Ecologist helping North American growers use their yards to help fight the climate crisis đ»
Can annual plants be invasive? đș
Hi friend,It was recently brought to my attention that not everyone knows that annual species can be just as invasive as perennials! While an individual annual plant only lives for one growing season, annuals are also prolific seed makers to ensure the species lives on. One plant can make thousands of seeds that spread across large areas and create colonies that are very much capable of outcompeting native plants and reducing biodiversity. Many of these invasive annuals also grow extensively in just one season, allowing them to shade out and kill off native plants without needing multiple years to reach a large size. While some of these US invasive species, like bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), might show up in your garden uninvited, others, like common morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) and bachelor's buttons (Centaurea cyanus), are more frequently cultivated intentionally in garden settings. Itâs important to always be mindful of what youâre planting and whatâs growing in your yard.For better or worse, your yard has an impact! Want to improve your yardâs impact with more native plants?
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Native Yardening
Ecologist helping North American growers use their yards to help fight the climate crisis đ»
Hi friend, Letâs be real, at some point or another in your eco-garden journey youâre going to get stuck. Invasive plants you thought were gone sneak back in Your starter plants die before they get established Soil regeneration takes longer than you expected Iâm here to tell you, thatâs totally normal. In fact, these are badges of honor! It means you care, youâre trying, and you wonât give up. A lot of us seem to think success is a straight line with no mess ups, downswings, or...
Hi friend, Did you know that one of the most invasive trees in the eastern half of the United States was introduced on purpose by the US government? Thatâs right, the smelly Callery pear and its man-made cultivar the âBradfordâ pear were both cultivated intentionally by the US Department of Agriculture. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a tree thatâs native to China and Vietnam and was first introduced to the US by the US Dept of Agriculture in 1916 to breed with the common European pear...
Hi friend, Itâs finally officially spring after a long winter. Itâs time to get back in the garden, but what should you be doing this time of year? Hold off on âgarden cleanupâ It can be tempting to want to make your garden look nice and tidy once the weather starts to warm up, but most regions should wait a bit to do this. Insects are still relying on dormant plant stems and leaf litter for shelter until low temperatures are consistently above 50°F If you have tall plant stems from last...