Ernst Web Admin, Author at Ernst Seeds
February 4, 2025

Thistle Plants and Other Invasive Species

Invasive species like Canada Thistle and Bull Thistle can wreak havoc on local ecosystems in the northeastern United States. Left unchecked, they can dominate other beneficial flora, negatively impacting biodiversity and agriculture. Understanding how these species take hold is the first step in controlling them. In today’s guide, we’ll explain what you need to know […]

January 7, 2025

Best Trimming Practices for Overwintering Pollinators

While you’re hopefully bundled up in a warm place reading this blog, the pollinators that support our local ecosystems don’t have this luxury. They rely on overwintering strategies for shelter and insulation during the cold months. Overwintering is a general term that describes how various species survive the cold. IIt’s not a universal strategy, but […]

October 1, 2024

Native Meadows vs. Traditional Lawns

A traditional lawn is a homogeneous area composed of non-native grass species. With a uniform appearance that provides a specific aesthetic, lawns are appropriate for recreation or social space. However, they can be more demanding on the ecosystem and those trying to maintain them. If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional lawn, a […]

September 24, 2024

Comprehensive Guide to Planning and Preparing Upland Native Meadows

A native meadow is a vibrant landscape filled with grasses and wildflowers that are indigenous to a specific region. They support local ecosystems by serving many distinct purposes including providing food and habitats to pollinators, enhancing biodiversity, and even improving soil health. For those interested in making a positive environmental impact while enjoying a low-maintenance […]

September 17, 2024

The Impact of Secondary Metabolites in Nectar and Pollen on Bee Behavior

Nectar is often seen as a simple sugary reward that plants offer to pollinators, fueling the flight of insects and birds that visit flowers. However, recent research reveals that it is much more than just a food source. There are secondary metabolites in nectar and pollen known as nectar secondary compounds (NSCs). NSCs are complex […]

September 10, 2024

Understanding the Dietary Needs of Pollinators: Insights from University Research

Pollinators are organisms that transfer pollen from the male structures of flowers (anthers) to the female structures (stigmas), facilitating plant reproduction. This makes them vital to the health of our ecosystems. Common pollinators like bees and butterflies have seen their numbers threatened in recent years. Various factors cause this, but any gardeners or landscape architects […]

September 3, 2024

Benefits of Cover Crops vs. Companion Crops

In landscape development, including meadows, both cover and companion crops are used to support the growth of other plant species. In landscape development, including meadows, both cover and companion crops are used to support the growth of other plant species. They do this either by improving the health and structure of soil or by directly […]

August 20, 2024

Understanding Water Infiltration Rates

Water infiltration (sometimes soil infiltration or just infiltration) is how water on the ground surface enters the soil. It is one phase of a larger process known as the hydrological cycle, or water cycle, which encompasses the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. When water infiltrates the soil, […]

August 6, 2024

What to Feed Songbirds

Despite their proximity to humans, songbirds seem to live in another world. No jobs, no bills, no political arguments or bad drivers or long lines at the post office When you observe them long enough, you can feel yourself getting sucked into that world. Their jerky movements and high-pitched songs become a source of peace. […]

July 23, 2024

Making Use of Pollinator Seed Mixes for the East Coast

Since before there were any humans around taking note of it, pollinators have played an invaluable role in maintaining the natural environment. They’ve evolved alongside the native plant species they feed on and help pollinate, which means the two are so intertwined they cannot live without each other. This codependency means that anyone interested in […]

© 2025 Ernst Conservation Seeds | Privacy Policy