Help MBE grow his dinner 2012

mrbadexample

aliasojo wrote: »

What about a nice piece of garden art on the side of your greenhouse?

I don't think that would work. Robins are territorial, and that would give the impression that there's already a lot of competition for the space. :rotfl:

mrbadexample

emiff6 wrote: »

What about a bird bath then? Until you get around to digging out a bird friendly pond? Drinking and bathing places are at a premium in these water-short days. It doesn't have to be fancy. I use two plant pot saucers, (two, because there is usually a queue - as soon as one bird starts to splash about, they all want a go), one is 6" diameter, the other is 10", but very shallow.

I really need to crack on with that pond then...

annie123

mrbadexample wrote: »

Ok, now whilst I like birds, I'm not paying to feed the beggers.
So, how can this old miser encourage robin to hang around?

*Tight s*d* springs to mind
If I we're that Robin I'd take myself off elsewhere where I was appreciated!

On the assumption you do care a little about the birds around, when you put your pond in this summer, give it a shallow gravel edge on one part so birds can drink and bathe, even if they are hungry:p

Lotus-eater

mrbadexample wrote: »

So, how can this old miser encourage robin to hang around?

Make a robin next box (keep it cat proof) and have some soil turned over all the time, the reason robins hang around gardeners is that they feed at ground level, you turning the soil over is perfect for them.

Robins are very territorial birds, I share mine with a few gardens, the only time it comes here, is when I'm digging.

mrbadexample

annie123 wrote: »

*Tight s*d* springs to mind

:think: Hmmm...you're not wrong lass! :rotfl:

annie123 wrote: »

On the assumption you do care a little about the birds around, when you put your pond in this summer, give it a shallow gravel edge on one part so birds can drink and bathe, even if they are hungry:p

Yes, the pond will have a slope, to enable things to get in and out, a deep bit, and a shelf around at least half of it to facilitate planting of marginals. And if I can really get things sorted, it'll have a boggy area for pitcher plants, sundews and flytraps. :cool:

Sambucus_Nigra

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Make a robin next box (keep it cat proof) and have some soil turned over all the time, the reason robins hang around gardeners is that they feed at ground level, you turning the soil over is perfect for them.

Robins are very territorial birds, I share mine with a few gardens, the only time it comes here, is when I'm digging.

Totally agree - in fact at nearly every location where I have to get students digging - all you have to do is get the spade [or mattock] out and you can be guaranteed a robin will be sat on a fence somewhere just waiting.

mrbadexample

I suppose next you'll be telling me that if I'd provided food for the birds, then they wouldn't have felt the need to turn my early Galina (at the back)



Into topless Galina that won't be early any more because they'll have to spend loads of time recovering:



Little sods. I'm getting a cat. :mad:

emiff6

mrbadexample wrote: »

I suppose next you'll be telling me that if I'd provided food for the birds, then they wouldn't have felt the need to turn my early Galina ...into topless Galina that won't be early any more because they'll have to spend loads of time recovering:

Little sods. I'm getting a cat. :mad:

which will use everywhere you've planted seeds either as a toilet or a sunbed. :rotfl::rotfl:

mrbadexample

Greenhouse done. It's not perfect, but it sure ain't bad!



The staging just fits in, which is lucky because I didn't think to measure it before I started and there is no room to spare. Half an inch smaller and it'd have to live outside:



And for those wondering why I bothered, here I am standing directly in the doorway. It's 11½ inches higher than it used to be.



Well pleased.

Lotus-eater

It's your fault for being so tall, I would have been alright