RUST & ROOST - How to make your garden bird friendly (with style).
After the amazing response to our bee-friendly garden blog, we knew we had to keep the conversation going and honestly, we couldn’t be happier about it. It's been a real joy hearing about how many of you have started and had already carved out spaces for pollinators. This post is a sort of continuation of that journey because where there are bees, there are usually birds... or there could be!
With a few small changes and a focus on natural materials, we want to help you create a bird friendly haven that feels like part of the design of your garden itself. Here’s how to do it. The RUST & ROAST way!
GROW FOR THE BIRDS, not just the bees 🌱
From the response to our wildflower post, it’s clear our community isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and the good news is, you don’t need to be a master gardener to support birdlife. Just a few thoughtful plant choices can make a huge difference!
Birds aren’t only after food. They need shelter, nesting spots and plenty of insects, which is where your planting comes in. Try hawthorn or rowan for autumn berries (big and bold but easily kept in check) or ivy, which offers winter cover and nesting space. Dog rose and wild honeysuckle grow into dense, wildlife-rich thickets perfect for cover and feeding (support conditions for a yummy all you can eat buffet of bugs).
You can leave the seed heads on teasel, sunflowers, alliums and echinacea, which again, are fantastic for pollinating bumbles and favourites for finches and tits. But if you’re looking for a more muted palette, try ornamental grasses like miscanthus (tall and wild looking) or blue oat grass (compact and great in containers). They add movement, texture and drop seed for ground feeders like robins and dunnocks.
Even a quiet patch of nettles or brambles can become a haven. We're not here to tell you to rip up your garden and start again, just to show how far a few intentional choices go.
We're proud to support gardens that look beautiful and do good for the environment. These are just some of the options that you can add to your garden, both in the ground with some gorgeous Corten steel edging or low planters to separate your sections well and add edge or in raised planters that come in all different styles to suit your unique vibe.
GIVE THEM WATER (& A REASON TO STAY).
We’ve had some seriously hot spells this summer, with water levels dropping and hosepipe bans kicking in across different parts of the UK. While we all find it generally easy to adjust our routines to suit, it’s worth remembering that birds (especially in more urban areas) often rely on water sources that aren’t rivers or lakes and when those disappear, they’re left high and dry... quite literally.
If you have some space and are looking for a way to be a part of this solution, a garden water feature is the way to go! From simply stylish to statement pieces to custom creations that will make your garden dreams come true, we’ve got you covered.
We are obviously biased towards the Corten steel finish because we find it to be so utterly timeless, durable and really looks like it belongs in any style of garden design. However, we do also offer water features in coated steel and aluminium (which can be done in almost any colour! - we are SO looking forward to getting a custom order for a more “out of the norm” colour).
So, adding a water feature to your garden isn’t just a lifeline for birds — it’s a way to bring movement and sound into your outdoor space. If you need a clearer visual check this out... CLICK HERE to see exactly what we mean on our Instagram page.
Thinking of adding one? 👉 BROWSE OUR RANGE HERE or CONTACT US for custom dreams!
HAVE FUN & MAKE IT PERSONAL
You can even the kids involved (or be the big kid yourself). It’s not only fun but a great way to add personal touches to your outdoor space. And honestly, you don’t need to plan anything elaborate. A few simple, hands on activities can make a real difference for the wildlife and create some lovely memories too.
One of our favourites is the classic pinecone feeder. Just grab a few pinecones, cover them in peanut butter (make sure it’s salt free), roll them in birdseed and hang them up with some natural twine. It’s quick, a bit messy and oddly satisfying. You’ll be amazed at how fast the birds find them!
TIP: We find that attaching the twine before adding the peanut butter and trying your best to keep it out of the way works best. We found out the hard way so you don’t have to!
For something a bit more practical, you could build a simple nesting shelf from scrap wood. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a low, open platform fixed under a pergola or sheltered spot. Robins and blackbirds especially love these tucked away corners. It’s a gentle way to show kids that a small bit of effort can turn into a real home for something wild.
Side note: Thinking of these different ways to help our feathered friends, like this nesting platform, has inspired us to think of products that we can custom produce. If you would have us make one using our signature materials (Corten Steel & Charred Timber), what would your design be like?
We believe that looking after the environment isn’t an overnight thing and that passing on our love for nature to future generations is an important part of the effort!
To finish off this very enjoyable piece -
let it be beautiful…
Helping birds doesn’t have to come at any great expense or intense garden plannin. It should be part of it. Just as rust and char are a part of the things we make. Let the timber be bold. Let the rust deepen. Let the birds stay!
PICTURES FROM:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shop/rhs-plants (We do not claim credit).