Timing is everything. Collect most seeds when they are ripe and dry, but before they disperse, fall to the ground or become a meal for wildlife. Some earlier flowering species such as Wild Columbine are typically collected early in the summer instead of the fall.
Colors, interesting seed heads, and the last visits of the year of some birds and insects make me appreciate the change of seasons. Here are some fall and early winter maintenance tips/reminders:
Join the US and 37 other countries celebrating National Moth Week in July! Here are some interesting facts about moths and some links about Moths in Illinois:
There are a few minor differences between maintaining native plants and non-native plants. In a non-native (traditional) garden, we are growing plants that naturally don’t grow together, aren’t part of natural processes or adapted over thousands of years to the local environment. Here are some nature inspired maintenance tips for native plants.