ATLANTA -- With winter temperatures quickly dropping, now is the best time to welcome winged wildlife with food, shelter and water.  Feathered friends will appreciate a safe refuge from the cold, and bird lovers will enjoy a colorful flurry of activity right at their doorstep!

To help customers ready their yards for winter birds, Pike Nurseries is hosting a special birding sale this Saturday, Jan. 17. With 20% off bird houses, bird feeders, bird seed and accessories, avid and first-time enthusiasts alike can stock up on all the essentials to attract a variety of birds straight to their yard.

All Pike Nurseries locations will also host a free birding basics class on Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. During the class, guests will learn the essentials needed to attract birds, what type of bird food is best for certain species and how to create an inviting habitat for them during the crucial winter months.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- When the weather report calls for freezing temperatures overnight, you do not want to be rushing outside in the dark to cover cold-sensitive plants.

According to University of Georgia experts, protect plants in containers either by placing them inside a protective structure (house, garage, greenhouse or shed) or by placing a protective covering over them.

“People put a lot of time and expense in caring for their plants,” states Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “It is important for them to know how to protect their investments to nurture them for growth when the weather is cold.”

Container plants are especially susceptible to cold temperatures; their roots are more exposed because they are above ground. Plants with roots that are damaged by cold temperatures may not show immediate signs of damage; these plants will show signs of stress when temperatures rise and the demand for water from the roots are greater.