Gardening and Landscaping
We are proud of our tree canopy in Betton Hills. The landscape in our neighborhood is characterized by mature oaks, long-leaf pines, southern magnolias, and a variety of other vegetation.
We encourage homeowners in the neighborhood to maintain our urban forest by planting shade trees in your yards.
We also advocate for “planting local”, meaning sticking to native species. Several nurseries that specialize in natives and sustainable landscaping are located near Betton Hills, including Native Nurseries, Tallahassee Nurseries, and Espositos.
Articles about gardening and landscaping
- Bird Migration Seasons
Have you ever noticed that the numbers and kinds of birds in your yard increase significantly in September and October then again in March and April? Or maybe you saw a strange looking bird in a field, mudflat or flying overhead while driving? Migratory birds generally move north in Spring and back south in the … Read more - Make Your Own Compost
There is an old saying among gardeners – compost happens! Did you ever stop to think what would become of fallen leaves left beneath a tree if they did not decompose naturally? We would be neck-deep in leaves! Just as with making chili, there are many recipes for making compost – some hot, some mild. … Read more - Native Trees Bring Bursts of Color in the Fall
A Reflection Shared by Betton Hills Neighbors My husband Jody and I canoed on the lower Wakulla River last week. The shore was lined with a gorgeous display of color – the russet shades of bald cypress, yellows and purples of sweetgum, and bold reds and oranges of red maple – all pleasantly reflected upon … Read more - Plant a Native Tree this Winter to Provide Biodiversity in Your Yard
I live in a grove of large stately live oaks. Only one is technically on our property; the grove continues across the road and in adjacent yards, even down the road a piece. We are also blessed with some large pines, though we have lost a few to lightning strikes. - Tree Planting Success
When I plant a tree, I expect it to be there for a 100 years or more! That doesn’t always happen. We planted a tulip poplar in 1979. It grew beautifully into an 80 foot tree but was blown down, completely uprooted, during Hurricane Michael. In retrospect, I believe the tree would still be standing … Read more - Plant a Refuge for Wildlife in Your Own Yard
“Chances are, you have never thought of your garden – indeed, of all the space on your property – as a wildlife preserve that represents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U. S. But that is exactly the role our suburban landscapes are playing and … Read more
Encouraging Pollinators
- Eight Simple Actions You Can Take to Save Insects From Global Declines
Dr. Akito Y. Kawahara, Curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, lays out eight simple actions that residents can take to encourage biodiversity in your own back yard. - Fascinating Webinar about Moths
Neighbor Mary Kay Falconer and I (Donna Legare) both tuned into a fascinating webinar this summer that we are recommending to anyone who is interested in insect biodiversity, particularly moths. The webinar is “Moths: Amazing Insects that Use Ultrasound, Scales and Tails to Combat Hunting Bats at Night” by Dr. Akito Kawahara from the University … Read more - Four Easy Steps to Encourage Pollinators
Summer is a time to celebrate and encourage pollinators in our yards and gardens. Insect pollinators – bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles do not need a lot of space. They can live in a suburban yard, downtown park, or school yard. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Xerces.com) recommends four simple steps to make … Read more