Freeman Maple
Hardy and fast-growing, Freeman maple is a great shade tree suited to medium and large urban yards. Small […] … Continue reading
Urban Homeowners
Backyard Ecosystem Restoration
Properly caring for your yard contributes to the health of our local and global ecosystems. Join Generation Restoration by healing … Continue reading
What Will You Restore?
What will you restore? On June 5, the United Nations declared the next ten years the Decade on … Continue reading
Trees for Healthy Urban Yards
Trees are service providers. They offer cooling shade, clean our air and water, sequester carbon and provide birds, insects … Continue reading
Keeping Your Cool
During the hot, dry summer months, a layer of mulch in the garden keeps soil and plant roots cool … Continue reading
Cooling the Urban Heat Island
Urban communities are often hotter in the summer than rural areas. This phenomenon is called urban heat island … Continue reading
Top Urban Shade Trees
Many local, native trees provide cooling shade for you, your family, your home, and your neighbourhood. They also … Continue reading
How to Deter Wasps
Wasps can be aggressive if you disturb their nest. They can also be annoying when you’re trying to … Continue reading
Pollination through Insects
Nectar, the tasty treat hidden inside a flower, feeds many small mammals, birds and insects. Most importantly, it … Continue reading
Foxglove Beardtongue
As one of our top pollinator plants, foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) attracts bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds. Small … Continue reading
Removing Invasive Periwinkle
Periwinkle is one of many invasive plants found in backyards. Left unmanaged, this invasive ground cover can smother a garden … Continue reading
Where to Find Plants
If you’ve found invasive species growing in your yard, remove them and replace them with native plants. Removing invasive species … Continue reading
Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Aggressive invaders such as periwinkle, goutweed or “snow on the mountain” and English ivy can quickly take over large … Continue reading
DIY Rain Gardens
Celebrate spring by creating a rain garden in your yard. Here are three steps to help you get … Continue reading
Great Blue Lobelia
Long-blooming great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) stands out in summer. Dense spires of blooms float above long, pointed … Continue reading
Connecting Communities
Connecting with others has been challenging this past year. Now that snow is melting, your yard can help … Continue reading
How Early is Too Early to Plant?
You’ve got your chosen list of native plants ready. Maybe you’ve already purchased seeds from a native plant nursery. … Continue reading
Shrubs for Bird Communities
Diversity is key for creating vibrant communities, yards, and gardens. Native shrubs are a great option for adding … Continue reading
Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Winter is a great time to learn about the many active creatures that call your backyard home during … Continue reading
Scavengers Among Us
Scavengers are animals who eat carrion and decaying plant matter. They play an important ecological role by feeding … Continue reading
Forget Fall Chores for Winter’s Foragers and Scavengers
If you didn’t complete all your yard cleanup chores before the snow fell, you’ll be relieved to know … Continue reading