Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Fall Clean-Up of Your Habitat

Reference my earlier post dated December 5, 2016 entitled Fall Habitat Maintenance and the comment from Stephen Thomforde regarding heterogeneity as it relates to leaving the leaves. Specifically Stephen wanted to remind us that we should “manage our landscape in ways that mimic biomass harvest by grazing animals and biotic fire.”

I thought with this post I would add to the list of things to do for fall clean-up mentioned in the above referenced post. [Read more…]

23rd Toward Harmony with Nature Conference

Monarchs and other pollinators depend upon late season forbs such as the New England Aster to help them prepare for the winter season. Learn what you can do with landscaping to have a positive effect on our ecosystems and our general health at the 23rd Annual Toward Harmony with Nature Conference on January 19, 2019. Download conference brochure.

Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter is celebrating its 23rd Toward Harmony with Nature all-day conference on natural landscapes, native plants, biodiversity and wildlife this January 19, 2019. The Value of Ecological Restoration will focus on ecological awareness, and provide insight in helping us actively participate in restoring the health of our lands and how it benefits ourselves and others. What our speakers have to say should be of interest to anyone (homeowners, gardeners, landscapers, teachers, ecologists, municipal leaders, wildlife enthusiasts, nursery owners, etc).

Want to learn more about native landscaping and the positive effect it has on our ecosystems and our general health? Join us in learning from our speakers how we can apply their lessons toward creating a healthy habitat in our gardens and our own yards. [Read more…]

Last Monarch of the Season

According to my phenology records, this year was the latest we’ve seen a Monarch butterfly in our yard; September 24, 2018. It was a hot, humid summer going right into Labor Day, so I guess I’m not surprised. I hope she makes it to Mexico okay.

Butterflies, like this Monarch, rely upon fall blossoming forbs to get them ready for their winter sojurn. Asters, False Boneset, Sawtooth Sunflower, Brown-Eyed Susan, Stiff Goldenrod and Zigzag Goldenrod all are great plants to have in gardens and native plantings this time of year.

See also the Yellows of a Late Prairie and More Yellows of a Late Prairie.

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Heather Holm appearing at Fox Cities Book Festival 2018

Heather will be appearing at the 2018 Fox Cities Book Festival in Appleton, Wisconsin October 8th and 9th.

Long time Wild Ones member Heather Holm, author of such books as Pollinators of Native Plants and Bees, will be featured at this year’s Fox Cities Book Festival in Wisconsin. On Monday, October 8th at 6:30PM, she will speak at the Elisha D Smith Public Library in Menasha about “The Pollination of Native Plants,” and on Tuesday, October 9th at 10:00AM, she will speak at the WILD Center in Neenah about “Gardening for Bees and Butterflies.” Copies of her books will be available for sale at both sessions. [Read more…]