“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, WinterThis summer felt different than past ones. All of a sudden, I had something new to look forward to every night. Early in June the first faint flashes of lightning bugs appeared in the garden, and suddenly I was a kid again staring in wonder as they lit up across the sky. How could I
Lightning Bugs- The Gateway Insect To Loving Beetles Read More »
Observations, SummerInitial Planting and Weed Pressure When I planted dozens of native seeds back in December, I knew that I’d have to battle it out with weeds, practice patience, and steel myself for whatever surprises or disappointments may come! Two months ago I started to see just how much weed pressure there still is in these
June Update On the Native Meadow Read More »
Observations, SpringWinter 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, WinterIt’s February in Pennsylvania—the perfect time to plan your garden and dream about the warm days ahead. This year, I’m thinking about the wildlife I want to attract and how that shapes my plant choices. Instead of flipping through seed catalogs in search of the brightest colors or the latest “deer-resistant” plants, I’m asking myself:
Plant with Purpose – Why Your Plant Choices Matter for Local Wildlife Read More »
Guide, Observations