The Joy of Bird Feeding

May 18, 2023

Why feed birds?

It takes time, money, effort, and dedication to consistently feed birds the most nutritious and most attractive foods. Why do we do it?

Enjoyment

The most obvious benefit is simple enjoyment their company can bring us- their colors, their songs, their behaviors. While birds will naturally visit any backyard, adding feeders and bird friendly plants will attract more species and keep them there longer.

Interacting with nature

For many urban birders, the birds they see at their feeders may be the only wild animals they have a chance to interact with. This can be an ideal activity for senior citizens, individuals with limited mobility, or young children to get their first exposure to nature. Children can enjoy the whole process, from buying the food, filling the feeders, and watching the birds.

Giving Back to Nature

While feeding the birds brings backyard birders many benefits, it also benefits the birds by replacing food sources that have destroyed by development. When homes are built and landscaped, birds lose important nesting spots, shelter, and natural food sources, but proper feeding and landscaping can help replace those resources. Our efforts to create inviting habitats in our yards and to provide food and water actually do make a difference.

Your own organic pest control

Birds eat much more than seed, suet, and nectar. Feeding birds in your backyard invites them to feast on the insects such as mosquitoes, snails, and spiders in your landscape.

Combined with Gardening

Truly useful habitat for the birds combines food, water, and places to raise their young. We can provide some food and water, but birds still have to have trees, bushes, perennials, annuals, and “wild places” to thrive.

Bird Feeders

With the right bird feeders, seed and other foods you can better attract birds.

Feeders are not “one size fits all”–different species are attracted to different designs.

A platform feeder or tray is any flat, raised surface onto which bird food is spread. Trays are a great first feeder and attract most species of feeder birds. Backyard birds find food by sight and if you offer foods on a tray with nothing to come between the birds and the food you make it especially easy. Birds prefer its ease of landing and wide space for scratching around for their favorite seed.

Tray feeders are great for viewing birds and their behavior; however, a tray feeder’s capacity is low and the food can get wet, it needs to be filled every day or so.

Even though one feeder can serve many species, a variety of feeders can entice even more birds.

A hopper feeder is a platform upon which walls and a roof are built, forming a “hopper” that protects seed against the weather. This feeder can hold a seed blend that attracts 80% of the local birds and last four or more days before refilling.

A suet feeder provides a very high energy food and is a favorite of woodpeckers. The best suet for bird feeding is a “suet blend cake” made with high-quality rendered beef kidney fat and added protein such as peanuts, nuts, and dried insects.

Tube feeders work well for sunflower hearts or for blends combining sunflower hearts, peanut pieces, and safflower. Tube feeders have smaller food openings and fewer places to perch. This is a good solution for too many doves or house sparrows at your feeder.

Cylinder feeders

Circular cakes called “cylinders hold seed together with a natural protein binder. Cylinders can contain seeds, suet, nuts, or various combinations of those ingredients. Cylinders are great all the time, but they are perfect when you go on vacation because there is always something to eat. Cylinder are exposed to rain so use smaller cakes or cut them in half crosswise and put out half at a time.

Nectar feeders are specially made to dispense nectar through small holes. Choose a feeder that is easy to take apart and clean, because the feeder should be washed or run through the dishwasher frequently.

Characteristics of feeders to consider include:

Visibility so birds will notice the new feeder and see the available seed
Appropriate feeding ports for seed type and desired bird species
Multiple perches or platforms to accommodate many birds comfortably
Feeder capacity and refill frequency expectations
Pest-resistant features, such as built-in baffles or no-chew construction
Suitability to the climate to keep seed dry, if needed
Durability and ease of maintenance and cleaning to keep the feeder in top shape
Demonstrate how the feeders meet those characteristics.

Types of seeds

Like people, birds have different preferences when it comes to food.

The most common type of seed offered at feeders in North America is black-oil sunflower seed. It is high in energy and has thin shells, making it the preferred food item for a wide variety of birds. Black-oil sunflower is among the favorite feeder foods of cardinals, chickadees, finches, and sparrows. Sunflower seeds mimic the seeds of trees including pine, spruce, fir, elm, and sweetgum, plus flower seeds of all sizes, and of course, sunflowers. Sunflower seeds without hulls are called chips, hearts, or kernels. Sunflower-loving birds split sunflower seeds (cadinals), pound them open (chickadees and titmice), or swallow them whole (doves).

Safflower seed is a whitish seed similar to sunflower in its amount of fat, protein, and calories. It is an excellent problem-solver when used alone in a feeder, because while blackbirds, European starlings, and many squirrels don’t like it, Northern Cardinals, chickadees, House Finches, Tufted Titmice, and many other sunflower-loving birds do. You may have to do a 5ifty-fifty blend of sunflower seeds and safflower seeds to introduce it.

White proso millet, a shiny round seed, is the best small seed to include in blends or offer alone. Such beautiful birds as Dark-eyed Juncos, White Crowned Sparrows, and Painted Buntings are attracted to millet. None of the other grains, such as milo, wheat, and canary seed, are liked as much as white millet, so look for blends that have white millet and none of those other grains.

Birds constantly seek out high-energy foods, and peanuts are one of the highest calorie foods they can find, second only to sunflower hearts.

Peanuts are fed to birds in a variety of forms, including peanuts in the shell, shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, and peanut hearts.

Peanuts in the shell are a challenge and only a few birds have the beak strength to open them. Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, and many woodpeckers can crack holes in the shells. Jays love peanuts in the shell; they often cache peanuts for later retrieval. Chickadees and titmouse hold the peanuts in their feet and peck it into smaller bits.

If you use a no-mess blend such as sunflower chips, peanut pieces, and hulled white millet, you will avoid piles of shells on the ground or deck. With additions of tree nuts and dried fruit, you can broaden the appeal to even more birds.

Getting the right feeder and filling it with seeds is a great start. But are you providing the best space for the birds? There are many factors that that go into backyard birding and these are some of the common mistakes.

1. Not providing clean water

Birds rely on food AND water from their favorite backyards. Providing a source of water along with your feeder will make your backyard a one-stop shop for birds. Empty and refill your bird bath every few days in both summer and winter.

2. Using Bargain Basement Birdseed

The cheapest birdseed is often loaded with inexpensive fillers such as cracked corn, milo, oats, or wheat. These seeds and grains appeal to very few species, and other birds will toss the seed to the ground instead of eating it, causing a mess of sprouting weeds. Birders can save money on birdseed by choosing the types of seeds their birds prefer and only offering those good foods so none goes to waste.

3. Using Only One Kind of Bird Feeder

Birds have different diet preferences, and different species prefer different feeder styles. Open feeders with trays or perches will attract a decent variety of birds, but to maximize bird feeding it is essential to use different feeders. Consider a mesh sock for goldfinches, nectar feeders for hummingbirds, suet feeders for woodpeckers, mealworm dishes for bluebirds, and jelly feeders for orioles.

4. Not Cleaning Bird Feeders

Dry seed in feeders should be changed every 5-7 days and the feeders should be cleaned monthly. Hummingbird feeder nectar should be changed every two to three days, and cleaned weekly. Don’t overfill feeders until you know how much the birds will eat. Cleaning feeders regularly helps prevent bacteria that can be harmful to birds. If there is any moisture from rain or sprinklers, feeders should be cleaned more often. Clean feeders with hot soapy water or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to get rid of bacteria, fungi, or mold. Rinse thoroughly. Wear gloves.

5. Not Feeding Winter Birds

Many novice birders assume it isn't necessary to feed birds in winter because there are no birds around. In fact, feeders can be even more critical to winter birds than they are during the summer when hatchlings need to be fed, and there are dozens of winter backyard birds, many of which aren't around in the summer, that will happily visit bird feeders for a healthy winter meal.

6. Making Bad Hummingbird Nectar

The best way to attract hummingbirds is to use the right red feeder with clear hummingbird nectar. The red dye found in some homemade nectar or other brands can be harmful to hummingbirds. Never use any sweetener other than plain white sugar to make nectar. Choices such as honey, brown sugar, fruit juices, and artificial sweeteners do not provide the proper sugar concentration for hummingbird food, and they can produce mold that is deadly to the birds. Use a product that contains feeder fresh or nectar defender in your hummingbird nectar recipe. There are other ways to attract hummers. Plant salvias, pentas, cannas, bee balm, porter weed, and other hummingbird friendly plants to make your garden a hummingbird haven.

7. Not providing shelter

Birds find comfort in natural shelter from shrubs, trees, and bushes.This provides cover, protection against predators, and nesting areas. Make sure trees and taller shrubbery aren’t too close to feeders because this can give cats an advantage.

8. Letting Feeders Get Empty

Birds can be forgiving if a feeder is empty for a few days, but a feeder that is consistently empty won't attract birds. Wild birds won't starve if feeders are empty since they get most of their food from natural sources, but they also won't return to an unreliable food source. Refilling feeders more promptly will attract a wider variety of birds in every season and will help keep the feeder clean and in good repair. A seed cylinder is a good choice if your will be out of town a few days.

9. Ignoring Natural Bird Food Sources

Feeding birds does not have to mean putting out multiple bird feeders and spending money on expensive seed, not to mention the time and effort to fill and clean feeders. Birders who avoid natural foods such as fruit trees or nectar-producing flowers, or who kill insects that birds can feed on, are depriving birds of the most nutritious, easiest, and most economical food sources available.

10. Not Protecting Bird Feeders

There are many other forms of wildlife that will raid feeders before birds can even get a chance to have a meal. Raccoons, deer, squirrels, rats, and even bears will snack at feeders, often depleting the seed supply or even breaking the feeders without letting any birds get a bite. At the same time, unprotected feeders also expose birds to predators when their senses are dulled by feeding.

11. Storing Seed Carelessly

Birdseed does have a long shelf life, but only if stored properly. Seed that isn't stored well can spoil and be invaded by pests such as mice, rats, larvae, silverfish, earwigs, or moths. As seed gets old and dries out, it is also less nutritious and will not attract as many birds. If water gets into the seed, mold can grow that can make birds sick and the strong smell may attract even more unwanted pests.

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Nurturing your Garden in Late Summer

July 27, 2026

As we ride out this last stretch of summer, it’s time to start looking forward to fall gardening weather. Here is a list of what to do in the garden and landscape into September. Watering: Help struggling plants survive drought stress by watering them early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This reduces water loss due to evaporation and allows the plants to absorb water more effectively. Be sure to water deeply at the base of the plant. This encourages plants to develop deep root systems, making them more resilient to drought. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the soil at the base of the plants. This minimizes evaporation and helps prevent wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Establish a watering schedule to keep track during extended drought periods. Lastly, avoid fertilizing during periods of drought and heat stress, as this can increase water demand and stress the plants even further. Rose care: This is the time of year we typically recommend trimming ever-blooming roses by a third for new blooms in October and November. Pruning plants during a drought requires a more cautious approach. Pruning can have both positive and negative effects on plants during drought conditions, so it's important to assess the situation carefully. Pruning during drought can help reduce the water demand of the plant by decreasing the overall foliage and transpiration rate. Removing dead, damaged and nonessential growth allows the plant to allocate its limited resources more efficiently to the parts that matter most for its survival. But pruning during a drought period can also exacerbate the stress plants are experiencing due to water scarcity. Pruning can temporarily slow down growth and recovery. Some guidelines for pruning during drought conditions are to limit pruning to essential tasks such as removing dead, diseased and damaged canes. Avoid heavy pruning or shaping cuts that can lead to significant water loss through wounds. If you decide to prune, do so early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize stress on the plant. Keep a close eye on the pruned plants and be sure to water them appropriately. Newly pruned plants may require extra attention and care to recover. After removing canes from your roses, disinfect pruners to prevent disease spread. When removing diseased material, rinse your pruners in a 10% bleach solution and then in water before making any new cuts. This will help prevent the transfer of disease to other parts of the plant or other plants in the garden. Do not prune once-blooming roses, as you may reduce the blooms for next year. You may remove any dead or diseased canes, however. Hold off fertilizing until temperatures and rain become more consistent. Fungal disease prevention: Spray roses for blackspot and powdery mildew using appropriate fungicides. You may choose to use triforine, thiophanate methyl or copper oleate. Follow manufacturer’s directions carefully. Rake up and remove all fallen leaves to prevent further infection of rose bushes and dispose of them in the trash. Do not compost infected plant material. Bed maintenance: Trim and stake tall plants and deadhead annuals, perennials and vines. Remove tired plants and think about replacements for cooler weather. Start selecting cool-season annuals and perennials for the landscape. This is also a great time to start thinking about what trees and shrubs to plant in the fall. Lawn care: Watch for chinch bug damage, treating with insecticides if necessary. Fire ants are a problem on the lawn as well. Treat with granular baits if needed. Transplanting and vegetables: You can transfer fall tomato plants. Be sure to monitor for pests and diseases. You’ll be able to replace spent summer crops with broccoli, cabbage, kale and more in the upcoming months. Consider keeping productive spring plants like eggplants and peppers. Complete these tasks to ensure your garden thrives into the fall and remains resilient against drought and heat and the threat of hurricanes.

Simple Transformations: Summer to Fall Container Gardens

July 27, 2026

There’s no need to completely rework your summer containers to give them fall flair. Instead, here’s some ideas for updating existing container gardens (or, if you’re inspired, potting up new ones), including one plant to add for instant drama, and a zero-effort, lazy-gardener’s trick for covering a bare spot. 1. Add bold foliage plants. Swap tired warm-season flowers for richly colored foliage plants, leaving mature evergreens and long-lasting perennials in place. Add height to the design, with brightly colored foliage plants providing seasonal interest. Plants you may have in your container, like coleus and sweet potato vine, that are not winter-hardy, could be traded for dianthus and petunias moving into the holidays. 2. Tuck in cool-season flowers. After removing summer annuals past their prime, fill in the gaps with cool-season bloomers in fall colors. Although they may look tender and delicate, pansies are actually some of the most cold-tolerant annual flowers. We advise waiting until the nighttime temperatures stay consistently in the 60s for planting pansies. For a rich autumn color palette, choose pansies in vibrant hues like orange, gold, red and deep purple or bicolored combinations, avoiding pastel pinks, blues and pale yellows. Combine them with coral bells, another cool-season favorite, for a long-lasting display. 3. Plant an ornamental grass for instant drama. To give some serious pizazz to existing container gardens by adding just one plant, reach for Purple Fountain Grass. The dramatic ornamental grass can reach 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide (although usually smaller in containers) with a vase-like shape topped with fuzzy purple seed heads. 4. Play up texture. Consider adding one or more textural ingredients like plants with berries, twiggy branches, grassy leaves or broad foliage. Even easier: Add texture without planting by sticking dried curly willow branches or ornamental seedpods from floral displays into the pot. 5. Pop in late-blooming perennials. We have plenty of late-summer and fall-blooming perennials. Just adding a few coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, or chrysanthemums can transform existing container displays. The flowers will add color through fall and come back in spring for another bloom period. 6. Incorporate dark foliage. Deepen existing container designs with the addition of one or more cool-tolerant, dark-leaved plants, like an ornamental pepper Black Olive variety. 7. Cover a bare patch with a pumpkin. It’s a great gardener’s hack! If you’ve pulled out some tired-looking summer annuals but don’t have the time to hunt down a replacement plant, plunk a pumpkin down to cover the bare spot. 8. Reshuffle your container layout. Sometimes all containers need is a regrouping, rather than a replanting, for a fresh perspective. Take stock of all your potted plants and see which ones could work together as part of a fall container vignette. Do you have ornamental grasses in one pot that complement the leaf tones of a plant in a container across the yard? If the light requirements of the plants match, move the containers together as a combination. 9. Change the underplanting. Update the look of containers with shrubs, small trees or mature vines without any major repotting by changing any low-growing plants beneath them.

The Fall Migration: Hummingbirds in Acadiana

July 27, 2026

In mid-August, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are back in our area for their fall migration! Since you can expect to see increasing numbers of them, stock your feeders and yard with plants to attract & fuel them for their long journey south! The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, the East Coast’s most common hummingbird, is certainly one of the most fantastic creatures in Gulf Coast gardens. These garden jewels will stay with us until they begin to migrate further South, usually in mid-October. To understand why we see so many hummingbirds in spring and fall, and very few or none in summer or winter, let’s learn a little bit about these fascinating friends. Considered the acrobats of the natural world, hummingbirds are an endless source of amazement. Not requiring forward thrust to maintain flight, the peerless hummingbird can hover in place, perform somersaults, or even fly backwards and upside down! Their behavior is also quite spirited. Hummingbirds are extremely active, territorial, and even aggressive, behaving much like tiny little warriors, competing for the best food and shelter. And all this from the smallest feathered animals on earth. The metabolism of a hummingbird is extraordinary. Their hearts beat a staggering 1,200 times per minute, whereas in full flight – up to 50 mph – their wings may beat as many as 200 times per second! You can clearly hear a hummingbird in flight, oftentimes before you ever see it. This astounding capability helps to explain their diminutive size – a larger bird would never be able to power such thrust. They hold virtually every record on being tiny, from lightest bodyweight to shortest beak-to-tail length to lightest eggs, all in support of that Olympian speed and endurance. It is a wonder that such tiny things can explode with such energy, but there is at least an easy answer as to how that’s possible – hummingbirds are voracious eaters. They are so territorial over food resources because their very lives depend on a steady intake of calories to maintain that movement. Seeds are simply too heavy and slowly digested to do the hummingbird any good. Hummingbirds will feed up to ten times per hour on straight sugar – in the form of plant nectar, of course – just to keep themselves in the air. Insects & spiders are also an important source of protein and minerals. The plant in turn gets pollinated by the hummingbird, so the act of feeding is mutually beneficial, and is one of the most fascinating relationships in nature. The showy petals exist exclusively to attract insects and birds to the plants; otherwise we would not have any beautiful flowers at all. Hummingbirds are so dependent on a steady diet of nectar that they are particularly attuned to the seasons. The places on earth that provide a food source year round are few, so they migrate vast distances (4,000 miles for the west-coast Rufous Hummingbird) to follow the sequential spring and fall bloom of plants, from tropical Central America all the way up to Canada and back. They cannot afford for a plant to stop blooming before moving on to find more food, so they probably use the duration of daylight to determine when it is time to start moving south. Their lean build comes at the expense of sparse reserves of fat. It is impossible for hummingbirds to endure times without a food source. Another hardship of the hummingbird is that its short, stout wings are not made for gliding flight. They flap their wings for every inch of the 25 or so miles per day they may travel. In fall, many Ruby Throats congregate along the Gulf Coast to store up enough energy for one final burst across the Gulf of Mexico or across arid portions of Mexico before reaching the rainforests of the equatorial zone. When we have mild winters, it is becoming more and more common for some hummers to stay along the coast instead of braving ahead to Mexico, including some western species we would not otherwise see! Winter sightings in Louisiana have included the Rufous, Black-Chinned, Buff-Bellied, Calliope, and Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds. So, what can we do to get more hummers in our yard every year? The main ways to attract them to your garden/landscape are to accommodate them with food and water. Of course, hummingbird plants are a must! The aptly named Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) hits a peak bloom in the fall, but any variety of Salvia will be a hummingbird favorite. A number of other tubular blooms are great nectar plants for hummingbirds, from Porterweed to Cigar Plant to Mexican Fire Bush to Cat’s Whiskers. Bottlebrush is a shrub that blooms in spring and fall and is another favorite. If you have a large area for a big, woody vine, Trumpet Creeper is an absolute hummingbird magnet! See an associate at the Garden Center for a more planting ideas! Of course, hummingbird feeders provide an easily maintained source of nectar – stir 1 part white sugar into 4 parts hot water, and always let it cool before filling your feeder. Don’t want to make it yourself? We sell already made, pour and go nectar! Always keep hummingbird feeders clean and free of mildew with a pipe cleaner. Hummingbirds, with their high metabolism, also like a place to perch nearby for frequent breaks. Small trees or large hedges are ideal, but a metal or wooden perch can be hung on a shepherd’s hook, as well. Bird baths should be kept clean and full for hummingbirds and other migratory birds, especially at this time. Last but not least – please do not spray your hummingbird plants with chemicals or systemic insecticides. If insecticides are needed, use horticultural oils or insecticidal soap! An amazing fact is that a hummingbird that feeds in your yard one year will return to that food source every year! So, if you’ve seen them in your yard before, make sure to keep up your supply for them. If you don’t get as many or any, come over and let us help you change that for this season! If you use nectar, it’s important to always keep it clean and fresh. Hummingbirds stay clear of fermented nectar, which supports deadly mold growth. Feeders should be cleaned twice once a week in our hot weather. This prevents harmful microorganisms from forming. Summer Plants to Attract Hummingbirds Want to appeal to hummingbirds? Consider these flowers they love to visit during their fall migration: For further growing information on each one, come visit us! We’d love to tell you all about these, and send them home with you! Bee Balm Bottlebrush Butterfly Bush Canna Lily Cardinal Flower Cleome Cigar Plant Compact Fire Bush Pentas Lantana Daylilies Flowering Tobacco Impatiens Porterweed Salvia Verbena Hummingbird Fun Facts: During their migrations, they fly 500 miles nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico! To make that journey, they need to weigh 1.5x their usual weight. Bring on the nectar! Flying speeds can reach up to 60mph! They can fly forward, backward, up, down, upside down briefly, and even sideways! However, flying is their only mode of transport- they cannot walk. Hummingbirds beat their wings 78 times per second! When diving, it more than triples to 200 times per second! Their heart beat 1,260 times and they take about 250 breaths per minute. Their tongues can reach out over 2-3’’! Perfect for trumpet-shaped flowers! They live an average of 3-5 years. For more migration information, visit: https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration.htm Come see us to stock up on everything you’ll need to supply our quick-winged friends for their journey! Good luck viewing hummingbirds in your own back yard!

Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

July 27, 2026

Want to appeal to hummingbirds? Consider these flowers they love to visit. Little John Bottlebrush Hummingbirds love these red “bottle-brush-“ shaped blooms that pop out at the perfect time hummingbirds are fluttering fast through Acadiana. These are hardy evergreen dwarf shrubs that go great in any landscape. The “Hannah Ray” tree-form variety is a wispy focal point. Bee Balm Bee balm's blooms appear in mid to late summer, and can even remain into the fall. The striking flowers come in white, pink, red or purple, and complement the dark, aromatic foliage. This perennial is susceptible to powdery mildew, so plant in full sun to part shade and select resistant varieties. Bee balm likes medium to wet soil and works well in a wildlife garden. Bee balm is attractive to bees, but this bergamot is equally attractive to hummingbirds. Butterfly Bush Buddleia davidii attracts butterflies with its blooms of lavender, pink, white, purple, red or yellow. These blooms can appear beginning in early spring and continue until first frost. In full sun, butterfly bush can grow up to 10 feet tall. Butterfly bush is an aggressive grower, and removing spent blooms will encourage more attractive, fragrant flowers for a long period. Grow in massed plantings in cottage gardens and butterfly gardens, and use in border plantings. Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis features reddish purple stems, bronzy leaves and scarlet flowers. A perennial, it can reach four feet tall and spread up to 36 inches wide. Cardinal flower appreciates full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Consider growing in a container in a wetlands setting, and water this plant often. Cardinal flower blooms beginning in mid summer through the first frost. Cigar Plant Cigar plant is slow to take off in spring, but by the time hummers arrive in fall, they are in full bloom! Many varieties are available, but the name comes from the orange variety with a purple-black tip on the tubular bloom, resembling a smoldering cigar. Pink and yellow varieties are also common. A related plant, the Bat-Face Cuphea, makes bright red blooms with two purple wings that resemble a bat’s ears. Hummers love them all equally. Delphinium Hummingbirds love delphinium, which blooms in early summer. Height for these perennials can average anywhere from 2 to 8 feet tall, depending on variety. Delphinium requires rich soil, and areas with relatively cool summers. ‘Diamonds Blue’ is a variety bred for the heat that will tolerate our weather much better. Foxglove If you’re thinking about adding a cottage-garden look, you may want to consider foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), which may extend up to 6 feet when in bloom, depending on the variety and growing conditions. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to medium shade. Its blossoms — in purple, pink, yellow and white — attract hummingbirds. Please note that all parts of the plant are poisonous to people, pets and livestock. Foxglove is considered invasive along the West Coast and in some parts of New England. Mexican Fire Bush This subshrub or perennial plant produces loads of orange tubular blooms that are a delight to hummingbirds. It will flower best in uninterrupted full sun, and doesn’t mind being a little dry. Flower time is from early summer all through fall. Though a variegated variety, ‘Lime Sizzler’ adds a wonderful chartreuse splash to tropical gardens, the old-fashioned standard will produce the most flowers. Porterweed Though each flower is very tiny and dainty, they are borne on long flowering stems, so plants are typically loaded with little purple flowers that hummers love. Porterweed is semi-tropical, and might not survive a sudden, hard freeze. Keep it in a pot that can be brought in on cold nights, or replant in spring. Though they are typically purple, red or coral varieties are also available. Salvia All salvia species are characterized by vertical spikes of vibrant flowers that can be found in hues of blue, red, pink or violet. Bloom time varies according to variety, and their flowers are a welcome sight for hummingbirds. Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' is an erect, clump forming perennial salvia that is noted for its compact form, long bloom period, purple stems and red and white flowers. Yarrow Varieties of the tough summer-blooming yarrow come in yellow, white, orange, red, pink and coral. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy its blooms, which start early in the season and can last into mid fall, depending on the species and variety. Yarrow grows best in well-drained, average to poor soil, and can reach up to 48 inches. Trumpet Vine A beautiful climber for any structure, this vine blooms trumpet-shaped coral flowers that are also known as “hummingbird vine” since they love it! The foliage is dense and evergreen, and it loves full sun to part shade. Please note All Seasons may or may not have these in stock. Please contact us to confirm their availability! You can call us at 337.264.1418 or contact us here.

August Gardening To Do List

July 27, 2026

Plants like azaleas and camellias will benefit from a little extra water this month. Most established plants need about one inch of water per week to perform at their best. Water until you see run off, and the best time is between 6-10am. The morning hours are also the best for watering lawns. Turf will have time to dry before night, which will prevent disease. Mound up the mulch, too! Make sure all planting areas have a two-inch layer of mulch. Mulch helps to regulate soil temperature, conserve moisture in the soil and prevent weed development. -Apply Fungicide Lawn F-Stop to prevent Brown Patch & lawn fungus. -Prune drift and repeat flowering roses in mid-month. This stimulates vigorous growth for the fall blooming season. Cut the bushes back about one-third their height and remove any dead growth. -After pruning roses, fertilize with Bayer 3 in 1 or any good rose fertilizer. -Control pests on roses by using a recommended insecticide or miticide. We can help! -Prune off seedpods and any yellow or brown foliage on Louisiana irises since they are semi-dormant now in late summer. -Cut faded flowers and seed heads from flowering annuals & perennials. -Harvest mint, basil, rosemary, lemon balm and Mexican tarragon regularly to keep the plants controlled and shapely. -Transplant and/or divide Louisiana irises. -Stroll through your garden and make fresh cut flower arrangements with your garden blooms. -Don't forget to fertilize and water houseplants! -Keep birdbaths full of water and clean for the feathered flyers. -Keep hummingbird feeders clean and full of nectar: the Ruby-Throated hummingbirds begin arriving in mid-month. -Plant sunflowers to be ready for fall arrangements. Seeds usually take about 60-80 days from sowing until the first flower color. -For proper flowering, water bougainvillea only when wilted, provide full sun, very little fertilizer and let it become root bound in the container. Huh? Yes, bougainvillea produces an abundance of flowers if left alone. -Prune any citrus now that was damaged in winter. If pruned earlier, good “live” wood may have accidentally been removed. -If ferns are requiring a daily watering, consider dividing into two new plants. -You still have time to fertilize your lawn. Apply all granular material on a dry lawn and water very soon after application. St. Augustine grass may be fertilized up to three times during the growing season- April, June and Mid-August. Note: Small, yellow aphids on butterfly wee or milkweed will not damage the plants or affect the feeding of adult and larval monarch butterflies. Controlling them may adversely affect the caterpillars.

How often Should I Water My Garden in Louisiana Summer?

July 24, 2026

How Often Should I Water My Plants During Louisiana Summer? Louisiana summers are known for intense heat, high humidity, and long stretches of sunshine. While our landscapes are filled with plants that love warm weather, even the toughest plants can become stressed when temperatures climb into the 90s. One of the most common questions we hear at All Seasons is: “How often should I water my plants during the summer?” The answer depends on the type of plant, soil, location, and weather conditions—but with the right watering habits, you can keep your garden healthy and thriving all summer long. The Best Time to Water Your Plants in Louisiana The best time to water is early in the morning, between 5 AM and 9 AM. Morning watering allows plants to absorb moisture before the heat of the day arrives and gives leaves time to dry, which helps reduce the risk of fungal problems. If morning watering is not possible, water in the late afternoon or early evening . Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day because much of the water can evaporate before reaching the roots. How Often Should You Water? There is no one-size-fits-all watering schedule, but these guidelines work well for many Louisiana gardens. Newly Planted Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees New plants need consistent moisture while their roots become established. Water: Every day or every other day for the first 1–2 weeks Slowly transition to deeper, less frequent watering as roots grow A deep watering encourages roots to grow downward, creating stronger and more drought-resistant plants. Annual Flowers and Hanging Baskets Annual flowers such as vinca, pentas, begonias, and tropical plants often need more frequent watering during Louisiana heat. Water: Flower beds: About 2–4 times per week depending on rainfall Containers and hanging baskets: Often daily during extreme heat Containers dry out much faster because they have limited soil volume. Tip: If your hanging basket looks wilted in the afternoon, check the soil before watering. Some plants naturally droop during extreme heat but recover in the evening. Shrubs and Landscape Plants Established shrubs generally need less frequent watering than flowers. Water: 1–2 deep waterings per week during hot, dry periods Examples: Gardenias Loropetalum Hydrangeas Azaleas Camellias Water slowly at the base of the plant so moisture reaches the root zone. Trees Trees need deep watering to encourage strong root systems. Water: Newly planted trees: 2–3 times per week during summer Established trees: Deep watering during extended dry periods A slow soak is much better than frequent shallow watering. Signs Your Plants Need More Water Your plants may be thirsty if you notice: 💧 Wilting leaves 💧 Drooping flowers 💧 Leaves turning brown around the edges 💧 Dry, cracked soil pulling away from the container 💧 Slow growth 💧 Newly planted plants looking stressed Remember: wilting does not always mean a plant needs water. During extreme heat, some plants temporarily wilt to protect themselves. Check the soil moisture before watering. Signs You May Be Overwatering Too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Look for: 🌿 Yellowing leaves 🌿 Mushy or soft roots 🌿 Fungus or mold on soil 🌿 Leaves dropping even though soil is wet 🌿 Poor growth Plants need oxygen around their roots, and constantly wet soil can prevent roots from functioning properly. Mulch Helps Your Plants Survive Louisiana Heat One of the easiest ways to reduce watering needs is adding mulch around your plants. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps: ✔ Keep soil cooler ✔ Hold in moisture ✔ Reduce weeds ✔ Protect plant roots from temperature changes Avoid piling mulch directly against tree trunks or plant stems, as this can cause problems over time. Watering Tips for Louisiana Summer Gardens 🌿 Water deeply instead of frequently A quick sprinkle only wets the top layer of soil. Deep watering encourages stronger roots. 🌿 Check your soil before watering Stick your finger 1–2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. 🌿 Pay attention to containers Potted plants may need daily watering during extreme heat. 🌿 Adjust after rainfall Louisiana thunderstorms can provide plenty of water, but heavy rain does not always soak deeply into the root zone. 🌿 Group plants with similar needs together Plants that need frequent watering should not be mixed with drought-tolerant plants. Keep Your Louisiana Garden Thriving All Summer Summer heat can be challenging, but with proper watering habits, your plants can continue looking beautiful through August and beyond. The key is consistency, deep watering, and paying attention to what your plants are telling you. At All Seasons, we’re here to help you choose the right plants, soil, and products to make your Louisiana landscape successful—even during the hottest months of the year. Stop by All Seasons for expert advice and everything you need to keep your garden growing strong all summer long!

What to Plant in August - A Complete Guide

July 17, 2026

August in Louisiana may bring some of the hottest temperatures of the year, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to slow down! In fact, August is the perfect time to prepare your landscape for a beautiful fall season. With the right plant selections, proper watering, and a little extra care, your garden can continue thriving through the heat and into cooler months. At All Seasons, we help Louisiana gardeners choose plants that are suited for our unique climate, from heat-loving flowers to fall vegetable crops. Here are some of the best plants to add to your garden in August. Vegetables to Plant in August in Louisiana August is the beginning of fall gardening season in South Louisiana. While the weather is still hot, many cool-season vegetables can be started now so they are ready to harvest when temperatures begin to drop. Best vegetables to plant: Broccoli – Start transplants now for a fall harvest. Cabbage – A great cool-weather crop that performs well in Louisiana gardens. Collard Greens – A Southern favorite that becomes sweeter after cooler weather arrives. Kale – Hardy, nutritious, and perfect for fall gardens. Swiss Chard – Adds beautiful color and grows well in containers. Lettuce – Plant toward the end of August or start indoors for later transplanting. Carrots – Direct sow seeds for a fall harvest. Beets – Enjoy a colorful root crop later in the season. Green Beans – Bush beans can still be planted for a late summer harvest. Squash and Cucumbers – Can be planted for a late-season crop if given enough sunlight and water. Tip: Add compost or fresh soil amendments before planting fall vegetables. Healthy soil helps plants handle Louisiana’s heat and humidity. Flowers That Thrive in Louisiana’s August Heat If your summer flower beds are looking tired, August is a great time to refresh them with plants that love heat and humidity. Heat-loving flowers to plant now: Pentas Pentas are one of the best choices for Louisiana summers. Their clusters of colorful blooms attract butterflies and continue flowering through the heat. Vinca Also called periwinkle, vinca thrives in full sun and tolerates hot, dry conditions once established. Lantana A tough, colorful perennial that handles heat, humidity, and drought while attracting pollinators. Tropical Hibiscus Bring a tropical look to your landscape with hibiscus. With proper watering and fertilizer, they will continue producing large, beautiful blooms. Zinnias Zinnias are fast-growing annuals that provide bright color and attract butterflies. Angelonia Sometimes called summer snapdragon, angelonia loves heat and blooms continuously throughout the summer. Herbs to Plant in August Fresh herbs can still be grown successfully in Louisiana during late summer, especially in containers where you can control watering and placement. Try planting: Basil Rosemary Thyme Oregano Mint (best grown in containers because it spreads quickly) Lemongrass Parsley Keep herbs in a location that receives plenty of morning sun and afternoon protection during the hottest part of the day. Trees and Shrubs to Add in August While fall is often considered the best planting season, many container-grown trees and shrubs can still be planted in August with proper care. Great choices for Louisiana landscapes include: 🌿 Little Gem Magnolia – A compact evergreen magnolia perfect for smaller yards. 🌿 Gardenias – Fragrant flowers and glossy green foliage make them a Southern favorite. 🌿 Loropetalum – Adds beautiful color and texture to landscapes. 🌿 Palms and Tropical Plants – Create a vacation feel while thriving in our warm climate. 🌿 Crape Myrtles – Provide summer blooms and beautiful structure. When planting during August, water deeply and consistently while new roots establish. August Gardening Tips for Louisiana Because August heat can be stressful on plants, follow these tips to keep your garden healthy: Water deeply, not just frequently A quick sprinkle only wets the surface. Water slowly and deeply to encourage stronger roots. Add mulch A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weeds. Remove spent blooms Deadheading flowers encourages continued blooming and keeps plants looking their best. Watch for pests Warm, humid weather can increase insect activity. Check leaves regularly for signs of damage. Plant in the morning or evening Avoid planting during the hottest part of the day to reduce stress on new plants. Start Planning Your Fall Garden Now August is not the end of gardening season in Louisiana—it’s the beginning of a new one! By planting heat-tolerant flowers, starting fall vegetables, and preparing your soil now, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and productive garden when cooler weather arrives. Visit All Seasons for expert advice, quality plants, soil amendments, and everything you need to keep your Louisiana garden thriving all year long. Please note All Seasons may or may not have these in stock. Please contact us to confirm their availability! You can call us at 337.264.1418 or contact us here.

July Gardening Tips for Louisiana: How to Keep Your Garden Thriving in the Summer Heat

July 10, 2026

July in Louisiana brings sunshine, long days, and plenty of heat—but that doesn't mean your garden has to slow down. With the right care routine and the right plant selections, your landscape can continue thriving through the hottest months of the year. From watering strategies to heat-loving flowers and preparing for fall planting, these July gardening tips will help your yard stay healthy, colorful, and ready for the seasons ahead. 1. Water Your Plants Properly During Louisiana Summers Louisiana summers can be tough on plants, especially during periods of high temperatures and humidity. Proper watering is one of the most important things you can do to keep your garden thriving. Follow these summer watering tips: Water early in the morning when temperatures are cooler. Give plants a deep watering to encourage strong roots. Avoid frequent shallow watering that only wets the surface. Check container plants daily since pots dry out faster than garden beds. A plant with a healthy root system is much more prepared to handle summer heat. 2. Add Fresh Mulch to Protect Plant Roots Mulch is one of the easiest ways to protect your landscape during July. A fresh layer of mulch helps: Maintain soil moisture Keep roots cooler Reduce weed growth Improve the appearance of flower beds For Louisiana landscapes, pine straw, pine bark, and shredded hardwood mulch are excellent choices. 3. Keep Flowers Blooming With Regular Deadheading Many summer flowers will reward you with more blooms when you remove old flowers. Plants that benefit from deadheading include: Zinnias Pentas Coneflowers Salvias Angelonia Lantana Removing faded blooms allows the plant to focus energy on creating new flowers instead of producing seeds. 4. Choose Plants That Love Louisiana Heat Not every plant struggles during July. Many varieties actually perform their best during hot summer weather. Some of the best heat-tolerant plants for Louisiana gardens include: Pentas: A favorite for butterflies and pollinators. Vinca: Thrives in heat and handles full sun beautifully. Angelonia: Provides nonstop color throughout summer. Lantana: Loves heat and attracts butterflies. Plumbago: Offers beautiful blue blooms during summer. Gomphrena: A low-maintenance flower that handles heat well. Choosing plants suited for our climate makes gardening easier and more successful. 5. Monitor Plants for Summer Pests Warm temperatures can increase insect activity. Check your plants regularly for signs of pests. Common summer garden pests include: Aphids Spider mites Whiteflies Caterpillars Scale insects Look underneath leaves and along new growth where pests often hide. Early detection helps prevent bigger problems later. 6. Take Care of Your Container Gardens Container plants need extra attention during Louisiana summers because pots heat up and dry out quickly. Helpful container gardening tips: Check soil moisture daily. Move sensitive plants to areas with afternoon shade if needed. Use quality potting soil that holds moisture while draining well. Refresh plants that are struggling with new summer favorites. Containers are a great way to add seasonal color to patios, porches, and outdoor living spaces. 7. Keep Harvesting Your Vegetable Garden If you have a vegetable garden, July is a great time to enjoy the rewards of your hard work. Continue harvesting: Okra Peppers Tomatoes Cucumbers Eggplant Frequent harvesting encourages many vegetables to continue producing throughout the season. 8. Start Preparing for Your Fall Garden While summer is in full swing, July is also the perfect time to start planning your fall vegetable garden. Begin preparing for cool-season crops such as: Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Lettuce Carrots Planning ahead ensures your garden is ready when cooler temperatures arrive. Frequently Asked Questions About July Gardening in Louisiana What plants can survive Louisiana heat in July? Plants like pentas, vinca, angelonia, lantana, plumbago, gomphrena, and sun-loving tropical plants perform well during Louisiana's hot summer months. How often should I water my garden in July? Most gardens benefit from deep watering several times per week, depending on rainfall, soil type, and plant variety. Container plants may need watering every day during extreme heat. Is July too hot to plant flowers in Louisiana? No! July is a great time to plant heat-loving flowers that thrive in warm weather. Choosing plants suited for summer conditions will give you the best results. Should I fertilize my plants during the summer? Yes, but use caution. Slow-release fertilizers are often a better choice during hot weather because they provide nutrients gradually without stressing plants. What vegetables can I grow in July in Louisiana? Heat-loving vegetables like okra, peppers, eggplant, and some varieties of tomatoes can continue producing in July. It is also a good time to start planning fall crops. Keep Growing With All Seasons Nursery & Landscaping Gardening in Louisiana comes with unique challenges, but with the right plants and proper care, your landscape can stay beautiful all summer long. Whether you need colorful summer flowers, landscape advice, gardening supplies, or help creating your dream outdoor space, the team at All Seasons Nursery & Landscaping is here to help. Stop by our garden center and let us help you find plants that thrive in Louisiana's climate.

Refreshing Container Gardens Mid-Summer

July 3, 2026

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Southern Summer Hydrangea Care Guide

June 26, 2026

Summer Hydrangea Care Guide Keep your hydrangeas thriving through the Louisiana heat - Hydrangea may look delicate, but with the right care they can stay lush and beautiful all summer—even in intense heat. 1. Water Deeply Hydrangeas are thirsty plants, especially in summer. Water deeply 2–4 times per week (more during heat waves) Aim for 1–2 inches of water weekly Water at the base , not over the leaves Best time: early morning Wilting in the afternoon? That can be normal in extreme heat. If they’re still wilted by morning, they need water. 2. Morning Sun, Afternoon Shade In Louisiana, too much harsh afternoon sun can scorch leaves and blooms. Ideal placement: ✅ Morning sun ✅ Bright filtered light ✅ Afternoon shade Watch for: Brown crispy edges Faded blooms Drooping leaves Those usually mean too much sun or not enough water . 3. Mulch Is Your Best Friend Add 2–3 inches of mulch around the base. Mulch helps: Hold moisture Keep roots cool Reduce weeds Keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. 4. Deadhead Spent Blooms Snip off faded flowers to keep plants tidy and encourage energy toward healthy growth. Cut just above a healthy set of leaves. 5. Fertilize Lightly Too much fertilizer = big leaves, fewer blooms. Use a slow-release flowering shrub fertilizer in early summer if needed. Avoid heavy fertilizing in extreme heat. 6. Don’t Panic Over Leaf Spots Humidity can cause fungal issues. Common summer problems: Leaf spots Powdery mildew Yellowing leaves Help prevent this by: Improving airflow Avoiding overhead watering Removing damaged leaves 7. Protect New Plantings Recently planted hydrangeas need extra attention. New plants may need: More frequent watering Temporary shade cloth Extra mulch They’re more vulnerable than established shrubs. Quick Hydrangea SOS Droopy? → Needs water or shade Brown edges? → Too much sun No blooms? → Wrong pruning or too much fertilizer Yellow leaves? → Water stress or drainage issues