How to Make a Living-Roof Birdhouse

February 19, 2016
Here's a bird-friendly DIY project just in time for spring.
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Missouri-based gardener Rebecca Nickols creates living-roof birdhouses for her business in Springfield. Follow her steps to design the perfect nest for the a backyard bird.

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Step 1: Gather materials

Before you start on your bird haven, you'll need: A birdhouseMoisture barrier (roofing paper or plastic)Potting soilSphagnum mossPoultry wireDandelion weederSedum plantsPole or pipe for mountingStapler, scissors, screwdriver

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Step 2: Create a barrier

Cut the moisture barrier to fit the roof; set it in place.

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Step 3: Top coat

Cover most of the roof with moistened potting soil.

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Step 4: Moisten and pack

Soak sphagnum moss in water for 30 minutes to moisten it thoroughly. Wring it out with your hands, and then pack it thickly onto the soil in the roof.

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Step 5: Staple

Staple poultry wire on top to hold the sphagnum moss in place.

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Step 6: Trim

Trim the poultry wire back to the edges of the roof.

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Step 7: Bring on the moss

With a screwdriver or an asparagus-cutting tool, poke even more sphagnum moss through the mesh in the poultry wire to fill any gaps or thin spots. You should not be able to see the potting soil underneath.

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Step 8: Sow sedums

Plant sedums. Poke the asparagus-cutting tool into the moss to make room for the sedum roots and tuck the plants in, firming them with your fingers as you go. Rebecca uses hardy sedums in her living-roof birdhouses.

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Step 9: Knob needs

Attach the knob with a screw on the side, so you can open the birdhouse to clean it out. The perch under the entry hole is optional. Birds don't need it.

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The business behind the birdhouse

Rebecca Nickols was looking for a creative outlet from her job, and so was born the living-roof birdhouse. She and her husband, Jeff, launched a hobby business together called Rebecca's Bird Gardens.

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