The term “invasive species” can stir up sinister imagery and vaguely unsettling feelings. But what are invasive species, exactly? What do they mean for your local landscape? What can we learn from them? How can backyard gardeners avoid causing harm, and help foster healthier ecosystems? WHAT ARE INVASIVE SPECIES? According to Merriam Webster, invasives are...
In early spring, water abounds. Melting snow, dripping icicles, and rainstorms turn what was recently solid ground into a muddy sponge. Here at Nature Works Land Care, we welcome the wet season and all it brings. But muck and runoff can be costly––even dangerous––when not managed properly. WHAT IS WATER MANAGEMENT? On a municipal level,...
It’s leaf-peeping season and nature’s multicolored masterpiece does not disappoint! Along with fiery vistas, ombre palettes, and pumpkin-spice beverages comes a plethora of newly fallen leaves. The annual conundrum has arrived: to rake or not to rake? THE CASE FOR CLEANING UP Blowing or raking the leaves away now looks tidy and keeps the...
It’s been a long, cold winter and we are all aching for warmer, sunnier days that bring on early spring flowers. And we’re not alone, early emerging bees, beetles, flies, moths and butterflies will be seeking the essential nectar and pollen from these early flowers. I learned the importance of native plants and their vital...
What do popular landscaping plants like Japanese maple, forsythia bushes, and English ivy have in common? They’re pretty–and none of them are native to North America. While filling your yard with non-native plants might not sound like a big deal at first, it’s a choice that can have a significant ripple effect on your greater...
It’s easy to get excited at this time of year in the grocery store. Behold the green bounty—ramps, fiddleheads, dandelion greens, burdock root, oh my! But did you know that you can actually get many of these foods for FREE—potentially even in your own backyard? Yep, with a little know-how and some patience, wild foraging...
It’s a common idea for most homeowners to view their landscape as their own personal oasis, to create, enjoy and manage however they see fit. We often forget our little plots of the world are pieces of a much bigger picture, specifically your local native plant community. When creating or making changes to our landscapes,...
