You’ve been carefully tending your tomatoes dreaming of the day that you’ll be able to pick that plump red globe and savor the fruit. But alas, when you go to pick it, you see a big chunk missing, like someone took a bite out of it while on the vine. There are a few possibilities, […]
What’s eating my tomatoes? Read More »
Bats. Their mere mention evokes visions of silent, blood-sucking creatures that haunt the night skies or so the scary movies would have us believe. Centuries of superstition and misinformation have landed the furry, winged mammals with the undeserved reputation of nighttime villain. T’aint so. Overall, bats provide positive benefits to the environment – consuming huge
Shy and misunderstood, bats are a benefit to the gardener Read More »
Hot, dry and dusty are pretty typical outdoor conditions for this time of year. The last rains were months ago; late summer and early fall often features toasty daytime temperatures with low relative humidity. Most people, plants and animals don’t prefer it, but it’s ideal for pesky spider mites. More than 200 different plant species,
These pests love hot, dry and dusty conditions Read More »
Easily recognized for their rather ethereal beauty, the “dragon” portion of their name comes from their fierce jaws that they use to catch their flying prey. The “fly” portion of their name is apt – they are the world’s fastest insects, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. Dragonflies and their smaller counterparts,
These ancient, elegant insects are a bane to mosquitos Read More »
Rollie pollie’s – are these good or bad? Known more commonly as pill bugs, these little crustaceans are part of Nature’s recycling team. They generally hide under boards, rocks, flower pots, piles of grass clippings, flower-bed mulches and other decaying vegetation, where there’s plenty of moisture. No need to do anything if you find them
Nature’s recyclers…………. Read More »
Pincher bugs? Also known as earwigs, they get their name from the myth that they crawl into sleeping people’s ears and tunnel into the brain. They are nocturnal and communal creatures; they gather during the day in moist, dark, tight hiding places. They’re generally scavengers but feed on plants when it suits them. They eat
Pincher bugs can be a nuisance Read More »
Cleaning the garage and found some Round-up, bug spray, fertilizer that you’re not going to use? Don’t pour it down the drain or put in the trash can. These toxic materials need special care for their disposal. Simply bring your materials to one of the two hazardous waste disposal sites in Marin; they will take
Don’t throw it in the trash! Read More »
Got a weedy patch of garden or raised bed that’s covered with weeds? The warmest time of the year is a great one to cook the soil to get rid of existing weeds and their seeds. It’s a pretty easy process, very effective, it just takes some time and sunpower to work. Learn more about
Cook the weeds away Read More »
Do your kids cringe when they see a spider or other bug? This is the time of year when insects and related critters abound. These creatures may look scary so it can be a challenge to convince a youngster that they’re harmless. Check out these tips for Tackling Your Children’s Fear of Creepy Crawlies
Do spiders, ants and other bugs bother your kids? Read More »
The pocket gopher is named for the external, fur-lined check pouches the little pests use to carry food to their storage area. These thick-bodied rodents range from six – twelve inches long and have small eyes and ears set back far on the head. Their exposed chisel-like teeth (that grow continuously nine to fourteen inches
Gophers are garden really bad guys Read More »
