The Green Frog Company

05/03/2022

Read about what Decatur, GA is doing to protect the little things that run the world! https://xerces.org/blog/bee-city-usa-affiliate-spotlight-decatur-ga?fbclid=IwAR1IfYyqY8F6HHfxKF6Gul4hJbJKj2-BLPo1XaFxtapSGZzAz09A9BCatjw

11/06/2021

Remember to keep watering your trees and shrubs planted in the last few years. They are dry and stressed.

Mid-October’s high temperatures come with a consequence for lilacs and other plantsOctober 26, 2021 by Chris Barncard This is the first post written by student science writer Emma Roberts. UW Arboretum lilacs in bloom on Oct. 20, about 6 months after their usual flowering period. (Photo by Emma Ro...

10/24/2021

If you must rake, consider composting.

Did you do any leaf raking this weekend? Now, what do you do with them?

Wisconsin has over 200 licensed compost sites, most of which accept yard materials. Wanna save yourself a trip? Consider setting aside some leaves to start a compost pile. It’s not too late in the season to start, but you could also keep the leaves and start your compost pile in the spring.

Leaves on their own make a good “cool compost” pile that breaks down slowly. But if you really want to heat things up so the pile breaks down quickly, add food scraps such as banana peels, apple cores and even your Jack-O-Lanterns once you’re done with them. Either mix the scraps with the leaves or create layers of scraps and leaves.

Learn more about how to start a compost pile or to find a compost site near you: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Recycling/compost.html

10/24/2021

When did we start to call a perfectly healthy yard 'messy' ? And who was the first person who told us we needed a fall 'clean up'? For our birds, and other wildlife, natural yards are essential. Clean up your terrace and drive way, but leave the leaves elsewhere and wait with the removal of dead wood and seed heads until later in spring, or leave it altogether, just as nature already is doing for millions of years. THANK YOU! www.healthyyards,org

08/09/2021

Many homeowners are worried about their home value and and interpret a neighbor's wild garden as neglect. You don't have to excuse yourself for doing the right thing. But showing that the way your garden looks is intentional, often prevents misunderstanding, and can be a good way to promote your goals. www.healthyyards.org

06/23/2021

Prairie Lake (Cameron, WI) 6/4/21: This steep shoreline was unwantedly cleared by a tree service who was hired to take out a few dead trees and stumps. (Hire wisely!) Now that all the trees are gone, it is very sunny and dry. Because of the steep slope (and no existing vegetation) I installed erosion control blanket to help stabilize and keep moisture in the soil. Then I chose native plants that like hot and dry growing conditions. Thanks to the owners, their adult kids, and a friendly volunteer, we got this enormous job (1750 sq ft, 865 plants) done in 1.5 days of 90+ degree heat. Oof it was hot.

Some of the native plants used are little bluestem, side oats grama, Bicknell's sedge, orange coneflower, purple coneflower, showy goldenrod, hoary vervain, wild columbine, and wild geranium.

This project was funded in part by the WI Healthy Lakes & Rivers Grant and the Chetek Lakes Protection Association.

06/21/2021

Lake Chetek (Chetek, WI) 5/25/21: First project of the season was small, but treacherous! The partly shady, sandy, very steep slope under the stairway would not grow vegetation well. The soil was eroding into the water. I pinned erosion control blanket down and planted some prolific shade plants.

Plants used were lowbush blueberry, lady fern, wild columbine, big leaf aster, wild strawberry, yarrow, and pearly everlasting, and Pennsylvania sedge.

06/21/2021

It’s National Pollinator Week! We need and love our honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and so many more. Are you giving them native plants that they need and love?

Show or tell me what you have in your garden or natural landscape to attract pollinators. I love to see your native plants! And if you need suggestions or assistance to lure more pollinators into your area, message or email me at [email protected]

06/08/2021

If you have ever questioned when you should water your established native plant areas, now is the time. It's been hot, dry, and windy for many days. Water one inch per week (spread out over a few days) during dry times.

06/04/2021