It is spring and time to head out to some of my favorite vernal pools. Vernal pools are small pools of water that appear and dry up as the seasons change. Vernal pools are isolated wetlands because they are not permanently connected to other bodies of water. They are fascinating but rare ecosystems. Vernal pools […]
Nature in Spring
Trout Lilies are Early Spring Ephemerals
Trout Lilies belong to the group of plants known as ‘ephemerals’. In early spring the tree canopy is open and sunlight can shine unobstructed down to the forest floor. Once the trees’ leaves grow large enough to shade the forest floor the ephemerals, including Trout Lily, are finished blooming.
How Can Moose Stand in Snow and Their Feet Not Freeze?
Moose stand on skinny little legs in drifts of cold white snow. Why don’t their skinny little legs freeze? Of course I had to research this burning question. I mean my legs aren’t much different in size than a moose’s. Well, the moose’ legs are longer but still. If I stood in knee deep snow […]
Bird Migration Facts
Bird migration takes place two times a year. Generally, it happens in the spring and autumn of the year in the temperate regions. In the tropics, movement happens during the dry and rainy seasons. Food is a driving force. Birds migrate in temperate regions to places with better sources of food. In the tropical regions, the […]
Spring Starts from the Ground Up
The first signs of spring are often right at your feet. The layer of herbaceous plants shows signs of green followed by the shrubs, then the sub-canopy and finally the tall tree canopy above.
Spring Blooming Native Plants Photo Gallery
This photo gallery of spring blooming native plants were taken in my garden and in natural places and public parks in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. These blooms are on trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, and herbaceous flowers. These plants are indigenous to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Upland regions. Many of these […]
A Lavender Afro
These two Hidcote English Lavender plants grow in two large plastic pots in my garden. French lavender is too tender to survive the Philly winters. I have mostly native plants in my garden, but I make exceptions for roses, lavenders, and some food plants. The pollinators are going crazy on the lavenders. Bumble bees, little […]
Northern Blue Flag in full bloom.
One of my favorite native flowers in my garden.
Seasonal Foods for Spring
Late winter and early spring can be a hard, hungry time. Winter stores of food are dwindling and gardeners have not start to produce fresh food, yet. Before modern supermarkets, shipping food long distances and freezers, this time of year would have bought empty stomachs. The full Moon of February was called the, ‘Full […]
Happy Spring!
Yes, that’s right folks. A snowy, cold, wet first day of spring in Philly. Happy Vernal Equinox.
