In this episode of Backyard Columbus, we’re talking about the beauty of edible landscaping and how growing food can be part of a pretty, welcoming backyard. Edible plants do not have to be hidden away in a separate vegetable garden. They can be woven into your landscape with berries, fruiting shrubs, herbs, vegetables, flowers, and pollinator-friendly plants that add color, texture, food, and life to your yard.

We’ll explore how edible landscaping can make your backyard more beautiful, useful, and connected to nature, while still feeling joyful and manageable. Whether you have a small garden bed, a suburban yard, or big dreams for a more productive landscape, this episode is about growing food in a way that feels natural, lovely, and completely your own.

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

To find the book mentioned in this episode, Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist, by Michael Judd, check out my Amazon shop: https://a.co/d/0h1AO1uw

Thank you for listening!

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, we’re talking about how to attract more birds to your yard by creating the kind of habitat they actually need. Following the National Wildlife Federation’s basic habitat guidelines, we’ll look at the importance of providing food, water, cover, and places for birds to raise their young.

We’ll also talk about why native plants matter, how trees, shrubs, flowers, seed heads, insects, birdbaths, and nesting spaces all work together, and why a bird-friendly yard does not have to be perfect or complicated. Whether you have a small patio, a suburban yard, or a growing backyard habitat, this episode will help you take simple steps to make your space more welcoming for birds and other wildlife.

For more backyard bird tips, check out the National Wildlife Federation info sheet: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Bird-Friendly_web.pdf

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard (like chickens!), please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

A suburban yard doesn't have to be just grass, mulch, and a few shrubs. Even a regular neighborhood yard can become a place that feeds your family, supports pollinators, welcomes wildlife, creates beauty, and gives you peaceful places to enjoy being outside.

In this episode, I can use our own 9,237 sq. ft. yard as an example, not as a “do all of this” checklist, but as proof that small changes over time can turn an ordinary suburban yard into something alive, useful, and deeply personal.

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

For more info on the topics in this episode, visit my BYC Garden Shop: https://www.backyardcolumbus.com/gardenshop in the "Garden Favorites" tab

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, we’re talking about garden guilt, social media clickbait, No Mow May, native plants, and the pressure to do everything “perfectly” when trying to create a better backyard habitat. Good ideas can sometimes turn into all-or-nothing arguments online, and that can make regular people feel overwhelmed, judged, or unsure where to begin.

Instead of chasing perfection, this episode is about finding a happier middle ground: planting more native plants when we can, reducing chemicals, supporting pollinators, creating habitat, and remembering that small steps still matter. Your backyard does not have to be perfect to be helpful. The goal is balance, joy, and making a little more room for nature right where you are.

Thank you for listening!

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

For more info and my favorite backyard items: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, we explore the basics of raising butterflies in Ohio, from finding eggs or caterpillars to releasing adult butterflies after they eclose. We’ll talk about why host plants matter, how native nectar sources support adult butterflies, and how a butterfly-friendly backyard can help pollinators thrive. This episode is part practical guidance, part love letter to the wonder of metamorphosis.

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

Feeling excited about your garden but overwhelmed by all the possibilities? In this episode, we're talking about simple garden planning, how to start small, choose your first spaces, and enjoy the process without trying to do everything at once.

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

Have you thought about starting a pollinator garden this year? To ensure you get the pollinators you're hoping for, choosing the right plant will go a long way in helping to make your garden successful.

What's the difference between native, non-native, exotic and invasive plants? Well, buckle up, because I'll help you sort that out as well as some great planting choices that will have pollinators flocking to your yard (no guarantees, lol!).

For all the ideas and plants mentioned in this episode, check out the accompanying blog post: https://www.backyardcolumbus.com/post/plant-this-not-that

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

Many people seem to be talking about dandelions...ok, so not EVERYONE, but the online chatter is that dandelions are an amazing source of pollen and nectar for early season bees. But is it? Let's find out.....

For great ideas on native spring plants, check out this link:

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/natural-areas/Wildflowers/wildflowerchecklist-horizontal03092021.pdf

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

From feeders to birdbaths, there are many things we can do to welcome birds into our outdoor living space. In today's episode, I'm going to share some ideas on how you can attract these interesting little creatures to your yard and add some beauty for you, too!

Some bird extra tips: https://blog.nwf.org/2011/01/for-beginners-four-cant-miss-ways-to-attract-birds-to-your-yard-or-deck/

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]

Winter is the perfect time to dream up your garden. In this episode, we talk simple, practical planning for Ohio gardeners who are ready to get started or start fresh.

From pollinator-friendly gardens and native plants to raised bed vegetable growing, we’ll cover how to plan a garden that works with your space, your schedule, and our local climate. No pressure, no perfection, just thoughtful steps to help you feel confident when spring arrives.

Grab a warm drink and let’s start dreaming your garden into reality.

For more information on pollinators, pollinator gardens, gardening, landscape ideas and all kinds of other fun stuff you can do in your own backyard, please follow me:

Blog & backyard Photography store: www.BackyardColumbus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backyardcolumbus

Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @BackyardColumbus

You can reach me at: [email protected]