Say, “Feeding the birds” and one thinks immediately of going to the store to get shelled peanuts, hulled sunflower seeds, mixing up a batch of suet, and then getting all the required feeders.

But the Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) that are coming to my yard right now are seldom visiting the feeders.

Instead they’re enjoying seedheads, part of the past history of my gardens.

So simple. Just don’t cut back the flowers at the end of the season. They provide food for the birds. This will create the perfect garden look. The perfect look to attract birds.

Leaving the flowers to become seeds to please the birds requires no effort at all. But this last indulgence does take a bit of energy. They need water too, with a water warmer. Now, color these birds HAPPY.