping plants can provide food, shelter and a nesting site,  all in one plant. Keep in mind that birds nest from the ground up, so it is important to have layered plants in the yard.

Shrubs, bramble fruits and small trees such as Chokecherry, Honeysuckle, Raspberry, Serviceberry, Sand cherry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Mulberry, Plum, and Elderberry provide summer fruits May-August. These are perfect for birds such as Brown thrashers, Catbirds, Robins, Thrushes, Waxwings, Woodpeckers, Orioles, Cardinals, Towhees, and Grosbeaks.

Consider planting bramble fruits in your yard. They are a great treat for both you and the birds!

Fall fruiting trees provide ample energy for migrating birds, and non-migrating birds who need to be in top physical health for the upcoming winter months. Fall-fruiting plants include Dogwoods, Mountain ash, Winterberries and Buffalo-berries.

Mountain Ash trees provide fruit well into the winter. They are a favorite of birds such as the Cedar Waxwing shown here.

Evergreens play a very important role throughout the year. In the summer they provide shelter for nesting, and cover from predators.  Important evergreens to use your yard include the Eastern white pine (used by over 48 spp. of birds!), Balsam fir, Eastern red cedar, spruces and the Eastern hemlock. Consider using evergreens at the corners of your yard to provide wind shelter and cover.

Evergreens are important year-round for shelter and nesting sites.

Grasses play an import role in your landscape for birds. In the winter they provide excellent cover, and many produce seeds. Grasses should be used near forest openings and around evergreens and yards edge. In the summer they provide cover for ground-nesting birds and their young.

Perennial grasses are important cover for ground-nesting birds and their young.

Orioles are another well sought-after bird in the yard. You can attract them by planting Hollyhock, Trumpet vines, Daylilies and Cherry, Plum, Apricot and Almond trees.

Together, with providing the right combination of trees and shrubs for shelter and food, you will find your yard to be a oasis for the birds!

Providing the correct amount of cover and food will keep birds in your yard year-round!