Welcome to astronomical winter! Our calendars mark the beginning of winter as December 21 (sometimes the 22) because of where Earth is in its orbit around the sun. Is it too much of a leap to say that gardeners and those who work outdoors are particularly connected to this astronomical event?I have...
Three of my most prized trees are the oaks we planted in our front yard shortly after we moved. They share our front yard with a black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red twig dogwoods (Cornus sericea), witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) and apple (Malus spp.) trees. ...
The problem with learning about invasive plants species is once you know about them, you start to see them everywhere. It can be a little depressing. How joyous it was when I began my life in horticulture. Learning about amazing plant processes and all the wonderful plants used in the ornamental...
As the autumn leaves fall from our trees, the trunk and branching structure become more prominent and visible. This transformation can add new dimensions and interest to a landscape, but it can also draw our attention to tree health challenges we might have overlooked in other seasons. As we...
If there is one certainty for all humans is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when looking at fire or water. Scientists have studied this effect and shown that our brains reduce stress chemicals when we are staring at a fire, water, or...
As the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler, many species of insects will search for places to spend the winter. Depending on the insect, they may seek out a variety of locations, such as in soil, under leaf litter, under tree bark, or even in our homes. One that we commonly...
The natural process of trees shedding leaves in the fall is the most visible sign of trees preparing for winter dormancy. Shedding leaves is a tree’s way of self-preservation, reducing plant material that require resources that become scarce during the cold days and short daylight of winter.While...
Autumn is a time for…life? This may seem perplexing, as we often link fall with plants dying, wildlife migrating, and us retreating indoors. However, this is when conservationists managing prairies get excited to sow new life.Managing prairies, forests, or wetlands often involves battling nonnative...
