Author name: Jesse Peters

Do plants have feelings? Yes, about plant things.

Do plants have feelings? The mystery intrigues gardeners, ecologists, and anyone who spends time in nature. Ancient Christian legends teach that nature did not experience the fall of man. Thus, the earth’s flora and fauna still exist in a pristine state of paradise. While plants don’t have souls like humans, they exhibit fascinating responses to […]

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Forest gardening is for the birds.

Forest Gardening Forest Gardening Forest gardening is a revolutionary approach to sustainable landscaping that mimics the natural structure of a forest. By carefully layering plants, from towering trees to ground-hugging herbs, a forest garden creates a self-sustaining ecosystem. Not only does this method provide food, but it also nurtures wildlife, conserves water and enhances soil

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Do deer eat pumpkins?

Do Deer Eat Pumpkins?   Do deer eat pumpkins? This question is not so flippantly dismissed as the Deer + Mums query. Because pumpkins are amazing. Whether you love pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, roasted pumpkin seeds or just a happy orange globe of decoration you can’t do fall without the pumpkins. We

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The history of garden gnomes includes a lot of cuties.

The history of garden gnomes is whimsical and intriguing. Generally, folklore, craftsmanship, and popular culture are all spotlighted. Origins in European Folklore The history of garden gnomes traces its roots to European folklore, especially in Germany and Scandinavia. In these traditions, gnome-like creatures were guardians of the earth. People believed these beings brought good luck,

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Plants deer eat include a lot of native wildflowers and of course, hosta.

Plants Deer Eat.   Plants Deer Eat: A Permaculture Approach to Managing Deer in Your Garden Altogether, one of the most persistent challenges is managing gardens gracefully with deer populations nearby. While these elegant creatures are a beautiful part of the ecosystem, they can also wreak havoc on carefully curated gardens. For those who want

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Urban gardening is a delightful oasis in a jungle of concrete.

Urban Gardening: Transforming City Spaces with Native Plants Urban gardening is more than just a trend—it’s a movement that’s transforming concrete jungles into vibrant green spaces. For city dwellers with limited access to nature, creating an urban garden offers a unique opportunity to connect with the environment, promote biodiversity, and improve well-being. What’s so special

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Wildflower landscape installations are gorgeous and affordable.

Landscape Installation Landscape installation by professionals is a logical, connected second phase of the professional landscape design and planning process. In recent years, people have become more aware of general environmental crises. Unseasonable weather has been hard to ignore, especially in geographic regions with catastrophic weather phenomena. Two out of three indigenous American songbird species

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native species plants are beautiful and life supporting.

Native Species Awakening. Gardeners often have an unexpected learning curve when they begin to add native plants to their gardens. In springtime, when native species wildflowers wake up from winter dormancy it can seem underwhelming for a while. The immediate gratification of vegetable gardening and big box store plant shopping are obstacles to true real

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What is a rain garden? From an article elsewhere on our blog: “Rain gardens are the future of stormwater management. Imagine a system that harnesses nature to re-engineer a site to capture and sequester toxic runoff before it even starts. And habitat restoration with native plants for butterfly + pollinator gardens are part of the

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Bioretention ponds are a sophisticated feature of rain gardens.

Bioretention Pond A bioretention pond is essentially a sophisticated feature of rain gardens. Not every rain garden needs a bioretention zone. Many rain gardens can exist in blissful simplicity. But on sites with serious drainage issues, large quantities of water, it may be necessary to do some excavation work. Layers of different sized strata help

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Jessecology sustainable gardening.

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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Blue Mistflower is a pollinator magnet.

Blue Mistflower: A Native Wildflower for Pollinator-Friendly Gardens At Jessecology Eco-Landscaping, we love highlighting native plants that not only beautify the landscape but also support biodiversity. Today, let’s explore a fantastic native wildflower: Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). If you’re considering adding vibrant color and pollinator appeal to your garden, this plant should be on your

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Do deer eat Mums?

Do Deer Eat Mums? The answer to the question, “Do deer eat Mums?” Is a quick, “Yes.” Of course, they do. Why wouldn’t they? They’re hungry and Mums are abundant, freshly planted and bland as heck. Why do you want to plant Mums anyway? Here’s a better question. “Why do you want to plant Mums

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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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Low maintenance plants grow in the wild.

Low Maintenance Plants: A Native Landscaping Solution. Book an estimate for low maintenance landscaping now. Low Maintenance Planning. If you’re looking for a beautiful garden that requires less upkeep, native plants are your best option. Native species have evolved to thrive in their local environment, making them naturally low maintenance. They’re perfectly adapted to the

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Aromatic aster is the best fall perennial plant to plant.

Perennials to plant in fall.  Book an estimate now. Cooperate with nature. When you plant your garden in fall, you mimic nature’s rhythm exactly. Cooperating with nature makes all the garden work much easier. In autumn, the visible parts of perennials are beginning to go dormant. But underground? The roots are stimulated by the lower

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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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Swamp plants like Buttonbush.

Swamp Plants: Nature’s Wetland Wonders TL;DR version: Book an estimate now for wetland restoration. Swamps are rich, vibrant ecosystems, and the plants in these wetlands play a crucial role in keeping them healthy. Specifically, swamp plants thrive in waterlogged soil, helping to filter pollutants, control erosion, and support wildlife. For eco-conscious homeowners, planting native swamp species

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Helenium is one of the prettiest fall flowering low maintenance plants that are native to New York State.

As autumn approaches, fall flowering plants that are native to New York State burst into vibrant color. These native species provide essential late-season nectar for pollinators and enhance the beauty of gardens, parks, and natural spaces. Consider adding these fall flowering plants that are native to New York State to your garden. New England Aster

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Silver Maple tree canopies are enormous.

Silver Maple Trees in New York: A Beautiful Tree with a Complex Legacy Silver Maples (Acer saccharinum) are undeniably stunning trees. Their silvery bark, massive trunks, and glossy leaves shimmer in the sunlight. Contrary to some misconceptions, Silver Maples are indeed native to New York State and much of the eastern United States. They thrive

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