When we first start gardening, we tend to think about plants individually. We might choose a coneflower because we like the flower, plant milkweed because we want to help monarchs, or find a grass we like and try to figure out where we can fit it. There is nothing wrong with any of that. It […]
Plant Communities | How Plants Grow Together in Nature Read Post »
Pokeweed is probably not the first plant that comes to mind when someone thinks about creating a native garden. In fact, for a long time, I didn’t think much about it at all. American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is one of those plants that seems to simply appear. Birds eat the berries, deposit the seeds somewhere
American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana): The Native “Weed” I Learned to Appreciate Read Post »
Field Notes is an ongoing Backyard Habitats series exploring the natural areas of Northwest Ohio through observation. I visit preserves, parks, and other natural spaces throughout the region and slow down long enough to pay attention—to the plants and wildlife, the soil and water, the transitions between habitats, and the relationships that connect them. Field
Northwest Ohio Field Notes | Exploring Local Landscapes Read Post »
Field observations recorded July 14, 2026. Habitats Explored: Oak Savanna · Dry Sand Prairie/Openings · Oak Woodland Following the Sand Through an Oak Savanna After leaving Salamander Flats, I wasn’t quite ready to head home. The preserve had left me thinking about hidden water and how subtle changes in elevation could shape an entire ecosystem.
Exploring the Oak Savanna at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve Read Post »
Field observations recorded July 14, 2026. Habitats Explored: Wet Prairie • Dry Sand Prairie • Oak Woodland • Oak Savanna Learning to Read a Landscape When I first pulled into Salamander Flats, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The name immediately made me picture water—perhaps a marsh, a vernal pool, or at least a
Exploring Salamander Flats at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve Read Post »
