Discover Nature In Your Backyard
Prairie and most sun-loving flower species developed in landscapes without many trees. A thick layer of leaves or worse, wood chips, is not only shortening the lives of these plants but also prevents the development of healthy biodiversity in and above the soil. A thriving landscape is like a happy mixed community, and shouldn’t look … Read more
Don’t space plants 12-24″ apart in a sea of wood mulch, especially if you re-apply that wood mulch year after year. Mulch keeps plants in a perpetual state of establishment, denying them the ability to self-sow, spread, mingle, and fill in the gaps that weeds WILL move into (weeds love thick wood mulch). Plant tightly. … Read more
As the winter chill thaws, gardeners erupt with excitement for the big botanical blitz that is spring. We scan the aftermath of winter, spotting the evidence of last year’s gardening efforts in our brown landscapes: dried plant stems, partially mulched leaves, and hints of green, our emerging spring bulbs. Beware, lovers of wildlife and pollinators, … Read more