https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/n67n9evorzk4i0eo9lmnf98temnk2k monthly 0.5 2026-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/98e3c82e-4c3c-4464-a142-c63b697e8b65/1.jpg Blog - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e4f1a7a9-edd3-4717-86ea-8f1b94e8c5e8/2.jpg Blog - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2f7cce2b-c143-4b21-af8d-1ad335706b1f/3.jpg Blog - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/64b46cbd-7ca6-4b26-bcc1-1c3fb60bbd90/last+page.jpg Blog - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/wmqtiidhk7gngb4fflu40tp7tzxv4l monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1022ab6e-e92f-409f-a8a7-274faaadf10c/2024-09-20+16.45.46.jpg Blog - Book Review - Pruning and Training by DK publishers - Make it stand out This Celeste Fig Tree is 8 years old. I grew it from the cutting of a tree that over grew it’s space. The straps can be removed but they offer extra support for the those sail-like leaves during a wind storm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/973be3ff-9661-455a-bd52-5efb0dfba64c/2024-04-17+15.42.38.jpg Blog - Book Review - Pruning and Training by DK publishers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/8a22faf6-d300-49f0-aed5-7a68cc4fe934/2022-05-15+09.29.55.jpg Blog - Book Review - Pruning and Training by DK publishers - Make it stand out I also used Pruning and Training when I experiment with my harlequin trellis. I enjoy an eclectic look so I have pomegranate, rose, Carolina Jessimine, camillia, Atlas Cedar, a couple viburnums and clematis co-mingling together for an ever changing display through the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/6ee318d9-dae2-4322-a94f-2d96f11ea0b8/2025-04-08+19.31.21.jpg Blog - Book Review - Pruning and Training by DK publishers - Make it stand out April Tryst Camellia and Mohawk Viburnum commingle on the trellis to create a living arrangement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e1fa9b05-cc63-465c-9180-03746065fb12/2025-04-13+11.18.10.jpg Blog - Book Review - Pruning and Training by DK publishers - Make it stand out Add in some Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and the effect is whimsical. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/bcjfexvbxo9b5j0rnxzlkom5hybko4 monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1773002818832-T9G4ZQRRTD5VP3P81EHQ/Kindergarten+Sunflower+Seeds.jpg Blog - ‘Kindergarten’ the new sunflower from Burpee - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/283a028a-297a-4f4c-b580-659c30766384/Sunflower+packet.jpg Blog - ‘Kindergarten’ the new sunflower from Burpee - Sunflower Kindergarten Packet We know sunflowers are food for pollinators and birds. But, mine often flop over. I’m excited to try this tidy, new variety. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/fe5a4e3c-1436-44b0-a4b8-0994c394f7c4/sunflower+front.jpg Blog - ‘Kindergarten’ the new sunflower from Burpee https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/boxwood-problems-annapolis-md monthly 0.5 2026-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/7a3f835c-c8c3-4770-9dce-bde855bbd463/HGIC_shrubs_boxwoodblight_16x9.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - Make it stand out Boxwood Blight Damage https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f1837b33-ff21-4b71-a842-5931babb7bb9/boxwood-blight-leaf-spots-325x216.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - Tell-Tale Sign of Boxwood Blight Tell-Tale sign of Boxwood Blight - Leaf Spots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/09e555ba-d9b7-437d-9bdf-414902a0a90b/HGIC-insects-box-moth-whiteform-AdobeStock.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - The Box Tree Moth This is our NEW pest. In July 2025 the state of Maryland had it’s first infestation in Washington County. It was first identified in New York in 2021 and is moving it’s way into our area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/75a896a3-9f33-4be9-bacc-d10c268a4c72/HGIC-insects-box-moth-adult-brown-600AdobeStock.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - The moths have two morphs The white morph (above) and brown morph (left). Both are identifiable by the comma shaped cream marking on their wings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e4601da7-e5a7-4c7e-9d08-993f30fbffbf/boxwood+moth.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - Make it stand out The Box Tree Moth caterpillars defoliate a boxwood alarmingly fast. I’ve witnessed the affect in Washington county where an entire 30 year old hedge was defoliated in 4 days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/dc129c2f-7500-4f6b-ae01-c039db03de17/Screenshot+2026-02-19+145222.jpg Blog - Boxwood Problems Annapolis, MD - Make it stand out The University of Maryland has some excellent resources for your toolkit this year. Educating yourself is the first step to saving your boxwoods. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/iduyv55mdhrqnqu4wgdav1fw4tet4g monthly 0.5 2026-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1416f075-2a2a-4567-b5ce-d1f5389ee468/RobinonAquastormDriveway.jpg Blog - Put a Bird On It! - Make it stand out One American Robin on my Aquastorm turfstone driveway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/53a91aa7-9df1-4c00-94d4-d995bc92f4f4/3+robins+on+aquastorm+driveway.jpg Blog - Put a Bird On It! - Make it stand out Three American Robins on my Aquastorm turfstone driveway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/5d5c171a-75a5-47d1-bc0e-76d6694b69e4/3+robins+on+aquastorm+driveway+modified.jpg Blog - Put a Bird On It! Now we are getting real. More birds are better. *Modified photo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/4eb9d130-d750-432c-89e6-35213c97d7af/images.webp Blog - Put a Bird On It! - Make it stand out *See disclaimer below https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e14389f0-3961-4e24-8d92-0cd4865a9c42/Robins+digging+in+aquastorm+driveway.jpg Blog - Put a Bird On It! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1e3db5d8-9919-478d-b98f-129fb961d219/Robinsdigginginsnow.jpg Blog - Put a Bird On It! - Make it stand out Sidewalk as Robin diner table. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/a-glowing-flower-under-the-melting-snow monthly 0.5 2026-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/3d3d50e2-ab70-407f-8169-c550ab66ef97/IMG_7609.jpg Blog - A glowing flower under the melting snow. - Make it stand out Winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis is a woodland flower that hails from the woodlands of France and Italy. Here, parred with our native Woodland Stonecrop, Sedum ternatum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/31433c9f-d761-4bd5-9443-82963d523252/2021-03-03+10.48.25.jpg Blog - A glowing flower under the melting snow. - Make it stand out In a few weeks, the Winter Aconite will look like this (photo courtesy of the same plant from last winter) https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/annapolis-is-now-zone-8a-but-does-it-feel-like-it monthly 0.5 2026-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/b37bc085-ba07-49cd-87df-29cfa0b1032e/Chesapeake1977.jpg Blog - Annapolis is now zone 8a - but does it feel like it? - Make it stand out The “Great Freeze” of 1977 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1637c4e8-21ad-4248-b8ce-f11ae46bacce/Zone+8a+Annapolis+MD.jpg Blog - Annapolis is now zone 8a - but does it feel like it? - Make it stand out The light green of zone 7b and the yellow of zone 8a are tricky to distinguish. I’ve added a green line to simplify the map. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/6342b0ad-d7be-4faa-bcb1-2da55a9569b4/heat+map+annapolis+MD.jpg Blog - Annapolis is now zone 8a - but does it feel like it? - Make it stand out Annapolis, Maryland Heat Map https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/tulip-rescue monthly 0.5 2026-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1770048316293-M3ZYSTOIA15IVWCWBPIB/2023-04-06+10.52.06.jpg Blog - Tulip Rescue - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/b86d28f1-00eb-45f9-8663-7700fb580da3/2026-02-02+10.06.46.jpg Blog - Tulip Rescue - Make it stand out Recycled #1 nursery pots. I filled these half way with potting soil, placed the tulips in a layer then covered with 3 inches of potting soil. I watered them well and stacked them 2 deep (to save space) by my back door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/a425974f-cc70-489c-a9f0-c82dc80a533a/2026-02-02+10.07.02.jpg Blog - Tulip Rescue - Make it stand out Top down view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1770047691196-1IFA46VZPX1SGL29BWVL/unsplash-image-OPTS4SELoKA.jpg Blog - Tulip Rescue - Make it stand out Tulip pot planted directly in ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ed526d9e-7b8f-4985-9271-1cf03c012363/2020-04-21+15.04.14.jpg Blog - Tulip Rescue - Make it stand out Tulips bulbs can also be tucked into existing containers. Here, I nesseled in some tulips around the evergreen and filled in with complementary pansies. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/blog/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-67tfc-gzmdb monthly 0.5 2026-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/48859010-10a4-4aef-919e-3faf130df995/2026-01-21+08.51.55.jpg Blog - Prepping the Garden for Snow - Make it stand out Sky Pencil Holly are susceptible to damage from snow and ice due to their low branching. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/89889272-8eaa-4316-9086-6a2286d6201e/2026-01-21+08.59.24.jpg Blog - Prepping the Garden for Snow - Make it stand out Sky Pencil Holly prepped for snow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c849de3c-a37b-4bc3-9977-0369d25b9d92/2026-01-26+09.08.50.jpg Blog - Prepping the Garden for Snow - Success! Sky Pencil Holly protected during the storm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e7a1c12f-9bac-4810-945f-feb908ad9c4c/2026-01-21+09.07.50.jpg Blog - Prepping the Garden for Snow - Low Shrubs and Smaller. With a large snow, it is important to protect the plants that will be under the snow from foot traffic. I know my kids and their friends will be making snowmen and sledding so marking the beds is a good idea. I use T-stakes and bamboo poles to mark bed locations. I’m marking mine today as my ground isn’t frozen. Snow=Snowmen though I’m pro-snowman making, I don’t want them made on top of the pansies. I’ve put out T-stakes to mark the beds. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/home daily 1.0 2026-04-07 https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f0d826e8-ca88-4063-a143-0f3365653ccf/2022-05-15+09.29.55.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/about daily 0.75 2026-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e2b1c174-cbc5-4e42-bb15-b42294458c95/more+pansys.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/788cd144-0913-4d3a-89e2-b2d471b712a2/MNLGA.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/611f898a-e239-4c94-ad3d-8e3cea04b1fc/300dpi_CBLP_Certified-Professional-Badge.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/93dcc668-f4a5-4d25-a393-25dcda9c2198/md-flora-header-circle+%281%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e24a4ef2-04c3-4a0e-b555-9a06ffe25797/MOS-Logo-Color-144x144.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/a043d3f0-7b40-45ad-8eda-9a16d5e875c9/plant+license+no+address.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/services daily 0.75 2026-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/cc201f4a-eec9-40da-969c-96126fea98d2/elevation+and+plan+no+words.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e4a645a7-1746-4717-a9ab-723be129e210/2025-11-02+12.48.28-4.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/65bb02a6-3414-4111-8d58-5fa0a0c23408/Kerry%27s+Door.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/store daily 0.75 2026-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e1487350-efda-4757-98cf-4c72ef819bdf/Natures+best+hope.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0e3dc56a-eeb2-4441-8aeb-4d64ead23a9b/How+can+I+help.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/aeea9b6e-f604-405f-b38d-9d1cfb24a3c9/Pruning+annapolis.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0d5984cd-b893-44ef-a6d9-ae7468115d60/essential+native+trees+and+shrubs+annapolis.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/whats-in-the-garden daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f517a9e2-46ef-4ffd-94d8-d21b42266c87/t_dreamer_8.jpg What's in the Garden Tulip Dreamer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0c4540ab-ba94-49cb-8c15-f0dfd931c485/tulip-avantgarde1-w.jpg What's in the Garden Tulip Avant Guard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/99eea0b3-fefd-42ab-8534-0befc8fbedd7/tulip-password2-w.jpg What's in the Garden Tulip Password https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c9fbad0a-fd5e-484d-9062-b8d8b377718a/yellow+primrose.jpg What's in the Garden Yellow Primrose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/27ca8dea-ccad-4946-861c-8dfa7e4bb92f/miniture+daffodils.jpeg What's in the Garden Miniature daffodils https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768092913556-CO4JVOI8PAN1E2TPUSQ2/abelia.jpg What's in the Garden Abelia - Bushes along back of garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/dfaa0fc7-8e10-47b4-9827-b111000fb7a7/2026-03-15+13.08.05.jpg What's in the Garden Emerging Allium (Ornamental Onion) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f40598a9-6caf-499e-ba9b-b5ac23566734/2026-03-15+17.08.26.jpg What's in the Garden Sedum ternatum (Native woodland stonecrop) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768093189901-HI4IR9SQHBCI3U5R3632/2025-11-02%2B16.01.58-3.jpg What's in the Garden Yellow Pansies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/d43a9cf8-7e79-48db-94e7-5df296f5b1b4/2025-11-01+11.38.20.jpg What's in the Garden Blue Pansies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/19dece12-7a4a-466c-a3b2-40b787647e9b/2026-01-14+11.07.45.jpg What's in the Garden Ornamental Red Cabbage https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/faq-1 daily 0.75 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/af1a7ed7-d54e-40c0-8fae-85628062e82e/kale.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/scheduling daily 0.75 2026-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e3c4df67-1bad-4131-b835-2d94c40a1a25/2020-08-24+10.53.04.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/98e54409-d3a5-4491-bf55-723712a43001/2021-05-01+16.17.09.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e54b5f64-7d5a-407b-94ba-a6cb4754bbaf/2025-06-01+09.26.23.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c024b290-8b2f-452c-b7be-66e464abfe88/2024-05-03+09.39.44.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/garden-design daily 0.75 2026-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2722db07-1723-41f0-8e5a-42257aee08fe/Feist-ACH245+P2+Photoshop+rendering.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/53b971ea-9a54-47f7-9c9d-464fc84e5c24/remidiation+on+a+budget.jpg Garden Design https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0ed1a973-3340-460e-8a0e-9284c2b2ed64/section+and+plan.jpeg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/gallery-1 daily 0.75 2026-02-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/45663b25-8e6c-4ed7-81ff-af7981fe152a/winterberry.jpg Front Door Decor Close-up of bright red holly berries on branches with green leaves, holiday decorations in the background including a garland with small string lights. Front Door Decor Annapolis, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/34104eb4-9918-48e1-a070-3e44454f8831/yellowbird.jpg Front Door Decor Artificial bird decoration with orange and white feathers perched among green leaves and pine branches, in front of a window with red frame. Front Door Decor Annapolis, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/a26a0a05-0938-40f4-87fb-8ee62f570322/Freymannsnomilk.jpg Front Door Decor Front door decorated with Christmas greenery, ribbon, and ornaments. Severna Park, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/773ade58-4c95-42fb-b1dc-e1e42e52700d/plaidribbon.jpg Front Door Decor A Christmas wreath in Annapolis, Maryland decorated with plaid ribbon, greenery, pine cone, red berries, and a gold ribbon, lying on a wooden surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f19e2787-b24d-4716-b70b-21656d089c7a/schide.jpg Front Door Decor A Christmas wreath decorated with pine branches, gold pinecones, and gold ornaments, adorned with a large red bow and green ribbons, hanging on a door in Arnold, MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/84a14c52-ade9-4df7-82b2-2194c74c4208/2025-12-02+11.01.33.jpg Front Door Decor Close-up of a Christmas wreath decorated with gold mesh ribbons, a woven gold ball ornament, and green pine branches in Annapolis, MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/5d5dfed6-9541-428b-b79e-185124d599ca/2025-12-04+15.24.17.jpg Front Door Decor Close-up of a Christmas Front Door Decoration with Magnolia leaves, wrapped with a gold and red ribbon, against a gray wooden background in Arnold, MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/7818ccd6-5998-4583-a7ab-c83dbf23c532/Feist.jpg Front Door Decor Front door decorated with a lush green Christmas Decorations with pine, holly, ribbons, and small ornaments, dressed with warm white string lights, on a house with beige siding in Annapolis, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/75646854-bdd5-4710-b83b-6677b133e9b2/2025-12-06+11.47.33.jpg Front Door Decor Close-up of a Christmas wreath decorated with red plaid ribbon, red berries, a woven beige ball, and a woven gold ball, surrounded by green pine branches in Severna Park, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ca0017e4-ae03-4f5d-8add-214230b775f1/2025-12-13+11.50.36.jpg Front Door Decor Person holding a Christmas wreath made of greenery, pinecones, and plaid ribbons outdoors in front of a wooden fence, with fallen autumn leaves on the ground in Annapolis, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/11a6e967-5143-45dd-9bfe-f7933b225854/2025-12-14+16.31.55.jpg Front Door Decor Close-up of a Christmas decoration with green pine, holly leaves, red berries, a woven rattan ball, and yellow string lights in Annapolis, MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e6cd091f-0796-4f4a-9114-2b49fb7c74c8/jeanies+door+detil.jpg Front Door Decor A Christmas wreath decorated with pine branches, two ornamental balls (one silver and one red), a gold ribbon, and string lights in Annapolis, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/32a2d5ba-754b-4ec8-8a9e-a8999b990945/railing+detail.jpg Front Door Decor A close-up of a rustic Christmas or holiday decoration featuring evergreen branches, dried leaves, red berries, wicker balls, and beige ribbon on a wooden railing outdoors in Annapolis, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/cfac57a8-ab85-47e4-9ca7-84c05f04c8e6/6+foot+swag.jpg Front Door Decor Christmas decorations with greenery, red berries, and ribbons hanging above a door with a wreath decorated with red berries, next to a black lantern on brick wall in Annapolis, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/53fe682b-f5ef-4704-b9c0-e614b25fe5e6/1.png Front Door Decor https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/mothers-day-planter daily 0.75 2026-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772036204394-OU51O0M5GXHKWW3KKZO4/unsplash-image-tpfBDzAjXyI.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/8bd5dcf6-818f-44c4-8543-2afa972a3ee2/ownplanter.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/4d3e24d4-8eca-4587-bafc-5b686faef6ff/doorknob+basket.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/11a47630-956a-4fdc-8b78-94353ff85f82/moss+planter.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/freeresources daily 0.75 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/b84044b8-fb56-41c4-ace2-1d43dc6a21cf/Park+Hardware+Native+Plant+Sale.jpg Free Resources April 25th starting at 7AM Park Hardware, on Ritchie Hwy, will have their annual native plant sale. EXCELLENT PRICES! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/d9f93715-accc-4468-8fca-23c406a30060/Solidago-sphacelata-%E2%80%98Golden-Fleece-with-pollinators-courtesy-of-Mt.-Cuba-Center-2-1920x1012.jpg Free Resources Mt. Cuba's Trial Reports for the Mid-Atlantic - a valuable resource I use on every project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/fbceb746-72d2-466d-b9cd-632e8d06a87a/Shade+Pollinators_Page1.jpg Free Resources Bee City USA is a free Howard County initiative that provides pollinator plans based on your location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f3b72fdd-e5f0-4f24-a019-c29ce12defb1/Landscaping-Natives_Page_01.jpg Free Resources Maryland - Landscaping with Native Plants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1771626854503-57116NE7M178FTTPG1GJ/unsplash-image-aTigaWtGAKA.jpg Free Resources Searchable database for some plants native to the Chesapeake Bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1773596072797-SAUVQV5W6MYALV9OYOM1/Logo-Header%2BUnity%2BGardens.jpg Free Resources Unity Gardens Inc., a Maryland 501c3, awards grants up to $3,000 to nonprofits in Anne Arundel County to promote conservation landscaping using native plants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/db49c137-806b-4b11-8bf4-d8b61ccede74/Plant+invaders+annapolis.jpg Free Resources A wonderful field guide to invasive plants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/623071a4-ebfd-4357-b51a-1223a9a04a3a/annapolis+planting+on+the+shore+line.jpg Free Resources A valuable resource for homeowners living on the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/4ac12817-778e-4cb0-a0e0-fdf260e979e4/Annapolis+conservation+landscaping.jpg Free Resources Resource for Wildlife Habitat. Plants with a purpose. Ideas for using native plants in difficult areas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1fbcf476-0126-4b2a-8b5f-ccb21649071e/Save-Our-Trees-logo2.jpg Free Resources Broadneck based English Ivy removal non-profit. Free resources on removing English Ivy. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/new-page daily 0.75 2026-03-15 https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/store-1 daily 0.75 2026-02-26 https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/store-1/p/door-knob-hanger-set-of-3 monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c0718461-f1fc-4dd8-8e07-96c7abd73c57/close+doorknob+basket.jpg Store - Door Knob Hanger - Set of 3 - close doorknob basket.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/store-1/p/moss-planter monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/11a47630-956a-4fdc-8b78-94353ff85f82/moss+planter.jpg Store - Moss Planter - moss planter.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/store-1/p/mothers-day-flower monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c02f9684-9f6c-4c7b-80cb-d5d14ec32170/CF-IndoorBlooming-09-1024x768.jpg Store - Mother's Day Flower Party - CF-IndoorBlooming-09-1024x768.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/semicirculargarden monthly 0.5 2026-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/20c35816-dbe8-4b93-ac60-7a3f7a0acbdf/2020-04-13+21.07.54.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/9389af1f-8c93-45b1-9541-e4bbd8da55f1/2024-03-03+10.58.39.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/b8b3e07b-90e7-422d-8f77-22a166f9b5e7/2022-05-25+14.44.34.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/57fed758-28b7-4766-90a2-1aada191543b/2025-06-27+15.20.40.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2190b807-f280-4eeb-a52b-04e69bda7097/2020-04-13+21.07.42.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/940f2d9b-cca5-4017-9461-fd56c3cc0222/2026-01-04+17.15.19.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c0c07a13-89de-4b07-8406-2f70031aabee/2023-04-10+14.19.49.jpg https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/project-three-sng7y-jkgxx-kmlk5-64gk3-rmyf3 monthly 0.5 2026-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/012bc329-d774-4139-911a-c5317d4546dd/2025-05-29+16.59.25.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget Exhibit A: The lawn is in full shade and the tree roots are proud and exposed. Grass is spotty - even though a professional lawn crew has seeded for multiple years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/bc34f6ab-936b-40e6-8afc-9475fe5a6b36/2025-05-29+16.59.23.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget Exhibit B: Look at the mid-left side of this photo. The ground appears smooth and nothing grows in this space. Let's look around the corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2ccc0e40-6357-405b-8e10-f03c10c69f86/2025-05-29+16.55.48.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget Exhibit C: A downspout. This downspout is one of four on the property. One inch of rainfall will shoot around 150 gallons of water out of this downspout and onto the soil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/a29587a3-0faa-47a9-af7c-2ca82b885d9e/2025-09-05+12.54.04.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget This is what happens to soil when water runoff from a roof isn't slowed down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768321594541-15LFUS5CSED17MABRSKV/Untitled_8.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget We needed to slow down the water so the lawn would have a chance. This plan shows white #57 stone in a arch to brighten the space, smooth the exposed tree roots and slow down water from the downspout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768321785768-4RQO25ZIPS4ZP4D760QU/legalmollen2.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget This plan is the second option for the homeowner and also includes the white #57 stone. The path provides erosion control as well as a stable walking surface. The area surrounding the path is amended and dry shade plants are planted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768321999465-GXPU8MMTDQRJL9L13Y27/2025-09-05%2B12.05.46.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget Work in progress. In the end, the homeowner had the contractor install the first plan due to the higher cost of the second option. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/d1158e8a-97f5-45fa-95a7-499805115a63/2025-09-26+15.10.38.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget A month later, the client has green grass and an artful, crisp lawn design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/7d974f5d-63b9-4f78-af80-48048f9daaf1/2025-09-26+15.09.23.jpg Stories - Erosion Control on a Budget Based on the client's budget, we choose to install plantings at a later date. But, look at the green lawn! An added bonus to slowing down water is that it has more time to naturally absorb into the ground. Rain from impervious surfaces that is diverted into a storm drain does not replenish our aquifer and does cause erosion downstream. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/bluebird-habitat monthly 0.5 2026-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1769207870382-NGNSJZFL1E2GP68UDN5J/2022-05-30%2B09.48.16.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat This pretty male is staking out his new nest box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c752bba2-b443-4bfd-ae94-2ab1a39101dc/2022-04-22+08.22.26.jpg Stories - Bluebird Habitat His female takes her time making sure the space is fit for her brood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1769207912274-ITUGI0WCC4ELIF7OY3GH/2022-05-30%2B09.46.04.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Looks good - time to start building her nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/8ff4b7cc-7b57-4797-9a67-555e0aa1136b/2022-03-11+11.25.48.jpg Stories - Bluebird Habitat Invasive European House Sparrows are a real threat to bluebird nest boxes. Keep a watch and promptly evict all envaders. Success depends on scaring them enough that they don't return. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/69db5103-67d8-4557-b6bd-136a99c39899/2022-03-22+09.48.24.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Test grasses. If they are undisturbed for several days, the female will start building her nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ca5e025b-7e53-41d9-94a4-de04a6614f60/2022-03-22+09.51.31.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Looks good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ed7a04a5-9d54-468f-abaf-e9e54638ca87/2022-03-23+12.36.10.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Time to start building! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0deeb852-c935-4ce9-bad6-8e44c6ea856e/2022-03-28+10.04.26.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat The female starts with a thin layer of grasses and pine needles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0ffdec28-141b-4dec-9f54-0f32e3220914/2022-03-28+09.44.44.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Then, she fluffs and pushes it in to a nest shape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/88d9a698-f783-49b9-b81e-310d629a0c1b/2022-03-28+14.03.23.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Like this! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c928360c-34bc-468a-8335-779a77c63801/2022-04-02+07.44.00.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat More grasses are added and fluffed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/5e922df4-fb82-41ac-b248-781cd34b0e7e/2022-04-01+14.12.23.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat And the process repeats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/17ddcff3-a80e-41ae-9620-7fc24e7525c2/2022-04-03+08.47.55.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat And, repeats.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/59da9371-5eaf-4d4a-8fad-3ae6f120ed50/2022-04-24+14.39.23.jpg Stories - Bluebird Habitat Until the nest is suitable for her eggs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/256b2d22-fe89-4980-9feb-29da5c31ac82/2022-04-08+08.28.38.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat She lays her first egg! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/65480fa5-cb34-4906-bba3-c59d9c88e35e/2022-04-08+08.41.02.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Beautiful! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/60e76ab1-dd25-4ba5-a078-adcb9bf7ff9a/2022-04-09+10.28.57.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat An egg is laid each morning. This is the 2nd day... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/132f24d5-f324-4e2b-9b67-737190942e9c/2022-04-10+16.23.15.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Day 3... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0a05df4a-eae6-42a7-a60f-c1f611a567a4/Photo+Apr+11%2C+7+26+05+PM.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Day 4... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/cdd4bc0a-8206-4d69-b753-046f1f10d61e/2022-04-25+09.26.05.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Day 5... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/eef0bc4f-7fd3-48c1-99f4-0e5903d8f722/2022-04-17+14.49.22.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Day 6 - done laying - now she will sit on her nest for a couple of weeks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/9451dc72-641c-4028-9639-1908ae6ee151/Photo+Apr+14%2C+3+18+44+PM.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat And sit... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/10dde739-10c8-499b-8b99-d63f9f7b012d/2022-04-26+09.36.36.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Until the chicks start hatching https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c687e1ea-4d22-40c6-b5fe-c77dcc69d7be/2022-04-26+10.15.11.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Four of the five eggs hatch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/8132c9ea-fdd2-4d11-b37e-c0a048112d21/2022-04-26+10.15.31.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Now the chore of keeping the chicks feed begins. The male joins in to help and continues to guard the nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/4f3f3a1c-5773-41fc-93e5-455c94cd15d2/2022-04-27+09.59.05.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Getting some fuzz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/3db2e7fe-b407-4534-a28a-cf7b0e4b6732/2022-04-27+10.49.44.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0079ddcb-07b0-4055-a60e-273789bbd5e9/2022-04-28+12.37.06.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Bluebird babies sleep... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f3e1fcb4-c5e9-4aed-aff2-7a78471b1670/2022-04-28+14.34.25.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat and sleep... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2cc6a157-9476-4aec-9a5e-2fcdf942f011/2022-05-02+15.16.46.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Until they hear a parent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/e20c8d1c-7bcf-4313-9ea8-af51b9d6e05a/2022-04-29+13.13.35.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Then, it's every beak for himself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/106cb0e5-22f8-4002-aff7-567c4f9ef7cd/2022-05-04+14.41.32.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Getting feathers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/6e7c9f47-f281-40b5-8dc1-480dd44ea525/2022-05-06+09.33.08.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c8e736d9-7c6f-4697-a39a-552f322808eb/2022-05-06+09.37.42.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Opening eyes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/bc94c7ff-8574-4590-b200-d1e43525080e/2022-05-09+12.40.39.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Now, they are REALLY hungry! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/58c54b36-7af3-4263-864c-635297079b45/2022-05-10+11.50.12.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Tail feathers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/50a7c49f-9cac-4d5f-bbec-b54a0d822f5a/2022-05-10+11.57.18.jpg Stories - Bluebird Habitat Getting to big for this! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/578589dd-1a4e-4c94-bc43-4d2f58bedcae/2022-05-11+21.38.48.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Last night together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f164702c-322f-4d2d-8ea1-57e85eef1066/2022-05-10+11.56.00.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Feeling like today is a good day to fledge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/7b8299e6-4ee0-4a1b-90f9-5586487c990f/2022-05-13+09.32.27.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat One, brave bird flew the nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f3eaeeb0-f23e-4de9-94be-56c2a2f15988/2022-05-13+09.33.24.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat The second bird leaves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/69f361c3-4324-4089-8c42-cf54e2d840b1/2022-05-13+09.34.23.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Now what!?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/d56064d7-7780-4ca8-a8cf-63fb40906267/2022-05-13+14.34.06.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Down to two! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/dc337be3-df20-4d6c-bf7f-ea4f34a25027/2022-05-11+21.42.50.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat The last one decides it's time to fly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/6e43038b-c06f-481d-a679-b54aa6b24a6e/2022-05-13+15.00.14.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat They left a mess on the walls! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0f1cdddc-bdc7-481d-84ae-55d5b1434a75/2022-05-30+09.54.52.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat Through their entire life, they've had my little camera to keep them company. So, as an experiment, I strapped the camera to the "perch" by their house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0b7ed83e-f09f-4ae8-8b05-8b5de54c71ea/2022-05-30+09.55.23.png Stories - Bluebird Habitat They were so excited! They recognized the camera and snuggled up next to it before flying on. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/chickadee-habitat monthly 0.5 2026-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772915712670-MDT2XA2EUVR4TVPRZ7N8/2024-05-08%2B12.05.10.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat The exterior of the Carolina Chickadee nest box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/193a6d99-f896-4282-bd63-e5ed6923986e/2024-04-04+13.38.54.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat Chickadees use moss https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/50bda790-b732-4328-a4c5-e0f5e55773a7/2024-04-13+14.12.25.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat After the base layer of mosses, the chickadee adds a layer of insulation (animal fur and soft plant fibers). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/63323791-4368-41f2-b83b-884c187567c3/2024-04-05+19.12.50.png Stories - Chickadee Habitat On a chilly May morning, the adult female sleeps puffed up with her beak under her wing to conserve body heat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772898570804-JCUMYY7PRA0VW2UJILNX/2024-04-13%2B14.18.38.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat The female will lay one egg a day and cover her eggs with nesting material. At the end of her laying period, she will sit on the nest so the eggs will all incubate at the same rate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772898690990-VZI0DGYGNMZSUA3KNI1C/2024-04-27%2B16.42.39-1.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat Newly hatched chicks. This cozy cup of animal fur and grasses is about the size of a one dollar coin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1b2d42b3-202e-4484-bf7c-ba41d6389df1/2024-04-28+11.40.20.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat Four of the five eggs hatched in this clutch. It's not unusual for an egg to be unviable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/347a2ade-cacb-4685-8911-1271764ca87d/2024-04-30+14.51.32.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat More feathers, but still in the ugly/cute stage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/27a1c3c2-1587-4bce-bc94-b1b35d5f05ab/2024-05-04+11.15.16.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772916778792-7QP5NKKDIRZJJGB1VNZQ/2024-05-04%2B09.24.03.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat White cheek patches are starting to come in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0e24f29c-2a1a-454e-aba0-88c90ee71c4f/2024-05-07+08.14.52.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat Looking like chickadees! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772916267102-XIHOWN2E7W8M5KR5L9QR/2024-05-07%2B08.16.03.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat Trouble begins! A large rat snake is circling the nest box. The box is baffled but the parents don't know this and call to the chicks to abandon the nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f18824c3-2dba-4bed-b160-4f8e0b4438e2/2024-05-08+11.17.14.png Stories - Chickadee Habitat I safely relocate the snake but the chicks are disturbed and all leave the nest box - scattering themselves all over the lawn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/69c77ae2-ed32-4316-b56d-19d0fb988dbd/2024-05-08+16.12.54.jpg Stories - Chickadee Habitat After several hours, all chicks are found. Two went into a neighbor's yard, one was on the patio and another under a bush. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1772916580879-NGNB0DHT2Z4IK8WEV87B/2024-05-10%2B12.38.07.png Stories - Chickadee Habitat I shove each chick back into their next box and cover the entrance until they calm down. Then, I leave them alone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f4f85bef-8021-49fc-a8bf-2a28a1a89a0a/2024-05-09+05.49.04.png Stories - Chickadee Habitat Night vision. Soon after I left the parents resumed feeding. These chicks stayed in the nest and fledged two days later. https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/aquastormpermeabledriveway monthly 0.5 2026-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768166757496-S2TKUOKYQCKNASPJPVUU/HOME-%2Bdriveway.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The Driveway Plan. The original driveway was 9' wide, I widened it to 10 feet at the bottom and just over 13' at the top for extra stability and access. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768164969822-LYAH13IMFHERRNHNLNVM/2025-08-01%2B12.16.03.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The old asphalt driveway was unsightly and impermeable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/f55539e9-4e31-4da8-a4ed-24c26e03e180/section+driveway.jpeg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway My section drawing of the Aquastorm driveway. Permeable driveways require layers of rock and geogrids/ geofabric for correct water infiltration and stability. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768167642626-10J45ZPV54F7JK5F0JAJ/2025-09-12%2B13.19.59.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The first layer of geofabric goes down! I hired Cape Landscape Contractors, LLC to install. Click this photo to view their services. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/6dcda542-6eb0-4408-8f2e-8cecfe4b83f5/2025-09-12+13.59.32.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The geofabric is followed by geogrid for stabilization - then #57 clean rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0502e428-214f-4705-ae4d-b6483f55f0ea/2025-09-13+11.29.51.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The #57 clean rock is leveled and raked. Then, another layer of stabilization topped with smaller #8 clean stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768168079033-S07C9BRKDPS6296LVJT4/2025-09-13%2B13.52.10.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Another layer of geogrid is placed on top of the #8 rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/13f55850-6a64-4eb2-94ea-4fec494b95f7/2025-09-13+13.52.14.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The pavers are 3.5 inches thick and extra care is required to get the slope right and the new driveway level with the existing sidewalk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/bbb3191a-5aed-473c-9413-d097b8487277/2025-09-13+14.15.47.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Starting to lay down the pavers. I chose a herringbone pattern because a running bond was overwhelming for the small, plain house. Straight lines would be more suited to a larger property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768168632569-J890XWQ19P1QMK4N1362/2025-09-15%2B13.27.37-1.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The cement block had to be cut multiple times to maintain a clean, curved edge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/7c75983b-6cb1-4983-8603-549117de82b0/2025-09-16+09.48.58.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Compacting pavers into place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/04236f2d-79d0-4621-80e7-891431d8eb16/2025-09-16+11.16.18.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway A beautiful job by Cape Landscape Contractors LLC https://capecontractorsco.com/ Now, it's time to fill and plant. Some folks choose to fill with #8 crushed rock. I chose to make a green driveway because.... well, plants! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768168950149-67K6BFAJH97SMP8V7UDL/2025-09-17%2B12.40.46.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Topsoil was brought in. Knowing I was going to plant Pennsylvania Sedge to the right, I layed cardboard on the grass to smother it and topped it off with the topsoil. No dig turf removal! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768169187840-IV8O4I2H9AE8S2B6LHUN/2025-09-18%2B11.02.23.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway The driveway is a mess for about 2 weeks as the soil settles. This is NOT the fun part. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/9dccb7ee-5dd9-4cfa-8bfc-d6277f9ede78/2025-09-20+13.02.38.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway At least, we can use the driveway while waiting for the soil to settle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/40cbf4c2-2994-448e-bd86-ab8804eda45c/2025-09-26+12.37.41.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway I sowed American Meadows cover crop seed mix to help stabilize the soil until I had a chance to plant the permanent plantings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/2040035f-fa91-43c4-8157-c2395fdf66ac/driveway+resized.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Native Mazus groundcover works well for the sunny areas of the driveway. The spots in full shade get dwarf mundo grass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/1768351615272-ANZUDSC6DSX5AW39HBHI/caronaquastorm.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway January, three months after installation. Some plants are dormant but they will be green again in the Spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/0f97639a-2807-4374-b07e-a62cf9b02179/2026-02-04+15.44.35.jpg Stories - Aquastorm Permeable Driveway Aquastorm after a snow storm. It shovels well! https://www.rhondafeistgardendesign.com/portfolio/screeningaboveafence monthly 0.5 2026-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/b5aa0ec7-c795-4b48-9ca8-03927cdc919b/pleach+dodge.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence The summer of 2025 finally saw branching on each support. I removed the bottom support and accompanying branches to "raise" the hedge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ef6e2525-b6bf-438f-adaf-94341aa26e24/2020-03-27+11.05.32.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence In 2020, I purchased 5 American Hornbeam trees from Homestead Gardens. They branched low and didn't even reach the first support. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/d378cf81-2423-4cfe-86f5-fa7dafcbed4f/2022-04-25+10.54.04+%281%29.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence By 2023, I added three more bamboo supports and deck hangers for additional stabilization. After three years of training, I was starting to see leafy progress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/eaf5757b-ec5e-4cea-b19b-ca35dd374dd8/2025-03-30+12.36.19.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence Delicate catkins emerge on the American Hornbeam as it starts to leaf out in the spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/06a01fbd-cdce-41f7-b984-139c8f5e5b50/2025-05-29+10.36.42.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence Clusters of pendulous seeds persist through fall and add a hops like interest through the warm months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/ecdd7fe5-1ffe-46b5-aec3-7e90b662541b/2025-05-29+10.36.56.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence 2025 - Many branches have been trimmed to facilitate the height of the pleaching. These cuts will become less visible over time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68407dd93db42762f0e25c19/c54f4b7b-e90d-49bd-8a92-855fab017f29/2025-05-29+10.35.12+%281%29.jpg Stories - Screening Above a Fence After five years, the pleaching doesn't quite screen the neighboring house. I am confident it will be fully screened in another three years. The trees are stabilized and ready to fill in and grow up.