Earth Day is April 22, with this year’s theme, Invest in our Planet. Since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, it has generated public support for the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Check out …
March 12, National Plant a Flower Day, is right around the corner. How about planting some flowers to attract pollinators? First – meet the pollinators, and get acquainted with who they are, and they’re desired habitat, and learn more about pollination and pollinators. Then, before taking off for the nursery, check out these tips on …
Want to solve garden problems while creating landscapes that are in sync with the natural environment? Join us for our new season of webinars that will focus on attracting and protecting pollinators in your garden, successfully managing rats, and replacing that thirsty lawn – all without chemicals! Co-sponsored by YardSmartMarin and Marin Master Gardeners, talks …
Kick the Chemicals! Care for your Garden and Beyond Season 2! Read More »
Birds, bees, and butterflies as important pollinators. Did you know there are lots of other pollinators, like ants, beetles, moths, and even the wind? While often considered the ugly cousin of the butterfly, moths are not only beneficial pollinators, they’re often equally gorgeous! There are more species of moths in the U.S. than all the …
Rollie pollie’s – are these good or bad? Known more commonly as pill bugs, these little crustaceans are part of Nature’s recycling team. Looking somewhat like mini armadillos, they feed on decaying materials, but sometimes they become pests when they feed on young shoots and roots, or on fruits and vegetables that lie on damp …
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) occurs December 14 to January 5 every year. The CBC is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of community science involvement. It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada, and many countries in the Western Hemisphere go out …
It’s the time of year that you may encounter a wonderfully weird, insect-hunting machine in your garden – a praying mantis. Named for the way they hold up the forepart of their body with its enormous front legs – like they’re praying. Ranging in size from two to four inches long, they’re masters of camouflage. …
Praying Mantids in the Garden are Mostly Good Guys Read More »
Some of the BEST pest controllers you can have in your yard are reptiles. Yes, those things that might slither past your feet on the patio are REALLY GOOD for the garden. Lizards, skinks, toads, and snakes are all reptiles – cold-blooded animals that breathe with lungs, and have dry, scaly skin. One of the …
Reptiles, and Especially Lizards are Great Pest Controllers Read More »
October is National Raptor Month – a time to recognize these amazing birds of prey. A raptor is a meat-eating bird with keen eyesight, eight sharp talons, and a hooked beak. They’ve been around for millions of years, with nearly 500 species across the globe. Most are active during the day, while 178 are night …
The black and yellow orb weaver spider is one of the most colorful in California gardens. The female is large (body often over an inch long) with the signature black abdomen with broad yellow bars. Hanging in the middle of their intricate web, they’ll patiently sit and wait for the vibrations of a flying insect …
