Do you cringe when you happen upon an eight-legged creature scurrying across your front porch? If it’s a spider, you’re in good company. Fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia, is one of the most common phobias around. It may come from concern about being bitten by a deadly type or simply the idea of the […]
Spiders are Really Good Guys Read More »
Many of us gardeners fertilize based on the calendar, but is it necessary? Do you know if the nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium levels are actually low in your soil? You can save yourself time and money by testing your soil with simple soil test kits. If you find that one of these main nutrients is
Some Thoughts about Fertilizer Read More »
September is National Mushroom Month. Time to celebrate this extraordinary class of organisms. They are so much more than the things you put on salads or see springing up in your lawn. Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that we can often see. Sadly, fungi don’t get the respect they deserve, since most of
Want to kick the chemicals? One BIG way to reduce the use of insecticides through biological control. Simply put, it’s a pest management strategy that enhances the role of natural enemies, reduces reliance on pesticides, and helps to protect the environment, people, pets, and wildlife. One of the key steps is to encourage natural enemies,
Becoming Beneficials Read More »
National Water Quality Month in August reminds us that it takes much more than just turning on the tap to guarantee clean, drinkable water. Depending on where we live, the amount of water, usage, population and treatment facilities available vary. Protecting our water resources and educating ourselves about water quality is an important goal of
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On July 22nd, relax in the shade and enjoy National Hammock Day. These portable, comfortable slings create excellent napping spaces no matter where you are! Dating back thousands of years to Central America where hammocks protected people from creatures and dirt. The netted bed was introduced in Europe when explorers brought it back in the
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National Pollinator Week this year is June 17 – 23. It’s an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health, to celebrate pollinators, and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership, and fourteen years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval
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May 29 is National Learn About Composting Day! Composting converts kitchen and garden green waste into garden gold. It’s an environmentally safe fertilizer that can do SO MANY THINGS! Start your learning here ………. It’s pretty easy to compost these days. If you don’t have space to create your own compost bin, local sanitation companies
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It’s spring, and your yard is bursting with new plant growth. Along with billowing flowers and new foliage on trees and shrubs come unwanted bugs that may multiply rapidly if not kept in check. One of the easiest ways to prevent significant damage is to use Mother Nature’s pest managers – the natural enemies! Also
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With warming temperatures after plenty of rain, weeds may be popping up all over. You may have kept them under control last season, but wind and birds can help move weed seeds right back into your yard. It’s so much easier if you can get them out while they’re young, and most importantly, before they
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