The presence of birds can make your garden a more welcoming and relaxing place for humans. They’re both pleasing to the eyes and ears, and more birds means that you’ll have to worry less about insect pests.

It doesn’t take a lot to attract birds to your garden. The only thing you need to do is to provide the birds what they need the most, like food, water, shelter, and nesting sites. With these, you can guarantee that they’ll frequent your garden whenever they’re in the neighborhood. Keen on getting started? Check out the tips below and easily transform your yard into a paradise that birds will love.

1. Cultivate plenty of flowers, berries, or seeds.

Birds continuously look for a source of food and will hang around any garden that has plenty of their favorite treats. Take advantage of this by diversifying your plants so that your feathery guests will have food to pick on regardless of the season. Some of the best plants to have are wild roses, chokecherries, high bush cranberry, juniper, and winterberry holly. Grapes, crab apples, nannyberry, firethorn, and weigela are also favored by different bird species. If you are interested in specifically attracting hummingbirds into your yard, plant flowers that produce nectar. Red and pink tubular flowers are your best bet, as well as currants, coral bells, honeysuckles, and salmonberries.

2. Add irresistible water features.

If you have a large space, a pond will be a big treat for water-loving birds. It gives them a place to nest, rest, bathe, and hydrate. A large waterfall or fountain birdbath is a nice feature, too, as birds find moving water irresistible. They’ll fly in from different places just to see where the sound of flowing water is coming from. Even if you have a small garden, it’s still possible for you to install a water feature that attracts birds. A simple birdbath will do just the trick, especially during the dryer seasons. You can also consider a mister and ground bubbler. Place these near a shrub or shelter for added protection for the birds.

3. Move away from the perfect suburban lawn.

Instead of maintaining a lawn, encourage botanical complexity and increase the amount of edge habitat in your garden. The latter refers to undulating edges where shrubs lead to a more open space. This type of space creates more shelter for birds, and it also serves as an option for nesting areas. To build this area, plant dense shrubs, vines, or shrubbery along the outside of your backyard or along the road, then add shorter flowers and low shrubs on the inside.

4. Keep more trees.

Trees offer adequate shelter and food, protection from predators, and a place to nest, roost, and perch. If your property already has trees in it, incorporate them in the garden design. Tall trees add shade and help cool the space, plus they take a long time to grow, so it’s much better to keep them instead of cutting them. If a tree is unstable, consider pruning it instead of removing it completely.

5. Go pesticide-, herbicide-, and fungicide-free!

Worms and other forms of soil life are essential food for birds. Yes, bugs may scare a few people, but they are an essential part of the environment. Take it easy on your anti-bug campaign and let the birds control the bug population in your garden! Pick less toxic methods of caring for your garden to avoid harming the birds, too. Try hand-picking, soaps and oils, and hose-end sprayers instead of chemical insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

Make your garden a favorite bird hangout. With time and by following these 5 simple tips, you’ll be hearing more birdsongs outside your home in no time.