As my garden moves into midsummer, certain plants naturally begin to stand out. This year, one of those plants has been Culver’s root. I planted it last year, knowing it would likely spend its first season establishing roots before putting on much of a show. This summer, that patience has been rewarded. Growing in full
Field observations recorded June 20, 2026. Habitats Explored: Oak Savanna • Oak Woodland • Seasonal Wetlands • Sand Dunes • Prairie • Pond Some places don’t reveal themselves all at once Some parks greet you with sweeping overlooks, rushing water, or an abundance of wildlife. Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve takes a different approach. It
Exploring Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve: Patience Among the Oaks Read Post »
Field observations recorded June 18, 2026. Habitats Explored: Floodplain Forest • Oak Woodland • Oak Savanna • Riparian Creek Corridor • Seasonal Wetlands • Successional Thickets • Lowland Oxbow Depressions First Impressions There are places that feel preserved, as if time has slowed down long enough for nature to remain untouched. Swan Creek Metropark feels
Exploring Swan Creek: A Landscape Still Being Carved Read Post »
Field observations recorded June 17, 2026. Habitats Explored: River Gorge • Limestone Riparian Bluff • Floodplain Forest • Upland Hardwood Forest • River Edge Flats • Wet Meadow Patches • Historic Canal Corridor Habitat The First Thing I Noticed Was the Smell The first thing I noticed wasn’t a bird or a wildflower. It was
Exploring the Hidden Habitats of Side Cut Metropark Along the Maumee River Read Post »
If you’ve noticed small, bright yellow birds showing up in your yard late summer into fall, chances are you’re seeing American Goldfinches. They’re one of the most recognizable backyard birds in North America, and one of the most rewarding to attract. But what many people don’t realize is that goldfinches don’t just show up randomly.
Why Are Goldfinches in My Yard? (And How to Attract Them) Read Post »
Convergent lady beetle, USFWS.jpg, USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/convergent-lady-beetle-usfwsjpg For a long time, I thought every insect in my garden was a problem. If I saw aphids, beetles, or caterpillars showing up on my plants, my first instinct was to figure out how to stop them. And honestly, that’s how a lot of us are taught
How to Attract Beneficial Insects to Your Garden (Without Chemicals) Read Post »
Few native grasses capture the beauty and resilience of North American prairies like little bluestem. This warm-season native grass provides four-season interest, exceptional wildlife value, and striking color changes that anchor native gardens, prairies, and meadow-style landscapes. What Is Little Bluestem? Little bluestem is a clump-forming, warm-season perennial grass native to much of North America.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) A Native Grass for Various Soils and Full Sun Read Post »
This guide is designed for beginners in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan, but applies broadly to similar regions. Shade is often seen as a limitation in gardening, but many native plants evolved under forest canopies where light is filtered, soils are cooler, and moisture levels fluctuate throughout the season. These plants are well adapted to
Beginner Native Garden Staples for Shade Read Post »
This guide is designed for beginners in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan, but applies broadly to similar regions. Many residential landscapes fall somewhere between full sun and full shade. These transitional spaces — woodland edges, east-facing yards, and areas with filtered afternoon light — can feel confusing for beginners. Fortunately, many native plants evolved specifically
Beginner Native Garden Staples for Partial Sun / Partial Shade Read Post »
This guide is designed for beginners in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan, but applies broadly to similar regions. If you’re just starting out with native plants, native plants for full sun are often the easiest and most rewarding place to begin. Many North American native species evolved in open prairies, savannas, and meadow systems where
Beginner Native Garden Staples for Full Sun Read Post »
