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White bugs are a problem for many gardeners who like to grow houseplants. There are several would-be plant bugs, but a common one is mealybugs on plants. If you have discovered what looks like a white fuzzy coating on the stems and leaves of your succulents or other indoor plants, it is likely that you …

Read More about Mealybugs on Plants – Houseplant Pests – Mealybug Treatment

The tobacco hornworm is a voracious eater that can do a great deal of damage in a flower or vegetable garden. It is a pest in the family Solanaceae. The tobacco hornworm is quite commonly seen in the southern United States, especially the Gulf Coast States. Its range extends northward as far as New York. Caterpillars …

Read More about Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) vs Tomato Hornworm

Trying to control squash bugs can seem like an insurmountable task when you find them in your vegetable garden.  If you grow zucchini or squash, you may be familiar with trying to deal with a squash bug infestation. These bugs can do a huge amount of damage, particularly to new plants. Young seedlings and plants …

Read More about Control Squash Bugs 12 ways – How to Kill Squash Bugs

If ants are invading your home and you don’t want to use retail products, home made Borax Ant Killers may be the answer, but how effective are they? I decided to test five of them to find out! Using more organic ant killer remedies is something that many environmentally conscious homemakers have an interest in. …

Read More about Borax Ant Killers – Testing 5 Different Natural Ant Killers Against Terro

Would you like tips for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard this year?  I’ve been seeing them in my garden for a few weeks now. The first Saturday in May is marked National Start Seeing Monarchs Day. What an appropriate national day for this time of the year!  This day was chosen to raise people’s …

Read More about Attracting Monarch Butterflies – Start Seeing Monarchs Day – First Saturday

Do you have a problem with squirrels?  If so, these natural squirrel repellent ideas may prove useful to you. Dealing with squirrels has been an ongoing problem for me in one way or another for several years.  If you read my blog often, you may remember reading about the squirrels in my vegetable garden a few …

Read More about Natural Squirrel Repellent Ideas – Keep Squirrels out of The Yard!

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has something special in store for both animal lovers and those interested in botanical gardens. This 135 acre zoo and botanical garden was founded in 1966 and is home to more than 1,400 birds, amphibians, mammals and reptiles.  Comfortable shoes are a must, since there is a lot …

Read More about Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens – Nature and Wildlife in LA

Looking for things to do in Albuquerque, New Mexico?  A day out at the Albuquerque Aquarium is sure to delight. It is part of the ABQ BioPark system. The Albuquerque Aquarium  exhibits saltwater species from a variety of habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and South Pacific.  One of the nice aspects of the entry …

Read More about Albuquerque Aquarium – Things to do in Albuquerque – ABQ BioPark

April 14 is National Gardening Day. That means it is time to start thinking about ways to get your garden ready with these spring garden tips. Winter is hard on a garden and spring brings with it a host of tasks that need taking care of. With spring right around the corner and daylight savings soon …

Read More about Get Your Garden Ready for Spring – 25 Early Spring Garden Tips & Checklist

How does a gardener go about attracting birds in winter? These bird feeding tips will make sure that your yard is a welcoming place for our feathered friends all year long. Many gardeners try to plant shrubs and flowers that attract birds during the spring and summer. But what about the winter months?  It is …

Read More about Attracting Birds in Winter – Bird Feeding Tips for the Cold Months

One of the biggest pleasures that my garden gives me is its ability for attracting butterflies to it.  With the right nectar plants, a garden can be swarming with these fluttering friends all season long. But it is not just the plants that attract butterflies. There are a few other things that you can do …

Read More about Attracting Butterflies – Tips to Attract Butterflies to your Yard Like a Magnet

Touring a botanical garden with children in tow can be a challenge. But this is not so with Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve. This delightful garden center seems tailor made for kids and is the perfect way to introduce them to flowers and nature! This delightful botanical garden is located in Alliance, Ohio and …

Read More about Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when planting. The right type of flowers and color are the key to attracting these beauties. There is nothing quite like the sight of hummingbirds around a feeder, fluttering their wings the way only hummingbirds …

Read More about How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

These swallowtail nectar plants are great at attracting butterflies to your garden. They just can’t resist them! Nothing makes me smile more than going out into my garden and seeing swallowtail butterflies fluttering around.  Did you know that planting certain plants will make sure that you have these pretty visitors to your yard?  Swallowtail butterflies …

Read More about Nectar plants for Swallowtail Butterflies

There are dozens of vinegar uses in the home. From soaking your sponges to keeping your counters free of ants, this product is a must have. Vinegar is a versatile and effective household product that is more useful than just for making salad dressing.  There are many vinegar uses around the house and garden.  One of the …

Read More about 50+ Tried and Tested Uses for Vinegar

I, for one, and many of my gardening friends have noted the declining bee population.  And those that do visit our yards are the bumble bees, rather than honey bees. With all the talk of GMOs, pesticides and large scale farming, one has to ask the question “How important are bees to our Food Supply and to …

Read More about Declining Bee Population – How Important are They?

Critters in the garden range from beneficial to invasive.  Some actually are listed by the US Department of Agriculture as invasive pests that need to be controlled.  See my tips for dealing with these unwanted bugs. This post was sponsored on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection …

Read More about Tips for Dealing with Invasive Pests

Mother Nature has the perfect answer  for summer bugs- mosquito repelling plants! We can grow annuals, perennials and herbs that will keep the bugs away naturally. With summer comes lots of outdoor living.  Sadly, that can mean lots of mosquitoes. I don’t like to use chemical products so this natural solution is great for keeping …

Read More about Mosquito Repelling Plants – Keep Those Bugs Away!

The birds that visit your backyard are a part of the whole ecosystem. The Importance of bird houses can’t be understated if you want to attract birds to your yard. Having a home for your feathered friends adds some interest to your yard and makes sure the birds will keep visiting.  There are also many …

Read More about The Importance of Bird Houses – Bird House Benefits

Facebook has so many great pages devoted to gardening, but the way the site now shows the content of pages, it is sometimes hard for them to get seen on news feeds. Facebook is one of the most popular of the social media channels. I thought it would be fun for the Garden Charmers (a …

Read More about The Garden Charmers Share their Favorite Facebook Pages