Backyard Columbus with Cathy Tiffany

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, we’re talking about one simple thing you can do for monarchs right now: plant native asters. As monarchs move through Ohio on their migration to Mexico, late-season nectar helps fuel their journey. This episode is a gentle reminder that supporting pollinators does not have to be overwhelming. One better plant choice can still make a difference.

Want a happy reminder of monarchs for your home? Check out my photography site of backyard nature photos to beyond our backyard: www.BackyardtoBeyondPhotos.com

Next up: Read my latest blog post: https://www.backyardcolumbus.com/post/growing-pawpaw-trees-what-i-ve-learned-from-growing-this-native-fruit

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]

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, I'm talking about the sound of a living backyard and what it can tell us about the health of our outdoor spaces. From birds and bees to crickets, katydids, nighttime insects, and all the tiny life we may not even see, a backyard filled with sound is often a backyard filled with connection.

We’ll explore how native plants help support more insects, which in turn support birds and other wildlife, and why even a small suburban yard can become a lively place for nature. This episode is not about creating a perfect garden. It’s about noticing what’s missing, planting with purpose, and making your yard a little more welcoming to the living world around you.

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]

In this episode of Backyard Columbus, I'm talking about the hidden magic of a backyard: the tiny moments, unexpected discoveries, and everyday wonders that happen when we slow down and pay attention. From insects and flowers to birds, butterflies, garden surprises, and the quiet life tucked into ordinary spaces, a backyard can become so much more than just a yard.

This episode is a reminder that nature doesn't have to be far away or dramatic to be meaningful. Sometimes the magic is right outside the back door, waiting in the weeds, the blooms, the soil, and the small things we almost miss. Whether you garden for pollinators, grow food, raise chickens, or simply love noticing what’s around you, this episode celebrates the joy of looking closely and finding wonder at home.

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]

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]