Cucumbers are a popular and rewarding crop for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. If you’re wondering how to grow cucumbers successfully, the key lies in providing the right conditions and care throughout the growing season. With their crisp texture and refreshing taste, cucumbers thrive in warm weather and can be grown in the ground, […]
How to Grow Cucumbers: A Gardener’s Guide Read Post »
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?
Northern Cardinals: A Vibrant and Vital Part of the Ecosystem Read Post »
When most people think of bees, they picture honeybees buzzing around a hive. But there’s a whole world of native 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 native bees in the family Megachilidae, the
Osmia Bees: Nature’s Hardworking Spring Pollinators Read Post »
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
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
The Natural Garden: Embracing Chaos and Discovery Read Post »
I often find myself thinking back to the beginning of my gardening days. All the mistakes, the numerous times I thought about giving up. The frustrations of putting in so much effort and never getting a payoff is very tough to process. In my over 15 years of gardening I’ve easily failed more then I’ve
Growing Through Failure: 4 Gardening Tips for Long-Term Success Read Post »
When I first started native gardening a few years ago, I have to admit I was a little put off by the process. Your telling me, if you start a native garden, have to wait at least a full year to enjoy the flowers? Oh and some native species could take a couple of years
Native Gardens: A Never-Ending Source of Beauty and Discovery Read Post »
Introduction Pollinator gardens have been a hot topic in the gardening world. Three years ago, my research led me to native gardening—planting native species, not just nectar plants. The challenge was identifying natives for my area, considering factors like sun exposure, soil moisture, texture, and climate. But where to start? How do I find plants
The Hive a Personalized Native Garden Database Read Post »
Well, hello everyone — and welcome to my first blog! My name is John, and I’m the owner and founder of Backyard Habitats, a project dedicated to native gardening in Northwest Ohio and helping homeowners reconnect with nature. What started as a personal passion for restoring balance and observing how life unfolds in a wild
Bringing Nature Back: Native Plant Gardening in Northwest Ohio Read Post »
