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Bee Hotel Research
Judith makes observations, including on bee and wasp diversity, as part of research done by a PhD student, as the bee hotel is dismantled…
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On Trees around Eastern Ontario
By Owen Clarkin, Ottawa Field Naturalist Club. All photos courtesy of Owen. One particularly interesting story from this summer is a population of apparently…
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Seed Collection and Saving
Seed collection is always done on a sunny day because wet seeds can go moldy very quickly. Ripe seeds should fall easily from the…
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Common Milkweed Host Monarch Butterflies
Milkweed, of which there are about 14 different types in Canada, is the only host plant for monarch butterflies. In summer, the female monarch…
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Butterfly Milkweed Attracts Pollinators
Butterfly Milkweed is valued for its magnificent clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange blooms that bloom all summer. They tend to be a great…
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Caring for Poke Milkweed
Although the milky sap is poisonous to humans, poke milkweed is an important nectar source for native bees, wasps, and other nectar-seeking insects. Unfortunately,…
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Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is known for its ability to thrive in swampy areas and wet meadows. It is a monarch butterfly host plant…
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Plants that Attract Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies are superb pollinators, and if they are fed plants they enjoy, they will pollinate your entire garden. Butterflies require two kinds of…
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Choosing Plants for a Butterfly Garden
Butterflies need two types of plants to survive: the host plant and the food plant. Attracting butterflies to your garden takes more than just…
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Climate Change Adaptation for Gardeners
Unfortunately, climate change is threatening the gardening experience. There have been changes and more changes are coming. Fortunately, gardeners can play an important role…
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Wild Parsnip Rash and Around the Vegetable Garden
Sadly, I keep finding wild parsnip in and around the area and it is requiring a lot of my attention. I don’t like to…
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Veggie Bites – Monarch Waystation
You will need milkweed for a Monarch Waystation; however, I know of people who are allergic to milkweed and find it difficult to be…
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How To Start, Germinate and Care for Seeds
How to start seeds, germinate, grow, and care for them is a gardener’s life skill. Many plants and vegetables fare better when started indoors…
