Wild Niche Gardening

06/16/2024

Vermont networking post:

Hello, Vermont friends! I am delighted to share that I have just moved back to the Green Mountain State. I have a lot of old friends that I want to reconnect with, and am also excited to make new connections. If the former could help me wit the latter I would really appreciate it. I do need to find gainful employment pretty quickly, so if you know any opportunities for a naturalist/plant ecologist/horticulturalist/photographer/writer please let me know.

I will definitely be carrying on my work with Gerald Lisi Photography doing natural history photo journalism and fine-art nature photography. I am also interested in doing commission work, particularly for small businesses and non profits. So, if you need to hire a photographer please let me know.

I am also planning a new incarnation of Wild Niche Gardening. This will be especially in the realm of native plant and forest ecology consulting, but I can definitely bring my tools and get my hands dirty a bit. Please do let me know if you have projects that you need help with.

Thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing this post!

Photo: Chestnut-sided Warbler female in Moosewood. Waterbury, VT, June 2021

04/20/2024

Pacific Bleeding Heart blankets a wooded hillside. If I took a picture of the same spot two years ago all you would see is Himalaya Blackberry, a widespread invasive species here in the Pacific Northwest. Taken a couple weeks ago at one of my ecological restoration sites.

03/25/2024

Stinging Nettle and Fringecup savor the absence of Himalaya Blackberry, thanks to a thoughtful person who employs my stewardship services.
One of these native plants is a nutritious edible. The other is a beautiful wildflower.
Interested in learning about the wild plants on your property, and controlling the invasive ones to help the natives? Maybe you want to attract pollinators and birds to your property with natural foods and habitat. I have a few openings in April and May. Message me to schedule a consultation!

03/23/2024

Cascade Oregon grape and Pacific Bleeding Heart thriving after Himalaya Blackberry removal.
Planting of native plants is a key part of ecological restoration, but I love finding and saving the ones that are already there during invasive removal. These plants were just hanging on in the deep shade of invasive blackberry, but after it was removed they're living their best life.
I have some openings in April and May. Message me If you want some help saving the native plants on your property.

03/20/2024

You can't miss the dangling catkins of Beaked Hazelnut, but have you ever had a look at the tiny, magenta female flowers? With the help of pollen from another Hazel's catkins this little delight will grow into one to three hazelnuts! Do you want to learn more about the wild plants on your property? Need help with invasive plants, and which natives you could successfully add? I have a few openings in April and May. Message me to schedule a consultation!

07/15/2023

Do you wonder what wild plants are growing on your property? Do you want to create better habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife? I'm here to help. My botanical consultations include a survey and a written list of the wild plants on your property. I divide them into native, naturalized non-native, and invasive species, with management recommendations for the latter two categories, AND I suggest native plants that could be successfully added to your flora. Greater plant diversity makes for healthier, more resilient ecosystems. If this resonates with your stewardship goals message me to schedule a consultation.

03/13/2023

When you have dug thousands of Himalaya Blackberry roots you tend to treat the champion specimens like trophies. This root is as long as my shovel! Of course the canes are five to seven times longer than that. But the canes here are all chopped up, and the roots are all dug up. If you're in the Duvall area and are ready for some help finally reclaiming your land from Himalaya Blackberry, or other invasive plants, message or email me for a consultation. I am now booking spring and summer work.

09/29/2022

Himalaya Blackberry roots are no joke, but I know how to dig them right. If you want help removing this invasive plant from your property I'm your guy.

The bottom half of this photo shows Salmonberry that was being overrun by the Himalaya Blackberry, and the dead canes of the blackberry's previous years' growth. I will be planting native trees, shrubs and ferns where the blackberry was this winter. Please contact me if you want t restore a healthy native plant community on your property.

09/24/2022

Evergreen Huckleberry is a great choice for woodland gardens and backyard wildlife habitat. When the abundant green berries seen here turn dark black they will disappear quickly into the beaks, paws and hands of berry lovers. The flowers that preceded these little delights are beloved by bumblebees.

Native plants are the best plants for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife. If you're interested in restoring healthy native plant communities to your property please contact me to set up a consultation!

09/10/2022

Nature isn't tidy, and peoples' bizarre obsession with imposing neatness on plant communities is very destructive to wildlife.

If you want MORE wildflowers and grasses, leave the dried stems and seedheads! The birds will feast on them and redistribute the seed, sowing spring's bounty! Grow your garden for good. Plant for the pollinators.