Occasionally when working in my garden I will feel a tickle or the sting of an ant bite on my leg and look down to realize I’m standing on an ant nest swarming with tiny black specks. I’ve also noticed larger black ants congregating on the undersides of my sunflower leaves. But are they harmful? …
Serena Manickam
Although commonly known for being indoor pests, mice can be a nuisance in the garden, too! But they can climb just about anything, swim, jump a foot in the air, and squeeze through any opening larger than a quarter of an inch – so how do you keep them out of your vegetable patch? We’ll …
Rodents can cause havoc in the garden, leaving unsightly tunnels and hills, munching on crops, and uprooting plants. But with so many different types of rodents, including moles, voles, chipmunks, white-footed mice, and house mice, it’s essential to correctly identify the pest to control it effectively. This article will help you learn the difference between …
Blister beetles hurt not only your plants but also your skin, and they can even harm livestock! Learn how to get rid of blister beetles in the garden to protect your crops, animals, and self. How to Get Rid of Blister Beetles in the Garden How to identify blister beetles Blister beetles have long, narrow …
I’ve always disliked mowing, knowing that my mower uses gasoline and disrupts the wildlife in my backyard. But recently, I read a statistic that truly made me want to turn in that noisy machine for good: using a gas-powered mower for one hour produces the same amount of pollution as driving a car 300 miles. …
A symbol of love and a classic garden flower, the red rose is celebrated on June 12 each year. This is a fitting date for observing Red Rose Day, for not only are many roses in full bloom right now, but the rose is also the birth flower of June. People also value this flower …
You tuck cucumber vines into the soil while dreaming of the fresh, crunchy fruits and tart pickles to come. And then one day you walk into the garden to find holey, sickly plants in place of the lush foliage you expect. Upon closer inspection, you might notice the tiny insects infesting your beloved plants: cucumber …
Gardening is so much more than a hobby. It can provide us with food, beautify our outdoor and indoor spaces, improve our mental health, and even serve as a form of exercise. On June 6, we specifically celebrate this last benefit by observing National Gardening Exercise Day – and why shouldn’t we? Gardening is way …
Although the history of the day is unknown, apparently someone decided that we all need a reminder to water our flowers, because May 30 is National Water a Flower Day! Celebrate National Water a Flower Day We all know that watering is good for the plants, but did you know that it provides benefits to …
People in the U.S. throw away 167 million tons of garbage each year, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). That’s a lot of trash! The good news is that we can cut the amount of garbage being set out at the curb by half, just by composting. And not only does composting keep …