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? […]
Fall is for Planting Natives! Read More »
Air quality is measured for the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere, either indoors or out. Pesticides in agriculture and urban settings have the potential to contaminate our air, affecting human, animal and plant health. Some pesticide ingredients stay in the atmosphere for only a short period of time, while others can last longer. Pesticides
Pesticides in the Air? Read More »
Ants on your leafy vegetables? Your fruit trees? Your house plants? 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 that feed by sucking juices from plants. Their damage can cause spotted, bleached, or curled foliage, and stunted growth.
It’s Likely More than Just Ants! 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
Flying Pest Control 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 »
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
End of Season Garden Cleanup Read More »
Think you might have a rat problem? The pitter-patter of little feet across the roof at dusk or dawn, birdseed that disappears overnight, holes in food packaging, chewed electrical wires, or trails of large comma-shaped droppings – all are indicators of rats. As they’re generally creatures of the night, staying hidden to avoid predators, if
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 »
In spring our hillsides can be covered with brilliant soft yellow flowers that are beautiful to behold. And yet – they are an incredibly invasive plant that grow in dense stands that outcompete many native plants. These dense stands are highly flammable and increase the risk of wildfires. The most common species found in California
Don’t Let the Pretty Flowers Fool You! Read More »
