A variety of organizations offer free seeds or plants -- usually wildflowers or trees occasionally grasses or other native plants, to support wildlife. Some are for small backyard patches, others aimed at larger landowners. Some are national, others regional, or focused on a particular species like milkweeds for monarch butterflies. Local businesses or nature centers often give away seeds in spring -- I got some from a Mother's Day event last year and Grand Prairie Friends several times. So watch for local opportunities as well as online. Remember, anything that attracts insects will attract birds that eat insects, and almost all birds raise their chicks on caterpillars.

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