There is something magical about the Spring, when we have had months of cold, snowy weather, and the predominant color is brown. I love me a good brown, but when those first few peeps of green start pushing up through the leaves that you left (right? we’ve been through this already.) it brings with it that feeling that warmer days are ahead, and the Winter won’t actually last forever. There is one teeny-tiny problem though, and I hate to bring it up. There are a whole bunch o

A Multi-Part Series for the Home Gardener Step 1- What are you working with? The wintertime is an odd one for garden aficionados. We desperately miss having our hands in the dirt, the fresh smell of plants and manure (ok that may be a stretch), and all of the color that is sorely lacking during the cold months. Once the garden is cleaned up and the temperature drives us inside, we often find ourselves with little else to do besides thumbing through the multitudes of seed cata

When the world feels like it is spinning out of control, we can start from within our own spaces to cultivate change, lead with compassion, and create the kind of world we want to see—one action, and one act of kindness at a time. Here are some “action” ideas for 2025: Plant native plants Did you guess that would be the first tip?! Ok you know by now we aren't JUST trying to sell plants, native plants are sustainable and support our wildlife. It's one of the best environmenta

Let’s be honest—when most people think about horticulture, they picture lush gardens, sustainable farming, or maybe a few well-placed houseplants. But how often do we think about the Black pioneers and trailblazers who’ve shaped this field? That’s why celebrating Black History Month  in horticulture is so important. Black people have been cultivating the land, preserving agricultural traditions, and innovating in ways that impact how we grow food and care for our environment

Here’s the scene: You got really excited this spring and found us, and bought a bunch of lovely native plants for your garden that you aren’t completely sure what to do with them. You put in them the ground and now the summer is beating them up a bit. You don’t want to lose any precious plants, but it can feel like one thing after another is trying to sabotage your efforts! Here are a few simple tips to help get your garden through the heat of the summer and safe from hungry

Monarch butterflies have officially returned to New England from their incredible journey from Mexico. We had a confirmed sighting at Blue Stem Natives yesterday! Luckily we have common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) growing all around the back of the greenhouse and the Monarch butterfly laid egg after egg on these plants. Monarch butterflies know to lay their eggs on milkweeds* as it's the only genus of plant that their caterpillars can eat. See the egg if you zoom in on th