
Hi, my name is Mara McCall and here are some things about me and my habitat garden.
I grew up in both the city and country. Where I went wasn’t of much concern so my friends and I explored our territories with abandon. City or country, there were always “wild” places. Trashy creeks, fragmented woods, fields and even cliffs overlooking the western most ridge of the Allegheny mountains. For me, the wonders of these places weren’t biology, ecology or connections in nature. These places were special because they were ours. Secret gardens so to speak where adults didn’t venture and fantastic discoveries lay behind every nook and cranny.
Later in life, I got a degree in art from Pennsylvania State University. I also became interested in learning more about the natural world around me. I became a Master Naturalist , NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and took a class in ecological landscape design at Mt. Cuba Center as well as classes about ecology, insects and woodland stewardship.
I started a vegetable garden which turned into an ongoing experiment with succession. You can read more about succession here.
All of that is great but it isn’t why I enjoy gardening. For me, a habitat garden is a place that’s full of surprises and new mysteries.

It’s a place I enjoy throughout all the seasons and through all its developmental stages. Yes, there are challenges and sometimes disappointments but that’s just part of gardening. In the end, my garden is the place where fantastic discoveries lay behind every nook and cranny. I hope to help you find your garden.