How to Attract More Hummingbirds to Your Kentucky Garden

Welcome to the 31st episode of The Sunshine Gardening Podcast, the ultimate source of expert advice and gardening secrets. I'm Kristin Hildabrand, your host for today's show. This episode will delve into the fascinating world of hummingbirds with Annette Heisdorffer, Daviess County Horticulture Extension Agent. You won't want to miss this episode if you're going to bring more of these delightful creatures to your garden and create the ultimate hummingbird hotspot. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some fantastic tips and tricks to attract hummingbirds to your Kentucky garden!















Hummingbird Introduction







Kristin opens the podcast by introducing the topic and highlights the joy of observing hummingbirds. Annette then dives into the specifics of hummingbird characteristics, emphasizing their preference for tubular-shaped, brightly colored (red, orange, or yellow) flowers and placing feeders and flower clusters in separate territories to minimize conflicts between the territorial birds.







Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Visiting Cardinal Flower







Annette also discusses the hummingbirds' need for secluded nesting areas and nearby water sources, adding that urban dwellers without access to such natural elements might face challenges in attracting these birds. She shares tips on selecting plants and flowers that attract hummingbirds, including cardinal flowers and various native plants like bee balms and trumpet honeysuckle.









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56hR-DJagbY

Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds







How to Make Hummingbird Nectar







Following plant suggestions, the conversation shifts to homemade hummingbird nectar. Annette recommends a 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio, advising against adding red dye as it could harm the birds. She explains the importance of boiling the mixture to prevent fermentation and stresses using feeders with some red parts to attract hummingbirds while avoiding yellow parts that might attract bees.









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42mvA97neA

How to Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar







The discussion also covers maintenance tips for hummingbird feeders. Annette advises cleaning the feeders weekly with hot, soapy water, possibly using a bleach solution, and thoroughly rinsing them. She mentions using glass feeders, which are easier to clean and disinfect.







Lastly, Kristin and Annette tackle common questions and challenges that listeners might face, such as the appropriate duration to keep feeders up during the year and avoiding common gardening mistakes that could deter hummingbirds. Annette recommends resources like Dr. Thomas Barnes's publication for more detailed information on creating hummingbird-friendly gardens, which are listed below under resources.







Conclusion







Thank you so much for tuning in to another episode of The Sunshine Gardening Podcast! We hope you enjoyed our discussion on attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Remember, with just a few simple steps, you can create a welcoming environment for these amazing birds to thrive.







Be sure to visit our website at warrencountyagriculture.com for all the show notes from today's episode. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please consider leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people and grow our community.