Seed to Dust: A gardener’s journey
Author Marc Hamer’s garden memoir Seed to Dust, Life, Nature and a Country Garden is an entertaining journey along a path of self discovery and garden tips. Along the way he shares his knowledge touching on important subjects ranging from the use of pesticides to allowing nature to weave its way into corners of the garden to help wildlife, birds and pollinators that inhabit it.
Tips to keep rats away from bird feeders and out of your yard
Keeping rats and mice out of your garden involves taking a multi-faceted approach beginning with no-mess bird seed and a high-quality bird feeding pole. Ensure no birdseed stays on the ground overnight and encourage natural predators like snakes, foxes, owls and other raptors that will help control them. Try to reduce the birds’ dependency on bird feeders by using trees, shrubs and flowers that provide natural food for the birds.
Making a difference: Shannon turns monoculture farm into a pollinators’ paradise
Shannon McNally is just one of the many women making a difference in the preservation of nature. Shannon and partner, Justin, were recognized for their work in restoring a once monoculture farm into a pollinator’s paradise. Shannon’s work with monarch butterflies also shows her commitment to the natural world.
Trail camera turns garden photography into backyard safari
The Wingscapes BirdCam Pro is a unique Trail Camera that allows extremely close focus to capture birds and mammals at feeders, birdbaths, bird houses and in the garden. Trail cameras, originally designed for hunters, are now becoming popular for homeowners and gardeners wanting to document the wildlife in their backyards.
Take your Travel camera to the backyard to capture great garden photography
A Travel camera like the Panasonic Lumix camera is the ideal choice for capturing fall in your woodland garden. It’s portability makes it easy to carry around on your daily chores, yet its list of full features leaves nothing to chance. From long telephoto lenses to capture wildlife, to excellent macro capabilities and video, one camera really can do it all.
Feeling the Heartbeat of (woodland) Trees
The importance of a single tree outside your door, to the increasing threat to our ancient forests and woodlands is explored in Peter Wohlleben’s newest book The Heartbeat of Trees, Embracing our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature. The followup to his award-winning book The Hidden Life of Trees is a must read for woodland gardeners and anyone who cares about the environment and the future.
Set the table for great garden photography with backyard wildlife studio
A backyard bird and wildlife studio combining food and water can be a magnet to attract a variety of birds and backyard wildlife and put them in a picturesque setting. Getting great photographs is easy, especially if you add a Tragopan Photographic blind to allow a close approach.
Three of the best grasses for fall and winter interest
Three of the best ornamental grasses for fall and winter interest in the woodland garden include Miscanthus Sinensis, Northern Sea Oats, and Pennisetum alopecuroides or Fountain Grass. All three have excellent fall seed heads which remain on the plants throughout the winter. This article explores different ways the plants can be used either as a privacy screen in the landscape, or in containers and window boxes.
How to define shade in a woodland or shady garden
Trying to understand the different levels of shade in the woodland garden can be complicated. Here is a guide to learning the definition of full shade, part-shade and high-canopy shade compared to full-sun and part-sun situations.
Native Moss and Moss-like ground covers for a Woodland, wildlife garden
Moss is quickly becoming a favourite ground cover for Woodland gardeners and those looking to create a Japanese-inspired garden. These top three ground covers are great alternatives to moss when native moss is not an option.
Picture perfect garden photography with your smartphone
Smartphones are excellent choices for garden photographers. Here are tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your smartphone camera for woodland and wildlife photography and suggestions for accessories that help you take better pictures with your favourite smartphone.
How long before Paperbark Birch trunks turn white?
Birch trees are among the most used trees in our landscapes because of their showy white bark that is a real standout in all seasons. How long does it take before the bark turns white? A typically-sized tree purchased at a local nursery can take between 3-5 years before it turns white. A more mature tree would take less time and a very young tree would take up to ten years to turn white.
How trees communicate in our woodland gardens: The Hidden Life of Trees
The Hidden Life of Trees is a New York Times bestseller every Woodland Gardener needs to read. Author Peter Wohlleben explores how trees communicate in nature and how they struggle in urban environments calling them “street kids” and explaining the difficulties they face in our woodland gardens and on urban environments.
Living with and attracting friendly little red squirrels
The American Red squirrel is a year-round resident in our woodland garden. An entertaining little tree squirrel that prefers coniferous forests, especially pine trees which are both a source of food and habitat. American red squirrels, unlike their Eurasian red squirrel are territorial and hold their own against the American grey squirrels and fox squirrels.
Fired up about Vermont Castings propane Vanguard BBQs: Review
Vermont Castings is best known for its high quality wood stoves but don’t underestimate their high quality Vanguard BBQs. Our two-burner, propane Vangard model has been an excellent performer. It’s high quality build makes it a long-term investment and its good looks helps it to fit into our woodland garden patio decor. The company makes a 2-burneer, 3-burner and 4-burner unit as well as an all new Kamodo-style BBQ.
Do NOT cut down that dead or dying tree
If you are lucky enough to have a dead or dying tree in your yard, do everything you can to protect it. The birds, animals, insects and fungus will thank you for it. Beautiful trees might be wonderful in our gardens, but dead and dying trees are more important to many birds and animal life.
Unique gift ideas for gardeners
Finding unique garden gift ideas is always challenging. Here are three outstanding garden gifts made by artisans and craftsman. You won’t find these bird feeders, native bee houses or ceramic fish art in big box stores. Order these directly from the artisans.
Garden photography: How to use props to photograph backyard birds
Capturing a little peace in the garden isn’t always about flower power. Try adding photographic props for birds to perch on to add a little whimsy to both your garden and your photographs. A peace sign is a “cool” prop that birds flock to like beatniks as free pot party.
Why birch tree leaves turn yellow and fall off prematurely
If the leaves of your birch tree are turning yellow and falling off prematurely, it is likely due to a lack of water. Birch trees are shallow rooted and unable to access water deep in the ground. The solution is to deep water the tree regularly.