Low impact development is a term used to refer to landscape design practices designed to reduce stormwater runoff and preserve the quality of surface and groundwater sources. Currently, an estimated 70% of all surface and groundwater pollution is caused by stormwater runoff from roofs, roads, agricultural fields, and other man-made surfaces.

Though many low impact development projects are undertaken at the municipal level, homeowners can also put the principles of low impact development into use in their own backyards. In addition to improved local water quality, many low impact development …

Many people associate the term xeriscaping with desert landscapes, but the principles of xeriscaping are just as useful in the Midwest as they are in the drier Southwest.

Using the principles of xeriscaping, Midwestern gardeners can design attractive landscapes that require little or no extra watering in the hot summer months, saving both water and money. Xeriscapes are also more tolerant of drought than conventional landscapes, ensuring that your garden will remain lush and green longer during periods of water restrictions.

The basic techniques of xeriscaping are very simple to learn …

Once you know the basics of wildlife gardening, it is very easy to attract beautiful butterflies, birds and other wildlife to your garden.

All wildlife visitors are looking for three things:

Food
Water
Shelter

If you provide these three things, it will be easy to attract wildlife even to the smallest of city gardens.

Food

Different kinds of wildlife have different food needs and the best way to ensure you attract as many different species as possible is to plant as many different kinds of plants in your garden as you can. The most important food sources …

One of the best ways to attract wild turkeys in the fall is with acorn mast. Mast is the reproductive fruit of trees. Acorns, a type of hard mast, are produced by oak trees.

Acorn mast is one of the most important autumn foods of many wildlife species, including wild turkeys and whitetail deer. In fact, studies have found that in many regions of the country acorn mast makes up 70% of the diet of wild turkeys in autumn.

If you want to attract wild turkeys to your property with acorn mast, …