CATEGORIES

Basics of Hydroponics

Use these top tips and plant picks to have a successful soil-free garden

Rooted in Resilience

These hardy perennials will thrive in most zones

Social and Supportive

Brown-headed nuthatches take a helpful approach to raising their young

All About Owl Pellets

And why you should give a hoot about them

Ask the Experts

Advice from our pros about houseplants, bird feeding and more

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

Making a terrarium is about as close as you can get to a Zen DIY project. Once you have gathered the proper materials and squared away your plant selections, it's as simple as layering it all together and watching your mini ecosystem thrive. Here, I'll walk you through my foolproof process and cover all the required elements for good filtration, healthy soil, strong root growth and resistance against fungus and disease.

GROW THIS. NOT THAT

Six easy-to-grow houseplants—and six that may not be the right choice for you

Winter MAGIC

Forecasts may be frigid, but grab your binoculars because birding opportunities are still incredible

Sense or Nonsense? - Why some birds can taste and smell - but others can't

Does a porcelain berry taste like a blueberry to a gray catbird? Does a block of lard smell like frying bacon to a northern flicker? The short answer is no. While some avian species do have a well-adapted sense of taste or smell, they can't distinguish between flavors and odors the way humans can. They're not picking up every ingredient in the suet you put out, says José Ramírez-Garofalo, an ornithology researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the director of Freshkills Biological Station in Staten Island, New York.

Maple Mania - Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay

Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay

Food-Focused and Fierce - Meet Canada jays and learn why they eat almost anything they can find

Even if you haven't heard of Canada jays, you've heard of their relatives. Members of the corvid family, they belong to the same group as American crows, blackbilled magpies, and jays including blue, Steller's and scrub. "Unlike many of the other jays, a Canada jay doesn't have a crest of any kind; it just has a rounded head," says Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River.In 2018, the Canada jay's name was changed from gray jay, but Dale thinks the former adjective was fitting. "Most of its body is shades of gray with some white," he says. "There are different subspecies that have different physical traits, but most of them have some lighter coloring on their foreheads, upper breasts and throats, each with a darker streak that starts at each eye and goes back."

IN GOOD COMPANY

BIRDS OF A FEATHER MAY FLOCK TOGETHER, but what about other collectives of critters-and what do you call them when they do?

YOUR OWN Perfect Prairie

Learn how to cultivate an oasis of grassland flora in your backyard

ON THE MOVE

Birds approach the challenges of migration in surprising ways. Learn about how they walk, swim or take the scenic route during their travels.

Autumn Wonders

Fall colors offer befitting backdrops for these stunning reader photos

Sparrow Look-Alikes

Distinct sounds help separate these similar species

Embracing the Darkness

From black plants to moody decor, Gothic garden elements can offer a unique outlet to express your dark side

Red-Hot Plants

Scarlet-hued berries add a pop of color to any garden

Rainbow of Colors

Summer ts prime time for picturesque hummingbird sightings

Climbing On Up

Color your garden with these flowering vines

Beauties of the Southwest

Learn how and where to find North America’s showiest hummingbird

Cooling Off

Here’s how to help hummingbirds during extreme temperatures

Ask the Experts

Pros offer gardening advice and insightful info on birds

flower power!

These extraordinary Photo Contest entries showcase the subtle and diverse beauty of backyard blooms

SMALL BIRDS, BIG THRILLS

Costa Rica is full of dazzling hummingbirds-here are eight to add to your international bird bucket list

Backyard Berry Patch

Follow this guide for growing a bumper crop of strawberries at home

Clever Cowbirds

Learn more about these birds that are infamous for letting others raise their young

Ask the Experts

Pros offer spring plant care tips and tough IDs

Rustic diy Birdhouse

Whether you're hardcore handy or an everyonce-in-a-while crafty person, you probably have a small pile of scrap wood handy. Grab your tools and turn your extra materials into any house wren's dream nest box.

THE LATEST IN Lilacs

Learn about updated varieties of this timeless classic and how to take care of them