Archive for August 2021

A Guide to Portulacaria afra: The Elephant Bush

August 31, 2021 Gardening No comments
A Guide to the Elephant Bush

This is a guide to caring for one of my favorite succulents; the elephant bush. It includes information on basic care, propagation, different varieties, and fun facts about this plant.

A Guide to Portulacaria afra: The Elephant Bush

Elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) is a slow-growing, shrubby succulent plant native to South Africa. As a succulent, elephant bush is drought-tolerant and loves dry, sunny areas. It grows best in arid, desert-like environments.

Elephant bush gets its name from the fact that it is a favorite food of elephants. Other common nicknames for this plant include porkbush, spekboom, elephant food, and dwarf jade (though it is not closely related to the jade plant).

Elephant bush is a versatile succulent and can be grown to meet a number of different aesthetics. It’s trailing, leafy stems make it a good choice for hanging baskets. Because of its tree-like growth habit, it also makes for a relatively easy bonsai. Though it is rare for this plant to bloom when grown indoors as a houseplant, it is possible for it to produce clusters of pink or white star-shaped flowers in ideal growing conditions.

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Why Are Monarch Butterflies in Danger?

August 29, 2021 Animals, Gardening No comments
Why are monarch butterflies in danger?

Monarch butterfly populations are in rapid decline. Find out why these iconic butterflies are in danger, and what you can do to save them.

Why Are Monarch Butterflies in Danger?

Monarch butterflies are important pollinators in our ecosystem. Without pollinators, we humans, and most other animals, wouldn’t have much of the food we rely on for survival. Pollinators such as monarch butterflies are a vitally important part of the food chain. Butterflies are important indicators of the overall health of the environment and ecosystem where they reside.

Additionally, monarch butterflies are considered a “flagship” species for conservation. This means that they are a well-known, well-liked, and easily recognizable species that people are more willing to get involved with conserving. These butterflies help to get people involved in efforts to protect and restore habitats, which benefits not only monarchs, but other pollinators as well. Simply put, these butterflies inspire people to help protect the environment.

Unfortunately, these iconic pollinators are in danger, in no small part due to human influence. Because of human activities such as agriculture, pesticide use, urban development, and pollution leading to climate change, monarch butterfly populations are in rapid decline. Here are some of the biggest threats faced by monarch butterflies, and what we can do to help them before it is too late.

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A Guide to Ohio’s 13 Native Milkweed Species

August 28, 2021 Gardening No comments
Ohio's Native Milkweed Species

There are 13 native species of milkweed that occur in Ohio. This guide will help you to identify them.

A Guide to Ohio’s 13 Native Milkweed Species

Milkweed is a very important part of Ohio’s native ecosystem. It is critically important for Monarch butterflies, whose population have been in severe decline in recent years due to habitat loss from urban development, agriculture, and pesticide use. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed as their one and only food source, so this is where adult female monarch butterflies lay their eggs.

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How to Protect Milkweed Plants From Aphids, Naturally

August 21, 2021 Animals, Gardening No comments
Protect your milkweed plants from aphid attacks

Are aphids infesting your milkweed plants? Follow these tips to naturally get rid of aphids and prevent them from coming back, while keeping the monarch butterflies that visit your plants safe!

How to Protect Milkweed Plants From Aphids, Naturally

The most common aphid species you are likely to find infesting your milkweed plants is the tiny orange Aphis nerii, also known by the common names oleander aphid or milkweed aphid. These aphids suck the sap out of milkweed plants and can reduce flower and seed pod fertility of the plants. As an invasive species, beneficial native insects are less effective at controlling them than they are in controlling native aphid species. In extreme cases of infestation, aphids may completely kill your milkweed plants, destroying the monarch butterfly habitat you worked so hard to create.

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Five Great Native Flowers for Pollinator Gardens in Northeast Ohio

August 20, 2021 Animals, Gardening No comments
Ohio native plants for pollinators

Attract local pollinators, including bees and butterflies, to your Northeast Ohio garden with these 5 native flowers.

Five Great Native Flowers for Pollinator Gardens in Northeast Ohio

A pollinator garden is simply a garden that features many plants preferred by pollinator species, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Of all the food that humans (and all other creatures) rely on to survive, 80% requires pollination by insects or other animals. Due to human influence in causing climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, pollinator species populations have been rapidly declining in recent years.

By planting a pollinator garden in your own backyard, you can help to do your part in restoring populations of these important species. By planting native pollinator-friendly plants, you help to feed and restore habitat for these creatures that we rely on for our own survival.

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How to Turn Your Own Backyard Into a Certified Wildlife Habitat

August 19, 2021 Animals No comments
NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat

Do you love wildlife? Consider turning your own backyard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat recognized by the National Wildlife Federation.

How to Turn Your Own Backyard Into a Certified Wildlife Habitat

A National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat is a property that is certified by the NWF as meeting their requirements for a habitat that supports local wildlife. Anyone can certify their property as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by first ensuring that the property meets all the requirements set forth by the NWF, then applying on their website and paying a small fee. Just about any type of property can become a Certified Wildlife Habitat, but this article will focus on your own backyard. It is easier than you think to implement everything you need for your garden or yard to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

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