Seed saving is an ancient art that enabled humans to cease being hunter gatherers. Up until the end of World War II, home gardeners typically saved their own seeds, because high-quality seeds at affordable prices were generally not available. … [Read more...]
Three SURPRISING Things I Learned About Asian Longhorned Ticks
Late in the evening Sunday August 12. Only 4 more TickSpotters pictures left to look at today. But wait, what’s THAT one. This TickSpotter had sent in something different; a simple picture of a suspicious-looking tick found on their dog … [Read more...]
Nature can be as engaging as video games — how to help kids fall in love with the outdoors
You don’t need to go to a national park to help your kids fall in love with nature; a walk around the block can be enough. Tech also doesn’t have to be the enemy. Instead, use it as a tool to enhance their awe, says science communicator Scott … [Read more...]
Planting Fall gardens: Fall Gardening Guide For Zone 7 Gardens
Summer days are waning but for gardeners in USDA zone 7 that doesn’t have to mean the last of the fresh garden produce. Okay, you may have seen the last of the garden tomatoes, but there are still plenty of veggies suited for zone 7 fall planting. … [Read more...]
Pool pests
The two most common water pests are the backswimmer and the water boatman. The water boatman is oval-shaped and does not bite. It feeds on algae and other vegetation growing in the pool, particularly in the traps, filters and drains. This is also … [Read more...]
Sprouting onions and scarred tomatoes: How to tell whether fading produce is still safe to eat
Fresh fruits and vegetables can do some alarming things. They can crack open and change colors, sport tiny — or really big — scars, and even start trying to make new produce, right there on your kitchen counter. “When in doubt, throw it out,” you … [Read more...]
Home Fruit Plantings: Elderberries
Because of their tartness and relative seediness, elderberries are rarely eaten fresh. However, they offer a low-cost, low-maintenance fruit crop from which a delightful jelly or pie can be produced. MORE SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Dogwood Borers
The client sent photos of a pink dogwood tree with bark peeling from ground up. The photo showed extensive bark loss well up the tree. The client wanted to know what caused the problem and how to take care of the tree. Dogwood borer … [Read more...]
KILLING TREE STUMPS
Did you know that many tree stumps will not die - they just fade away. Stumps that will not die exist in many yards and gardens in our area. It just doesn’t seem fair that when you go to all the trouble of cutting down a tree, often a big one, it … [Read more...]
Microgreens in Pots
Anyone who has picked up a gardening magazine lately has seen that the latest gardening rage is pollinator gardens. You probably know that you do not have to have a garden spot to help support our native pollinators and the moth and butterfly … [Read more...]