How do I use a shepherd’s hook on a patio?

Jinxx
by Jinxx

Seeking all ideas! I want to use a shepherd’s hook to hold my bird feeders but don’t have a yard. Have to use them on my balcony. Trying to figure out a way to stand it up securely. “Plant” it in a tightly-compacted planter? In a tall, narrow bucket of sand? Give it the old “cement boot”? I live in Southern California and while we don’t have many storms (drought for the past 4+ years, finally over), we do have strong Santa Ana winds at times. Many thanks for all ideas!


  9 answers
  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Jan 18, 2020

    You can use whiskey barrel planters, metal milk cans, but you will still want to add cement to the bottom to make sure it holds the hook in place especially when a plant is hung from it.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jan 18, 2020

    Hi Jinxx, I would plant it in a large empty tin can (if you have one) and fill it with cement.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jan 18, 2020

    Hi Jinxx,

    You must love birds !

    You might try cable ties to attach your shepherds hook to your balcony, they are durable plastic and are cheap, available at diy stores, Amazon, and hardware stores. If you wanted to fancy them up or disguise them, you could do a theme or attach greenery.

    As a heads-up, be prepared for a mess on your balcony. Best to you.

    • Jinxx Jinxx on Jan 24, 2020

      Thanks so much! I buy cheap metal burner covers at the dollar store and drill small holes at the base of my feeders. Then I drill some drainage holes in the covers, turn them upside down so their rims are facing upward, and use zip ties to attach them to the bottom of the feeder. They catch almost all of the discards and periodically I dump them when they get too full. The drainage holes work pretty well for light rain, and the burner covers are lightweight enough so they don’t weigh the feeders down. It has really cut down on the mess. Only problem is when a squirrel comes along because if it’s a fat one, they bend the metal and if I can’t bend it back in shape I have to replace it. Darn squirrels!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Jan 18, 2020

    I just secure mine with zip ties to deck rails. Make sure you secure at both top and bottom of the metal rods.

  • Here are some visipuals to give you some ideas.


    https://images.app.goo.gl/TCt6vXozeqDNZgwW9


    https://images.app.goo.gl/RkkLzBXZ4Nps93Nn8


    https://images.app.goo.gl/8Jh3NCADpk8Ar8V36


    https://images.app.goo.gl/5pD8UqmoHS2DaEn39


    I have one in a very large planter with a cactus. If you want a photo, I can take one when the sin comes up. It's 5:30 am at the moment. I am also in Southern California. By Magic Mountain.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jan 18, 2020

    Could you use zip ties to attach it to your railing?

  • Pat Pat on Jan 18, 2020

    How about using one of those things used to hold an umbrella in place in the center of a glass patio table. Most are black or metal and have a place you can put sand in them to weight them down. Not sure your shepherds crook would go in the opening used for an umbrella but might work.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 24, 2020

    You could get a large can, as in restaurant sized, and fill with Quikcrete cement and set the hook in the middle.

  • Em Em on Sep 01, 2021

    Can you secure them the the balcony railings with rope?