It’s fall, and there are plenty of leaves on the ground. Before you rake, mow, and blow this year, think about leaving some behind. Insects rely on fallen leaves and other organic debris to cover and insulate them from the elements over winter. In addition, the annual dropping of leaves by trees is nature’s method […]
Fall is for planting! And no better time to add some native plants to your garden. Why natives? There are lots of reasons including conserving water, reducing chemical usage (no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers are needed with natives) and encouraging wildlife. Want a colorful garden and don’t think you can do it with mostly natives?
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Do you have a “let them be” approach to managing weeds? Why remove them when they’ll eventually die back? Time to reconsider. Some weeds are aggressive and invasive; tops may die down, but roots remain alive until conditions are right for them to grow. Many spread by seeds. That one little dandelion plant in your
Prevention is the best Way to Manage Weeds Read More »
October is Bat Appreciation Month. So, why would a whole month be devoted to these odd-looking creatures? It has nothing to do with Halloween or vampires. It’s more about getting to know these mysterious flying superheroes that help our environment, and aren’t as scary as you might think. Often having the undeserved reputation of nighttime
Bats get a Bad Rap! Read More »
Thursday, September 22 is the autumnal equinox, astronomically the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. From this point until the first day of winter, days will get shorter. The time of the year usually ushers in cooler weather, which is a good reminder to start cleaning up the garden. Referred to
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Could be voles. Also known as field or meadow mice, voles are small rodents that resemble hamsters. With a compact, heavy body, short legs, a short-furred tail, they can measure 5 to 8 inches long, including the tail. These rodents are plant eaters, with an appetite for a lot of different plants – from artichokes,
What’s Chewing Your Tree Trunk? Read More »
Did you know you can unwittingly expose pollinators to harmful pesticides? Some plant growers still use strong insecticides when growing their garden plants. Neonicotinoids, commonly referred to as “neonics,” are very toxic to pollinators, beneficial insects, and aquatic invertebrates, and are the most widely used class of insecticides in the world. The active ingredients in
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Ever stick your nose to inhale the perfume of a rose, and see teeny-tiny bugs jump? Likely you’ve just met some flea beetles. Named for their well-developed hind legs, they jump like fleas when disturbed. While these insects can be a nuisance to roses, they don’t do any real damage. They’re more commonly found on
What’s Jumping in That Rose? Read More »
Your garden is growing like crazy as we head into summer. Is it time to feed the lawn, the tomatoes and veggies, roses, and other flowers? Before you haul out bags, boxes, or bottles of plant food and sprinkle, spread, or pour them on, consider whether you really need to. Are the products beneficial to
Do you Really Need that Fertilizer? Read More »
National Pollinator Week is June 20 – 26. Fourteen years ago, the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided
National Pollinator Week June 20 – 26, 2022  Read More »
