Forget Pine Cones: There's An Easier Way To Make DIY Bird Feeders For Your Garden

You might be familiar with the classic and adorable craft of creating DIY bird feeders by smearing pine cones or other kinds of tree cones with peanut butter, rolling them in birdseed, and then hanging them up for feathered friends to enjoy. As fun as it can be to make these, pine cones aren't always easy to find. This is especially the case if you want to make a simple bird feeder in spring or summer, as pine cones don't normally drop until autumn. And, of course, not everyone even has pine trees growing nearby. A lack of pine cones doesn't have to prevent you from making a quick little snack for your local birds, though. Try using a bundle of sticks to spread your peanut butter and seeds on instead!

This clever alternative to pine cone bird feeders was shared by Redditor WoollyBearJones, who created several to hang in their own garden. That means you can make these feeders at any point instead of waiting until autumn, no matter what types of trees grow near your house. They're also much easier to customize, since you can adjust the size simply by adding or removing sticks from the bundle or cutting them. 

To make your bird feeders of sticks and peanut butter, start by collecting branches. You could even just use one long branch and cut it into four or five roughly equal pieces. While you can decide on the exact dimensions of your craft, you'll likely want each stick to be around the length and thickness of a finger. You'll first tie your bundle together tightly using twine or sturdy string. This is the most convenient time to tie a loop onto the group of sticks for easy hanging. The next steps are a bit messy, so you may want to work over newspaper or parchment paper. 

Use a knife to smear peanut butter into all the crevices of your stick bundle. The gaps between the sticks create plenty of space for the peanut butter and birdseed to cling to, helping the feeder stay stocked after multiple bird visits. Chunky peanut butter works best, but if you have a nut allergy, vegetable shortening is a fine alternative. If your pasty medium is too thick to work with, you can microwave it for a few seconds to soften it. Next, roll your peanut buttery creation in a bowl or tray of birdseed. Then let your project set and harden a bit, or put it in the refrigerator. Finally, you're ready to hang up your bird feeder. Find a spot on a tree or bush where the birds will have some protection from cats and other predators while enjoying their snack.

The best type of birdseed to use depends on which birds you want to see in your yard. Black oil sunflower seeds are great for attracting cardinals, jays, and multiple other bird species, while Nyjer seed is a hit with finches.