Learning to See the Beauty of Nature in Our Gardens
It was a typical June afternoon on the California Central Coast when I visited the Oceano Campground’s Nature Center, with sun trying to burn off the morning’s coastal fog. I wanted to see what new things were blooming for June. I was not disappointed. Almost immediately, I saw a whole border of the Hooker’s Evening [...]
During my recent visit to Albuquerque to speak at a conference, I got the opportunity to visit the Rio Grande Nature Center, which has a wonderful native plant demonstration garden managed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Earlier that morning, I had gone to the Albuquerque Botanic Garden because I was hoping to see some [...]
A healthy wildlife garden has about a gazillion life forms in it, and you will never see most of them — just their effects. I am speaking of the trillions and trillions of soil microbes that are needed for good growth in any garden. Microbes are not “germs!” Microbes are simply microscopic life. And microbes [...]
Like any category of plant, native vines have a place in the ecosystem. By their very nature – crawling, climbing, clinging – vines can be a bit aggressive. Understanding how they grow and what they can do for you is essential to ensuring that the plant is a happy and welcome part of your wildlife [...]
Prior to my arrival in Albuquerque earlier this week to participate in the BeeSWeek 2013: Scientific and Community Panel Forums, I had no idea that the Rio Grande ran through New Mexico. I had only ever pictured it along the Texas border. I had arranged extra time while here to explore the natural wonders of this [...]
The Pacific Ocean sparkles under the new morning sun on this Memorial Day weekend. The fierce waves of yesterday have receded, leaving the beach littered with bits of broken shells and rocks, abalone shells and sand dollars. I found a large group of sand dollars here in this spot on Pismo Beach. Sand dollars [...]
The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities. ~ James Allen It seems not long ago my soul awoke [...]
Yesterday I began telling the story of how I came to be the garden designer for a celebrity’s wildlife garden. I was as surprised as anyone in the summer of 2012 when my phone rang and on the other end was an internationally known actress and activist who had heard of my ecological garden design [...]
An Amtrak train announces its arrival at Grand Avenue Station. The familiar whistle tells us it is 7:10 am. At the same time, I can hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing in. I take a walk on the Boardwalk.. it is early… fog is drifting in from the Ocean in large sweeps. Silver [...]
You may remember that at the end of last summer I worked with my nephew Lucas to rip out my entire wildlife garden because too many invasive plants had taken over. I had to make some choices about what plants could stay, and which ones had to go. In some cases, the invasive plants were [...]
“I plowed the peas under,” said one of my farmer friends glumly at the market. “They weren’t doing anything but turning yellow.” The farmers in stalls on either side nodded. One does rabbits commercially, and has a garden rather than a farm, but she added “Lost all the broccoli too.” More nods all around. Unfortunate [...]
News from Team Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens
