A Wild Plant Lady

A Wild Plant Lady Native species educator, but also a librarian, but also a seed library coordinator.
✌🏻 💕 🌿
Mecosta, Michigan Welcome to my journey!

Hello, I'm Danielle, a passionate advocate for native flora and fauna. Six years ago, my daughters and I embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, trading Washington state's familiar landscapes for the diverse beauty of northwest Michigan. Fuelled by my passion for native plants and animals, I'm on a mission to revive my beloved nursery on our picturesque 3.5-acre haven in Branch. As a devoted advocate for these incredible species, I'm dedicated to sharing their secrets and inspiring others to cherish their vital role in sustaining a healthy ecosystem. Through this platform, I'll share knowledge, spark inspiration, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving our natural world for future generations.

There’s a silver lining to this extreme weather — hemlock woolly adelgids might die forever!! Fingers crossed for the s...
01/23/2026

There’s a silver lining to this extreme weather — hemlock woolly adelgids might die forever!! Fingers crossed for the sake of our hemlock trees! 🤞🏻

We can probably all agree that this frigid weather has the potential to negatively affect our health. On the bright side, it also negatively impacts the survival of HWA! Research indicates that prolonged periods of subzero temperatures (specifically -4°F and below) can cause HWA mortality by up to 90% in some cases. Prolonged instances of temperatures ranging from -22°F to -31°F may cause a near total collapse of HWA populations. So while you're sitting by your wood stove or relaxing under a heated blanket, remember that the HWA outside is having a far worse day than you are.

The “real feel” today is -24°F so I’ll just be over here dreaming of spring if nobody minds.
01/23/2026

The “real feel” today is -24°F so I’ll just be over here dreaming of spring if nobody minds.

01/22/2026

Yesterday we saw this red fox cross the road, stop to look around, and hop off into the forest. What a magical sight.

Springtails doing their thing. Some of you may know these as “snow fleas,” but they’re not a flea and they’re not alway...
01/12/2026

Springtails doing their thing. Some of you may know these as “snow fleas,” but they’re not a flea and they’re not always in the snow.

01/12/2026

Snow fleas, or Hypogastrura nivicola, are not fleas at all but are actually a species of springtail.

These tiny arthropods “spring” about in and around the snow, won’t bite, and are not parasitic like real fleas. Instead they help with the decomposition of decaying organic matter which means they’re incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem!

These were spotted at Bowman Lake in Lake County, Michigan.

I’m in the newspaper for the seed library I started and continue to manage.
01/02/2026

I’m in the newspaper for the seed library I started and continue to manage.

At the Scottville and Ludington libraries there’s more to check out than just books — people also can check out seeds that will grow into nutritious and sustaining fruits and

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

Now go outside and winter sow some native wildflowers!

12/27/2025

Botanical term of the day: MARCESCENCE

Marcescence is the biological process where a small minority of deciduous trees (and shrubs), like this american beech, retain their dead, dried leaves as a defense mechanism to protect emerging buds from deer and harsh weather.

I like to call these leaves “ghost leaves.” 👻 🍂

This process is also seen in oaks, witch hazel, hornbeams, and spicebushes.

12/22/2025

Snow fleas, or Hypogastrura nivicola, are not fleas at all but are actually a species of springtail.

These tiny arthropods “spring” about in the snow, won’t bite, and are not parasitic like real fleas. Instead they help with the decomposition of decaying organic matter which means they’re incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem!

These were spotted at Bowman Lake in Lake County, Michigan.

HAPPY WINTER! Go for a hike and find some springtails!

12/19/2025

Witch hazel blooms around the end of November. When everything else is sleeping, this large shrub (small tree?) is out there putting on a show! And surprisingly, the hamamelis virginiana is a host plant to a whopping 63 species of butterflies and moths! 😱

12/18/2025

Don’t forget to plan what native plants you’re winter sowing next month!

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Tahuya, WA

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Who is Honest Roots Permaculture?

Hey, folks! My name is Danielle and I am the brain behind Honest Roots Permaculture. I am a permaculture gardening, foraging, earth loving, homeschooling, mother of two whose goal in life is to inspire people to live sustainably by growing gardens in place of lawns and planting food forests in place of monocultures (i.e. conventional farms).

Having been interested in plants since I was a small child, my wish is to bring knowledge to anyone who is open to learn what I have to offer. I believe wholeheartedly that we as humans should be more in touch with our roots by growing our own organic food and medicine, using the Earth as a guide.

All of the plants that I grow are heirloom (usually native to my region), grown organically, and never genetically modified or hybridized. All of my herbal products are also organic and non-gmo.