You might be noticing a bunch of little gray “bugs” with lots of legs hanging out in your basement, under mulch, or around old wood. Those are sowbugs or pillbugs. Fun fact: they’re not actually insects at all, they’re crustaceans……
With all the temperature swings in the landscape we’ve been having lately, it’s no surprise our plants are a little confused. Those warm days get things growing, and then a cold snap comes right along and nips them back. It…
With these temperatures bouncing all over the place, it’s a good time to take a closer look at your trees and lawn. One thing to watch for on evergreens is pine needle scale. They show up as hard little bumps…
In the garden this week, it looks like the trees and shrubs are coming to life with their swollen buds. The spring bulbs are coming up, and the ticks are coming out. Now’s the time to get your lawn and…
Tapping a maple tree is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. First, choose the right tree. Ideally, it should be at least 10–12 inches in diameter at chest height. Only tap healthy, strong trees, and stick with…
Every garden season has its hits and misses, and this year was no exception. One of the bigger disappointments was the cauliflower. It bolted in August during the heat, which meant it only formed tiny heads and never really matured.…
We’re starting to see the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle showing up in the garden this week. Don’t worry—these little yellow-and-black bugs are actually helpful! They feed on flower pollen, and their larvae eat grasshopper eggs. So, no need to kill them.…
In the garden this week, we’re seeing more chlorosis showing up on trees and shrubs. That’s when the leaves turn yellow between the bright green veins. The stress comes from higher heat, lower moisture, and even smoke in the air.…
Aster yellows is a prevalent plant disease in the garden this week, caused by phytoplasmas. This bacterium exhibits viral-like behavior. It is spread by little insects called leafhoppers that suck sap from one plant and carry the disease to another.…
In the garden this week, many people are wondering why their vegetables, like tomatoes and melons, have not set much fruit. Also, why are they not ripening evenly? Why are the melons not sweet? Why do I have hollow areas…
There are a few pests making the rounds in gardens and flowerbeds in the garden this week. First up — flea beetles. These tiny black beetles hop when disturbed, and they leave little holes in plant leaves that look like…
🌿 This Week in the Garden (July 22): Bugs, Blight & a New Trend 🐞 A few bugs are making their presence known this week! First up is the picnic beetle—a tiny black beetle that loves overripe fruit. Think melons,…
This Week in the Garden (July 10)🌱 There are a lot of little grasshoppers hopping around in the grassy areas right now, and keeping them out of the garden is a real challenge. The best defense? Mow a 6-foot-wide strip…
If you’re seeing small grasshoppers in the lawn, keep an eye on your flowerbeds and veggie patch—they like to wander. Lawn insecticide might help in town, but it’s usually less effective out in rural areas. If they’re creeping into the…
It’s that time of year when herbicide damage starts to show up—something that’s, unfortunately, pretty predictable. If you’re noticing cupped or distorted leaves, especially on tomatoes or peppers, there’s a good chance it’s from herbicide drift. The good news? If…