For the Birds | Establishing Bird Havens In the Garden

March 7, 2022 – by Katherine Fulghum Knopf

Bird-watching offers a year-long adventure and learning opportunity that changes with the seasons. Benefits range from enhancing personal mindfulness that can lower blood pressure and reduce stress, to improving your outdoor habitat. It’s also a hobby for all ages, providing…

Plant Smart, Plant Local | Native Shrubs that Thrive At Smithmountain Lake

March 15, 2020 – by Megan Jansen

Gardeners are often counseled toward selecting “native plants” in their choice of groundcover, shrubs and landscaping flora. Makes sense, but some of the traditional favorites—crepe myrtle and butterfly bush come to mind—don’t qualify since they originated in China. Bummer. So…