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Few things are as satisfying as harvesting your own vegetables and fruits. Vegetable growing is generally easy, but many gardeners want to ‘upgrade’ to fruits. While some, like strawberries, are pretty easy, things…
I’m sticking with it, but looking back at the title I just wrote for this blog, I see right away a classic oxymoron – if they are ‘harmless’ they can’t be ‘pests’. But…
When you start growing plants – indoors or outdoors – it doesn’t take long before you see a few creepy-crawlies on them. That isn’t reason to panic, because most insects on plants are…
Back in the days when throwing chemicals at your garden was the standard way to deal with any problem, from lawn weeds to tree diseases or pests, you used to see many white…
Flowering dogwood trees are a major highlight of spring and early summer throughout the east. In the woods and in gardens the glory of these trees is an annual event so glorious it…
Pines – big and small – were the subject of a recent blog, and they are beautiful trees that bring a unique look to any garden, with so many to choose from. Pine…
There is a cycle to the growth of a garden through the seasons. After the silent wait of winter, spring arrives full of promise. The fresh, new growth of trees and shrubs is…
Planting a tree is an action full of hope. We hope that our tree will grow and flourish, living out its life – which will certainly be decades, and perhaps even a hundred…
As winter moves hesitantly into spring, and the worst weather has passed in your area, its time to turn your thoughts to preparing the garden for another season. If you are lucky enough…
As winter turns to spring, many gardeners are out inspecting their gardens, and all too often they are finding plants damaged by winter. Cold and ice is one thing, but when animal damage…
Maples are among the most popular trees for the garden, especially as shade trees. No wonder! With their iconic leaves and spectacular fall colors, these hardy trees will grow in many climate zones…
Go for a walk in the woods and you’ll see plenty of fungi growing on trees. Any old stump or deadfall is a potential home for a crop of them, whether it’s mushrooms…
If you’re a gardener you’ll know just how many pests can attack all your hard work, but there’s a good chance the one that worries you most is the notorious Japanese beetle. These…
Getting your grass into top condition takes a lot of work, so the last thing you want is to wake up one morning, open the curtains and see the untidy mounds of earth…
Every gardener owes a big debt to bees. Bumblebees are some of the world’s most efficient pollinators, and many flowering plants would be in trouble without them. A healthy bee population is an…
Crickets are part of the intricate tapestry that makes up a beautiful summer evening. Sitting in the yard in your favorite chair, sipping a drink as you watch the sun drop towards the…
If there’s one class of insect that bothers gardeners more than any other, it has to be aphids. These tiny pests can be found worldwide and they are to plants what mosquitoes are…
Poison Ivy was here when the first settlers arrived, but it with suburban development it has become much more wide-spread, since it lives naturally at the edges of woodlands, just where we…
If you’ve seen the movie Groundhog Day you probably have a bit of a soft spot for Bill Murray’s furry co-star. That’s understandable – groundhogs, which you might know as woodchucks or whistlepigs…
When you’ve put a lot of effort into getting your garden looking just the way you want, any weed is an unwelcome guest. Poison ivy goes well beyond that, though – it’s a…
There are few things as satisfying as a well-tended and cared for garden. Maintaining your outdoor spaces can be a joy, not just for you but also for the wildlife it brings to…
Skunks are famous for their smelly spray. It’s hard to describe skunk odor to someone who’s never experienced it; anyone who has experienced it doesn’t need it explained, because it’s not something you’ll…
Chipmunks are cute little critters – in small doses. They can quickly become a real pest in your home and garden, though. A few chipmunks living in and around your property can cause…
Raccoons are amusing animals, but the joke can wear a bit thin when they start making regular nocturnal visits to your property. Raccoons are smart and ingenious, and not shy about taking advantage…
The world’s bee population continues to decline and many gardeners are trying to increase bee-friendly plantings on their properties, but it seems like wasps are positively flourishing. There’s no doubt that wasps play…
Squirrels can be cute, but they can also be a nuisance. Watching them race through the branches of an old tree is always a charming sight – finding a nest in your loft…
Most snakes aren’t venomous, but quite a few are – there are some really nasty species in the USA. Who wants to share their home with a rattlesnake? Even non-venomous snakes can be…
There are about 250 types of stink bugs in America and any of them can be a problem, mostly in spring and fall when they are leaving or trying to find places to…