Few pests annoy me more than voles. They suck down seedlings overnight, leaving no evidence that a plant had stood there unless you count the two-inch hole in the soil. Or they just devour the roots, so that I pull up a carrot top to find nothing attached or walk through the garden to see …
Gardening 101
You’ve likely seen those evil ant-looking insects with wicked pincers at the tip of their abdomen in your house and heard creepy stories as a child of them crawling in people’s ears. Yet despite their terrible reputation and intimidating appearance, earwigs rarely cause problems either in the home or in the garden. If you do …
It’s bad enough when they show up in your house, but the real damage occurs when stink bugs begin munching away at the plants in your garden. If you think you have a stink bug infestation, read on to learn how to confirm their presence and how to get rid of stink bugs in the …
Right in the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, on June 16, we celebrate a day specifically dedicated to leafy greens and all their munchable cousins: National Fresh Veggies Day. June is the perfect time to celebrate fresh vegetables, as our gardens begin to transition from spring to summer produce, and farmers’ markets …
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 …
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 …
They pollinate wildflowers and crops, contributing to biodiversity as well as human food supplies, and produce the sweet honey we love to stir into tea or drizzle on warm buttermilk biscuits. Although we fear their sting, there is far more to love about bees. The Republic of Slovenia recognized the importance of bees and the …
Strawberries are among the first fruits to ripen in spring, with sweet juiciness that proves irresistible as the weather warms and fresh produce becomes increasingly available. Although its history is unknown, Pick Strawberries Day occurs on May 20, right in the middle of the strawberry season for many parts of the country, making it a …