Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the joys of fall gardening! With cooler temperatures and colorful leaves setting the stage, now is the perfect time to plant native perennials that will thrive through the season and beyond. Learn about the best fall planting practices, including checking for pesticide-free plants and finding region-specific perennial favorites like Heuchera, Echinacea, Black-eyed Susans, and more.

Our hosts, Debbie and Laurie, also share their favorite deer and rabbit-resistant picks from the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife program, as well as expert recommendations from local nurseries like Carolina Heritage Nursery and the Matthews Community Farmers Market. Plus, get tips on upcoming fall plant sales and a special event on tree adoption in Matthews, North Carolina. Tune in for all things fun, festive, and floral this fall, and don't forget to share photos of your garden with us!

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer's Market this Saturday morning.