Getting outside
I’m really good at doing things I love when they become a habit—and not as good at being spontaneous. I love walking outside, whether it is a hike, a local trail, or the beach. But I have a really bad sense of direction, so I tend to not be overly adventurous on my own, and I’m not great at planning. Over the years, that’s meant I’m not out exploring as much as I’d like.
I’m fixing that by giving myself a project— something that makes the deciding easier and something that I’ll commit to. By the end of the year, I’m going to walk all of the Essex County Greenbelt properties.
Spring 2025: a thoughtful start
As the days warm and the snow melts, many of us are eager to get back into our gardens. But when is the right time to start? And how can we support the creatures that have overwintered in our spaces? I’ll explore these questions and share what’s new for NSBG in 2025.
Winter 2025: Planning Mode ❄️🌿
I’m so happy that this year… we truly have winter! It’s cold and snowy, and it feels so good knowing my plants are safely tucked beneath layers of leaves and snow. On warmer weeks, when the snow melts, I catch glimpses of the green leaves on my small native strawberries. I can’t help but smile, thinking about all the good things happening on my property. 😊
2024 in review
This year, NSBG installed an incredible 806 plants! That’s over 800 new places of support for butterflies throughout their lifecycles—nectar for adults, leaves for caterpillars, space to lay eggs, and places to overwinter.
Happy Spring
Having a butterfly garden does’t mean that you can’t have all of your favorite plants too. Our gardens are just as much for us as, they are for butterflies, and I am super excited to see my tulips this spring.