Oregano (Origanum spp.) is one of my must-grow herbs due to its versatility in the kitchen and low maintenance in the garden. But I might not be utilizing its full potential! Oregano serves an excellent companion for many plants, offering such benefits as deterring common garden pests, attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects, and providing…
Tennessee is home to a wealth of beautiful native trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants. Unfortunately, though, these native species are threatened by the encroachment of aggressive, fast-growing weeds. These invasive plants in Tennessee cause havoc not only on native ecosystems but also on the economy, by impacting everything from agriculture to outdoor recreation. As…
When you plant your first raspberry patch, there appears to be a lot of empty space around the vertical-growing canes, and it can be tempting to fill in those bare spots with some companion plants. However, raspberries send up new canes every year and may need that extra space as they fill out and spread….
More than 3 million acres are infested with invasive plants in South Dakota. While this may seem on the surface like a strictly ecological problem, these weeds result in losses of more than $100 million every year*. Invasive plants in South Dakota outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, reduce crop and livestock production, negatively impact outdoor…
While most people pull their Christmas tree out of a box or purchase a cut tree from a farm, for the past couple of years we’ve simply moved ours from the dining room to the living room for the holiday season. It may not have quite the same charm as a cut tree, but it’s…
Thyme is a wonderful companion plant in the garden. The creeping nature of many varieties of this herb means it makes an excellent living mulch, and its strong fragrance deters insect pests like whiteflies and cabbageworms. And when its lovely little flowers bloom, thyme attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects too! Some plants, however, don’t…
They threaten endangered species, reduce wildlife habitat, impact outdoor recreation, and affect the economy. And they can be found in your own backyard. Invasive plants in South Carolina have so many negative effects on so many different things, and fighting them can feel like a daunting task. Some of these aggressive plants can easily be…
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables, both to eat and to grow. I’ve been toying with the idea of interplanting them with tomatoes next year to save space in the garden, but it turns out that might not be the best plan! Tomatoes are actually among the worst companion plants for sweet potatoes….
Although they play an important role in native ecosystems, muskrats can cause significant damage with their foraging and burrowing. This semi-aquatic rodent looks like a small beaver with brown fur, a thick body, and large, partially webbed hind feet. Adult muskrats average two and a half pounds and two feet long, including their long, black,…