Subscribe Now

Depending on your latitude (how far north or south you live), you may spot young painted turtles emerging from nests sometime between late May and mid-June. These turtles have been overwintering underground where they may have even been partially frozen! As turtles emerge from their nests, they will likely head for the closest body of [...]

With drought continuing in many states, now is a great time to analyze water use in your yard. Every day in the United States, more than seven billion gallons of drinking water is used to irrigate landscapes, at least half of which may be wasted! Viewer Tip: Reduce water waste with  an in-ground hose system [...]

Spring rains mean that the historic drought in Texas may be over and that’s very good news for Galveston Bay. The multi-year drought reduced freshwater flow into the Bay from the Trinity River and other tributaries, making it saltier and creating detrimental conditions for native finfish, crustaceans and shellfish. The high salinity levels also helped [...]

Designing a new landscape can be exciting – and with a bit of planning, it can yield a water-efficient garden of your dreams.  Spring is a great time to design and plant a new landscape and it is important to know the water needs of the types of plants you intend to grow to maximize [...]

Beginning in mid-April whales begin to arrive in the Gulf of Maine, many with newborn calves, to feast on plentiful sand eels, copepods, plankton and fish. Familiar visitors to Maine’s cold waters include humpback whales (whose Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means “Big-winged New Englander”), pilot whales, minkes and massive finback whales, which can grow to [...]

The texture of naturally occurring soils in the greater Southwestern United States can range from clay to sandy, both of which are often devoid of oxygen, organic matter and nitrogen – elements which are all needed for plant growth.  Clay soils can be so compact that very little water is able to penetrate, whereas sandy [...]

Growing native plants that provide edible fruit can be a fun way to explore new culinary options. Chile pequin peppers grow in many parts of the country and are used to spice Southwestern food. Native fruit trees such as plum are available in some plant nurseries, as are Eastern and Texas persimmons. Varieties of prickly [...]

Installing a rain barrel at home can save water and have a significant impact on your water bill. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of rainfall in your area, you can collect a substantial amount of rainwater with a simple system. Rainwater stored in rain barrels can be used to water [...]

Invasive species – those that are not native to a specific region – often grow fast, spread easily and displace native species. Invasives come in many shapes and sizes, negatively impacting wildlife diversity and the health of an ecosystem. Invasive weeds can reduce crop yield and compete with native forage plants in pastures, reducing food [...]

New research shows that estuaries are vital for salmon survival. Pacific salmon species—Chinook, Coho, sockeye, pink and chum, in particular—use intertidal marsh areas in estuaries as transition zones to acclimatize from fresh to salt water and back again as they complete their life cycles. Among the findings: marsh habitats are consistently used by juvenile Chinook [...]

Is the lower Hudson River really a river…or is it an estuary? The answer is both. In spring, rains and snow melt often force fresh water down the Hudson turning the tidal watercourse into an almost purely freshwater river. But by summer, salt water can push its way up the Hudson River more than 70 [...]

Animals like frogs and turtles are waiting out winter by submerging or freezing. As spring temperatures rise and their prey becomes active, reptiles and amphibians will make use of small pools of melt water called vernal ponds. These temporary pools are the breeding grounds and also the feeding grounds for many animals. As the spring [...]

Whether you’re planting in your yard or bringing plants outside for fresh spring air, considering how they handle sunlight is important. Native plants are described at www.wildflower.org/plants,which includes sunlight preferences, but what do you do if you can’t identify a plant? Viewer Tip: Look for certain features shared by sun-loving plants and features common in [...]

Although the drought in Texas and other states in 2011 meant fewer wildflowers bloomed to produce seeds last year, many native plants have a trick up their stems: they produce seeds in plentiful years that  “sit out” lean ones. These seeds can go dormant or lower their metabolism until conditions improve. Fall and winter rains [...]

Many birds stick around for the winter and feeding them at backyard feeders is a fun way to interact with them.  Frequent winter visitors to feeders in the Great Lakes Basin include black capped chickadees, wood peckers and as the weather warms a bit, cardinals.  These birds nutritional needs change with the seasons.  During the [...]

Bald eagles are found throughout North America, and the Northern Mississippi Valley is a great winter viewing spot. Up to 5,000 bald eagles winter on the Mississippi River between Cairo, IL and St. Paul, MN.  Bald eagles prefer habitats near open water where there is an abundance of fish, as well as old-growth forest and [...]

For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30 seconds is plenty of time to get going. Tailpipe emissions from cars contain pollutants [...]

Installing a rain water gauge on your property will help you determine how many inches of rain have fallen.  Knowing the average weekly precipitation amount helps gardeners apply the correct amount of water with automatic irrigation systems.  Drought stress can hurt landscape plants, but over-watering can also kill plants by depriving the roots of oxygen. [...]

Native trees beautify landscapes while providing shelter for birds and other wildlife. They also provide shade that lowers home heating costs, as well as fruits, nuts and berries. Whether you want to replace a favorite oak in the near future or learn to care for trees you have, you can learn more about trees that [...]

Most households continue to produce yard waste during the winter season, which can be recycled into compost for use in landscapes and gardens in the spring.  Using compost in the landscape improves the nutrient profile and structure of the soil, and reduces plant diseases and pests.  Healthy soil and plants reduce the need for water, [...]