Gardening
How to add native plants to your yard this fall
Updated August 21st, 2023
Don’t put away your gardening tools as the weather begins to cool: Native trees and shrubs thrive when planted in the fall since they’ve adapted to our climate. Many of the trees’ natural changes, such as losing their leaves in autumn, ensure they enter dormancy before the coldest weather arrives and stay dormant until spring. […]
The rewards of a local, diverse, climate-conscious diet
Published July 26, 2023
Guest blogger: MetroParks Sustainability Manager, Tim Pritchard Better food choices can help curb climate change and embracing this notion can lead to rewarding lifestyle changes and personal wellness. Climate change is a heavy, urgent and overwhelming topic, but it is important that we share knowledge and empowerment focused on the betterment of our collective environment […]
April Gardening: Native Plant Sales, Aullwood Garden 100th Anniversary, and more
Updated April 21st, 2023
Spring is here and what a spring it is! Plants emerging and/or blooming long before their normal time, extreme temperature fluctuation, and bright sunny days that tease us to go outside and start gardening now! The “new normal” of our changing climate also has implications for when to plant and how quickly plants will grow […]
Remove and replace this popular invasive plant from your property this spring
Published February 28, 2023
Guest blogger: Sustainability Manager Tim Pritchard Invasive species reduce biodiversity, degrade habitat, and limit the ability of native ecosystems to store carbon, making their removal and replacement an important and impactful conservation action for any who manages land, from backyard to commercial property. Replacing invasives with native species helps to create habitat and mitigate climate […]
Prepare for Spring Gardening Season This Winter
Published January 13, 2023
Winter is a crucial time for gardeners. It’s a time to regroup from the previous season and prepare for the coming spring. Taking advantage of off-season educational resources, tool maintenance, and time for planning is a must. There are many gardening blogs that can offer up tips and ideas for gardening DIY projects. Check out […]
New Year’s Resolution Tips: Eating Healthier
Updated January 13th, 2023
Eating a healthier diet is a frequently mentioned New Year’s resolution. With prices at the grocery store increasing, growing your own fresh produce is a great way to put that healthy goal within reach, while also getting out to enjoy fresh air and physical activity. Growing fresh produce doesn’t seem like something that would be […]
Winter Updates at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark
Published January 13, 2023
Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark has a new horticulturist, Allison Bush. Allison joined Five Rivers MetroParks in 2019 as the Urban Zone Horticulturist. She holds a degree in horticulture and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Allison has worked in both the private and public sectors of the Green Industry for over 20 years. She […]
In Appreciation of Goldenrod
Updated November 8th, 2022
Fields of bright yellow goldenrod blooms are common this time of year and add not only a great deal of beauty to the early fall landscape, but they are an indispensable ecosystem plant for our region. The sunny blooms of the goldenrod (around 22 species statewide) can be found in forest, prairie, meadow, and urban […]
Our Favorite Fall Pumpkins and Squash
Published October 20, 2022
Picking out pumpkins and decorative squash is a fun way to celebrate the beauty and variety of the vegetables that this season provides. There are so many shapes and colors and lumps and bumps! Many of the squash grown for decoration are dual purpose- they’re pretty, delicious, and depending on the variety, can be stored […]
Season Extension for the Vegetable Gardener
Published October 20, 2022
You can grow cold-season vegetables and herbs outdoors well into the winter if you use the proper tools and growing methods. Many gardeners use floating row cover, old sheets, boxes, cold frames, and cloches to protect their crops from the elements. One of our favorite methods is the cold frame, which helps protect cold hardy […]
