Noticed any branches of your pear or apple trees that look like they’ve been torched or scorched? Might be a case of fire blight, a nasty bacterial disease. It most frequently affects pome fruit trees (apples and pears) and related plants – crabapple, ornamental pear, pyracantha, and quince. Infections may appear scattered throughout the crown […]
Could it be Fire Blight? Read More »
If your last crop of apples featured a worm inside that big, juicy fruit, it likely was the larvae of the codling moth, a serious pest of apples that also attacks pears, large-fruited hawthorns, and walnuts. This insect pest can be a bane in the home orchard. The moth larvae tunnel into the fruit and
Prevent getting Worms in your Apples Read More »
Ever heard of “right place, right plant”? Following those four little words can help you grow healthy plants that thrive, decrease diseases and pests, and may cut down on the time you spend in watering, pruning, and doing other kinds of yard maintenance. Before heading to the nursery, check out Getting to Know Your Garden
Don’t Plant a Pest Read More »
You don’t need a calendar to tell you that spring has arrived, and along with it – bugs. A portion of a tree, suddenly stripped of its leaves that’s now home to a wiggling clump of fuzzy caterpillars. A pulsating mass of tiny pests cloak the new growth on your roses, elderberries or peach trees,
Villains of the Spring Garden Read More »
Marin’s watersheds include more than 3,000 miles of creeks. Some of these water ways flow into our lakes for storage, while others feed into San Francisco Bay and on to the ocean. The Mt. Tamalpais Watershed is one of county’s most valuable natural resources and the source of domestic water for the majority of residents.
How You can Impact our Watershed Read More »
March 12, National Plant a Flower Day, is right around the corner. How about planting some flowers to attract pollinators? First – meet the pollinators, and get acquainted with who they are, and they’re desired habitat, and learn more about pollination and pollinators. Then, before taking off for the nursery, check out these tips on
National Plant a Flower Day! Read More »
There are weeds, and then there are serious weeds. A common description of a weed is any plant growing where you don’t want it. But what about invasive weeds and the worst, noxious weeds? What’s the difference, and why be concerned? The Weed Science Society of America defines a weed as “a plant that causes
The Godzilla of Weeds Read More »
Fertilizing is often referred to as “feeding” plants, but that’s not accurate. Plants feed themselves, producing their own food, sugars, and carbohydrates, through the process of photosynthesis. Plants don’t know or care about the source of needed elements. Chemical (synthetic) fertilizers are manufactured or refined from natural ingredients to make them more concentrated. They are
What’s the Difference? Chemical vs Organic Fertilizers Read More »
Gorgeous roses are a wonderful addition to any garden. But throw in a few days of spring rain and voila, you might end up with nearly naked plants. This dramatic effect is likely a result of infection by either blackspot or rust, the gardener’s plague of wet spring or fall months. Effectively managing these invaders
A Dastardly Duo of Diseases that can Plague your Roses Read More »
Spring is around the corner, and there’s a whole lot of planting going on. One of the features of the winter nursery is the availability of bare root plants. Bare root plants are not actively growing plants. They’re usually dug when they’re dormant and then refrigerated until it is time to ship to the nursery
Make Plant Choices to Prevent Pests and Disease Read More »
