“Little flower — but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all
I should know what God and [woman] is.”
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Week 34 is a perfect time to focus on your garden’s late summer beauty and the vibrant bird activity it attracts. As you tend to your garden, consider deadheading spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and keep your garden tidy. It’s also a great time to plan for fall planting, selecting perennials that will thrive in cooler weather. Set up a comfortable spot for bird watching, as many species are especially active now, preparing for migration. Refill feeders and birdbaths to support them. Enjoy the peaceful moments of watching birds flutter through your garden as you prepare it for the changing season.
Mid-summer gardening guidance digest
Caring for our pollinators – native bees
Native bees are among the most vital creatures in any healthy ecosystem. Unlike honeybees, which are actually European imports, North America is home to over…
Duckweed
Duckweed water is a fantastic, free, hyperlocal fertilizer that many gardeners overlook. Duckweed water is a fantastic, free, hyperlocal fertilizer that many gardeners overlook. When…
Hardy perennial food crops for shade
Not every corner of a garden gets full sun, and in wooded or partially shaded landscapes, that can feel like a limitation. But shade does…
Herb cultivation through history
In every age and in every land, the garden has been both pharmacy and prayer, a place where human hands and the earth’s own intelligence…
Cat safe plants
Cats are natural explorers, and for most of them, that curiosity extends straight to our houseplants and herb garden. While many common plants pose a…
Important medicinal herbs for the home pharmacy
For centuries, long before modern medicine filled our cabinets with synthetic compounds, people turned to the natural world for healing. Today, a growing number of…
Guide to safe use of herbs
A practical, reference to commonly used herbs, their safety considerations, and potential side effects. Herbs have been used for centuries across cultures as food, medicine,…
Garden site
Growing spaces and outdoor living spaces A good garden begins with the site. Before choosing plants or buying materials, it helps to understand the space…
Shaping and placing garden beds
Garden beds should be shaped and placed to match both the land and the intended use of the garden. Their size and form affect appearance,…
Assessing garden site conditions
Understanding your site before you plant is one of the most important steps in creating a successful garden. Every piece of land has its own…
Site diagram of your house and grounds
A site diagram is one of the most practical tools a gardener can create. It does not need to be technically perfect — it needs…
Green Bags for fresher greens, fruit and veggies
Updated since 2/17/2017. Greenbags are reusable and extend the life of greens, fruit, and vegetables. They can be purchased online relatively inexpensively. I bought a…
Growing fresh herbs for cooking
This is the excerpt for your very first post.
Growing food for environmental impact
Embracing sustainability in daily life. Updated since 10/29/2023. Having my own small orchard and vegetable garden brings immeasurable joy as I can nurture a space…
Gardening around the world
Gardening online resources from around the world. When exploring these sites, I look for their specific sections or articles related to gardening in colder climates…
Plants at their best
Tomato
Fresh, delicious, homegrown tomatoes enhance every meal. Tomatoes are a versatile and delicious addition to your garden. They are packed with vitamins C and K,…
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Perennial. The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) graces gardens with its vibrant golden petals and dark chocolate central cones. This resilient perennial brings a burst of…
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Perennial. Include Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in your garden for a burst of color, attracting pollinators while offering medicinal benefits. Its distinctive, daisy-like blooms add…
Strawberry
A bite of sweetness like no other. Strawberries are a nice addition to any garden. These vibrant red berries are not only delicious but also…
Cabbage
Nutritious, versatile, easy to grow, and ideal for cooler climates. Cabbage is a versatile vegetable that’s great to grow in your garden. It’s nutritious, packed…
Yellow Squash
Yellow squash is nutritious, versatile, quick-growing, and provide an abundant harvest. Growing yellow squash is rewarding as it’s a fast-growing, high-yield vegetable that’s rich in…
Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) in the garden & barn
Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a versatile, natural substance valued by gardeners for its pest control and soil enhancement benefits. Composed of fossilized algae,…
Pot Marigold (Calendula)
Hardy Versatile Annual. I have Pot Marigold (Calendula) in my garden for its vibrant beauty and remarkable versatility. Its bright, sunny flowers not only enhance…
Zinnia
Lively, fiery annual with prolific flowering. Joy to grow. Zinnia flowers burst into vibrant bloom, transforming gardens with their depth of colors and captivating beauty. These…
Hydrangea
Perennial Hydrangea blooms in diverse colors, transforming gardens beautifully. Hydrangeas, with their captivating blooms, are a delight to garden enthusiasts. These deciduous shrubs showcase a…
Mint
Perennial fast-growing herb with versatility and beauty. In the midst of late spring, the vibrancy of mint flowers brings a refreshing flush to gardens and…
Oriental Lilies
Perennial. Large, showy flowers in an array of colors. Oriental lilies are garden treasures, captivating with their rich fragrance and vibrant, exotic blooms. Planted for…
Clematis
Perennial vine. Clematis, a versatile and enchanting vine, adds grace to gardens with its diverse blooms. Plant in well-drained soil with sun on the vines…
Bee Balm
Short-lived Perennial. Planting Bee Balm (Monarda) in your garden enhances both beauty and biodiversity. Vibrant and aromatic, Bee Balm attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and…
Stella D’Oro Daylily
Perennial. Stella D’Oro daylilies (Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’) are prized for their prolific, golden-yellow blooms and versatility in garden design. These compact perennials thrive in a…
Birding & Butterflies
Birding & butterflies digest
Northern Cardinal
A cherished backyard songbird. Updated since 11/2/2023. The presence of cardinal birds in my yard brings fresh fun. Their vibrant red plumage, a burst of…
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Squeaky tiny little sparkles of the sky. The presence of hummingbirds in my yard transforms the ordinary into an enchanting spectacle. These iridescent jewels of…
White-breasted Nuthatch
Lively and bouncy tree creepers. The presence of nuthatches in my yard gets me to peering out the front window. These charismatic birds, with their…
Building a Bluebird nest box
What’s better to conserve than nature’s beauty the bluebird. Building bluebird nest boxes is a heartwarming endeavor that fosters a symbiotic relationship between humans and…
Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID mobile app
Identify the birds you see and hear using your phone The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID app is one of my favorite nature…
Monarch butterfly sanctuaries
Monarch migration, conservation, and habitat Monarch butterfly sanctuaries are vital habitats where these iconic pollinators find refuge during their overwintering period. Found primarily in Mexico…
Trumpeter Swan
The largest extant species of waterfowl. Seeing trumpeter swans in my neighborhood brings a sense of tranquility and wonder. Their majestic presence on ponds, gracefully…
Turkey
Wild turkeys are native to North America, commonly found in forests, grasslands, and open woodlands across the U.S. and southern Canada. These large birds, known…
Bird migration forecasting
Predicting bird migrations with real-time forecasts. I have shared my respect and appreciation for nature and its conservation including wild birds many times already, so…
Caring for our pollinators – monarchs
Monarchs enhance plant reproduction through their pollination. My garden would feel lifeless without my bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These pollinators are essential for its vibrancy…
Monarchs have arrived in Minnesota
The winner of the ultimate relay race goes to the monarch butterfly. I eagerly await the monarch butterflies’ arrival in Minnesota each season because their…
Chipping Sparrow
Cheerful, agile, trilling, resilient, friendly, little sparrow. I enjoy seeing chipping sparrows at my bird feeders because they bring a bit of fun to my…
Green Heron
A graceful, intelligent, patient, elusive, and colorful little Heron. I both love and am fascinated by watching Green Herons around my backyard pond. They exhibit…
Brown Thrasher
These witty rust-colored birds add a sprinkle of spice to bird feeders. I enjoy seeing Brown Thrashers at my bird feeder. They bring yet more…
Baltimore Oriole
Vibrant, melodic, striking, migratory, agile, nectar-loving, tree-dwelling burst of life. I love seeing Baltimore Orioles in my yard. They bring that burst of vibrant color…
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Striking, melodic, colorful, adaptable, migratory, sociable, graceful, arboreal, charismatic birds. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, with its striking black and white plumage accented by a vibrant splash…
Harris’s Sparrow
It is a special treat to sight a Harris’s Sparrow at the bird feeder. The Harris’s sparrow, an enigmatic visitor, stirs a unique joy at…
Sandhill Crane
The sounds of Sandhill Cranes evoke nature’s whimsy. Having sandhill cranes in my neighborhood fills me with profound joy. Their majestic presence adds a touch…
Red-winged Blackbird
Harbingers of spring on the pond. Red-winged blackbirds at my birdfeeder evoke all the springtime vibes. Their glossy plumage, adorned with fiery red epaulets, ignites…
Hooded Merganser
Small, showy ducks with timid personalities. The Hooded Merganser, with its striking appearance and vibrant plumage, is a sight to behold on my pond. I…
Audubon bird guide app
Bird Guide app for your phone from The Audubon Society. Audubon Bird Guide App The Audubon Society, a prominent environmental organization founded in 1905, remains…
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