I enjoy taking photos of my garden at all times of the year, but the winter is an especially interesting season. Conventional thinking is that this is when everything is “dead” and resting while it waits for spring, but when we think of the ecosystem benefits of native plant gardening, the action doesn’t stop with […]
Ecosystem
Why You Should Plant Native Grasses in Your Garden
With native plants, the most popular species tend to be showy wildflowers with colorful blooms. And among those of us passionate about conservation and rewilding, tree planting is typically the top activity. But there’s one aspect of native plants that can unite these goals and any other gardener concerned with ecosystem health: planting native grasses. […]
On the Trail: Spring Ephemerals vs. Lesser Celandine
Recently I’d been a bit disheartened hiking in some natural wooded areas near my house and seeing invasive bush honeysuckle and lesser celandine taking over and suppressing everything else including the spring ephemerals I love to see at this time of year. One Dayton-area Metropark I enjoy visiting is Wegerzyn Gardens just to the north […]
Does My Garden Need to Be All Native? (to Help Wildlife and the Planet)
In order to help pollinators, birds, and other elements of your local ecosystem, native plants are vitally important. So should your own yard be made up entirely of natives? We’re major advocates for native plants, so naturally our answer is …. no! Wait, what? A little explanation is in order here. Don’t get us wrong, […]
How to Help Wildlife and the Environment Most With a Small Yard
If you’re gardening to help wildlife and your larger local ecosystem, having a smaller yard may seem like a major hindrance. Can you even make that much of an impact without acreage or a larger property? We’re here to say that yes you can! But there are specific things to do, ranging from the plants […]
Why Are Native Plants Important, Anyway? A Look at Their Benefits
We plant gardens for many reasons, from simply enjoying their beautiful blooms to helping increase our property values. When we plant native, however, we get to enjoy a myriad of additional benefits that can have a major impact on our local ecosystems. So first of all, what exactly makes a plant native? Simply put, it’s […]