Invasive plant species New York. Invasive Plant Species in New York: What to Watch For. Invasives are certainly a growing problem across New York State. These non-native plants spread aggressively, soon outcompeting native species, disrupting ecosystems, and reducing biodiversity. Whether you’re a homeowner, land manager, or nature lover, it’s important to know which plants to […]
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How is Maple Syrup made? Maple syrup is one of nature’s sweetest gifts, and its creation is a beautiful process rooted in seasonal rhythms and careful timing. Made from the sap of Sugar Maple trees, this delicious syrup is collected, boiled, and bottled through a series of simple but precise steps. The process begins in
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Are Butterflies Pollinators? Yes—butterflies are pollinators! While bees tend to get most of the credit for pollination, butterflies also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Additionally, butterflies help plants reproduce. Their long, slender legs and proboscis (a straw-like tongue) allow them to access nectar deep within flowers, transferring pollen from bloom to bloom
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Joe Pye (Eupatorium sp.) Joe Pye Weed: A Pollinator Magnet with Surprising Diversity If you’ve spent any time exploring native meadows, wet ditches, or sunny woodland edges in eastern North America, you’ve likely encountered Joe Pye Weed. With its towering stems crowned by dusky mauve flower clusters, this charismatic perennial is a favorite of bees,
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Cardinal Flower Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis) Cardinal Flower Lobelia: The Heartbreaker Native Plant If you’ve ever fallen in love with one lone native plant, chances are it was Cardinal Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis). With its brilliant red blooms and magnetic pull for hummingbirds, it’s often called the “gateway drug” to native gardening. But like many intense first
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Buying Native Plants. Why Buying Native Plants from a Local, Organic Nursery Sets Your Garden Up for Real Success. When you’re planning a native plant garden, where you buy your plants matters—a lot. Sure, mail-order catalogs might seem convenient. But if you’re looking for true success, resilience, and long-term beauty in your landscape, there’s no
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Native plants for New York State gardens. Native Plants for New York State Gardens. If you’re planning a garden in New York State, native plants are the best choice you can make. These plants evolved in our local ecosystems, meaning they’re naturally adapted to the climate, soil, and wildlife of the region. Native plants are
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Sugar Maple Tree Sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum) are iconic North American trees known for their stunning fall foliage and sap used to produce maple syrup. Here are some key details about sugar maple trees: Sugar Maple Characteristics Size and Growth: Sugar maples can grow to heights of 60-75 feet, with some reaching up to
Organic Garden Pest Control A Jessecology Guide to Organic Garden Pest Control. Safe for Pollinators, Pets, and People. At Jessecology, we certainly believe healthy landscapes don’t need toxic chemicals. Organic pest control is not only safer for pollinators, pets, and people—it’s obviously also more effective long-term when paired with regenerative landscaping practices. Here’s a concise,
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Front Yard Permaculture. Front Yard Permaculture: Beauty Meets Regeneration. The front yard is more than just curb appeal—it’s a living opportunity for regeneration, biodiversity, and beauty. Traditional permaculture sometimes gets a bad rap for looking messy or unkempt. But with native wildflower literacy and thoughtful design, we can create front yard permaculture landscapes that are
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Why Are Pollinators Important? Pollinators are vital to both human life and the natural world. Bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even some beetles help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from one flower to another. Without these small but mighty creatures, the food on our tables and the beauty of our landscapes would be in serious
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Why is Biodiversity Important? Biodiversity is the living tapestry of our world. It’s the mysterious connections between soil and mycorrhizae, the sophisticated nuance of natural forest succession, the puzzle pieces and patchwork quilt tapestry of healthy nature. When we talk about biodiversity, we’re talking about resiliency and physical life itself—interconnected, vibrant, and dynamic. But in
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Plants That Repel Ticks Naturally If you’re trying to enjoy your garden without worrying about ticks, you’re not alone. Ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme, and they thrive in moist, shady areas. Fortunately, nature offers a solution—many plants contain oils and scents that naturally repel ticks. Tick-Repelling Plants to Try Everybody loves a classic
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Meadowscaping for Biodiversity Meadowscaping for Biodiversity: A Garden That Gives Back. Meadow construction is a powerful way to bring beauty and biodiversity to your yard while restoring ecological health. Unlike traditional lawns that offer little habitat, meadows support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects—all while being lower maintenance and more climate-resilient. Native grasses and prairie plants
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Benefits of Composting Composting is one of the most powerful and accessible acts of environmental care we can practice. Every day, we take from the soil. We eat plants that grew from it. We step on it, build over it, till into it and ask it to give more and more. But how often do
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Wildflower Seeds. How our Wildflower Seeds are different. Most “wildflower seed” mixes available on the market today utilize a blend of annuals + introduced plants, sometimes including a tiny smidgen of the most common indigenous perennial species. In contrast, our small batch, locally grown seed vault is composed of 100% native species perennials, 100% of
What Is Permaculture? A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Living. Permaculture is a design philosophy that works with nature rather than against it. Rooted in ethics and principles that prioritize sustainability, permaculture integrates agriculture, ecology, and community development to create systems that regenerate rather than deplete resources. Whether you’re growing food, designing a landscape, or planning
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Protecting Plants from Deer. The Mild Winter Affect. Altogether the mild winter this year gave way to an exploding mammal population in spring. Undoubtedly there are more chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, skunks and deer than normal. A seasonally typical year results in some natural checks and balances to wildlife populations. Conversely, a snowstorm absent
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Butterfly Nurseries. Butterfly Nurseries: Healing the Ecosystem One Garden at a Time Imagine transforming your yard into a sanctuary where butterflies thrive, and the environment begins to heal itself. With a “butterfly nursery” in your garden, you can do just that. This concept goes beyond simply planting a few flowers—it’s about creating a habitat that
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Cool Plants: Native Species That Bring the Wow Factor. At Jessecology, we’re in love with native plants. They’re beautiful, functional, and a vital part of a thriving ecosystem. But some natives are just plain cool. Today, we’re spotlighting five unforgettable species that make a bold impression in any garden: Little Joe Pye, Rattlesnake Master, Giant