The best strawberry crops come from plants that are two to four years old. Pull out older plants as new ones develop as runners from parent plants. Make sure to buy virusfree stock. Now that you have planted the yard and garden with plants to attract the birds, why not work on birdhouses as a summer project with the children. A trip to the Extension Office or Library will give you information about the habits and requirements that the different kinds of birds have.
Swallows are especially nice to attract since they consume mosquitoes.
Birds of all kinds help to control the insects that invade and destroy our gardens. See how many different styles of birdhouses you can make and how many kinds of birds you can attract next spring. The last two years, we have enjoyed our resident barn owls. Last year they raised four owlets. What fun watching them grow up.