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We provide expert insight on everything from native plants of Long Island, invasive plant species solutions, and new technologies in natural habitat restoration.
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Tidal Wetland versus Upland Forests
Our designs at Spadefoot Design and Construction are inspired by nature, where subtle differences in elevation make a huge difference from a biological standpoint. Incredibly, on Long Island, a gradient between “tidal wetlands“ and “upland forests” can arise with a...
Virginia Creeper
Some fun photos of a volunteer native vine—Virginia creeper—growing on some common milkweed. Both plants are volunteers at a site that used to be a prototypical suburban yard in Huntington, NY; all lawn and a few token trees… These photos demonstrate (on a very small...
Wild Black Cherry
Wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) is truly a gift from nature. Aside from the obvious wildlife value of the fruits, this species is often one the the first pioneer species to establish to help jump start ecological succession after an area is cleared of pernicious...
For The Love of Cinnamon Fern
Pictured here is Cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) which is an excellent native to add to a shady and moist spot in your yard. This attractive plant extends fronds in the spring that resemble cinnamon sticks. Co-associated with red maple swamps, these clump...
Another Lawn Bites The Dust
We take great satisfaction in ripping up unnecessary lawn in favor of mini forests and pocket meadows. Pictured here is our temporary construction road to preserve what will remain of the lawn. We do not necessarily advocate completely removing lawns; lawns can be...
Local Benefactor Supports Ecological Restoration at West Hills County Park
The Long Island Conservancy and Spadefoot Design and Construction Tackle Invasive Plant Removal at Local Suffolk County Park (West Hills, NY) Rona Fried, a long-time resident of Huntington and Founder of SustainableBusiness.com, a resource to advance a green economy,...
Giving Nature A Helping Hand
Phragmites is an opportunistic plant, often taking advantage of the unoccupied niche left vacant through the removal of historic forested wetlands. Although it is hard to remove via mechanical methods (which often requires permitting under federal, state, and local...
5 Practical Tips for Seeding a Meadow with Native Plants
Looking to seed a meadow with native plants? Spadefoot Design and Construction has you covered with their practical tips, from using cover crops to choke out invasive plants, to adding a diversity of native perennials. Be patient, supplement with grass plugs if...
Plant This Not That – Forsythia vs. Spicebush
Each year, numerous Forsythia hedges are planted due to their bright yellow flowers that bloom for a short period. However, this popular plant often escapes cultivation and spreads into the understory of native woodlands, disrupting the ecosystem's balance....
Soil Conditioners For The Win
While many service providers use chemicals to combat invasive species, we’ve drawn a line in the sand and refuse to do so, removing invasive species solely by mechanical means. This is, in part, because our drinking water sits below the aforementioned sand that...
Invasive Plants Wreak Havoc on Long Island’s Ecosystem: How Native Plants Can Help Save the Birds and Bees
Native plants on Long Island, NY are important for sustaining local wildlife such as birds and bees. However, invasive plant species are threatening the survival of these native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. Invasive species such as Japanese knotweed,...
What is a Black Swallowtail Caterpillar?
What is a Black Swallowtail? The black swallowtail caterpillar is the larval stage of the black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes), a common species found in North America. The caterpillar is known for its striking appearance and unique adaptations, which help...
What is a Black Swallowtail?
What is a Black Swallowtail? The black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is a butterfly species that is native to much of North America. It is a common sight in gardens and natural areas, and its distinctive appearance makes it easy to recognize. The black swallowtail...
What is Swamp Milkweed?
What is Swamp Milkweed? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), is named for the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. Incarnata, is from the Latin carn, meaning flesh and atus, like, because its hue is sometimes...
Enchanter’s Nightshade – A Favorite Plant on Long Island
Let’s add Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea canadensis) to the list of obscure native plants that you will never see at a nursery that we love. Why? Well because it seems to outcompete possibly the most annoying invasive plant—garlic mustard. At many of our...
A Little Grit on Behalf of Nature: Ecological Restoration
Ecological Restoration on Long Island Ecological restoration is not always glamorous work. This beautiful red maple swamp was inadvertently overrun by silt and sediment when upland construction was washed away by a sudden deluge, effectively burying native red maples...
Small Garden, Big Impact
We often reference the NY Natural Heritage Program community types in our designs and plantings, thereby mimicking nature as best as we can. Here is an example of a red maple swamp forest persisting in the Massapequa Preserve....
The Value of Forest Restoration
Nature lovers, gardeners, and conservationists recognize the value of a healthy forest. When it comes to restoring these ecosystems, we often think of herbaceous plants like goldenrods or ferns. But trees and shrubs pack a way bigger punch regarding ecological impact....
The Importance of Healthy Upland Habitats for Wetland Protection
Wetlands are a vital part of the natural environment, providing essential habitats for many species of wildlife and helping to filter pollutants out of water. But what happens when wetlands aren’t given the protection they need? Unfortunately, it’s all too common for...
How Spadefoot is Working to Improve Long Island’s Water Treatment by Bringing EnBiorganic Technologies To New York
As a company, Spadefoot is constantly striving to achieve water treatment goals through the use of native plantings. Not only do these plantings create a thriving biome, but they also ensure that water is adequately filtered. In addition, we have taken it one step...
EnBiorganic Expands Its Network, Now Delivering Innovative Treatment Services in New York
Spadefoot Water Treatment Services, LLC joins the EnBiorganic Technologies network of licensees to offer cutting edge wastewater and surface water treatment technology options. Las Vegas, NV May 2022 – EnBiorganic Technologies, innovator and provider of patented...
Making Great Strides in Invasive Species Maintenance at the Michael Sperling Memorial Bird Sanctuary
Today, our volunteers put in two hard hours of work to remove as much mugwort as possible from our sanctuary. We focused on two main areas: a section in the front of our sanctuary and the area surrounding the native trees we recently planted. The progress made today...
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