Author name: Jesse Peters

homesteading sheep

Homesteading: Living Closer to the Land Homesteading in modern America is a definite lifestyle trend. Although this may be true, it is also a return to living in harmony with the land. Many people choose homesteading to grow their own food, raise animals, and reduce dependence on industrial supply chains. At Jessecology, we see homesteading […]

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Apple picking in upstate NY photos.

Apple Picking in Upstate NY: Top 5 Places to Visit. Top 5 Apple Picking Farms to Visit. 1. Your own backyard. Seriously, why not? Plant some apple trees today and soon you’ll never need to leave home for apple picking. You can do the planting yourself or hire a professional. 2. Saratoga Apple. Located in

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Fall Garden Planting. Why is Fall Garden Planting the Best Strategy? Why Is Fall the Best Time for New Landscaping Projects? There are countless reasons why fall is the ideal season for starting new landscaping projects, and it all begins with one simple truth: it’s easier. When you start a landscape renovation or new garden

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Giant Yellow Hyssop (Agastache nepetoides) and Rudbeckia triloba are NY native plants in a garden.

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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Low maintenance front yards are the future of habitat restoration efforts, and landscaping too!

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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Jessecology is a sustainable gardening and eco-landscaping firm founded by an ecologist.

Sustainable Gardening/Landscaping: The 5 Principles. Sustainable Gardening/Landscaping: The 5 Principles: Part I. When explicitly distilled down to basics, responsible landscaping is actually pretty simple. Sticking to the 5 “best practice” principles for eco-landscaping especially empowers gardeners to physically create a better world through their work. Continuing education regarding plant literacy coupled with a willingness to

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Jessecology destroys invasives. Invasive species in New York state don't stand a chance!

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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Sugar Maple trees are beautiful and eco-beneficial.

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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Plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds are native species.

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 Weed (Eupatorium sp) is a pollinator magnet!

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 Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis) is a beautiful red flowered short-lived perennial.

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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Sun beams illuminate the garden in late day.

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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Sugar Maple trees are beautiful and eco-beneficial.

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

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How to attract Dragonflies to your pond.

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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Aronia berries are native plants for New York state gardens. They fit in well with the front yard permaculture concept.

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? Cutleaf Coneflower is a native plant with the personality of Big Bird.

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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Biodiversity is a living system in the wild, or even urban spots.

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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Wild Bergamot is a beautiful niche plant.

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 is a healthy activity.

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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The benefits of composting include a beautiful natural world.

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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