April 2025 - Backyard Habitats

Northern Cardinals: A Vibrant and Vital Part of the Ecosystem

April 29, 2025 / Wildlife

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is one of North America’s most recognizable and beloved birds. With their striking red plumage, clear whistled songs, and year-round presence, cardinals are a favorite for birdwatchers and backyard gardeners alike. But beyond their beauty, Northern Cardinals play a significant role in their local ecosystems. What Do Cardinals Look Like? […]

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Osmia Bees: Nature’s Hardworking Spring Pollinators

April 21, 2025 / Pollinators

When most people think of bees, they picture honeybees buzzing around a hive. But there’s a whole world of wild bees doing incredible work behind the scenes—and one standout group is the Osmia genus, commonly known as mason bees. 🌍 What is Osmia? Osmia is a genus of solitary bees in the family Megachilidae, the

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The Difference Between Native, Non-Native & Invasive Plants (With Real-Life Garden Examples)

April 19, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening

As gardeners, we often choose plants based on beauty, scent, or nostalgia—but what if our plant choices could also nurture the ecosystem around us? Understanding the differences between native, non-native and invasive plants helps us differentiate the plants that are actually providing in abundance for our ecosystem and plants that may provide only beauty. In

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Gardening with balance and chaos. A mixture of pink, white and yellow native wildflowers.

The Natural Garden: Embracing Chaos and Discovery

April 5, 2025 / Native Plant Gardening

I found myself scrolling on Instagram the other day. Looking at what others are sowing, what perennials are popping up and I noticed a pretty common theme. Most gardeners love the neat, controlled, balanced gardens, flower gardens that is. You know, proper spacing that showcases each individual plant. Neatly trimmed, deadheaded and cut at the

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