Beneficial Garden Friends
Pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife all play key roles in sustainable gardening. Did you know possums are actually good for your yard? Or how bees see flowers? Here you’ll find articles running the gamut from how to start a pollinator garden to how to use chickens as organic pest control.
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Hummingbirds Adore This Non-Invasive Honeysuckle – Its Fiery Flowers Glow All SummerWith stunning red and orange blooms, this pretty vine offers months of nectar for hummingbirds... and all without any of the usual trouble, too!
By Kayleigh Dray
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Hummingbirds Need Your Help This June – These 7 Easy Extras Will Get Them Coming Back to Your Yard All SummerYour feeders are ready, your nectar is sugary, but is your yard ready for hummers? Here’s what you need to check in June to make sure your favorite little hovering jewel pollinators visit you every day
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Help Your Backyard’s Baby Birds in June – 6 Flower and Plant Combinations to Keep Them Coming Back for MoreJune will bring more young birds to your yard, but most fledglings need far more than seed to survive. Grow these flowers and plants to create a backyard menu of natural treats and protein rich essentials they love to forage
By Tyler Schuster
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How to Stop Birds From Pooping on Your Patio – 5 Quick and Easy Ways to Keep Patios and Outdoor Furniture Poop-FreeDon't let your patio go to the birds! Poop-proof your outdoor living space with these easy tips.
By Kathleen Walters
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Say Hello to Your Birth Month Bird of Prey – And the Special Meaning Behind Each OneFrom powerful eagles to clever hawks and mysterious owls, your birth month bird of prey might reveal more about your personality than you think...
By Kayleigh Dray
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These 7 Bird Baths Will Get Birds Flocking to Your Garden – Whatever Your Yard Size, Style or BudgetA bird bath does more than look good – it fills a genuine gap that most gardens leave open. These seven options cover every style, space, and budget, from balcony setups to full garden features.
By Tyler Schuster
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What Bees Need in June to Thrive – 5 Easy Ways to Support Pollinators in Your GardenPollinators need a little consideration as we head into the hot summer months. A sip of water and a place to rest their wings goes a long way.
By Susan Albert
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Fireflies Love This Native Flower – And Its Golden Blooms Light Up Summer GardensFireflies need more than darkness to thrive. And, happily, this cheerful native flower helps create the kind of wildlife-friendly habitat these beloved insects are looking for...
By Kayleigh Dray
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What Your Backyard Birds Need this June to Thrive – 7 Easy Ways You Can Keep Them Visiting All Summer LongNesting season is shifting gears, fledglings are taking flight, and the summer heat is on, but a few easy bird-friendly adjustments will keep your yard busy
By Tyler Schuster
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You Don't Need a Hummingbird Feeder – These 6 Easy Ideas Will Have Them Flocking to Your Garden!Provide hummingbirds with habitat, water, nesting material and maybe a cute swing! You'll have tons of hummers in no time.
By Tyler Schuster
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Sorry, Birdbaths – Dust is In! Your Birds Need More Than Water to Keep Them Happy and Healthy This SpringBelieve it or not, backyard birds love a bit of disco dancing – if you’ve got the right dirt available. Here’s how to set up a dust bath to give your birds a dry shampoo
By Tyler Schuster
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What Butterflies Need in May – 7 Ways You Can Ensure a Summer of Beautiful PollinatorsMay is a critical month for emerging pollinators. Learn how to provide early nectar, vital host plants, and sunny basking spots to help butterflies thrive.
By Tyler Schuster
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Bird Wars! Why Backyard Birds Don’t Always Get Along (Plus, 5 Easy Ways You Can Help to Keep the Peace)Spring is a time when yards are filled with bird chatter, but it’s not all good natured banter. This can also be a time for spats, so it helps to know how to referee the avian conflicts. Here’s what to do when the feathers fly…
By Janey Goulding
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How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden – and Create a Beautiful, Sustainable Landscape at the Same TimeTurning your yard into a hummingbird haven not only supports these important pollinators, but it also boosts curb appeal. Find out how.
By Jackie Carroll
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Want Hummingbirds to Nest in Your Yard? Use These 9 Surprising and Simple Items to Make a Fluff-Cloud that Hummers will AdoreIf you haven’t witnessed the wonder of a hummingbird gathering materials for a nest, it’s high time you did. These 9 essentials will have hummers lining up to build in your yard
By Janey Goulding
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Do You Miss Summer Nights Filled With Fireflies? This Common Landscaping Design Mistake Could Be Keeping Them AwayThis common mistake could be keeping fireflies away. Find out what it is and how to fix it to ensure your summer nights are filled with twinkling lights.
By Tyler Schuster
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Don’t Miss the May Hummingbird Window – These 6 Easy Additions Help Them Nest and Thrive in Your BackyardGet ready for a summer of hummers! Discover ideas to encourage nesting and provide high-energy food to keep hummingbirds in your yard all season long.
By Teo Spengler

