Kick the Chemicals! Care for your Garden and Beyond Season 2!

Leave a Comment / Beneficials, Education, How to, Pollinators, Prevention, Protect, Rodents / By

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 …

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What is an invasive plant?

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“An invasive plant is a plant that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health” says Plant Right, a California non-profit working with California’s nursery industry to keep invasive plants out of our landscapes and to promote the sale of …

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Bees and Neonics

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Neonicotinoids (commonly referred to as neonics) are the most widely used insecticides in the world, commonly used on farms, in our gardens, schools, and city landscapes.  They are systemic insecticides – they are absorbed into plants and can be present in pollen and nectar, making them toxic to bees and many other beneficial insects. These …

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Can Rat Poison Hurt Kids and Pets?

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You bet!  Rat poisons or rodenticides are pesticides designed to kill rodents, like mice and rats.  They are formulated as baits that include tasty ingredients like peanut butter, molasses, and grains to attract animals. These ingredients can be also attractive to children and pets. Rodenticide baits are not only poisonous for rodents, but they can …

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Look for this gorgeous spider in the garden

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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 …

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Support your Garden Predators!

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Predators are one of the primary groups used in the biological control of insects and mite pests. These include some of the larger insects and spiders along with amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Consume many prey during their development. Are generally larger than their prey. All life stages may be predators; some are only predators …

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Weird trails in your veggie leaves?

Leave a Comment / Bugs, Damage to plants, Pests, Prevention, Protect / By

It’s Eat your Vegetables Day!  Likely you do this each and every day.  Here in Marin, we’re fortunate to have ready access to wonderful, healthy produce. And even better if you can step into the garden and pick your own!  As you check out some of those leafy greens, like cabbage, spinach, and chard, look …

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