Mulch is a popular addition to gardens, offering benefits like moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression. However, not all types of mulch are created equal, and some can pose risks to both your plants and the environment. It’s important to be aware of the potential hazards associated with certain mulches, particularly chemically treated wood, […]
Is your mulch safe? Read More »
Vinegar is an effective household cleaning solution for windows, counter tops, cutting boards and much more. But how about as a weed killer? Acetic acid, also known as vinegar, is used in products for weed control. Many people choose it because it is natural. However, acetic acid can damage skin and eyes, especially at concentrations
Is Vinegar Safe to use on Weeds? Read More »
During this time of year, many insects, including ants and termites, search for new places to establish colonies. When conditions are right—warmer temperatures, brighter sunlight, and light winds—winged insects leave their original nests. This mass flight is known as swarming, and the winged insects are called swarmers or alates. Although dramatic, swarming itself is short-lived
Is that an Ant or a Termite? Read More »
Have you ever seen these critters in your rose garden? Or worse yet, do you have any of these symptoms that they’ve been there? Roses with petals that resemble Swiss cheese? Young buds and stems that have holes or are broken just below the bud? Meet the really bad guys of the rose garden –
These are Nasty Rose Pests Read More »
Backyard birdwatching is a rewarding hobby, but it can attract some unwanted guests—rats and mice. These rodents will happily scavenge food meant for birds, but with a few simple strategies, you can prevent them from raiding your feeders and ensure that your feathered friends get their share. 1. Choose Rodent-Proof Feeders and Stations The first
Be careful with that birdseed! Read More »
Boxelder bugs and stink bugs are occasional indoor pests, most often noticed in fall and winter when cooler weather drives them to seek shelter. While they can be annoying, neither insect reproduces indoors or causes structural damage, and both are best managed with prevention and gentle control rather than pesticides. Boxelder bugs are dark gray
Good, Bad, or Nuisance Bug? Read More »
Murderers lurking in garden shadows sounds like something out of a gothic novel. And certainly not something you’d think you’d want roaming around on your tranquil piece of land, but if they’re of the insect type, you definitely do. Meet the assassin bugs. These aptly named beneficial insects are voracious predators of a wide variety
These bugs are good for the garden! Read More »
First, you see them, then you don’t. The glossy new leaves on your dwarf fruit tree vanish overnight. The mahogany-colored foliage on your prize rose is suddenly shredded. Even the tough, leathery leaves of a California live oak show heavy chewing. A closer look reveals little more than ragged leaf edges and missing tissue. Chances
What’s eating your leaves? Read More »
Dandelions are common weeds found in lawns, gardens, and even sidewalks. They are easy to recognize by their bright yellow flowers, jagged leaves, and fluffy white seed heads that spread in the wind. These perennial plants come back year after year and grow from a deep taproot that can reach several inches into the soil,
Dandelions in your lawn? Get them while they’re young! Read More »
Egrets and herons are best known for stalking fish and frogs along shorelines, but these elegant birds are also effective predators of gophers and other small rodents. In gardens, fields, orchards, and open landscapes, they can play a helpful role in naturally reducing rodent populations. Both egrets and herons belong to the family Ardeidae and
Surprising Predators of Rodents Read More »
