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
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 »
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
It’s National Water Quality Month Read More »
Summer’s the time for those buzzing bees. While these insects can cause painful stings, and allergic reactions for some, they are not usually aggressive. In the landscape, they can be beneficial by providing pollination to plants and, for some, preying on pest insects. They can also create nests in places where you and the family
Watch out for Stinging Bugs Read More »
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
Stretch Out in a Hammock! Read More »
