Ever heard of “right place, right plant”? Following those four little words can help you grow healthy plants that thrive, decrease diseases and pests, and may cut down on the time you spend in watering, pruning, and doing other kinds of yard maintenance. Before heading to the nursery, check out Getting to Know Your Garden […]
Don’t Plant a Pest Read More »
You’ve got weeds taking over your yard, and you’re about to pull out the weed killer spray to knock them down. Before you do: Stop. Before taking any action. Think. What do you know, and should you know about this product? Before using any pesticide it’s a good idea to understand the product and any
Managing weeds safely Read More »
You don’t need a calendar to tell you that spring has arrived, and along with it – bugs. A portion of a tree, suddenly stripped of its leaves that’s now home to a wiggling clump of fuzzy caterpillars. A pulsating mass of tiny pests cloak the new growth on your roses, elderberries or peach trees,
Villains of the Spring Garden Read More »
Marin’s watersheds include more than 3,000 miles of creeks. Some of these water ways flow into our lakes for storage, while others feed into San Francisco Bay and on to the ocean. The Mt. Tamalpais Watershed is one of county’s most valuable natural resources and the source of domestic water for the majority of residents.
How You can Impact our Watershed Read More »
There are weeds, and then there are serious weeds. A common description of a weed is any plant growing where you don’t want it. But what about invasive weeds and the worst, noxious weeds? What’s the difference, and why be concerned? The Weed Science Society of America defines a weed as “a plant that causes
The Godzilla of Weeds Read More »
Fertilizing is often referred to as “feeding” plants, but that’s not accurate. Plants feed themselves, producing their own food, sugars, and carbohydrates, through the process of photosynthesis. Plants don’t know or care about the source of needed elements. Chemical (synthetic) fertilizers are manufactured or refined from natural ingredients to make them more concentrated. They are
What’s the Difference? Chemical vs Organic Fertilizers Read More »
What in the world is garden sanitation? It’s simply the removal of plant material that can harbor pests and disease. By removing debris from your garden, you reduce the ability for pests and pathogens to negatively impact your garden next spring. Remove all badly diseased or pest infested plants, trash, weeds, and dying plant parts.
Clean up to Prevent Garden Problems Read More »
Spring is around the corner, and there’s a whole lot of planting going on. One of the features of the winter nursery is the availability of bare root plants. Bare root plants are not actively growing plants. They’re usually dug when they’re dormant and then refrigerated until it is time to ship to the nursery
Make Plant Choices to Prevent Pests and Disease Read More »
It’s cold and wet out there, and just as we want to stay dry and cozy indoors, so do rats! When temperatures get low and food gets scarce, rats need to find a way to stay warm and survive the winter. They are excellent at digging. They’ll look for a structure like a rock, wall,
Outsmart those Smart Rats! Read More »
Today is National Houseplant Appreciation Day, a day to celebrate the joy and benefit of growing plants indoors. If you have the post-holiday blues, now’s a good time to brighten up your house with a lovely plant that you can enjoy all year long. Houseplants do more than just bring a splash of color indoors
More than just a Pretty Plant Read More »
