(NC)—From Health Canada, take a look at this snapshot from its website fact sheet “Healthy Lawn Tips”: 1. Although it may look untidy, leave grass clippings on your lawn when you mow it to provide nutrient recycling. 2. Aerate compacted soil in the fall to help oxygen, water and nutrients reach roots. 3. Over-seed patchy [...]

(ARA) – For bird lovers, the sight of a bushy tail hanging off the side of a feeder means just one thing: war. Sure, squirrels have to eat, too, and no one wants to harm the persistent critters. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with squirrels scarfing down the seed you put [...]

(ARA) – Gardeners are familiar with the joy of planting and nurturing flowers, fruits and vegetables to maturity and the bliss of harvesting nature’s bounty. One of the few things that can make that bliss turn into annoyance is an infestation of bugs. While many insects are beneficial to the garden, others can be very [...]

(ARA) -Springtime means sunshine, blooms, birdsong – and the dreaded “deer drama” that will inevitably wreak havoc in your beautiful backyard this season. Deer are now a permanent part of our landscapes, brazenly entering our yards and eating our gorgeous gardens. They are majestic animals, and beautiful to look at – from a distance. Up [...]

Right now, as I look out onto my front patio, I can see a squirrel sitting on top of my box planter, which is a permanent patio fixture, and happily chewing on something from the cache that he stashed there in the fall. It isn’t a big deal, at least right now since the planter [...]

If you have ever read any of my articles involving activities with my children, you will probably be aware that I am a huge fan of backyard science.  I love all the things that you can find in a backyard and there are a thousand and one things that you can find in a yard.  [...]

With the gardening season coming to a close, it’s no time to let your guard down as pests continue to be a nuisance all year round. Here are a few simple guidelines for protecting your garden from pests over the colder months ahead: • Closely monitor your outdoor space to determine the type of pest [...]