Basil and Bugs
By SongofJoy on January 29, 2013
Aphids are drawn to prolific leaf growth and may attack herbs such as basil.
A Quick Tip About Aphids
By psa on May 8, 2012
Aphids come in all colors, including green, yellow, red, and black, doing damage primarily to young, tender foliage and buds. They're defenseless and can easily be squished, brushed, or sprayed off. Insecticidal soap sprays and oils may be used as well, but they will harm your aphid predators, too. Control for ants in the area, since colonies often spread aphids, protecting them and feeding off of the sticky sweet substance they produce.
Soapy Water To Defeat Aphids
By Boopaints on April 4, 2012
3 teaspoons of dish soap added to a large squirt bottle helps get rid of pests, especially aphids. Spray both sides of your plants.
Common Rose Pests
By Calsurf73 on February 15, 2013
With spring just around the corner, we are all looking forward to our gardens coming back to life and seeing everything around us start anew. The onset of spring and all of its marvels can readily be observed as the bare thorny canes of our roses start to swell with their tiny new growth buds bursting forth with new leaves at a rapid rate, almost before our very eyes. They are soon followed by those first treasured blooms we've been anticipating all winter.
Welcoming Beneficial Insects to the Garden
By wildflowers on September 2, 2011
Nature is filled with a wide variety of beneficial insects whose diet consists mainly of the little pests that invade your gardens. Yes, there really are "good bugs" and they are a great way to combat the pests that are ready and waiting to devour and destroy your plants. Some of these good guys may have been hanging around and you didn't realize they were actually keeping pests off of your favorite flowers or vegetables. Let's take a look at some of these beneficial predatory insects so you can learn who your allies are.
Battling Pesky Garden Bugs: My Worst Three
By DaisyRyder on June 24, 2017
There are subtle things in nature we overlook when cultivating our own gardens. We know what we want and what we want to grow but a garden based solely on desire will have its flaws. To grow a healthy ecosystem, we have to take a few notes from the wild. Incorporating knowledge in a desire makes dreams a reality.
Companion Planting: A Reliable Option or Nonsense?
By wildflowers on August 29, 2010
So what about Companion Planting? Is it merely folk lore and old wives' tales without any scientific evidence to back it up? Or can you create a beautiful garden that flourishes in rhythm with the natural balance that mother earth has to offer (without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals) by using companion planting practices? Maybe some traditions and folklore were created for a reason.
Top 10 List of Pests That Affect Houseplants
By paulgrow on November 24, 2015
As the outdoor gardening season is winding down in many parts of the country, a lot of us are bringing plants indoors or purchasing houseplants to keep our thumbs green during the winter months. Do you know that most pests that affect houseplants are brought in hitchhiking on other plants? I’ll help you identify many of those pests.
I Will Plant Veggies with Roses
By Sharon on January 13, 2013
I have a plan that will make a huge difference in my future gardens. It's simple really; I'm going to plant vegetables among my flowers and let them argue or fight or become friends. It isn't a new plan, it's one Aunt Bett and I hatched a long time ago.
Sempervivum Diseases, Problems, and Pests
By goldfinch4 on March 10, 2013
As a rule, sempervivums are tough little plants that can put up with a lot of abuse before they’re overwhelmed. Not many plants are as resilient as these guys, yet even they face some dangers.
Best Aphid Control
By UtahMike on August 25, 2014
These are pictures I took this morning of the stages of the lady beetle life cycle.
Talking About Nasturtiums
By wildflowers on April 12, 2010
I have a personal fondness for this old-fashioned flower. Its delicate fragrance takes me back to when I was a young girl spending many hours in the garden. The taste of the sweet nectar from the spur of the nasturtium, the skipper butterflies fluttering around, and the ladybugs . . . I'm transported back in time.
Historic Greenwich and the Royal Park (Part 2)
By NEILMUIR1 on June 22, 2010
I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of my articles on this amazing place. To those of you who have been to Greenwich, some of the places are recognizable instantly, some are not. A lot of people travel thousands of miles and never actually get to see what the Park, the Royal Naval College or indeed Greenwich has to offer. If you ask most people if they have ever seen the Roman remains in the Park, they have no idea there were any!
All About Garlic
By wildflowers on October 5, 2011
Garlic is one of my favorite flavorings to use in the kitchen and one of the easiest of all the herbs to grow in the garden. If you absolutely love the smell and flavor of fresh garlic, or have ever considered growing your own garlic, this fall would be a really good time to plant some cloves. It takes little effort to grow them yourself and you will be rewarded with juicy and flavorsome bulbs.
All About Pumpkins
By goldfinch4 on October 7, 2011
From the legend of the Jack O'Lantern and "chucking", to growing, health benefits and pumpkin trivia, let's find out more about this amazing fruit.
The Hummingbirds Are Gone Now
By SongofJoy on October 24, 2011
It always makes me a little melancholy when I realize that the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left here on their annual fall migration to southern Mexico, Central America, and even as far away as South America.
Beloved Around the World: the Hibiscus
By SongofJoy on September 3, 2015
Love for hibiscuses extends literally around the world. There are several hundred species in this large genus of flowering annuals and perennials. Here we'll focus on three main flower types, three species, and their distinctive characteristics.
Control Your Bugs
By Bubbles on August 12, 2011
Watch for bugs and get control of them early. If they're small like aphids, try washing them off first. You can also spray a little soapy water or diluted Neem oil.
Grow Mint
By plantladylin on December 3, 2011
Grow Mint. It's not only a great herb, but also a natural pesticide, and using natural pesticides whenever possible means less chemicals to harm the earth. Pinch and crush a few mint leaves and place under cabinets and around doors where ants might enter. Other natural pesticides: A thin amount of lemon juice along door jambs will keep out ants also. Garlic or Cayenne Pepper sprinkled on plants keeps aphids at bay.
Aphid Repellent
By plantladylin on June 29, 2013
Crushed garlic or cayenne pepper flakes will repel aphids on plants.
