It may be winter, but gardening still possible with herbs

Though the outdoor gardening season may be over except for pruning and monitoring for animal damage, you can still garden inside by trying to grow herbs. Sow seeds of parsley, oregano, sage and dwarf basil in clay pots. Once they germinate, place them under grow lights and water when very dry. Fertilize the plants with a half-strength solution of a liquid fertilizer.

• When attempting to attract birds to your garden, it is important to know what species are in your area at this time of year, their food preferences, and feeding habits. For example, some birds such as mourning doves are ground feeders while others such as the cardinal (Illinois state bird) visit feeders. Regularly stocking your bird feeders with favorite foods will increase the chances that birds will continually visit your garden. Safflower seed, sunflower hearts, and millet are preferred by many species of birds including cardinals, chickadees, and nuthatches. Suet cakes, especially popular in winter, are comprised of seed, nuts, and fat products. They are a high-energy food and very attractive to various species. Consider using a better quality bird in your feeder that has does not have filler such as oats, barley or red millet that birds chose not to eat and end up on the ground. Try a “no mess” blend in which seeds do not have shells and are more in pieces to reduce waste.

• You may end up attracting deer to your garden from the bird feeding as I have just noticed happening in my Highland Park garden. New deer tracks showed up in the snow in my backyard shortly after we started feeding birds. Hungry deer will quickly clean out a bird feeder so install it at least seven to eight feet above the ground. Then clean up spilled seed that will attract deer which will also feed on other plants, especially yews and arborvitae in your garden as you can. Some birds feed on the ground so it might end up being a balancing act on your part to limit the amount of seed on the ground to deter deer while also leaving some for the ground feeding birds

• If possible, provide a source of water for the birds. Placing a water basin in a sunny location will help keep it from freezing though a heated birdbath is ideal. Purchase one with an automatic shut-off valve or heat cycling on-off switch, which will prevent damage to the birdbath if it goes dry. It is best to use a grounded, three pronged outlet. Avoid birdbaths that have an uncovered heating element as this could burn the birds' feet if they land on it. Placing a flat piece of shale over the heating element will provide a warm rock for birds to perch on to rest or drink and will prevent any accidental injury.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.