By: Andrew Obloy We should all do our best to help our native plant species thrive. Whether in the environment around us, or in our own home gardens. Care should always be taken when introducing non-native plant or animal species anywhere. The potential damage could be catastrophic to an ecosystem. Today we are going in a different direction. I want to talk about the invasive species that have […]
By: Andrew Obloy Our native plants are amazing, they are here for a reason, and we should use them as much as we can in our own landscapes. That being said, not all non-natives should get such a bad rep. For many, the word invasive feels synonymous with non-native. I will always encourage the use of native plants in your own garden, but I don’t think we should look at […]
Written By: Elena Roman The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is undoubtedly one of the most witnessed wildlife we interact with in our American existence. Come fall, as vegetation dwindles, depleting food sources in wooded areas, deer are forced to search for food in places they otherwise would feel insecure (as you can probably notice by your mauled or nonexistent Hostas). More recently, this shift has become particularly evident as deer […]
Written By: Elena Roman There can be many obstacles in the process of establishing a new garden, or even in the maintenance of an existing garden. The usual suspects being weeds, improper soil pH and/or drainage, irrigation, and pests. Among the most pervasive and stubborn of obstacles we encounter as gardeners are invasive plants; they compromise our designs, and more importantly, the health of our foundational native ecosystems that support […]
Boxwood are a favorite evergreen shrub in home gardens, loved for their versatility, lush year-round color, and general hardiness. Unfortunately, in the past decade, Boxwood blight has threatened the health of many of these plants. Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that can affect all aboveground parts of the plant. Boxwood blight originated in the United Kingdom in the 1990s and was first confirmed in the United States in October […]
By Renee Godfrey Quillin The hot summer days are a reminder to take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. This is also a great time to reflect on your outdoor living space by assessing the landscape. Over time landscapes change and early to mid-summer is the perfect opportunity to add a few plants here or there or even spruce (no pun intended) up […]
By: Justin Spittal If you’re anything like me right now you’re stuck at home, trying to keep a presence at work, accepting your new home-school teacher accreditation, and keeping the house from constantly looking like you left your windows open during a hurricane. Your friends and co-workers without school age kids are getting those home projects finally done that they’ve been sitting on for the past 5 years. Either that, […]
By Renee Godfrey Quillin The onset of Spring arises with longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures to break winter dormancy and promote early blooming plants to graciously emerge. At this point we are well on our way into winter cutbacks followed by spring clean-up. The typical spring rain bring on the beginning of possible unwanted diseases and pets into the garden and turf which in returns begins IPM (Integrated Pest […]
Written by Kyle Hiteshew What is Integrated Pest Management? Integrated Pest Management (IMP) is an eco-system based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage, through a variety of methods, such as biological controls, habitat manipulation, changing cultural practices and the use of resistant varieties of plants. Chemical controls are carried out in the form of applications, performed only by a certified technician. Pesticides are used after […]
By: David Zimmerman What is your vision for your outdoor space this year? Have you thought about it? As no year in the garden is ever the same as years gone by, here are some considerations to mull over while making those important pre-season decisions. Resolution 1 : Triple P ( Prepare for Prevention of Pests ) Deer, insects, rodents, weeds – it does not matter what climate you live […]
