Headshot 2022 Jodi Helmer

Jodi Helmer

location-pin Charlotte, North Carolina

School: Queens University of Charlotte

Expertise: Gardening, Butterflies and Bugs, Backyard Wildlife

Jodi Helmer

  • 20 years of experience as a freelance journalist
  • Author of several books, including Growing Your Own Tea Garden and Protecting Pollinators: How to Save the Creatures That Feed Our World

Experience

Jodi Helmer fell in love with gardening while working in a greenhouse during high school. As a freelance writer, she enjoys writing about the natural environment from growing vegetables and feeding birds to protecting pollinators. Jodi's work has appeared in Birds & Blooms, The Farmer’s Almanac, AARP, Hobby Farms and National Geographic Traveler. She’s also the author of several gardening and environmental books, including Growing Your Own Tea Garden and Protecting Pollinators: How to Save the Creatures That Feed Our World. When she’s not writing or gardening, Jodi runs a nonprofit animal rescue, Naughty Donkey Farm Sanctuary, where she cares for a menagerie of senior and special needs animals from dogs to ducks.

Education

Master of Fine Arts in creative non-fiction, Queens University of Charlotte

Birds & Blooms Editorial Policies


For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brand, has been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Articles

Top 10 Cold Hardy Perennials for Northern Gardeners

These hardy perennials will thrive in very cold growing zones — and pollinators enjoy them, too! From bee balm to salvia, these are perfect picks.

Top 10 Shrubs and Plants With Red Berries

Shrubs and plants with red berries add a pop of scarlet-hued color to any garden and provide food for wild birds.

Small, Medium and Large Shrubs for Every Landscape

Shrubs of any size provide valuable resources for nature, and they beautify your yard. Check out our list of small, medium, and large shrubs.