ungardening | NurtureNativeNature 2/3

Pollinators Can't Resist Native Mountain Mint Flowers!

Clustered or short-toothed mountain mint (pycnanthemum muticum) is by far the most popular plant in my yard right now. All day long it is...

Be Greedy About Supporting Wildlife in Your Yard!

ljmarkson

Jun 20, 20214 min read

Be Greedy About Supporting Wildlife in Your Yard!

OR How to optimize the habitat value of your yard. In his book Nature’s Best Hope Doug Tallamy explains how “greedy” he is when it...

ljmarkson

May 9, 20213 min read

Why I'm a Fan of Common Native Plants

The traditional gardening world often fetishizes exotic and rare plants. The latest trends trickle down to homeowners. Big box and...

Add a Mini Nature Center to Your Wildlife Habitat Yard

ljmarkson

Apr 26, 20213 min read

Add a Mini Nature Center to Your Wildlife Habitat Yard

OR How I created the Homestead Nature Center with a little help from my family As restorative as my naturescaped yard is for the...

ljmarkson

Apr 17, 20214 min read

Nurturing Nature in the Herb Garden

If we consider every inch of our yard as potential wildlife habitat, we need to rethink how we can maximize what the herb garden offers....

You Can Only Have a Native Violet Bouquet if You Grow It

ljmarkson

Mar 22, 20212 min read

You Can Only Have a Native Violet Bouquet if You Grow It

Non-native roses are widely admired. Native violet’s value is underestimated. But if you grow violets in your yard. Nature will be...

We Can Teach Our Children How to Interact with Nature One Squirrel, Earthworm and Ladybug at a Time

ljmarkson

Mar 16, 20213 min read

We Can Teach Our Children How to Interact with Nature One Squirrel, Earthworm and Ladybug at a Time

OR Teaching Our Children How to Appreciate Nature Using the Peter Parker Principle. I was in earshot of hearing a neighbor’s young child...

The Daffodil Dilemma in My Wildlife Sanctuary

ljmarkson

Mar 7, 20213 min read

The Daffodil Dilemma in My Wildlife Sanctuary

In early spring my yard becomes a carpet of naturalized daffodils thanks to the hundreds of bulbs I strategically planted years ago. So...

ljmarkson

Mar 1, 20214 min read

Clean Bird Feeders = Healthy Birds

I don’t want to be the reason a bird gets sick or even dies so I’m diligent about keeping my bird feeders clean. A dirty feeder can host...

ljmarkson

Feb 17, 20213 min read

Reasons to Certify Your Rewilded Yard

In the summer when everything is at their peak countless people walking by smile and warmly thank me for my magical and exuberant yard...

The Prime Directive and the Owlet Looper Caterpillar Dilemma

ljmarkson

Feb 11, 20213 min read

The Prime Directive and the Owlet Looper Caterpillar Dilemma

OR Coexisting with nature is as complex as trying to follow Star Trek’s Prime Directive. In anticipation of the first hard freeze back at...

Replace Non-native Shrubs With High Impact Native Shrubs

ljmarkson

Jan 31, 20213 min read

Replace Non-native Shrubs With High Impact Native Shrubs

Rewilding a semi-urban yard to create an eco-friendly sanctuary is more emotional than I anticipated. Almost a year and a half ago after...

In My Yard Hellebores are Pernicious Weeds!

ljmarkson

Jan 27, 20212 min read

In My Yard Hellebores are Pernicious Weeds!

OR Why I Anticipate HELLebores Will Eventually Earn a Spot on Georgia’s Exotic Invasive Species List Predicting which non-native plants...

ljmarkson

Jan 20, 20215 min read

Native Plant Winter Sowing FAQs

Winter sowing is so popular and timely that I’ve received a number of questions since my post on the topic. Hopefully by answering the...

Native Plant Seeds are Ideal for Winter Sowing

ljmarkson

Jan 14, 20213 min read

Native Plant Seeds are Ideal for Winter Sowing

OR Tips for Winter Sowing Native Plant Seeds Using Foil Roasting Pans With Lids. Winter sowing is a way to germinate seeds by mimicking...

Plant a Glorious Goldenrod Garden This Year!

ljmarkson

Jan 10, 20213 min read

Plant a Glorious Goldenrod Garden This Year!

OR Do You Think Growing 19 Varieties of Goldenrod is Enough?! I currently have more varieties of goldenrod than any other native plant...

Nine Bright and Easy Native Goldenrods to Add to Your Atlanta Naturescape (Natural Landscape)

ljmarkson

Jan 5, 20214 min read

Nine Bright and Easy Native Goldenrods to Add to Your Atlanta Naturescape (Natural Landscape)

OR Add Biodiversity to Your Native Plant Habitat with More Goldenrod` OR Can You Ever Really Have Enough Goldenrod? (Edited 12.3.22 to...

ljmarkson

Dec 31, 20202 min read

Why Goldenrod is Native Plant Gold

OR Goldenrod's Many Charms. In my previous post I explain why everyone in the native plant world is talking about goldenrod (solidago). A...

ljmarkson

Dec 12, 20202 min read