“Leave the leaves” is not a platitude. It’s a reminder of the role we share in supporting wildlife and the local ecology. One of the most impactful things we can do for pollinators, insects, and other invertebrates is simple: don’t throw away their shelter just before winter. Fallen leaves act as a vital insulating layer […]
How Fallen Leaves Sustain Life Beneath the Surface Read More »
Fall, Guide, Observations, WinterWinter officially ends tomorrow and most of my established native plants are leafing out and showing off their new growth. The native seeds I sowed late in the fall have ended their dormancy and are starting to break through their outer coatings in a process called germination. Why do seeds wait before sprouting, and what
Why Native Seeds Wait: Evolution’s Answer to Environmental Stress Read More »
Botany, WinterUsing dichotomous keys and observing physical characteristics to make a successful ID A few years ago, I found myself becoming captivated by trees—their age, growth habits, evolutionary history, and the way they weave into our stories, movies, video games, and daily life. This fascination with growing trees has become a true passion of mine and
Branching Out: Self-Education Resources and Secrets to Tree ID Skills Read More »
Guide, WinterYears ago, before I tumbled down the rabbit hole of plant growth and tree biology, I supposed I thought that all growth just stopped during the winter months—as if the cold weather froze everything right in place. That couldn’t be further from the truth, because there’s a world of activity happening beneath the soil, in
A winter gardener’s to-do list for healthy plant growth Read More »
Garden Tasks, WinterThe single most important thing you can do during the winter season in your garden can also be one of the most difficult things for a lot of gardeners—leave it be. Leave the tall, browned stalks of your summer annuals upright, let the fallen oak and maple leaves blanket the ground, and let the landscape
Leave it be – A powerful and quiet call to action Read More »
Guide, Observations, Winter