Did you know that Minnesota is home to over 400 species of native bees? One native, the squash bee, has an especially symbiotic relationship with plants in the squash family. Your pesticide-free cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons, squash, and cantaloupe will be bigger and tastier if visited by this bee. Squash bees often mate,Read More

Throughout the millennia, the astounding beauty of the butterfly has inspired the imagination, the arts, literature, and poetry. Attracting these magnificent creatures into our own yards requires just three basic ingredients:larval host plants, nectar plants, and sheltering habitat.Read More

After World War II, suburbs sprang up across America. These new landscapes often included Chinese and European ornamental flowers, trees, and shrubs that were (and still are) available at local garden centers. Unfortunately, because these plants came from afar, they contributed very little to local foodwebs. The backbone of all foodwebs is native plants. Think...Read More