Last growing season, you may have experienced difficulties growing impatiens in your garden. You were certainly not alone. After much speculation and a great deal of research, it was determined the cause was a fungal disease called Downy Mildew.The problem originated a few years ago in the southern region of the country and is […]

Planting annuals can bring instant gratification for any gardener. Bright colors and countless  combinations and sizes can contribute to beautiful landscapes or container gardens. Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. Planted from seeds or seedlings, most annuals flower continuously during the spring and summer and then die with the […]

Attracting birds to your garden can be a rewarding endeavor. Food/water, birdhouses and natural shelter help birds flourish and allow you to have a close, intimate view of a wide variety of species. Food One central element in attracting birds is a food source. There are a variety of feeders and seeds available today which […]

Butterflies can be seen in a variety of bright colors, making them a welcome guest in any garden. They are attracted to any garden with brightly-colored 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 using pesticides in that […]

A hummingbird garden can be as simple as a flower box or several containers on a deck, or as elaborate as a large perennial border. The height of the plants chosen is important to vary the space around blooms, allowing the hummingbirds to hover. The goal is to have some flowers in bloom at all […]

There are many insects crawling around in our gardens which perform vital duties and help them grow. These naturally beneficial bugs perform valuable services such as pollination as well as pest control. Using these insects to control pests has been a common practice for many years now and is regularly implemented by many experienced gardeners. BENEFICIAL […]

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 […]

How much should I water my cactus? During the growing season, a cactus should be watered thoroughly and allowed to completely dry out between watering. The easiest way to check for soil moisture is to extend a slender object to the bottom of the soil and check for any damp soil clinging to it as […]