Growing with Nature

Nitrogen-fixing plants can help your other plants grow. Plants like your fruit trees and berries. But there are some edible nitrogen-fixing shrubs. One of my favorites are goumi berries. These great berries not only provide food but will also fix nitrogen helping your other plants thrive.In this episode, we look at goumi berries and how to add them to your growing areas.Check out the show notes to learn more about goumi berries and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Cascara is a fantastic Pacific Northwest native tree. Adaptable, great for wildlife, and not too big this is a great native tree to add to your property.In this episode, we dive into cascaras and how to grow them on your property. Plus we will look at some of the uses of these great trees.Check out the show notes to learn more about Cascara trees and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Making a dense hedgerow can be a challenge. But by planting small spreading native shrubs you can easily have a dense hedgerow. Native plants like Nootka rose and snowberries will quickly will in the gaps can make your hedgerow solid enough to keep even deer out.In this episode, we look at the role small spreading native shrubs can play in creating a dense hedgerow. We use 2 Pacific Northwest native plants as examples of how you can use this strategy.Check out the show notes to learn more about how to use small spreading shrubs to create a dense hedgerow and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Buying native plants can be expensive but salvaging them is a great option when you don’t have a lot of money to spend on new plants. But doing it right without damaging the living world is important. Plus, you want to make sure your new plants survive.In this episode, we look at 3 tips for salvaging native plants for your property. Specifically, we look at how to salvage native plants by transplanting them and how to salvage native plants by collecting seeds, cuttings, or live stakes. Plus, we look at where you can salvage native plants and how to do so responsibly.Check out the show notes to learn more about salvaging native plants and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Live staking is one of the easiest ways to get a ton of new plants. But not all plants can be live-staked and there are some tricks to doing it successfully.In this episode, we look at how to get started with live staking including a list of Pacific Northwest native plants that can be live staked successfully.Check out the show notes to learn more about how to get started with live staking and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Finding material for mulch and critter homes can be a barrier to getting started. But there are some simple and cheap ways to find woodchips, leaves, logs, and other materials.In this episode, we look at several ways you can find material for mulching and building critter homes without spending a ton of money. I’ve used all these methods at my place, and you can use them too.Check out the show notes to learn more about how to find material for mulch and critter homes and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Let’s skip the fall cleanup this year. Don’t rake up the leaves, don’t cut down the dead flower stalks, and leave the branches where they fall. While this might seem crazy you can skip the fall cleanup. Or at least do less. In this episode, we look at why messy is beautiful and why you should skip the fall cleanup. The result will be more abundance for people, plants, and wildlife.Check out the show notes to learn more about why messy is beautiful and why you should skip the fall cleanup and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Often people skip native plants but when you do this you limit your land's ability to be abundant. But why? In this episode, we look at the most important reason to plant native plants. In short, it’s because native plants share a long evolutionary history with the other life that live around them. Native plants play a unique role in the environment due to their long evolutionary history with wildlife.Check out the show notes to learn more about native plants and their role in cultivating abundance and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show

Did you know your property needs snags? Often people don’t like keeping around dead trees—aka snags. But snags are critical to supporting all sorts of wildlife that you know and love. From owls to woodpeckers, and even native bees if you want to support wildlife snags are a great option.In this episode, we look at why your property needs snags and how to get started with them.Check out the show notes to learn more about snags and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode.  Support the show

Growing these 3 Pacific Northwest native plants can provide you easy harvests all winter long. There’s something special about going outside and getting greens for salads and for cooking even in the middle of winter. In this episode, we look at nodding onions, miner’s lettuce, and checkermallow plus some tips on expanding your winter garden beyond these 3 great native plants.Check out the show notes to learn more about these 3 Pacific Northwest native plants and get access to the resources mentioned in this episode. Support the show