The most frequent question I am getting these days involves bird feeders. Specifically, is it safe to put them out yet? In fact, it is just a bit too early to put food into yours. The rule in Southcentral Alaska (adjust if you live elsewhere) is to wait until Nov. 1. I am not sure if our unusually warm weather changes this, but let’s stick to this unless someone from the state contacts me and tells me there is a better time this year.

That said, it is not too early to get things ready. Somewhere between 25 and 100 different bird species overwinter here in Alaska, so the effort is always well worth it. All you need is a simple feeder of some sort and seed. It is not hard. You don’t have to be a confirmed birder — or even be able to identify the birds you will surely attract.

The seed part is easy. There are two basic types for sale at nurseries, supermarkets and box stores. The first is all sunflower. The second kind is everything else. My strong suggestion is to go with sunflower, hulled or not, even though it is normally more expensive that the other feed. With these, there will be no problem attracting birds. They love sunflower seeds, specifically the oils in them. The other bird foods are designed for specific birds, such as thistle, or full of common millet which most birds look at as starvation food, good only when there is absolutely nothing else to eat. Trust me. Sunflower seed is the way to go, at least for starters.

The simple feeder part is just as easy. You can put out a pie plate with sunflower seed and the birds will eat them up or even toss the seed on the ground, for that matter. However, it is probably better to buy a basic feeder which you can do wherever you find seed. Get one that holds as much seed as possible so you won’t have to constantly fill it. (See how optimistic I am about attracting birds). Later you can get feeders for suet and peanut butter and thistle.

Consider some extras. You will need a bird book to identify what you see. There are all manner of books specifically on Alaska birds as well as phone apps, so Google away and find what suits your tastes. The Sibley Guides are considered the experts’ bible, but an Alaska birding book is best for newbies.

Next, get something to keep the squirrels at bay — either a barrier, or one of those things that causes the feeder to spin around and knock the squirrel off if you are so inclined. Yes, I know you can also coexist and even feed the squirrels on your property — if you are inclined to attract rodents that will get into your house and chew wires, burrow through the insulation to pipes and other horrors. Please, no letters.

The other big extra — but as far as I am concerned a must — is a motion-activated camera like the kind made by Wingscapes Cameras (there are others as well). You are not home most of the day, but the birds are. Why not see what you are missing or can expect on the weekend?

Finally, some folks put out water, using a special heater to keep it from freezing. Your feathered friends will love it if you go this route. I suspect you could put these out now; I doubt a bird bath will attract bruins.

Driveways and walks: Mark your driveway and walks now so you know where they are in the winter snow.

Lights: Have your indoor setup going yet? The earlier you get to this chore, the more your houseplants will thank you.

Seeds: If you are so inclined, collect seeds from perennials as well as from those open pollinated tomatoes that may still be on the vine, frozen or otherwise.

Editor’s note: Last month Jeff won the Association for Garden Communicators’ 2016 gold medal for Best Writing in the Newspaper/Newsletter/Brochure category at the association’s annual convention in Atlanta, for his columns “Immortality and Grandpa Al’s Daylilies,” “Midwinter Dreams of Giant Vegetables” and “In the Unending War with Dandelions, a Détente.” Congratulations, Jeff.

I am just back from the annual garden writers meetup, this one in Atlanta where the temperatures were somewhere north of 90 degrees every day of the event. Of course, I know I don’t have to explain to fellow Alaskans the perverse delight the heat gave me as I was able to ask residents how they could stand the weather enough to live there. It is our turn now, for real.

There is always a trade show at these conventions. There are also talks and garden tours. All of this to help with introductions of new plants for the home gardener, displays of the latest tools, offerings from seed houses and all manner of miscellaneous kinds of horticultural things you would expect at a convention and trade show attended by garden writers.

And all of this allows me to get a feel for the upcoming gardening trends. Here is my report.

I can tell you the trend of keeping urban chickens appears to be over. Use of chemicals of any kind is over and organics continues its move. We will see more use of individual potted shrub and berry plants. Hydrangeas among the hottest of the new plants and roses are holding their perennial place as favorites.

There seems to be a recognition people are not gardening as much or as large, but want something in a pot. And, for the first time, cannabis is being discussed, though no products have yet been aimed in that direction.

So, we are way ahead of the biggest trend, a continuation of all things organic. I can remember the years when big chemical companies had huge booths and added heavily to the swag bags we all get. Not this year.

The closest was a booth manned by Segenta, the huge international agribusiness, but they were highlighting some of their flower introductions and not chemicals. (I will come clean to report I did take a free selfie-stick from them, as I am sure I would never buy one.) Anyhow, Alaska uses compost, mycorrhizal fungi and organic fertilizers.

In fact, this year only one fertilizer company hawked a not-quite-organic product, though its was labeled “natural.” By contrast, there were others offering compost-based soils with added mycorrhizal fungi and compost tea mixes. There were special grasses (not that kind) and all manner of organic seeds to grow plants on which to use the organic fertilizer mixes. What a change from 10 years ago.

And it wasn’t just the trade show either. Not one lecture promoted chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Again, an amazing change.

As noted, there were any number of new plant introductions. Several were hydrangeas. We shall see which of these hits our markets next spring. All make great annual plants and some will be perennial shrubs if planted in the right spot and mulched.

The new roses probably won’t make it to our nurseries, but you can bet your relatives Outside will be enjoying them. And, look out for the new pansy introduced. It’s a trailing plant, which will be a fantastic addition to Alaska hanging baskets. The folks from the South just walk by it, but the Alaskans at the conference drooled.

In the gardens, mulches are in. I guess folks in drought-stricken Georgia now know mulching holds in moisture. So is garden statuary—and I don’t mean of the religious type. All manner of sculptural art was seen, much of it tasteful; there were no painted women bending over or plastic whirligigs. Quality sculpture is a big trend.

And, finally, mercifully, there were no outdoor TVs to be seen on the tours as there were in previous years, indicating the end of a silly trend in the Lower 48 that never caught on here.

And, as noted, not one chicken coop.

Moose proofing: Now is the time to spray Plantskydd on the trees and shrubs your moose like to nibble on all winterlong. Do not wait. Use hot water. Wear old clothes. Do it.

Wreath-making class: Alaska Botanical Garden, 3-5 p.m., Oct. 15. Space is limited. Check it out at alaskabg.org/event/abg-worshop-wreath-making/.

Leaves: Mulch ’em up with the mower. Do not rake.

Spring flowering bulbs: Plant as many as you can.