Hummingbirds Are on the Way. Here’s How to Get Your Yard Ready.
Hummingbirds are officially on the move, and if you blink, you might miss them. These tiny birds zip from flower to flower faster than a toddler on a sugar high. But if you’re lucky, they’ll stop in your yard for a snack. Now is the time to prep your yard. Here's everything you need to know to roll out the welcome mat.
Why Hummingbirds Are So Cool
Let’s start with some facts that will impress the kids, your neighbors, and probably yourself.
A hummingbird’s wings beat about 53 times per second. That’s not a typo.
They can fly forward, backward, and even upside down.
They eat more than their own weight in food every day. We respect the hustle.
Hummingbird eggs are the size of a bean. Yes, a bean.
Around here, you’re most likely to spot the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The males wear a bold red throat with emerald green feathers, while the females go with a white neck and a more understated style.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Backyard
If you want these winged wonders to swing by, you’ve got two options. We recommend doing both for the best results.
1. Hang a Hummingbird Feeder
This is the easiest way to get hummingbirds to stop by. You’ll find plenty of feeders in stock at Merriam Feed, including some that attach right to your window for front-row viewing. You can buy nectar, but it’s cheaper to make your own. Plus, it only takes two ingredients.
DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Mix 4 parts boiling water with 1 part white sugar
Stir until dissolved and let it cool
Fill your feeder and store any extra nectar in the fridge
Skip the red food coloring. It’s not helpful and definitely not necessary.
2. Plant Flowers Hummingbirds Love
A well-stocked feeder is great, but adding colorful plants will take your yard to the next level. These flowers are easy to grow and attract hummingbirds like crazy:
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Not a plant person? Try a hanging Fuchsia basket. Low effort, high reward.
Want to turn birdwatching into a family adventure? Download our Spring Nature Walk BINGO Card and take it outside. Mark off what you see and keep an eye out for that hummingbird. It might just be the winning square. Download the BINGO Card
From feeders and nectar to pollinator-friendly plants, we’ve got what you need to turn your backyard into a hummingbird hotspot. Stop by the store, grab your supplies, and get ready to catch some tiny visitors in action. Because when the hummingbirds show up, you’ll want to be ready.
