The Michigan House has passed a bill to allow deer baiting in the Lower Peninsula. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
(Ed. Note: This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.)
By Ellie Katz, IPR
Bridge Michigan
The Michigan House has advanced a bill that would allow deer baiting in the Lower Peninsula.
Baiting — putting out piles of food to attract deer for hunting — has been banned in the Lower Peninsula since 2018. State wildlife regulators enacted the ban with the goal of preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease, a fatal, contagious brain disease which has now been found in 16 Lower Peninsula counties.
While the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has opposed past efforts to lift the baiting ban, that tune has changed.
“We’re certainly open to that discussion,” said Taylor Ridderbusch, chief of staff at the DNR.
But the department doesn’t want the change coming from the Legislature. It wants it to come from the Natural Resources Commission.
“The Natural Resources Commission is charged with using sound scientific management when they’re creating regulations,” Ridderbusch said. “There’s just that extra layer of protection in terms of what they put forward through a wildlife conservation order as opposed to what the Legislature is bound to when they are considering legislation.”
Jim Sweeney, a hunter from Leelanau County and lobbyist with the Concerned Sportsmen of Michigan, agrees.
“There’s a reason we delegate natural resources policy to the experts, which is the Department (of Natural Resources) and the Natural Resources Commission,” Sweeney said. “By usurping that authority, we get into very dangerous territory, because, essentially, then you’re managing our natural resources by popular vote. Because that’s what politicians are chasing at the end of the day.”
He worries changing hunting regulation via the Legislature would create a dangerous precedent for natural resources management in Michigan, shifting power from a group whose decisions are bound by science to one whose decisions are more closely tied to popular opinion.
Despite that, Sweeney wants to see baiting allowed again in counties where chronic wasting disease hasn’t been detected. His previous support for the ban dulled when he saw other contradictory regulations, like antler point restrictions, go into effect. (Antler point restrictions prevent hunters from killing young male deer to promote age diversity and antler growth, but adult male deer are thought to have higher CWD prevalence and might be more likely to spread the disease farther.)
Critics of the ban point to other contradictions, like poor enforcement of the rule and the natural tendency of deer to congregate, which spreads chronic wasting disease.
“This week on a drive to Hillsdale, my husband and I counted more than 30 deer feeding together in a single field,” said state Rep. Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, in an address to the state House on Feb. 4. Wortz is the lead sponsor on the baiting bill that passed.
“The baiting ban has not stopped disease,” Wortz said. “What it has done is contribute to exploding deer populations, increased crop damage and more dangerous encounters on our roads.”
Wortz said lifting the ban would encourage more hunting opportunities and therefore help lower overabundant deer populations.
There is limited scientific evidence to suggest baiting would lower deer populations. A 2003 study in Wisconsin found that baiting does not increase harvest success.
Wildlife disease experts say that more deer in closer contact increases the risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease. A 2025 study from Michigan State University and the DNR looked at the different types of contact deer have when feeding. Researchers found that deer concentrate more densely at bait sites than at food plots or on the natural landscape.
While an outright baiting ban likely won’t prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, scientists say it can buy resource managers and researchers more time to figure out a better way to deal with the outbreak.
As is, the baiting bill that passed the Republican-controlled House makes no exceptions for counties where chronic wasting disease has been detected. The bill will now go to the Democrat-controlled state Senate for review before it can move ahead.
Sweeney, the hunter and lobbyist, is hopeful the DNR can present the NRC with a proposal to modify the current baiting ban before the state Senate acts on the bill.
But if not, and the bill passes, he said, “I think we’re on a very slippery slope here.”
By Ellie Katz, IPR
Bridge Michigan
The Michigan House has advanced a bill that would allow deer baiting in the Lower Peninsula.
Baiting — putting out piles of food to attract deer for hunting — has been banned in the Lower Peninsula since 2018. State wildlife regulators enacted the ban with the goal of preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease, a fatal, contagious brain disease which has now been found in 16 Lower Peninsula counties.
While the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has opposed past efforts to lift the baiting ban, that tune has changed.
“We’re certainly open to that discussion,” said Taylor Ridderbusch, chief of staff at the DNR.
But the department doesn’t want the change coming from the Legislature. It wants it to come from the Natural Resources Commission.
“The Natural Resources Commission is charged with using sound scientific management when they’re creating regulations,” Ridderbusch said. “There’s just that extra layer of protection in terms of what they put forward through a wildlife conservation order as opposed to what the Legislature is bound to when they are considering legislation.”
Jim Sweeney, a hunter from Leelanau County and lobbyist with the Concerned Sportsmen of Michigan, agrees.
“There’s a reason we delegate natural resources policy to the experts, which is the Department (of Natural Resources) and the Natural Resources Commission,” Sweeney said. “By usurping that authority, we get into very dangerous territory, because, essentially, then you’re managing our natural resources by popular vote. Because that’s what politicians are chasing at the end of the day.”
He worries changing hunting regulation via the Legislature would create a dangerous precedent for natural resources management in Michigan, shifting power from a group whose decisions are bound by science to one whose decisions are more closely tied to popular opinion.
Despite that, Sweeney wants to see baiting allowed again in counties where chronic wasting disease hasn’t been detected. His previous support for the ban dulled when he saw other contradictory regulations, like antler point restrictions, go into effect. (Antler point restrictions prevent hunters from killing young male deer to promote age diversity and antler growth, but adult male deer are thought to have higher CWD prevalence and might be more likely to spread the disease farther.)
Critics of the ban point to other contradictions, like poor enforcement of the rule and the natural tendency of deer to congregate, which spreads chronic wasting disease.
“This week on a drive to Hillsdale, my husband and I counted more than 30 deer feeding together in a single field,” said state Rep. Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, in an address to the state House on Feb. 4. Wortz is the lead sponsor on the baiting bill that passed.
“The baiting ban has not stopped disease,” Wortz said. “What it has done is contribute to exploding deer populations, increased crop damage and more dangerous encounters on our roads.”
Wortz said lifting the ban would encourage more hunting opportunities and therefore help lower overabundant deer populations.
There is limited scientific evidence to suggest baiting would lower deer populations. A 2003 study in Wisconsin found that baiting does not increase harvest success.
Wildlife disease experts say that more deer in closer contact increases the risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease. A 2025 study from Michigan State University and the DNR looked at the different types of contact deer have when feeding. Researchers found that deer concentrate more densely at bait sites than at food plots or on the natural landscape.
While an outright baiting ban likely won’t prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, scientists say it can buy resource managers and researchers more time to figure out a better way to deal with the outbreak.
As is, the baiting bill that passed the Republican-controlled House makes no exceptions for counties where chronic wasting disease has been detected. The bill will now go to the Democrat-controlled state Senate for review before it can move ahead.
Sweeney, the hunter and lobbyist, is hopeful the DNR can present the NRC with a proposal to modify the current baiting ban before the state Senate acts on the bill.
But if not, and the bill passes, he said, “I think we’re on a very slippery slope here.”
Old-Timers Walleye Tackle Box Holds Top Producers
Rich Lefler with two walleye caught on jigs.
Photo by Jack Payne
Photo by Jack Payne
By Jack Payne
The old two-stroke motor was purring along; small puffs of smoke were being emitted along with that sweet aroma - a rod in one hand and another on the handle of the tiller motor.
We were trolling upstream, following the deep slots and holes of the river from one side to the other. A floating black-and-silver Rapala with a small rubber core sinker was slowly being pulled into the current.
This was living: catching walleye, a bonus pike or two, and, on the rare occasion, a steelhead. Other lures worked well, but I have a fondness for the Original Rapala and the Rapala Husky Jerks.
I really do not see a need for any other crankbaits. Correction, if they still made it, a Heddon Tadpolly. This was, hands down, my No. 1 bait. The Flatfish is still made and is a close second.
The nice thing about a flatfish is that it will run at a super slow speed, and tipping the middle treble hook with an inch or two of a crawler becomes a terrific lure.
These lures can be trolled with a split shot, run deep on the old three-way river rig, or cast around the weedbeds and any rocky riprap areas of a lake or a river.
Jigs have become my No. 1 lure. When we fish the east side of the state, one-ounce jig heads are used the most. At times, with a fast current or when fishing the 50-foot depths, we use a 1.5-ounce jig head.
Folks, don’t get too carried away with the shape of the jig head, or if it’s painted or not. Worry more about staying in contact with the bottom. We use three colors of plastic. Something along the lines of a Blue Ice, Black Ice, or the pimp daddy. Nothing more, and the Charlie Brewer Walleye Grub is a favorite.
Two old jigs have become my favorites and are rarely found in other boats. The Whistler Jig heads are sold in the smaller weight sizes, but no longer in the one-ounce model. Have no fear, buy a handful of propeller blades and a piece of plastic tubing. Add it to your favorite jig head.
Trust me, this jig head will outproduce a standard jig head just about any day on the river. Add your favorite plastic tail along with a stinger hook.
Last year, my top producer was a hair-jig. You can buy hair jigs from Fly Fishing Universe. This guy makes great hair jigs and lives near Detroit. Or tie your own. When tying your own, be careful not to have too much hair. Less is best; you want it to breathe and flutter.
Hair or Marabou jigs work. The fall rate is slower; they pulsate without you needing to take any action, and if you like, they can be tipped with a minnow or a piece of crawler.
I use the Lindy Fuzzy Grubs and the smaller Whistler Jig heads on our inland lakes and local rivers. They work great above, around, and through any weed bed. And walleyes will use weeds all season.
Slip bobbers are a must when fishing any of our inland lakes. Many of the Thill and Stan Floats are rated for a certain sinker weight. My setup is basic. Slide on a bobber stop, either a rubber or a thread. Then slide on the float. The best floats will have a metal tube. Then slide on an egg sinker that is just slightly smaller than what the float is rated for. Tie on a swivel.
Then tie on a fluorocarbon leader, say two to three feet long. Then add a glow-in-the-dark octopus, size 4 or 6 hook, or a large-gap, very lightweight jig head. Add a minnow or a leech.
Crawler harness rigs have landed more walleye than any other setup. I like the expensive silver and gold-colored blades. I use a Sharpie to change the colors.
When drifting, I use a floating jig head or a slow-death hook. In most cases, a Mack Smyle blade is used. This is a great drifting set-up regardless of the depth. Simple techniques that still work after decades of use. Remember to visit Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop.
The old two-stroke motor was purring along; small puffs of smoke were being emitted along with that sweet aroma - a rod in one hand and another on the handle of the tiller motor.
We were trolling upstream, following the deep slots and holes of the river from one side to the other. A floating black-and-silver Rapala with a small rubber core sinker was slowly being pulled into the current.
This was living: catching walleye, a bonus pike or two, and, on the rare occasion, a steelhead. Other lures worked well, but I have a fondness for the Original Rapala and the Rapala Husky Jerks.
I really do not see a need for any other crankbaits. Correction, if they still made it, a Heddon Tadpolly. This was, hands down, my No. 1 bait. The Flatfish is still made and is a close second.
The nice thing about a flatfish is that it will run at a super slow speed, and tipping the middle treble hook with an inch or two of a crawler becomes a terrific lure.
These lures can be trolled with a split shot, run deep on the old three-way river rig, or cast around the weedbeds and any rocky riprap areas of a lake or a river.
Jigs have become my No. 1 lure. When we fish the east side of the state, one-ounce jig heads are used the most. At times, with a fast current or when fishing the 50-foot depths, we use a 1.5-ounce jig head.
Folks, don’t get too carried away with the shape of the jig head, or if it’s painted or not. Worry more about staying in contact with the bottom. We use three colors of plastic. Something along the lines of a Blue Ice, Black Ice, or the pimp daddy. Nothing more, and the Charlie Brewer Walleye Grub is a favorite.
Two old jigs have become my favorites and are rarely found in other boats. The Whistler Jig heads are sold in the smaller weight sizes, but no longer in the one-ounce model. Have no fear, buy a handful of propeller blades and a piece of plastic tubing. Add it to your favorite jig head.
Trust me, this jig head will outproduce a standard jig head just about any day on the river. Add your favorite plastic tail along with a stinger hook.
Last year, my top producer was a hair-jig. You can buy hair jigs from Fly Fishing Universe. This guy makes great hair jigs and lives near Detroit. Or tie your own. When tying your own, be careful not to have too much hair. Less is best; you want it to breathe and flutter.
Hair or Marabou jigs work. The fall rate is slower; they pulsate without you needing to take any action, and if you like, they can be tipped with a minnow or a piece of crawler.
I use the Lindy Fuzzy Grubs and the smaller Whistler Jig heads on our inland lakes and local rivers. They work great above, around, and through any weed bed. And walleyes will use weeds all season.
Slip bobbers are a must when fishing any of our inland lakes. Many of the Thill and Stan Floats are rated for a certain sinker weight. My setup is basic. Slide on a bobber stop, either a rubber or a thread. Then slide on the float. The best floats will have a metal tube. Then slide on an egg sinker that is just slightly smaller than what the float is rated for. Tie on a swivel.
Then tie on a fluorocarbon leader, say two to three feet long. Then add a glow-in-the-dark octopus, size 4 or 6 hook, or a large-gap, very lightweight jig head. Add a minnow or a leech.
Crawler harness rigs have landed more walleye than any other setup. I like the expensive silver and gold-colored blades. I use a Sharpie to change the colors.
When drifting, I use a floating jig head or a slow-death hook. In most cases, a Mack Smyle blade is used. This is a great drifting set-up regardless of the depth. Simple techniques that still work after decades of use. Remember to visit Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
There’s no doubt what we do makes an impression on our young people and those who look up to us.
Just as I remember buying my first new gun, I also remember my first new knife. Not only was I enamored by the knife itself, but I was also very interested in the paperwork that came with it.
While most would only throw away the unnecessary stuff, I made it a point to find out about my new Buck knife. It talked about how to take care of it and how to sharpen it. But what caught my attention was the message from Al Buck.
Here is how it read:
“Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn’t failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also; and it’s a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son; that whoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Wow! What an impression that made on a teenager. I thought big companies and successful people surely had no need for God. I was wrong and I never forgot that simple message purposefully placed in that little box.
Decades later, every time I go to buy a knife, I’m reminded of that day that someone cared enough to be unashamed of their faith and who also understood that all we have and all we do is to be used to reflect the goodness and grace of a Heavenly Father. Since that time, I have met other businesses and their owners who feel this same responsibility and apply it different ways. Their subtle but powerful message is their own unique way of recognizing their own Senior Partner.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 23 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
There’s no doubt what we do makes an impression on our young people and those who look up to us.
Just as I remember buying my first new gun, I also remember my first new knife. Not only was I enamored by the knife itself, but I was also very interested in the paperwork that came with it.
While most would only throw away the unnecessary stuff, I made it a point to find out about my new Buck knife. It talked about how to take care of it and how to sharpen it. But what caught my attention was the message from Al Buck.
Here is how it read:
“Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn’t failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also; and it’s a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son; that whoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Wow! What an impression that made on a teenager. I thought big companies and successful people surely had no need for God. I was wrong and I never forgot that simple message purposefully placed in that little box.
Decades later, every time I go to buy a knife, I’m reminded of that day that someone cared enough to be unashamed of their faith and who also understood that all we have and all we do is to be used to reflect the goodness and grace of a Heavenly Father. Since that time, I have met other businesses and their owners who feel this same responsibility and apply it different ways. Their subtle but powerful message is their own unique way of recognizing their own Senior Partner.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 23 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
Birding Activities, Free Admission Day at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Swans, Canada geese and Mallard ducks gather on an iced-over Wintergreen Lake.
Photo courtesy W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Photo courtesy W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Join W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary staff and fellow bird enthusiasts from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, to practice identification skills by sight and sound on a walk through the Sanctuary.
Participants in the guided walk will meet at the Resource Center building, then walk down to Wintergreen Lake to look for birds. During the hike, we’ll celebrate the wonderful experience of birding in the wintertime.
The cost of attendance for Sanctuary members is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children ages 2-17. For non-members, admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 2-17. Though the program is geared toward adults, avid junior birders are also welcome. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. No registration is required.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sanctuary will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Visit the Sanctuary, walk the trails and look for birds, and contribute to this annual community science effort spearheaded in part by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is located at 12685 East C Ave., one mile north of M-89 and just west of 40th Street. To learn more, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu. edu. Direct questions to bird sanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or (269) 671-2510.
Participants in the guided walk will meet at the Resource Center building, then walk down to Wintergreen Lake to look for birds. During the hike, we’ll celebrate the wonderful experience of birding in the wintertime.
The cost of attendance for Sanctuary members is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children ages 2-17. For non-members, admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 2-17. Though the program is geared toward adults, avid junior birders are also welcome. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. No registration is required.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Sanctuary will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Visit the Sanctuary, walk the trails and look for birds, and contribute to this annual community science effort spearheaded in part by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is located at 12685 East C Ave., one mile north of M-89 and just west of 40th Street. To learn more, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu. edu. Direct questions to bird sanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or (269) 671-2510.
Officers, Civilian Recognized for U.P. Ice Rescue
From left, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Maxinoski, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Jennifer Lehto (Hanson), Susan Barrette, of Bergland, Conservation Officer Zach Painter and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Capt. Steve Amsler were recognized for their quick and effective actions that saved an angler’s life when he broke through the ice of Lake Gogebic in Ontonagon County in March 2024.
Five individuals recently received awards for an ice rescue in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Jennifer Lehto (Hanson) and Zach Painter, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Maxinoski, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Capt. Steve Amsler and Susan Barrette, of Bergland, were recognized at a Feb. 2 DNR meeting for their quick and effective actions that saved the life of angler Paul Boehm when he broke through the ice of Lake Gogebic in March 2024.
The law enforcement officers received lifesaving awards, while Barrette was issued an “Outstanding Citizen Award.” That award may be given to a citizen who assists members of the department or the public in any way that tends to physically endanger the citizen. This includes actions by citizens that are instrumental in the apprehension of a criminal and for extraordinary actions taken to protect life or property.
“Everyone in this situation exemplified selfless teamwork in their efforts to rescue Mr. Boehm,” said Chief Brandon Kieft, DNR Law Enforcement Division.
Lehto currently works for the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s recreational safety, education and enforcement section. Painter patrols Menominee County. Both have been conservation officers since 2017. Maxinoski enlisted with MSP in 2018 and graduated from the 135th Trooper Recruit School. He is assigned to the Wakefield Post. Amsler patrols the west end of the Upper Peninsula and has been with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2011.
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Ice safety
The DNR reminds anyone who is on or near the ice that there is no specific ice thickness deemed to be safe. Always be prepared and cautious whenever venturing out onto the ice. Check the ice and watch for pressure cracks or other signs of water. Just because the ice is strong in one area doesn’t mean it will have the same thickness or strength in other places.
Additional ice safety tips include:
• Keep ice picks in an accessible spot, such as in a chest pocket.
• Don’t rely on what others tell you regarding ice conditions. Check the ice for yourself.
• Use a spud, auger, stick or axe to check the ice thickness and strength before you go on it.
More information about ice safety is available at Michigan.gov/IceSafety.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Jennifer Lehto (Hanson) and Zach Painter, Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Maxinoski, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Capt. Steve Amsler and Susan Barrette, of Bergland, were recognized at a Feb. 2 DNR meeting for their quick and effective actions that saved the life of angler Paul Boehm when he broke through the ice of Lake Gogebic in March 2024.
The law enforcement officers received lifesaving awards, while Barrette was issued an “Outstanding Citizen Award.” That award may be given to a citizen who assists members of the department or the public in any way that tends to physically endanger the citizen. This includes actions by citizens that are instrumental in the apprehension of a criminal and for extraordinary actions taken to protect life or property.
“Everyone in this situation exemplified selfless teamwork in their efforts to rescue Mr. Boehm,” said Chief Brandon Kieft, DNR Law Enforcement Division.
Lehto currently works for the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s recreational safety, education and enforcement section. Painter patrols Menominee County. Both have been conservation officers since 2017. Maxinoski enlisted with MSP in 2018 and graduated from the 135th Trooper Recruit School. He is assigned to the Wakefield Post. Amsler patrols the west end of the Upper Peninsula and has been with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2011.
—————
Ice safety
The DNR reminds anyone who is on or near the ice that there is no specific ice thickness deemed to be safe. Always be prepared and cautious whenever venturing out onto the ice. Check the ice and watch for pressure cracks or other signs of water. Just because the ice is strong in one area doesn’t mean it will have the same thickness or strength in other places.
Additional ice safety tips include:
• Keep ice picks in an accessible spot, such as in a chest pocket.
• Don’t rely on what others tell you regarding ice conditions. Check the ice for yourself.
• Use a spud, auger, stick or axe to check the ice thickness and strength before you go on it.
More information about ice safety is available at Michigan.gov/IceSafety.
A Plant for Every Room in Your Home
By Melinda Myers
Add a bit of greenery to your home’s décor with a few new plants. Match the plants to your style and the growing conditions in each room to create the desired results.
Consider the time you have and want to invest in caring for plants when selecting and placing them throughout your home. If you prefer to give your plants lots of attention and are attentive to watering, add a few challenging plants and those that like consistently moist soil. If you are busy or prefer a more hands-off approach, look for drought-tolerant plants that thrive with minimal care. Check plant tags and reliable resources for information on the light, water and care needed before purchasing your plants.
Start with one room and once satisfied with the results, move to the next. Dividing any project into smaller parts will be easier on your budget and schedule and often results in greater success.
Focus on the room where you spend the most time or feel it needs a greenery boost. Perhaps it’s your living room, family room or a reading nook. Use large floor plants to create a focal point, provide height and balance in the room and brighten bare walls. Fiddle leaf and weeping figs, rubber plants, dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), and palms are a few popular plants often sold as indoor trees. Set them on a plant caddy to protect your floors and make it easier to move them for cleaning and maintenance. Add some decorative artificial lights if needed.
Add some welcome color to any room. Neon pothos with its bright chartreuse leaves, crotons with its multicolored leaves, dracaenas with striped variegation and Raven ZZ plant with its purple-black foliage are just a few to consider. Incorporate a few low-maintenance flowering plants like anthuriums, bromeliads and moth orchids.
If you spend a lot of time cooking, washing dishes and cleaning up, your kitchen may be your priority. A windowsill herb garden provides fresh herbs to include in your favorite recipes. Their fragrance, when given a pet, makes clean up a bit more tolerable.
Create a sense of calm and promote a good night’s sleep with greenery. The beauty, oxygen and boost in humidity plants provide is also beneficial. Consider adding a few trailing plants grown in hanging baskets or displayed on shelves. The cascading foliage provides a bit of screening and softens hard surfaces for a cozier look.
Take advantage of the humidity in the bathroom and enjoy a splash of greenery when stepping out of the shower or tub. Try some ferns, air plants, prayer plants and other tropical plants that benefit from this environment.
Don’t overlook your home office. Research found looking at and tending plants can help increase focus and creativity.
Don’t let fungus gnats ruin the calm you are trying to create. They feed on organic matter in the soil, usually don’t harm your plants, but are annoying as they flit into your face and gather at the windows and your computer screen. Manage them with naturally occurring soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), found in Summit Mosquito Bits (SummitResponsibleSolutions. com). The bacteria will kill the fungus gnat larvae in the soil but is safe for people and pets. Follow the label directions and repeat as needed.
Evaluate your home’s décor and do a bit of research before you start shopping. Like any home project, planning can help save time and increase success.
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Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers. com.
Add a bit of greenery to your home’s décor with a few new plants. Match the plants to your style and the growing conditions in each room to create the desired results.
Consider the time you have and want to invest in caring for plants when selecting and placing them throughout your home. If you prefer to give your plants lots of attention and are attentive to watering, add a few challenging plants and those that like consistently moist soil. If you are busy or prefer a more hands-off approach, look for drought-tolerant plants that thrive with minimal care. Check plant tags and reliable resources for information on the light, water and care needed before purchasing your plants.
Start with one room and once satisfied with the results, move to the next. Dividing any project into smaller parts will be easier on your budget and schedule and often results in greater success.
Focus on the room where you spend the most time or feel it needs a greenery boost. Perhaps it’s your living room, family room or a reading nook. Use large floor plants to create a focal point, provide height and balance in the room and brighten bare walls. Fiddle leaf and weeping figs, rubber plants, dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), and palms are a few popular plants often sold as indoor trees. Set them on a plant caddy to protect your floors and make it easier to move them for cleaning and maintenance. Add some decorative artificial lights if needed.
Add some welcome color to any room. Neon pothos with its bright chartreuse leaves, crotons with its multicolored leaves, dracaenas with striped variegation and Raven ZZ plant with its purple-black foliage are just a few to consider. Incorporate a few low-maintenance flowering plants like anthuriums, bromeliads and moth orchids.
If you spend a lot of time cooking, washing dishes and cleaning up, your kitchen may be your priority. A windowsill herb garden provides fresh herbs to include in your favorite recipes. Their fragrance, when given a pet, makes clean up a bit more tolerable.
Create a sense of calm and promote a good night’s sleep with greenery. The beauty, oxygen and boost in humidity plants provide is also beneficial. Consider adding a few trailing plants grown in hanging baskets or displayed on shelves. The cascading foliage provides a bit of screening and softens hard surfaces for a cozier look.
Take advantage of the humidity in the bathroom and enjoy a splash of greenery when stepping out of the shower or tub. Try some ferns, air plants, prayer plants and other tropical plants that benefit from this environment.
Don’t overlook your home office. Research found looking at and tending plants can help increase focus and creativity.
Don’t let fungus gnats ruin the calm you are trying to create. They feed on organic matter in the soil, usually don’t harm your plants, but are annoying as they flit into your face and gather at the windows and your computer screen. Manage them with naturally occurring soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), found in Summit Mosquito Bits (SummitResponsibleSolutions. com). The bacteria will kill the fungus gnat larvae in the soil but is safe for people and pets. Follow the label directions and repeat as needed.
Evaluate your home’s décor and do a bit of research before you start shopping. Like any home project, planning can help save time and increase success.
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Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers. com.
