Butterflies are a welcome guest in any garden. Not only do they help pollinate, but they are a visually beautiful addition. Attracting butterflies can be as simple as planting bright flowers that are rich in nectar. When possible, locate flowering plants in a sunny, protected area, as butterflies need sunlight to stay warm. Also, avoid […]

Attracting hummingbirds brings life and movement to a garden. A hummingbird garden can be as simple as a flower box or planters on a deck, or as elaborate as a large perennial border. The height of the plants you choose is important to vary the space around blooms, allowing the hummingbirds to hover. The goal […]

  Many insects crawl around our gardens and perform vital duties that help them grow. Pollination is not the only benefit. Natural pest control and improved soil health are both important benefits of bugs. We may not always enjoy the look, but the advantages of hosting beneficial bugs in our garden greatly outweigh the appearance. […]

Nematodes are tiny worm-like organisms, most of which are found living naturally in soil. They attack and kill soil-dwelling and boring insects such as weevils, grubs, beetles, maggots and cutworms. Nematodes are desirable to use since they do not endanger people, pets or even earthworms. Using living, natural biological control agents sustains and augments the […]

The birch leaf miner is a tiny wasp-like sawfly that feeds between the surfaces of birch leaves.  Repeated attacks over several years may weaken a tree, making it more susceptible to damage from other insects. Identification and Life Cycle The birch leaf miner overwinters as mature larvae in the soil beneath a tree. In early […]

Bird feeders can be categorized as platform/tray, hopper or suet. Most of these types are available as either hanging, window mount, wall/tree mount, pole mount or freestanding. FEEDER TYPES HOPPER FEEDERS Hopper feeders are one of the most popular choices among bird enthusiasts. These feeders are designed to hold a larger amount of food in […]

  Cacti are hardy, slow-growing plants that can tolerate heat. Don’t stress too much as they are forgiving, drought-tolerant plants. Although pokey and prickly, they make for great houseplants. They are structurally intriguing and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, adding an exotic edge to your collection. Low-maintenance is the name of […]

A burrowing cousin of the squirrel, chipmunks feed on fungi, plants, nuts, grains, seeds and the occasional insect and can be detrimental to a garden or landscape. These rodents favor areas with stone walls or rotting logs and heavy ground cover. When they burrow, they excavate the dirt, keeping tunnel entrances well-concealed. If you find […]

A citrus tree is an ideal plant for a warm, sunny room. Their dark, shiny leaves and fragrant blossoms add to the appeal of their brightly-colored, ornamental fruit. From a size standpoint, the smaller members of the citrus family such as limes, Meyer improved lemons, kumquats and calamondins are the best choices for house plants, […]

  An all-natural, eco-friendly method done two ways: actively and passively. Adding compost to any garden bed will dramatically enhance the fertility, texture, and aeration of the soil. It feeds the billions of critters living in it, whose activities create plant nutrients. The process of composting is achieved by combining organic waste such as dead […]