It's the last day of July, the temps are creeping up to 100 every day, and you would think the birds would stop fledging babies. Instead, we have a begging baby mockingbird out in front keeping its exhausted parents busy. And orioles, along with many competitors, are feeding Nevin's barberry …
Favorite Nature Photos of 2021
With Covid discouraging many gatherings, nature drew us, both at preserves and in our yard, which has been landscaped for maximum habitat value. Here are my 2021 favorites! …
Upcoming Plant Sale so… Time to Plan what Natives to Buy
More and more people are seeking native plants from their local areas. Here in California, rising water costs and the desire for habitat gardens and the birds, butterflies and beneficial native bees they attract are primary drivers. Fall and winter are ideal planting times for native plants …
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Stories (and a few Lessons) from our Habitat Yard
As our California native plants grow and expand their footprint in our front and backyard, we’ve noticed increasing numbers of critters. They range from teensy millimeters-long bees to coyotes and foxes. Why are native plants in a habitat garden so important? Here’s a good Audbon article - …
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Appreciating Our Natural World – now that we have more free time…
Gardens and the nature surrounding us certainly offers benefits to being stuck at home during this crazy coronavirus crisis. After all, our natural world proceeds as if nothing has happened. Birds have fledged and are discovering our natives. Butterflies are migrating through and tiny lizards …
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It’s Time to Plant Native Plants! (plus local plant sales)
As the weather cools (lovingly for us in Southern California!), it's the time for local plant sales -- especially for our important native plants that can be hard to find in regular nurseries. Note: Non-Californians: I have 'when to plant' guidelines for my Midwest and Eastern friends (see …
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