Bird feeders are a great way to encourage quick backyard visits by local and transient birds, but a properly sized, built and installed birdhouse will ensure more permanent avian residents. Sure, you can buy birdhouses of all shapes and sizes online and have it...
Miscellaneous Lawn & Garden
Giving Thanks
A huge flock of huge turkeys just paraded again through my yard. Perhaps to impress upon our too human emotions that they were here first. They are big creatures. And smart. And adaptable. They have evolved and survive in our human urban-ecosystem despite their forest...
Subconscious versus Rational Thinking
What is subconscious belief and what is free rational thought? Particularly in an election season. Fall evenings are full of sounds of insects subconsciously looking to mate before the first frost and the end of their short time here on earth. Katydids, crickets,...
Bird-Killers?
According to a recent piece in The Guardian, Scotts Miracle-Gro has recently pleaded guilty to selling poisoned birdseed to the public. They also admitted to putting undocumented pesticides in their lawn and garden products. This violation of US federal environmental...
Reclaimed Wood Chicken Coop
Wannabe chicken keepers have a few hurdles standing in their way. They need chickens, permission (from the town - check yours first) and, of course, a coop. For those who aren't inclined to build their own, there's this new design by John Wright, called the "Modern...
Flight of the Snow Owls
The New York Times recently reported on an inordinately large number of snow owl sightings in states more southerly than the owls tend to roam. Although the reasons for this atypical "interruption" may vary, birders and nonbirders alike will want to create an inviting...
Audubon Society Releases Birds Onto the Internet
Ordinarily I wouldn't be blogging about virtual birds. I mean, what does that have to do with renovating your world? Or the home, for that matter? Well, the timing just seem right, given our recently announced Build a Birdhouse Giveaway Contest. So just go with it....
Chicken Support Group
If you've considered keeping chickens in your backyard, chances are you've also considered the potential difficulties and challenges of keeping chickens in your backyard. It's possible that those difficulties and challenges even dissuaded you from getting chickens....
Veterans Day
A heartfelt "thank you" to all veterans, past and present, from everyone here at Renovate Your World. As you all find time to recognize and celebrate Veteran's Day, I encourage you to reflect upon this story from 2009 of 91-year-old veteran Van T. Barfoot of...
Win $15,000 Towards a Backyard Upgrade | Hayneedle.com Backyard Summer
Want to win a $15,000 shopping spree to upgrade your backyard? All you need is a video camera and some great dance moves. Hayneedle.com is giving a $15,000 Backyard Shopping Spree to the best "backyard dance move" video. Users can upload their entry online where...