By Thom Luloff, Master Gardener in Training

In the quiet corner of your garden, a story unfolds—one of decay, renewal, and survival. A fallen log, at least 15 cm in diameter, lies undisturbed, its bark peeling away with time. To most, it might seem like nothing more than a lump of rotting wood, but to the creatures of Ontario’s forests and backyards, it is a shelter, a buffet, and a nursery all in one.

The Architects of Decay

The transformation begins with Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), a vibrant bracket fungus spreading across the log in waves of blue, green, and brown. Working quietly, it releases enzymes that break down lignin, the tough compound that gives wood its strength (Boddy et al., 2021). Alongside it, Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) and Split Gill Fungus (Schizophyllum commune) creep across the wood, softening its once-solid structure and preparing it for the next wave of life.

The Engineers of the Wood

As the fungi work their magic, the log becomes an inviting home for insects. Snails and slugs slither across its damp surface, feeding on the growing fungi. Beneath the bark, Carpenter Ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) carve out intricate tunnels, not to eat the wood but to create hidden chambers for their colony (Foelix, 2019). Their tunneling allows moisture and air to penetrate deeper into the log, making it an even richer habitat for the next arrivals—Ontario’s native beetles.

Black ground beetles of various species arrive on the log en masse, searching for a place to lay eggs. Their larvae burrow deep into the softened wood, slowly turning it into nutrient-rich humus (Harvey et al., 2011). These beetles, in turn, attract predators like the Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), a metallic green hunter patrolling the log for an easy meal.

A Shelter for Ontario’s Wildlife

As the log softens and cracks, it becomes a refuge. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) slithers beneath it, hiding from the drying heat of the day. This moisture-loving amphibian thrives in the humid microclimate the log provides, emerging at night to hunt for small insects. Nearby, the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda) scurries through the leaf litter, using the decaying log as a hiding spot between hunting trips.

Above, the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) scratches at the log’s surface, searching for insect larvae hiding within. Not far away, the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) tucks itself into a crevice, waiting for dusk to begin its nightly hunt. Even the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), a species at risk in Ontario, may roost in the log’s hollowed-out cavities, using it as a safe shelter from predators.

A Final Gift to the Soil

As the years pass, the log continues to break down, its nutrients seeping into the soil. Studies have shown that decomposing wood increases soil fertility and microbial diversity, providing essential nourishment for plants and fungi alike (Harmon et al., 2020). What was once a towering tree now gives back to the very land it grew from, ensuring the cycle of life continues.

Leaving a log to decompose in your garden isn’t just an act of neglect— it’s an act of conservation. It creates a thriving ecosystem, supporting species often overlooked in urban spaces. So the next time you see a fallen branch or an aging log, resist the urge to clean it up. Instead, leave it where it lies and witness the hidden world of life it supports.

References

Boddy, L., Hiscox, J., & Gilmartin, E. (2021). Fungal decomposition of wood: Fundamentals and impact on ecosystems. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 52(1), 121-142.

Foelix, R. (2019). Biology of Spiders. Oxford University Press. Harvey, D. J., Hawes, C. J., & Gange, A. C. (2011). The role of dead wood in maintaining beetle diversity. Biodiversity and Conservation, 20(10), 2307-2323.

Harmon, M. E., Fasth, B., Woodall, C. W., & Sexton, J. (2020). Carbon storage and nutrient cycling in decomposing logs: A long-term perspective. Forest Ecology and Management, 466, 118127.

By Christine Freeburn, Master Gardener

Many of us would like to use more fresh herbs in our cooking, especially when they are in season. But we often plant them out in the garden instead of having them close to the kitchen door within easy reach. Why not plant a container this season and place it where you will have it accessible.

For best results, plant herbs with similar water requirements in the same container. Be sure your container has drainage. Put holes in the bottom or use a container with drainage and put inside a pretty pot. Make sure the pot is deep enough… at least 8”. Use good organic potting mix that is light, rather than heavy garden soil and mix in some good compost. You can plant herbs closely, about 6”- 9” apart and they will grow up and out. Herbs in containers will do better with some fertilizer.  Use an organic solution which is higher in nitrogen, but weaken the strength and apply every 4 weeks. Fish emulsion is a good choice.

Choose a spot that gets at least 5 hours of sun. Early morning sun is best. If you have west exposure, you may need to water more often.

Many annual herbs like evenly moist soil, like parsley, basil, lemon verbena & dill. You will want a relatively deep pot for parsley as it does develop a tap root. Lemon balm is a perennial that likes it evenly moist. Chives are a perennial that are sweeter when kept evenly moist, but can take it dry.

There are many flavours of mint available including spearmint, strawberry, chocolate & mojito but beware as mint is a perennial that can be invasive. Better to contain it in a pot.

Thyme, winter savoury, oregano are all perennials that like dryer soil. Add rosemary & sage to the list of herbs preferring it dry. Treat rosemary as an annual. You can try to overwinter indoors if you have a spot that is cool and sunny and let the plant dry between waterings. The perennials can go into the ground in a permanent home in the fall. Sage may overwinter, so plant in the garden and watch for growth in spring. Prune down to active growth.

You can also plant herbs in separate pots and have a collection of pretty pots. Smaller pots will dry out quicker, so be aware of soil moisture.

Here are a few suggestions of combinations:

• Lavender, citronella & marigold for aromatics
• Lemon balm, lemon verbena & mint for teas
• Thyme, sage, savoury & oregano for dry rubs or in a marinade for meats
• Summer savoury is the annual version of winter savoury. It prefers evenly moist soil and has a lighter, sweeter flavour. Cilantro is another annual favourite that needs evenly moist soil. It often bolts with hot weather, going to seed and becoming coriander.
• Perennial herbs like french tarragon and lovage are not suited to container gardening as they get too tall and develop deep roots.

Imagine a lovely tomato salad with fresh basil, or barbeque chicken with a savoury/ thyme rub, or fresh mint in your mojito. All organically grown by you!

For more on herbs, check out other articles on own website, by using the search window on the top right of this page.

Resources

https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/guidecategories/herbs/

https://www.thespruce.com/best-fertilizers-for-awesome-herbs-1761848

by Thom Luloff, Master Gardener in Training

In the wake of this year’s icy spring storm, many of us in Peterborough and the Kawarthas are surveying broken branches, toppled limbs, and fallen logs. But before hauling all that brush to the curb, I invite you to consider this: what if this is not just storm debris—but an opportunity?

Let’s make 2025 The Year of the Log.

Leaving a log or brush pile in a quiet, sheltered corner of your yard might seem like neglect. In fact, it’s one of the simplest and most impactful things you can do to support local biodiversity—and save yourself some backbreaking yard work while you’re at it.

A single fallen log is a five-star wildlife hotel. It provides shelter for overwintering insects like native bees, beetles, and butterflies. These pollinators—often struggling with habitat loss—use dead wood to lay eggs, take refuge from predators, and hunker down for winter. Many of them emerge in spring just in time to pollinate our fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

Logs and brush piles also serve as nurseries for amphibians and reptiles. Toads, salamanders, and garter snakes all benefit from the cool, damp conditions under a decomposing log. They, in turn, keep garden pests like slugs and aphids in check—natural pest control at its finest. And then there are the birds. Wrens and chickadees will happily forage for insects in your brush pile, while robins use twigs for nest-building. Larger logs host fungi, mosses, and even young plants, enriching your soil and supporting the micro-ecosystems your garden depends on.

By leaving a log or brush pile in a quiet corner of your yard, you’re not just reducing your workload—you’re creating a vital sanctuary. Here are five incredible species that will thank you for it:

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🌟 1. Bumblebee Queens (Bombus spp.)
Before flowers bloom in spring, bumblebee queens emerge from hibernation. These big, fuzzy powerhouses need sheltered, undisturbed places—like brush piles or hollow logs—to overwinter and start a new colony. Support them, and you’re supporting the pollination of tomatoes, berries, and native wildflowers.

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🌟 2. Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
Small, secretive, and surprisingly fierce for its size, this amphibian lives its whole life under logs and stones, eating garden pests like slugs and ants. No pond required—they breathe through their skin and thrive in moist log-rich corners. Think of them as silent garden guardians.

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🌟 3. Mason Bees (Osmia spp.)
Unlike honeybees, these super-efficient, solitary bees don’t sting and nest in tiny holes in rotting wood or hollow twigs. One mason bee can pollinate as many flowers as 100 honeybees. Leaving dead wood means giving them a nesting site—and ensuring bountiful fruit in your garden.

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🌟 4. Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
More than just adorable, chipmunks are busy ecosystem engineers. They cache seeds (helping plants spread), aerate soil through their tunnels, and feed owls, hawks, and foxes. Brush piles give them safe cover from predators and harsh weather.

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🌟 5. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
These energetic little birds forage in fallen logs and tree stumps, chiseling out insects and larvae that might otherwise damage your plants. Plus, their drumming calls add delightful percussion to your yard. Dead wood = good birding.

We understand the urge to “clean up,” but what looks messy to us may be lifesaving habitat for countless species. And in a world where pollinators and wildlife face increasing pressures, your backyard could be part of the solution.

Want to keep things tidy? Try this:

• Stack broken branches neatly into a low brush pile along a fence or under a shrub.
• Lay a large log partially buried in a flowerbed as a rustic “nurse log”—watch it slowly become a home to mosses, mushrooms, and tiny critters.
• Create a “wild corner” with storm debris, leaf litter, and stones—nature will take care of the rest.

This spring, instead of dragging logs to the street, drag them into your garden’s shady corner. Give nature a place to thrive, reduce your workload, and watch your yard come alive in ways you never expected.

Here’s to The Year of the Log—less raking, more life.