Planting The Bundle
The soil should be spaded prior to planting.  Plant the trees and shrubs at the same depth as they grew in their nursery with the roots spread in their natural habitat.  Firm the soil around the roots, making sure the roots are in contact with the soil.  Water thoroughly after planting.  The area should be kept cultivated or mulched to promote plant growth.

Use your imagination to fit these plants to your area.  The following drawings show some alternatives for using these plants to provide an attractive habitat.  The suggested designs are to enhance the effectiveness of the Songbird Bundle in providing cover and food for wildlife.

Add More Plantings
It should be emphasized that the plants in this bundle were selected for wildlife considerations - not landscape considerations. You can further enhance an area for songbirds by careful selection of other plants that are beneficial to wildlife. A tall specimen deciduous tree or two may be desirable, or perhaps a vine-covered fence or arbor. Because insects are an important part of the diet of many birds, annual and perennial flowering plants should be included in your wildlife plantings. Concentrate on blossoms that are attractive to butterflies and other insects as well as hummingbirds. Flowers that produce seeds for birds to eat can also be included.

The following list will help you select plants with a value to wildlife when you visit your local nursery. Tall and medium-height trees, along with shrubs, are listed in the left column, with vines, and grasses and flowers in the right column

To assist in selecting additional plants of value to songbirds as well as other means of attracting them to your area, technical help from professional wildlife biologists is available through the Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program
If you do "Something Wild" in your backyard, the Department of Wildlife and Parks would like to give you credit for it through the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification Program. This program gives recognition to citizens who improve living conditions for wildlife on their property.  To apply for certification, fill out and mail the Certification Application to the Operations Office in Pratt.

This recognition is not restricted to homeowners. Wildlife requirements may be provided at many types of residences, including high-rise apartment balconies and places of business.

The Backyard Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program is funded through donations to the Chickadee Checkoff.