hey there, I noticed fluffy white stuff at the back of my yard the other day. I walked closer and realized they were feathers. Take a look: Just as I approached, a red-tailed hawk screeched and flew off from the red maple above me, where she had presumably just been dining and discarding feathers from her catch. Sometimes the circle of life is glorious and beautiful, like spring flowers and baby birds. And sometimes it is powerful and fierce, like these remains from a hawk's feast. While it's...
29 days ago • 1 min read
hey there, this is a choose-your-own-adventure message, depending on where you live. if you are *not* local to central NJ... ...then I have a question for you: 👉 would a 20-30 minute virtual garden consultation be valuable to you? what's your ideal price point for a service like that? reply to this email and let me know! thank you! if you are local to central NJ, this part is for you: Did you know that turning part or all of your yard into a native garden will: reduce household screentime?...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
hi there, Happy Earth Day! Today offers us a chance to realign our lifestyles with our environmental values and recommit to sustainable mindsets and practices. Here are 5 easy ways to connect with nature today. stretch or walk outside make a nature-themed gratitude list give an offering to a tree/plant (herbs, stones, incense, pinecones, a splash of wine, etc.) buy a native plant at your local nursery prep your garden site If you're like me, you might have genuine-yet-vague intentions to make...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
hey there, I used to throw mulch on top of grass and hope for the best. And then… weeds. Every time. Yesterday, I tried again - but I did one key thing differently:I actually removed the sod first. It was more work (I was sweaty and starving by the end 😅), but the result looks so much better and it sets me up for way less maintenance going forward. I wrote up exactly how I did it, step-by-step: how I removed the grass without fancy tools how I got a cleaner, more intentional shape what I did...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
hey there, Environmental headlines are heavy and bleak lately. (Actually, every headline has been rough recently, environmental or not.) Do these make you feel, idk, full of rage?? So what's the antidote for this clusterfudge? Native gardening. It has always been a really great idea. These days, it's essential. When the headlines have me feeling incredulous and asking myself, "Is this real life?", it helps to remind myself that it doesn't have to be. I can be part of the change. You can, too....
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey there, I’ve got a story for you today — and I promise it leads somewhere important. (Short on time? You can create wildlife habitat in your yard for free. I share practical ideas in today’s post. Read it here.) A few years ago, my newborn and I were jolted awake one summer morning by the roar of truck engines and the slam of car doors. That kind of noise was unusual on our quiet residential street, so I hurried to the front window. I gasped. An army of tree-trimming equipment surrounded...
4 months ago • 1 min read
