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 […]
National Pollinator Week June 20 – 26, 2022  Read More »
One of the unwanted visitors to the spring garden arrives just about now. That pulsating mass of tiny pests that cloak the new growth on your roses, viburnums, or peach trees are at best an unsightly nuisance and at worst, creatures that can damage tender new growth on plants and spread disease. Welcome to the
It’s not just Aphids Read More »
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
A Bee or Not a Bee, that is the Question Read More »
No need for a calendar to tell you that spring has arrived. Days are longer and warmer, trees are bursting with brilliant blossoms and tiny leaves are emerging from vegetable seeds you carefully planted last month. Along with the wonders of the season are the challenges – weeds, insect pests, and maybe even rats! Before
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
Earth Day 2022 – Take Action! Read More »
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 »
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 »
You don’t need a calendar to know that it’s spring. Signs of the season abound as bulbs pierce the ground with vibrant bouquets and trees and shrubs begin to flower. New foliage erupts from the bare branches and slender stems of prized fruit trees creating visions of bountiful crops, fresh peach pie, baked pears, or
Curly foliage is not what you want on your peach tree! 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 »
