June 22 – 28 this year is National Pollinator Week, 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 […]
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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 »
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 »
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
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Ants marching up and down the trunk of an otherwise healthy-looking fruit tree? Branches or stems that look bumpy and shiny, as if coated with sugar water? These clues often point to a scale insect infestation. Click here to learn more about managing scale.
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Praying mantids are among the most unusual and efficient insect hunters you may encounter. The name mantis comes from Greek, meaning “prophet” or “soothsayer,” inspired by their prayer-like posture. They hold the front of their body upright with enlarged forelegs folded together. The European mantid (Mantis religiosa) is most often seen in gardens, while the
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Garden fertilizers supply nutrients that plants need to grow, flower, and produce fruit, but not all fertilizers work the same way. Broadly, they fall into two categories: synthetic (chemical) fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Understanding the differences helps gardeners make choices that support both healthy plants and a healthy environment. Chemical fertilizers are manufactured products that
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Many products commonly found in the home are legally considered pesticides, even though they may not be sold in the traditional “bug spray” aisle. A pesticide is any substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or control pests. Because these materials can affect people, pets, and the indoor environment, safe and informed use is important, especially
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Got problems with rats, mice, or gophers? Interested in environmentally friendly methods to help reduce these pests? It’s easy – support your local owls and encourage them to hang around! These ethereal birds of the night that you’re more likely to hear than see, can be a boost to an overall approach at controlling unwanted
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