Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Jill Staake

Jill lives in Tampa, Florida, and writes about gardening, butterflies, outdoor projects and birding. When she's not gardening, you'll find her reading, traveling and happily digging her toes into the sand on the beach.
paperwhite flowers

Tips For Growing Paperwhite Flowers Indoors

Looking for a winter gardening project? Get tips for growing paperwhite flowers indoors and you'll be rewarded with beautiful blooms in just a few weeks.

5 Deer-Resistant Bulbs for Spring Blooms

Tired of watching your tulips come up in spring, only to be eaten back down...

8 Types of Christmas Trees You Can Grow

Learn about the most common types of Christmas trees in America, and get tips on...

Make a DIY Spiderweb Halloween Planter

Assemble this slightly spooky Halloween planter with a few inexpensive items from the dollar store....

How to Recycle Pumpkins for Birds and Wildlife

Repurpose your leftover Halloween pumpkins to benefit backyard wildlife such as birds, butterflies, deer and...

5-Minute Garden Chores for Fall

Before the snow flies, spend a few minutes on these garden chores to be sure...

How to Make a Tipsy Pumpkin Planter

This adorable and affordable fall decoration is easy to make with a few plastic pumpkins...

Native Shrubs for Birds: American Beautyberry

American Beautyberry is a versatile, easy-to-grow native shrub that birds love. Plant it in zones...

Top 10 Fall Vegetables to Extend the Harvest

Some things are worth waiting for, like these tasty fall vegetables that can be harvested...

Learn the Story Behind the Rescue of a Special Bald Eagle

Good bird photography often tells a story or captures a moment. Learn about a special...

6 Common Swallowtail Butterflies You Should Know

Learn about six of the most common swallowtail butterflies in the United States and how...

5 Easy Ways to Help the Bees

Native bees and honeybees are struggling in many places. Make the effort to help bees...

How to Make a DIY Wine Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Decorate a wine bottle with glass paint to create this easy DIY hummingbird feeder.

Add Native Plant Blazing Star to Butterfly Gardens

This native American wildflower blooms into early fall, providing nectar for late-season butterfly garden visitors.

7 Summer Nectar Flowers That Attract Butterflies

Looking for summer flowers that attract butterflies? Try these easy-to-grow choices that butterflies will love.

How to Safely Observe Nesting Birds

Seeing baby birds grow and fledge is one of the joys of spring. Learn the...

10 Perfect Gardening Gifts for Dads

If the dad in your life loves to spend his time outdoors, here are some...

10 Owl Shirts Every Bird Fan Should Own

Who doesn't love owls? Whether you're a birder or not, you're sure to find something...

Add Plants With People Names to Your Garden

These plants and flowers make good gifts for people with those names or a fun...

Backyard Citizen Science for Nature Lovers

Count birds, report caterpillars, plan a habitat... there's something for every nature lover to enjoy...

Photographing a Phenomenon: The Yellow Northern Cardinal

Professional photographer Jeremy Black tells us about his experiences with the yellow Northern Cardinal, and...