Thanks to couponing I've had many extra diaper containers this month. Hey, I can't pass up free wipes! I also hate having these extra plastic containers hanging around the house because my county won't recycle them! I've avoided buying them as much as I can but when I can get one free whenever I buy a bag of Pampers Diapers...well, let's just say I have a hard time passing up a good deal!
I don't know about you, but this summer has been the Summer of the Bugs in my garden. Tiger Moth Caterpillars (I believe) have eaten my bush beans, huge Tomato Worms have (thankfully) not done too much damage but they have been plentiful, along with a slew of other creepy crawlies. I would love for more birds to visit my garden and eat the unwelcome pests. Eventually I want to put up a pole and hang bird feeders and nest boxes in the center of the garden to encourage the friendly fliers. That is where my two trains of thought collided. Why not make nest boxes and bird feeders out of empty wipe containers?!
Wipe containers (Huggies 
and Pampers 
are what I have) are not water tight. We have an average of 54.5" in my area so that's a must! So much for the easy pop-the-top-up-and-check-on-the-baby-birds idea! My hubby had some great suggestions which helped tremendously. We also replaced some 2"x6"s on our deck so we had spare wood lying around.
and Pampers are what I have) are not water tight. We have an average of 54.5" in my area so that's a must! So much for the easy pop-the-top-up-and-check-on-the-baby-birds idea! My hubby had some great suggestions which helped tremendously. We also replaced some 2"x6"s on our deck so we had spare wood lying around. Here's what we did!
Materials:
- 1 (empty) baby wipes container
- 2" x 6" x 10.5" board (adjust to fit your needs)
- Paint (I put a white primer on the board)
- At least 4 nails (nail or glue to attach wipes container to the board)
- Jute/Rope/String for hanging the bird house
- Drill
- Scissors
- Metal File
- 2 Drill Bits
- 1 to drill the 4 holes for the jute
- 1 1/2" hole saw for creating the entry door
- Paint (if you choose to paint the house-my favorite is Delta Ceramcoat
Acrylic paints)
- Paintbrushes
Assembly:
Permanently remove the lid off of the container
Optional: Paint the conainer
My 3-year-old's creation (it was his first time with a paintbrush)!
Cut board to size and paint it (which will extend its life).
Drill the entrance hole
I didn't have a big enough bit so I cut it a tiny bit bigger. 
Use the metal file to smooth out any rough edges.
Drill 4 holes-one in each corner
Place container upside down on board line it up where you want it.
Nail the wipes container to the board-hopefully you'll have nails that aren't longer than the board is thick! I had to bend the ends over. :p I used about six nails per box depending on where the gaps were. 
Run the jute through the holes, beginning by going down in one corner and up the opposite corner. Then I cut the jute and did the same on the other side. A small piece of tape wrapped around the end of the jute makes it easier to thread through the hole.
Notice the crossed jute. Then I held up the ends of the jute and made sure the box hung evenly before tying them in a simple knot. 
Now, go find a tree or post!
are hung and my Silvery Fir Tomato plants seem to doing well (one plant in each). I do not have to water nearly as much as last year and I finally realized why. This year I found great deals on the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix and used it instead of the off brand Walmart stuff. Wow, what a difference! Granted, we haven't had our 95+ degree days yet but we've had plenty of hot ones and I have not had to water daily! I have more great news. Ace is going to have potting mix on sale during their Memorial Day Sale May 28-31! The Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix (1 cubic foot) will be $8.99 with a $5 mail-in rebate! There is a limit of two per household. Guess where I'll be! 
, cucumbers keep raccoons away from corn and the corn may keep Wilt away from the cucumbers. Sounds great to me so I'm going to give it a try! 
