Native Plants to Fill Your Fall Gaps & Containers
As we transition further in fall you might be stuck on what to do with your garden or landscape at home. When we think of fall, we think of plants and blooms dying off because the air is colder and the sun isn’t around as much. On the contrary, there are multiple different plants that […]
Threats to Monarch Migration
Monarchs are not only beautiful butterflies, they also play an important role within the pollination cycle and local ecosystems. But what are they up to when you don’t see them in the colder seasons? Monarchs Migrate Just like many birds, monarch butterflies migrate south for the winter. Their delicate bodies are not able to survive […]
What Are Meadows & Why Are They Important?
Meadows are a beautiful and peaceful habitat. We can enjoy the sounds of nature in an open environment. A meadow is more than just an open field. Meadows are diverse, dynamic habitats dominated by herbaceous plants, including native grasses and wildflowers. Meadow habitats are often overlooked, but they are critical homes to many wildflowers and […]
Good Bugs You Need in Your Garden & How to Protect Them
Creepy crawlies in your garden can seem alarming, but a surplus of certain bugs and insects in your garden is a good thing! It shows that your garden is healthy, well versed in plant species, and also a place for bugs to thrive. Many bugs help your garden. The first reason to keep good bugs […]
The Life & Times of the Dragonfly
Dragonflies are more than just an insect that can fly backwards. They are an important factor in habitats and ecosystems. Worldwide, there are approximately 6,500 different species of dragonflies! Out of the 6,500 species, 164 of them are native to Wisconsin. Some of these species include the ZigZag Darner, Swamp Darner, Painted Skimmer, and more! […]
No Mow May: Why Letting Your Lawn Grow This Month is Beneficial to Pollinators
Warm weather signals when gardeners and homeowners are able to turn their attentions back to their lawns, with regular mowing transforming a scrappy patch into an orderly sea of green. To promote and educate the community about the critical period of pollinator emergence, the month of May has been designated as No Mow May in a growing […]
Humble Habitats: New Exhibit at the Garden
The central theme of Habitat is “Protecting Habitats Protects Life,” but how? Why should we care about these habitats around us? Simply put, a habitat is the natural environment of an organism – it’s where living things live. But habitats are anything but simple. Habitats provide the most basic needs for the beings that live […]
Planning a Garden: Create Your Garden Design
Last week, we covered a few of the initial steps in planning a garden or landscape area, including goals, budgeting, and spacing. Now, it’s time to actually sketch out your garden design. Start with a Simple Design There are a few different ways to go about sketching your garden or landscape design. If you’d like […]
Planning Your Garden: Set Goals, Find Space, & Determine a Budget
Maintaining a perfect garden takes time, effort, and some proper planning. Planning a garden before planting will help you ensure the health and longevity of your plants. Depending on the type of garden you’re planting, you could face different challenges and have different goals than other gardeners. For example, if you’re planting a vegetable garden, you will […]
Keep It Clean or Not: How to Tidy Up Your Outdoor Spaces & Still Protect Wildlife Habitats
Now that spring is on our doorstep, it’s easy to get anxious for greener days. We see all the dead ornamental grass stalks, the spent perennial stems, and the autumn leaves collected in our gardens and they give us spring fever! We want to bolt outside and clean up the yard, garden, or patio as […]
