The pocket gopher is named for the external, fur-lined check pouches the little pests use to carry food to their storage area. These thick-bodied rodents range from six – twelve inches long and have small eyes and ears set back far on the head. Their exposed chisel-like teeth (that grow continuously nine to fourteen inches […]
Gophers are garden really bad guys Read More »
With the bounty of flowers blooming this time of year, you’re likely to spot one of the most helpful little critters in the garden, though you may not recognize her as such. What appears to be a small bee hovering like a tiny helicopter over Queen Anne’s Lace, but looks and may even sound like
Syrphid flies – the honeybee look-alike Read More »
As we transition from spring to summer and temperatures climb, it’s mosquito season. Not only are these flying pests annoying, their bite can be anywhere from mildly irritating to seriously painful. AND they can transmit disease, so it’s a good idea to start with preventing them from breeding. Don’t let mosquitoes breed in your yard!
Mosquitos can be more than just a nuisance Read More »
Spiders get a bad rap; many people go to great lengths to get rid of them. Is it their other-worldly appearance? A concern about being bitten by a poisonous type or simply the idea of “creepy, crawling” things? Whatever the reason, before eliminating them, it’s good to understand the invaluable role they play keeping pest
Who’s that spider? Read More »
Snails and slugs love to eat plants with tender foliage and fruit. Favorites include seedlings and plants with succulent foliage; they seriously damage basil, beans, cabbage, lettuce, and many other vegetable plants along with dahlia, delphinium, hosta and marigold. Ripening fruits close to the ground like strawberries are easy targets. And they’ll climb trees to
Creeping garden thugs do a lot of damage Read More »
It’s the time of the year when roses, our national flower, put on a dazzling show, cloaking plants with brilliantly colored, sweet smelling blossoms. Are your plants bedecked with perfectly formed flowers, or by chance do you see what way too many gardeners do come June, roses with petals that resemble Swiss cheese, young buds
The weevil of rose destruction 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 pestilence of wet spring or fall months. Effectively managing these invaders
A dastardly duo of diseases that can plague your roses Read More »
Ants on your artichoke plant? Your plum tree or leafy vegetables? They’re a prime indicator that sucking insects are feasting on your plants. There’s a group of soft-bodied insects — aphids, mealybugs, soft scale and whiteflies being the most common, that feed by sucking juices from plants. The direct damage they inflict on the plant
Don’t let ants ruin your tasty fruit and vegetables Read More »
There are many popular plants in Marin gardens that are not native and that’s usually OK. However there are some that find the environment so wonderful that they can easily grow beyond their desired boundaries and spread rapidly. These plants may be invasive species – learn more about invasive plants and why they are a
Don’t plant a pest! Read More »
Spring is here and plants are leafing out all over! Do any of your plants have leaves that look dry and crispy? Pale, small and misshapen? It may be the result of unintentional exposure to a weed killer. Plants can be damaged by even a slight amount of spray drift – in your own yard
Weird looking foliage may be a result of weed-killer Read More »
