Native Plants 101 (7 photos)

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You’ve probably heard about native plants, but what are they? Where do they grow? What’s the hoopla about supporting wildlife like bees and butterflies, and following a low-maintenance schedule? Trust me, I know that the issues surrounding native plants can be complicated, but we’re going to break down…

Why, When and How to Plant a Tree (15 photos)

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Trees are vital to our landscape, providing beauty and welcome shade. They also offer environmental benefits, such as cleaning the air and reducing energy costs when placed near our homes. Many trees have other bonuses, such as colorful flowers, delic…

4 Tips for Designing a Wildlife-Friendly Small Garden (5 photos)

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A small garden can be as attractive, low maintenance and supportive of nature as a large garden. When well designed, a small garden can be home to many species of wildlife. And when it’s in a neighborhood of small gardens, it becomes part of a larger habitat or corridor in which wildlife can live and…

The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn (6 photos)

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I’m already nostalgic for this past summer. Warm days spent frolicking outside, picnics, ice cream, birds chirping and the nonstop sound of lawnmowers as the smell of freshly cut grass wafts over the garden. But that sweet grass smell is a chemical re…

6 Steps to Creating Your Butterfly Garden (14 photos)

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Butterflies are among the most beloved insects. Someone once called them flying flowers. They float, they flutter and they dazzle us with their colors. We relish their dance of spring. Then there’s the bad news: Because of pesticides and habitat loss, the populations of our cherished butterflies is in…

How to Build a Greener Driveway (11 photos)

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The next time you hear the rhythm of rain as it drums overhead, grab your boots and venture outside to follow the rainwater’s journey. After it hits your roof, where does it go to next?
If your home is like most, the water probably travels down gutters, through downspouts and

How to Grow a Modern Pollinator Garden (14 photos)

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Planting a garden is one of the best ways you can support our crucial pollinators. However, if you prefer the clean lines of a modern landscape to an unruly array of wildflowers, how can you create a bee-friendly garden that fits your minimalist aesth…

How to Install a Green Roof (10 photos)

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Until relatively recently green roofs were rare, the stuff of fairy tales and Tolkien novels. But with climate change a growing concern, more people are turning to living roofs as a sustainable — and stylish — way to help insulate their homes, reduce runoff pollution, save on energy costs and extend…