There is a lot of media coverage on the plight of bees, and it is not all accurate. The majority of bees are not honey bees. Honey bees are domesticated livestock, bred from a European native. Colony-collapse disorder, which peaked in 2011, only applies to honeybees, not native bees. Mites ( more… )
If you use social media, you may have seen a suggestion to use epsom (or table) salt, vinegar and dish soap as a “natural” alternative to weed killer. First of all, EVERYTHING is made of chemicals. Just because the names are more familiar does not automatically make them safer or ( more… )
Now that spring is here, it is time to put out hummingbird feeders to tide them over until your garden is in bloom. But don’t make the mistake of using red dye in your nectar! Bird rehabbers across the country are finding hummingbirds that are unable to fly after drinking ( more… )
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive plant in this area. Although it has been around for well over a century and has had some usefulness, it tends to take over shady areas and crowd out native plants, including tree seedlings. As I take my evening walks, I can see ( more… )
When setting out new bare-root rose bushes, soak the plants in a bucket of 1/2 cup of epsom salt per one gallon of water for several hours or overnight to revitalize the roots. Add one tablespoon of epsom salt to each rose planting hole, mixing it with the soil. Healthy, ( more… )
Some items you might otherwise put in your recycling bin, or garbage, can be used in your garden. Cardboard: Flat pieces can be used as a weed barrier. Cover with a layer of mulch. Yogurt Cups/K-cups These plastic cups are a good size for starting seeds. Punch a hole in ( more… )