Top 10 Backyard Ecology Podcast Episodes: October 1, 2022 – October 1, 2023
Release Date: 12/28/2023
A Bad Naturalist’s Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she’s learned, and exciting discoveries she’s made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat. Today’s guest Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. 3...
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Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Eastern U.S. Gardens
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode The surprising truth about a hummingbird’s diet. The best way to attract and support hummingbirds to your property. 10 of my favorite native plants to grow for hummingbirds in eastern U.S. gardens. Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go...
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Gardening for Moths: Why It’s Important for Backyard Conservation
Backyard Ecology™
Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native plants grow to attract moths, simple ways to observe moths, practical tips for photographing moths at night, and much more. From pollination by fuzzy moth eyeballs to carnivorous moth caterpillars, this episode is full of sto-ries and information you won’t want to miss. Today’s guest Jim McCormac is an author, photographer, and conservationist. He worked for the Ohio Depart-ment of Natural Resources for 31 years as...
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9 Native Blueberries You Can Grow in the Home Landscape
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we can eat. In this episode, we talk about 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: The ecological importance of blueberries. Special considerations you need to consider when growing blueberries in the home landscape. A short overview of 9 species that are native to at least some...
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Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of pollinators. There are lots of different species of milkweed that are native to the eastern U.S. and have the potential to work really well in home gardens. In this episode we discuss 10 species that are native to most of the eastern U.S. and responsible ways to obtain those species. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Why it is important to choose milkweed species that are native to where you live. Responsible...
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Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Trees
Backyard Ecology™
Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, and redbay. We discuss its history, how it spreads, ecological and cultural impacts of the disease, current management options, and challenges associated with managing the disease. We also explore potential future research directions and highlight the important role that each of us can play in monitoring for the disease and slowing its spread. Today’s guest Dr. Albert, Bud, Mayfield is a Research Entomologist with the...
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Virginia strawberry: A Beautiful, Tasty, and Underutilized Native Groundcover
Backyard Ecology™
Summary The Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife. It can also make an amazing groundcover in a native plant garden. However, this is not the wild strawberry that most people find growing in their yards and garden beds. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode How to tell the Virginia strawberry from the other native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. and from the invasive mock strawberry that is found in many people’s yards and gardens. How to incorporate the...
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Ironweed’s Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba’s Vernonia Trial
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecological powerhouse for pollinators and wildlife, including a specialist bee. Ironweeds can make amazing additions to our native plant gardens where they serve as biodiversity magnets. In this episode, we discuss Mt. Cuba Center’s Vernonia Report which includes information about how multiple ironweed species performed in the garden trials, the importance of garden soils and conditions to plant growth and health, how plant health can...
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Eastern Carpenter Bees: How to Peacefully Co-exist and Why They Are Important
Backyard Ecology™
Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overblown. So, let’s talk a little bit about carpenter bees, why they are important, and how to discourage them from nesting in places where you don’t want them. 3 things you’ll learn from this episode: Where you can find eastern carpenter bees and how to identify them. Why you need carpenter bees if you want gulf fritillary butterflies whose caterpillars host on purple passionflower vines. Simple, non-lethal ways to...
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Doug Tallamy’s Habitat Restoration Story and How You Can Help Save Nature
Backyard Ecology™
Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We talk about how they got started, their struggles along the way, the habitat wins they’ve celebrated, and what his next steps are for his property. He also shares what he’s most excited about, his thoughts on creating habitat that you can maintain as you get older, information about his newest book, and much more. Today’s guest Dr. Doug Tallamy has been an entomologist at the University of Delaware for 44 years and is the...
info_outlineI 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
https://www.backyardecology.net/everything-you-want-to-know-about-nesting-birds-with-nestwatch/
🦋 9a) Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder
https://www.backyardecology.net/birding-tools-and-technology-to-help-you-be-a-better-birder/
🦋 8) Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live
https://www.backyardecology.net/exploring-urban-ecology/
🦋 7) Why Are Invasive Species Something You Should Care About?
https://www.backyardecology.net/why-are-invasive-species-something-you-should-care-about/
🦋 6) Moths: Unsung Heroes of Pollination and Beyond
https://www.backyardecology.net/moths-unsung-heroes-of-pollination-and-beyond/
🦋 5) Gardening with Sedges - Mt. Cuba Center Carex Trial
https://www.backyardecology.net/gardening-with-sedges-mt-cuba-center-carex-trial/
🦋 4) How Can Your State’s Native Plant Society Help You?
https://www.backyardecology.net/how-can-your-states-native-plant-society-help-you/
🦋 3) Learning to See and Identify Plants with Alan Weakley
https://www.backyardecology.net/learning-to-see-and-identify-plants-with-alan-weakley/
🦋 2) Ecology Based Landscaping with Larry Weaner
https://www.backyardecology.net/ecology-based-landscaping-with-larry-weaner/
🦋 1) Growing Native Plants, Insect-Plant Interactions, Playing in the Pond, and Much More with Dr. Randi Eckel
https://www.backyardecology.net/growing-native-plants-insect-plant-interactions-playing-in-the-pond-and-much-more-with-dr-randi-eckel/
🦋 Bonus: Gardening with Native Plants
https://www.backyardecology.net/gardening-with-native-plants/
Other Episode Relevant Links:
🦋 Nature at Your Door, Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape https://amzn.to/3KwEYX0
🦋 Garden Revolution https://amzn.to/3Ckbp6F
* Amazon links are affiliate links. We get a small commission from Amazon if you use them, but this comes at no cost to you.
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