Battery Powered Lawn Care Equipment and Ecological Lawn Care
Release Date: 02/16/2023
How to Attract More Birds to Your Yard
Backyard Ecology™
Summary When someone decides they want to attract birds to their yard, often the first thing they do is put up a birdfeeder (or two). It’s what we did when I was a kid, and it’s what countless other people I know have done. There’s nothing wrong with putting out a birdfeeder. They’re a great way to bring the birds to locations where it’s easy for us to watch them. But, if you want to attract more birds (and better care for the ones you are already attracting), then you need to take more of an ecosystem approach. As an added bonus, you’ll also attract and provide for other...
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From Suburban Yard to Wildlife Haven: Amanda’s Story
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Amanda shares the journey she and her husband have taken to transform their small, suburban yard into a vibrant habitat for birds and pollinators. We discuss the various projects they’ve undertaken, the challenges of DIY landscaping, the importance of community support, and the positive reactions from neighbors and family. Their story shows how creating wildlife habitat can benefit both the environment and the property owners’ well-being. Amanda encourages others to start small, focus on native plants, and seek community support to achieve similar successes. Today’s guest Amanda...
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We’re back!
Backyard Ecology™
Summary I am so excited to be relaunching the Backyard Ecology™ podcast! New episodes will be released every other week, and we have some exciting guests already lined up. Going forward, in addition to the traditional audio version of the podcast episodes, there will also be a video version available for the episodes with guests. The video version will be available on the Backyard Ecology™ YouTube channel. Links and Resources YouTube channel: Website: Newsletter: Support: Thank You Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Podcast Episodes: October 1, 2022 – October 1, 2023
Backyard Ecology™
I can’t believe that 2023 is almost over! This year has flown by! For the past several weeks, I’ve been doing top 10 roundups of the different types of Backyard Ecology content. We’ve talked about the videos, the blog articles, and the nature trivia style shorts. So, let’s wrap it up with a rundown of the top 10 podcast episodes of the year. 🦋 9b) Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds with NestWatch 🦋 9a) Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder 🦋 8) Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live ...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology “Shorts”
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that in addition to the regular Backyard Ecology videos that Anthony creates, he also produces a series of nature-trivia style short videos? Most of these videos are literally only a few seconds long so are perfect “bite-sized” samples if you’re just getting started or are looking for something to watch for a few seconds on your phone. So, let’s quickly run through the top 10 Backyard Ecology shorts based on number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. Since the videos are so short, I’m just going to list the titles and let your curiosity decide whether to follow the link...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles: October 2022 - October 2023
Backyard Ecology™
I always like to do roundups of the top 10 blog articles and top 10 podcast episodes at the end of every year because I know how easy it is to miss stuff. Sometimes we have the best intentions to go back and read or listening to something, but other things come up and then we forget. So, it can be helpful to have a reminder at the end of the year for some of those articles that we might have missed. Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles 🦋 10) Sometimes Life Happens: 🦋 9) Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly: A Common Fall Migrant: 🦋 8) 5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies to...
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Top 10 Backyard Ecology Videos
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that we have a Backyard Ecology YouTube channel? If you’re like many of the blog readers and podcast listeners who responded to our 2023 end-of-year survey, then answer is “probably not.” If you are one of our frequent viewers, thank you for coming on this journey with us. We enjoy reading all your comments on the videos. If you haven’t discovered the Backyard Ecology YouTube channel, then I encourage you to check it out. To get you started, here are the top 10 Backyard Ecology videos based on the number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. The full transcript of...
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Tips and Tricks for Growing Prairie Plants in Your Native Plant Garden
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that for many of our most commonly grown native wildflowers and grasses, 2/3 or more of the plant is underground in the form of roots? Or that you can reduce weeding requirements in your native plant garden by understanding the root systems of different plants that you are growing? Or that there is now a resource that can help you avoid mistaking a native plant in your garden as a weed and accidentally pulling it? Today, we are talking to Hilary Cox and Neil Diboll. They are the authors of the newly published book, The Gardener's Guide to Prairie Plants. Neil is also the president...
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Resharing Your Favorites: Winter Hummingbirds
Backyard Ecology™
Did you know that some hummingbirds will overwinter in the eastern U.S.? These aren’t our normal ruby throated hummingbirds that visit our feeders and yards all summer long. These are often western species of hummingbirds, like the rufus hummingbird. Winter hummingbirds aren’t common, and they become less common the further you are from the southern coastal plains; however, they aren’t unique either. I can tell you from personal experience that it is SOOOO much fun to host one if you’re lucky enough to have one show up on your property. I originally recorded this conversation...
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Fall Cleanup in the Pollinator and Wildlife Garden: A Comprehensive Guide to What You Need to Know and Do
Backyard Ecology™
When gardening with native plants for pollinators and wildlife, much of the traditional fall cleanup for gardens is not only unnecessary but could be detrimental. And if you don’t have to do all that fall cleanup, you’ll have more time to kick back and enjoy the everchanging natural wonders around you. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 If you’re listening to this in November 2023, please help us by taking our end-of-the-year survey. The survey’s results...
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Lawn care probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you think about backyard ecology. Honestly, it isn’t for me either. But it is something that most of us have to deal with in one way or another whether we do it ourselves or hire someone to do it for us.
And I don’t know about you, but lawn equipment in general, much less battery powered lawn equipment, is not my area of expertise. That’s why when I heard about a landscaping company which specializes in low impact lawn care and has transitioned to all battery powered equipment, I became intrigued.
Anthony and I have some battery powered lawn care equipment, but we’ve always shied away from battery powered lawn mowers. We just didn’t think battery powered lawn mowers could handle our uneven, rough, hilly yard. But if this company was using all battery powered equipment on a commercial scale, then maybe we needed to rethink our assumptions for our own yard.
Maybe you’re in a similar boat and are trying to decide if battery powered is the way to go for your next piece of lawn equipment. Or maybe you’d like to be able to hire someone who approaches lawn care from a more ecological perspective but don’t know how to find that person or the questions to ask. If so, then this episode is for you.
In this episode, we are talking to Richard McCoy. Richard is the owner and operator of McCoy Horticultural Services. In the last couple of years, his business has transitioned from traditional gas powered lawn care equipment to battery powered equipment. His company also specializes in organic and low impact lawn care. Our conversation covered a number of topics related to battery powered lawn care equipment, vetting a land care contractor, and low impact lawn care. I appreciate Richard sharing his expertise and experiences with us.
[2:58] Richard’s story about how he got to where he is now
[6:05] Compost, manure and the need to ask “why” and never stop learning
[9:07] The transition from gas powered to battery powered lawn equipment
[13:42] Battery powered lawn tool certification organizations
[14:15] Are there instances when gas is a better option than battery powered equipment?
[16:18] Basic guidelines for creating an ecologically sound landscape
[18:22] Real world example of battery powered lawn equipment in use
[20:09] How ecological lawncare differs from traditional lawncare
[22:38] Battery powered lawn care equipment is on par with gasoline powered equipment, except for backpack leaf blowers
[27:18] How homeowners can transition to battery powered lawn equipment
[30:46] Challenges in ecological lawncare
[31:36] Vetting a lawncare service and how to educate yourself
[34:30] Beyond going electric – incorporating native plants
[36:00] Putting it all together and having not just a yard but an ecosystem
[37:43] Plant the species that are native to your area
[39:02] Discussing the complexity of plant communities
[41:39] How homeowners should plan their landscape
[42:11] What is native and why does it matter
[45:08] Ways landowners can find native plants for sale
[46:44] The importance of understanding soil
If you are looking for some simple, quick and easy ways to make your yard more attractive to pollinators and wildlife, you may want to check out my newest book, Attract Pollinators and Wildlife to Your Yard: 15 Free and Easy Ways. You can learn more about the book and place your order at https://shannontrimboli.com/product/attract-pollinators-and-wildlife-to-your-yard-15-free-and-easy-ways/ .
Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community.
Richard’s Information:
- Website: https://mccoyfinegardens.com/
- Blog: https://ecologymatters.net/
- What to Look for When Hiring an Organic Landscaper: https://ecologymatters.net/2020/02/06/what-to-look-for-when-hiring-an-organic-landscaper-a-homeowners-quick-guide-to-simplify-the-search/
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mccoyhorticultural/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccoyhorticultural/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-a-mccoy-28a26b73/
Other Resources Richard Recommended:
- American Green Zone Alliance: https://agza.net/
- Northeast Organic Farming Association: https://nofa.org/
- National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder: https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/
- Rutgers’ Organic Lance Care Best Practices Manual: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=e357
- Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design by Benjamin Vogt*: https://amzn.to/3xdLivn
- Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3lrao7r
- Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3JVv69J
- The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3JVyDVl
General Backyard Ecology Links:
- Website: https://backyardecology.net
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology
- Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/
- Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
- Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N
- Subscribe to Backyard Ecology emails: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/
Episode image:
- Lawn mower
- Photo credit: Alexas_Fotos, cc-0 https://pixabay.com/photos/lawn-mower-mow-cut-the-lawn-green-2430725/