About

Rooted in Kalamazoo is one Kalamazoo native's labor of love for the natural world of southwest Michigan. I love gardening and outdoor life, and I love introducing people to the wonder and beauty around us.

Like a garden, this site grows over time. I add at least one new piece of information per week. Everything is aimed at embracing the natural world in southwest Michigan. The newsletter contains weekly advice, recommendations, and useful information for gardeners, hikers, bird-watchers, and other nature lovers.

As the home page's title says, I'm here to share what I know about living a calmer, cheaper, and healthier life through nature:

• Calmer: I feel better when I stay connected to nature. I'm not alone in this. There's science. We, as a species, feel better when we get outdoors.
• Cheaper: It's tough living in a world where everything costs money, yet no one wants to pay you. There are thrify ways to garden that can help lower food bills while also providing satisfying entertainment. Want to get out of the house without spending a ton of money or planning anything? Southwest Michigan is full of natural wonders worth visiting - and a lot of them are free.
• Healthier: Get more exercise. Eat more plants. Touch grass. If you spend any time at all online, you've heard it all. I have. I've also noticed that lots of people have one-liner health advice...but don't follow it up with how to do these things, especially if you're new to them. I got you.

Above all, I believe that nature is for everyone. Even if you're not sure yet whether you want to garden or get outdoors more, join the newsletter list! I'll do my best to send useful, entertaining stuff. But only once per week.

The site is 100 percent written, photographed, and coded by hand. No AI is involved. Part of my love of gardening is the DIY aspect. Why would I leave that behind just because I sat down at a computer? There are also no ads. Like I said, labor of love. My goal is to create a Web site I would personally enjoy visiting. My hope is that other people enjoy visiting too.

For a list of the tools I've used to build this site and the newsletter, click here.