We build the ecological case for leaving the messy, transitional beauty of the late summer garden. When you leave a messy garden, you are providing a critical lifeline to the birds, bees, and insects that share our environment.

A bee delicately hovers around vibrant purple flowers, collecting nectar and pollinating the blooms. When the word “pollinator” is mentioned, the immediate image that springs to mind for most people is the ubiquitous honeybee. You may not realize it, but most honeybees we see regularly aren't native to the United States. The most commonly encountered honeybee is the European Honeybee (Apis mellifera). While honeybees are undoubtedly agricultural powerhouses and essential to

By applying sustainable, ecology-focused design strategies, property owners can transition their yards from hostile heat islands into resilient, buzzing sanctuaries. Creating a midsummer pollinator haven is not about fighting the summer weather; it is about building living infrastructure that accommodates it, providing essential hydration, thermal refuge, and high-yield forage when nature needs it most.

A discussion of the benefits of a smaller monoculture green lawn and DIY strategies to reduce the size of your own lawn

Ecological landscaping is gaining popularity and continues to become more common place, but one of the biggest hurdles that homeowners face is the fear that native plant communities will look 'messy' or neglected. But does transitioning to a native garden mean you must sacrifice curb appeal or a luxurious aesthetic? Absolutely not. By embracing a concept known as "cues to care," you can design an environmentally robust garden that looks highly intentional, balanced, and sophi

When rain falls on impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, or compacted lawns, it creates fast-moving runoff. Fortunately, homeowners can embrace green infrastructure to capture this water, turning a potential hazard into a beautiful, functional landscape feature.

Native plants, like this Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), are well adapted to our regional temperature and rain patterns. Purple coneflower grow deep taproots up to 5 feet into the soil! Photo Source: Brian Gruzdis Warm summer days and nights can bring some glorious moments in the garden. However, when extreme heat and prolonged drought combine, your plants can really feel the heat. The soil dries out and cracks, leaves droop and wilt, and everything moves a shade clos