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
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
Benefits of Native Plants: Why use native plants? Top 5 Benefits of Native Plants. Biodiversity: Planting native species helps to support and enhance local biodiversity. Natives provide food and habitat for a variety of insects, birds, and other wildlife species that are adapted to your region. By creating a diverse and balanced ecosystem in your
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Rewild Lawns. Rewilding the human spirit. The push to rewild lawns is happening spontaneously as the wild spirit of humans awakens. Rewilding is a wonderful and relaxed form of land management that anyone with plant literacy and land can practice. Essentially it boils down to removing any invasive plants and letting the natural seed bank
Front Yard Pollinator Garden The front yard pollinator garden movement is transforming our culture. Even HGTV has caught on to the will of the people to have more life and nature in their suburban and urban front yards. For decades, vacation was considered a brief relaxation state of being physically away from home. Traditional vacations
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2024 Design-Build Project Review: Albany Pinebush Meadow Landscaping Transformation At Jessecology, every project is unique and precious, but the pièce de résistance for 2024 design-build project is unparalleled. Our homeowners entrusted us to transform their entire ~1/2 acre property into a breathtaking Albany Pinebush-style meadow. Located nearby the Pinebush park, their home is technically within
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Edible Food Forest Gardens: Permanent Native Agriculture that Feeds People and Wildlife. At Jessecology, we’ve been building Edible Food Forest Gardens for over 15 years. These gardens nourish both humans, the wildlife and the neighborhood’s ecosystem. Food Forests mimic the layers of a natural forest. They feature fruit trees, berrying shrubs, herbs, vegetables, and beneficial
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Habitat Restoration Landscaping: Rebuilding Ecosystems One Yard at a Time Habitat restoration landscaping is an effective way to support biodiversity, rebuild ecosystems, and promote environmental sustainability. As urbanization continues to expand, natural habitats are disappearing. By restoring landscapes with native plants and sustainable practices, homeowners, businesses, and communities can help reverse this trend. What is
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Climate Change + Gardens. Climate Change + Gardens: Future-Proofing with Biodiversity and Soil Health. As climate change intensifies, environmentally conscious homeowners are facing new gardening challenges. Extreme weather patterns, shifting plant hardiness zones, and emerging pests, novel invasive plants and diseases are reshaping landscapes. But by taking proactive steps, we can design resilient, future-proof gardens.
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Save Yaddo Gardens via Modern Sustainable Methods. Yaddo Gardens, nestled at Exit 15 in Saratoga Springs, is a beloved landmark. Designed by Katrina Trask—a visionary artist, philanthropist, and poet—the gardens are an ornate masterpiece tied to deep history and emotion. Katrina, a true Enneagram 4, channeled her grief and passion into these gardens. Her vision
Low Maintenance Modern Front Yard Landscaping Low maintenance front yard landscaping is a new communication tool to indicate who’s cool in neighborhoods, in recent years. People have learned that landscaping doesn’t need to be high maintenance and involve chemicals at all. The earth wants to express beauty. Steering it is possible if you hire professionals
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Native plant landscape designer. What Is a Native Plant Landscape Designer? (And how Jessecology became the premier incubator space in the NYS ecology/horticulture industry to introduce new native plant landscape designers to the field.) Jesse Peters’ Formative Years. Jesse Peters, the founder of Jessecology, was born in Vermont. Certainly, growing up immersed in the wild
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Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorus) – A Late-Season Pollinator Magnet Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorus) is a charming native perennial that blooms in the final act of the growing season. Common across eastern North America, it thrives in woodland edges, meadows, roadsides, and other semi-shaded habitats. This small-flowered aster is an essential part of the native fall
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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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How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden. How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden If you’re looking for a natural way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard, attracting dragonflies is one of the best strategies. These graceful insects are not only beautiful—they’re also powerful pest controllers. A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes and
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