Look for the Garden Good Guys

Beneficial insects aka natural enemies or good bugs are predators that help control pests. Some common ones you’re likely to see in the spring garden include: Green lacewings – recognizable with their slender pale green body, delicate gossamer wings and immense golden eyes. The adult consumes only pollen and nectar; it’s the young form that …

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Bats get a Bad Rap!

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 …

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Good or Bad Guy Chomping Your Tomatoes?

If you notice a quarter of a tomato plant missing overnight, but you can’t figure out what’s causing it, look closer!  A master of disguise, the tomato hornworm may be the culprit! These are enormous caterpillars – up to four inches long!  Their striping pattern makes them hard to spot despite their size. One tell-tale …

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Protect our Amazing Hummingbirds

You’re likely familiar with the smallest of all birds – the hummingbird.  Found only in the Americas, these tiny aerial acrobats are important pollinators AND insect eaters, doing their part as flying pest controllers! They can use our help by providing them with the basics – shelter, water, and food.  September 3, 2022 is National …

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Protect Pollinators from Neonics

Did you know you can unwittingly expose pollinators to harmful pesticides?  Some plant growers still use strong insecticides when growing their garden plants.  Neonicotinoids, commonly referred to as “neonics,” are very toxic to pollinators, beneficial insects, and aquatic invertebrates, and are the most widely used class of insecticides in the world. The active ingredients in …

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National Pollinator Week June 20 – 26, 2022 

National Pollinator Week is June 20 – 26. Fourteen years ago, the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided …

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A Bee or Not a Bee, that is the Question

There’s a whole lot of buzzing going on – bees are busy doing their thing, zipping from flower to flower, moving pollen from one to the other, bringing the promise of plump peaches, tasty tomatoes, and humdinger zucchini. There are also ones that might be drilling little holes in the eaves of your roof or …

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Earth Day 2022 – Take Action!

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 …

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