As autumn begins and insect populations dwindle, many waterfowl species rely increasingly on seeds as a food source. Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), with its spherical bouquets of seeds now ripening, provides food for an array of ducks, geese, and other wetland denizens. [Read more…] about Buttonbush Is a Boon for Wildlife
pollinators
Elizabethtown Native Plant Garden Project Update
The Adirondack Garden Club’s native plant garden at Families First on Water Street in Elizabethtown, Essex County, NY, is in only its first year, but the number of Monarch caterpillars (and others) calling the garden plot home this season are a clear indication of the project’s success. [Read more…] about Elizabethtown Native Plant Garden Project Update
Native Plant Spotlight: New York Asters
New Yorkers will enjoy beautiful purple against red-and-yellow leaves this fall season with New York Asters (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii), a native wildflower found across the state. [Read more…] about Native Plant Spotlight: New York Asters
Bumble Bee Queens Are Hard At Work
Hear ye, hear ye! The queens have emerged! We’re talking about bumble bees (genus Bombus). For several weeks each spring, any bumble bee you see is a queen – and very hard at work. She must construct her kingdom. [Read more…] about Bumble Bee Queens Are Hard At Work
Green Your Spring Lawn and Garden Care
As of January 1st, 2023, DEC reclassified certain neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticide products as “restricted use.” Products containing imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam that are labeled for foliar, widespread outdoor use, and/or seed treatment are no longer permitted to be applied by homeowners. [Read more…] about Green Your Spring Lawn and Garden Care
Clover: A Widely Naturalized Non-Native
Call it a flower or call it a weed – clover is a plant everyone knows. Who hasn’t idled away an hour hunting for a four-leaf clover, hoping for good luck? [Read more…] about Clover: A Widely Naturalized Non-Native
Rethinking the Lawn: Cutting the Grass
This spring, we went the no-mow route on about a quarter-acre of our lawn, the last remaining groomed piece we hadn’t turned into vegetable garden or permanent meadow. What a relief! During the hottest, driest spells over the summer, the grass wasn’t growing anyway. The lawn we did mow during the drought – mostly pathways – turned unhappily brown. [Read more…] about Rethinking the Lawn: Cutting the Grass
Dire News In New York’s First-Ever Pollinator Distribution Survey
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a multi-year survey of hundreds of pollinator species in New York State.
It’s hoped the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey 2017-2021 will provide the foundation for future pollinator research and conservation efforts. [Read more…] about Dire News In New York’s First-Ever Pollinator Distribution Survey
Ephemeral Wildflowers: Brief Beauties of the Forest Floor
Have you spotted some of spring’s first wildflowers in the forest? This is the time when the famously fleeting flowers called spring ephemerals bloom – but only for a brief period of time. [Read more…] about Ephemeral Wildflowers: Brief Beauties of the Forest Floor
DEC’s Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced plans to reclassify certain neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticide products as “Restricted Use” effective January 1st, 2023. [Read more…] about DEC’s Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products