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DIY Wildlife Indian Corn Wreath
Learn how to make this beautiful treat for your backyard wildlife.
Photo by Melissa Caughey
As the weather cools, we seem to see more backyard wildlife in search of food. Squirrels and chipmunks are busily foraging for freshly fallen acorns. The wild birds are also busy getting their fill at the backyard feeders. It's not uncommon in the fall to discover our beautiful pumpkin displays have been enjoyed by those curious critters too. This year, I decided to make a beautiful treat for them, an Indian corn wreath. Each year, our local farm stands fill to the brim with mums, pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. I picked up two extra bunches just for this wreath.
Indian corn (Zea mays indurata) finds its roots with the Native Americans. Also known, as flint corn, it was one of the first crops that the Native Americans showed the early colonists how to grow. It soon became a staple in the diet of the early colonists, just as it was for the Native American people. Indian corn preserves and dries well. The kernels' color range is lovely, incorporating reds, blues, yellows, whites and oranges. This comes from years of hybridization. The exterior skin on each kernel is said to be "hard as flint" thus its name. Indian corn can be fed to livestock and humans and frequently is used in dishes such as hominy and polenta. It can also be ground for cornmeal and flour or used as popcorn.
When I originally designed this wreath, I wanted to be sure that I could refill the ears of corn on the wreath throughout the season and year after year. At one of the large home improvement stores, I found copper grounding wire on spools that could be cut to length. It was just perfect! Plus copper is also food safe which was another added bonus. Once done, I hung the wreath from an iron hook on our oak tree. This way our resident squirrels can quickly discover it. Here is what you will need to get started on a wreath of your own.
Supply List:
- Indian Corn
- Copper grounding wire—4 feet
- Pliers
- Drill
For the full step-by-step tutorial, take a peek at the gallery below and accompanying captions.
