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 ...]]> http://www.midwest-natural-gardening.com/2009/12/the-basics-of-low-impact-development-for-gardeners/ Hedgerows are an ancient gardening technique that is currently undergoing a revival around the world thanks to the many benefits hedges provide.

In the Midwest today, hedges are most commonly used as simple privacy screens consisting of one or two species of shrubs. However, a traditional hedgerow incorporated a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers that served as a fence, a windbreak, a haven for beneficial insects and birds, and many other uses. Many of the plants incorporated into a traditional hedgerow were also edible for humans.

Modern gardeners can ...]]> http://www.midwest-natural-gardening.com/2009/12/plant-an-edible-hedgerow/ 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 ...]]> http://www.midwest-natural-gardening.com/2009/11/xeriscaping-basics-for-midwestern-gardeners/ Fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and other edible plants that grow well in Midwestern gardens:

Many native and naturalized shrubs produce berries that linger until midwinter or even early spring.

One way to add winter interest to your garden is to choose deciduous trees and shrubs with beautiful bark. There are almost as many bark textures as there are trees and shrubs in the world. Smooth bark, ridged bark, bark that looks like puzzle pieces, peeling bark, shaggy bark… And though most people think of bark as brown, bark is ...]]> http://www.midwest-natural-gardening.com/2009/10/adding-winter-interest-to-your-garden-with-bark/ With autumn in full swing throughout the Midwest, it is time to start thinking about making leaf mold. Leaf mold, also known as leaf mould, is simply fallen leaves that have been composted into a dark, crumbly soil amendment.

Many homeowners discard their autumn leaves, unaware that leaf mold is one of the best soil amendments available to gardeners. Unlike ordinary compost, leaf mold does not add many nutrients to the soil, but it is an outstanding soil conditioner that improves soil structure and provides food and habitat for earthworms ...]]> http://www.midwest-natural-gardening.com/2009/10/how-to-make-leaf-mold/ The best way to learn how to plant and maintain a vegetable garden is to find an experienced gardeners to help you. If that isn’t possible, the second best way is to learn from a book. There are hundreds of great vegetable gardening books available, but I consider these three to be the best for beginners:

The following species are well suited to ornamental use in gardens, as well as large scale habitat restorations:

Tallgrass Species