Nanette

Kick the Chemicals! Care for your Garden and Beyond Season 2!

Leave a Comment / Beneficials, Education, How to, Pollinators, Prevention, Protect, Rodents / By

Want to solve garden problems while creating landscapes that are in sync with the natural environment? Join us for our new season of webinars that will focus on attracting and protecting pollinators in your garden, successfully managing rats, and replacing that thirsty lawn – all without chemicals!  Co-sponsored by YardSmartMarin and Marin Master Gardeners, talks […]

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Unintended Consequences

Leave a Comment / Damage to plants, Pesticides / By

Herbicide phytotoxicity – whew!  That’s a mouthful!  What is it? Phytotoxicity is injury to plants caused by chemicals like air pollutants, fertilizers, and pesticides.  Herbicides aka weed killers, are designed specifically to kill plants, posing a significant risk of damaging desirable plants that are exposed these weed killers.  Landscapes can be injured as a result

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What is an invasive plant?

Leave a Comment / Education, Invasives, Pests, Prevention, Weeds / By

“An invasive plant is a plant that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health” says Plant Right, a California non-profit working with California’s nursery industry to keep invasive plants out of our landscapes and to promote the sale of

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Can Rat Poison Hurt Kids and Pets?

Leave a Comment / Education, Kids, Pesticides, Poisonous, Prevention, Rodents / By

You bet!  Rat poisons or rodenticides are pesticides designed to kill rodents, like mice and rats.  They are formulated as baits that include tasty ingredients like peanut butter, molasses, and grains to attract animals. These ingredients can be also attractive to children and pets. Rodenticide baits are not only poisonous for rodents, but they can

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Praying Mantids in the Garden are Mostly Good Guys

Leave a Comment / Beneficials, Damage to plants, Protect / By

It’s the time of year that you may encounter a wonderfully weird, insect-hunting machine in your garden – a praying mantis. Named for the way they hold up the forepart of their body with its enormous front legs – like they’re praying. Ranging in size from two to four inches long, they’re masters of camouflage. 

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Think Twice before Installing a Fake Lawn

Leave a Comment / Education, Protect, Weeds / By

With our draconian water restrictions in place, many people are swapping out their front lawns for artificial grass. Hailed as a sustainable alternative to the traditional lawn, is it really? It’s true that you’ll reduce your water use, eliminate the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and no need for power tools to keep it looking

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Reptiles, and Especially Lizards are Great Pest Controllers

Leave a Comment / Beneficials, Protect / By

Some of the BEST pest controllers you can have in your yard are reptiles.  Yes, those things that might slither past your feet on the patio are REALLY GOOD for the garden.  Lizards, skinks, toads, and snakes are all reptiles – cold-blooded animals that breathe with lungs, and have dry, scaly skin.  One of the

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