District Blogs

As we begin to think about putting our gardens to bed for winter, think about the winter habits of our friends the pollinators. Although...

It’s that time of year when we can see turtles basking in the sun. If you have a pond, or hike at a wetland area such as Gilmore Ponds Metropark, perhaps you will be lucky enough to spot some. Here is some helpful information to assist you with the identification of the shelled critters that you find. Aquatic: Common Musk These tiny turtles, reaching only 3-4.5” in size, look very plain, with the skin and shell often being similar in color. They have a ridge along the length

Most earthworms present in glaciated portions of Ohio are considered exotic. They were introduced in the 18th & 19th centuries by early settlers or through trade of soil and horticultural materials transported from Europe and Asia. New species are continuing to be introduced spreading through fishing bait, compost and gardening supplies, and plant exchanges. In SW Ohio, we consider one non-native worm, the European Nightcrawler as a friend to our gardens. This is not the case

Tree Facts Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small tree or large deciduous shrub, native to much of the continental United States. Redbuds are well known for their vibrant pink colored blooms, bean shaped seed pods, and broad heart shaped leaves. Redbuds can grow into a shrub or tree form based on the conditions of the site. If sunlight is low they will sometimes grow taller to outcompete other species, and can reach heights up to 30 feet. Redbuds are one of a few trees

Spring is a great time to head out for a wildflower walk. Hopefully you will get to see Ohio’s state wildflower, the large white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). Trilliums are spring ephemeral flowers that are most noted for their symmetry Their bracts, petals, and sepals all come in sets of three. Even the seedpods are divided into three sections. In early to mid Spring, they grow from a thick rhizome, which are fleshy, underground stems. Flowering mid Spring to early Summ

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is native to eastern Asia and was introduced into North America in 1896. Planted originally for ornamental use, and later as a wildlife cover and for soil erosion control. North America soon learned just how detrimental this invasive species is. By squashing out native vegetation and changing soil chemistry, honeysuckle quickly becomes a nuisance for natural ecosystems. Where invasive honeysuckle grows, food sources for birds and other smal

Septic tanks hold water that can carry harmful bacteria and micro-organisms, that could potentially come into contact and pollute storm water, groundwater, creeks, rivers, lakes, and streams. Managing stormwater is a key component of maintaining your septic system. Stormwater isn’t supposed to end up in your septic tank. Unless you have a hole in your tank or your tank cover is damaged, a rainstorm – even one that’s heavy – isn’t likely to flood your tank. That doesn’t mean r

Now that its getting cold out and your garden is going dormant, it's time to winterize your rain barrel. You don't want the water in it to freeze and expand! Start by draining your rain barrel. Be careful as a full rain barrel is heavy, a gallon of water weighs more than 8 lbs., so a full rain barrel can weigh over 400 lbs. Disconnect it from your downspout, so that it can't fill and freeze. If your downspout convertor leaves a hole when disconnected, attach the winter cap to

With winter incoming, it's time to think about making your backyard wildlife comfortable. Although winter snow can look picture perfect to us, it is far from idyllic for wildlife. It can be hard for them to find enough of the right food, water, and shelter they need to survive. To survive the cold, they must have ample fuel (food) to keep them warm, but the shorter winter days give them less daylight hours to find that food. Food Just as we have food preferences, so does wild

Timber may not seem a valued resource in Butler County, however there are still hundreds of acres of valuable hardwood forests on private...