Many gardeners fertilize their yard based on the calendar rather than what is actually needed by the plant. Do you know if the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (main nutrients in fertilizer) levels are actually low? You can save yourself time and money by testing your soil with simple test kits. When you know what is […]
Before you fertilize ….. Read More »
National Pollinator Week, this year June 16 – 22, is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership, and more than fifteen years ago the
It’s National Pollinator Week! Read More »
Grrrrr – while merrily tending my roses, I’ve come across another victim of the dreaded beast – the gopher. If this is not one of the gardening challenges you face, you can stop reading now. Since I live in gopher heaven, each season I have to deal with the damage from this voracious pest. And
Traps are the Most Reliable Way to Manage Gophers Read More »
Don’t be fooled! This is NOT a green ladybug! The cucumber beetle is a common pest that feeds on the vegetable gardens and may also attack ripening stone fruit, although it’s not fussy and can be found in many parts of the yard, even on roses. These beetles may spread cucumber mosaic virus or wilts
Those aren’t Green Ladybugs! Read More »
With the significant rainfall of the past three winters, the deluge may be more than some yards can handle. Did you experience torrents of water pouring off your roof and pooling around your treasured shade trees? Puddles spotting your lawn or ponding in your veggie garden? Why is too much of this precious stuff a
Too much of a good thing Read More »
With the wet winter weather behind us, you may now be dealing with some of its impacts. Time to get ahead of the curve with preventing pest problems:
After the Wet Weather Read More »
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This video highlights a news broadcast on the first Earth Day more than 50 years ago. While the message is bleak for the time, the good news is that a lot of progress has been
Earth Day is Almost Here! Read More »
The main benefits a layer of mulch on your vegetable or flower beds can provide include: Not sure what to use? If possible, choose an organic material that adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Check out this information on a wide variety of mulch materials to find one that will work for
Mulch gives you a big bang for your buck! Read More »
Pesticides are widely used in our homes and gardens, from sprays for ornamental plants that are toxic to birds and bees. Don’t assume these products are safe simply because they are for sale. Neonicotinoids—now the most widely used insecticides—are found in hundreds of products including insect sprays, seed treatments, soil drenches, tree injections, and veterinary
Did you know that ticks can live in backyards and neighborhoods? If you’re living near natural areas (such as open fields, parks, or urban hiking trails) it’s a good idea to learn how to avoid ticks at home. Ticks are found outdoors in brushy, wooded areas on plants, rocks, logs, and in leaves and twigs
Create a tick-safe environment Read More »
