Make Your Own Seed Block

Finches and thrashers love the large blocks of mixed seed I hang in mesh bags, but the store where I bought the seed blocks stopped carrying them. I'd like to make my own, but I don't know what will hold the seeds together in our hot climate. Can you give me some advice?

—Bernice Quiram, Sun City, Arizona

George: There is a way to make seed blocks that will hold together in hot weather. I tried this recipe at home to make blocks like the one in the photo. It works pretty well. To make one seed block, stir two 1/2-ounce envelopes of unflavored gelatin into 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the water is clear. Then stir in 1-1/4 cups of any combination of seeds the birds in your yard enjoy. Mix well so they all get coated with gelatin. Firmly pack the mixture into a plastic container and chill until solid. Remove it from the container, and it's ready for the birds!