We have just learned that the iconic monarch butterfly may be placed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list. The significant decline in the numbers of this beloved species, renowned for migrating thousands of miles across North America, is due to habitat loss and the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides throughout…
Late sowing causes problems such as small harvests, small fruits and immature crops. Some crops, such as tomatoes, need a long growing season, and a late sowing can result in a lot of green tomatoes that haven’t ripened before autumn. If the weather is dull and cold consider investing in a heated propagator or mat…
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Did you make a new year’s resolution to garden? Here are some of the best tools to help you plant, prune and grow plants in 2025. Hand Pruner Let’s start with the basics. A hand pruner is used to prune small branches up to an inch in diameter. If you are left-handed…
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. A gardener is only as good as their tools. Whether this (admittedly heavily revised) adage resonates with you or not, there aren’t many people who get enjoyment out of working with poorly made, ill-designed equipment. Buying a carefully curated — and professionally manufactured — gardening…
Did you receive a poinsettia as a gift and are wondering how to extend its life through the winter? Is your favorite houseplant dropping its leaves? Or are you already thinking ahead to spring and want to know when to start your seeds indoors? The UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Helpline can answer all your…
Plant more natives, grow something new and keep a gardening journal are a few of the tips Sonoma County Master Gardeners off for a better gardening year. Gardening provides several benefits for our physical and mental health including an escape from the stress of daily life, increased physical activity, a connection with nature and the…
Today I will describe four of the 10 new flowers that have received awards from All-America Selections, the nonprofit testing organization with test gardens throughout North America. The others will be described next week. All four are hardy enough to be planted by early April since they are tolerant to temperatures down to about 26…
Most of us who garden have a love-hate relationship with deer, affectionately referred to as the “hooved marauders” or some other term I can’t write here. Try as we might to keep them out of our plants, we must remember they were here first, and we are the interlopers who keep putting out delectable salad…
