The Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, otherwise known as a bagworm, is a moth caterpillar that hatches its eggs in early June and constructs a home, or “bag,” from its silk and the leaves and stems from its host plant. Because a bagworm… Read More
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How to Protect Grasses and Trees During a Heat Wave
Here in Maryland, we are in the middle of a summer heat wave. With temperatures regularly in the 90s, and clear skies bringing sunshine down onto our lawns during the long summer days, our plant life struggles to survive. Our… Read More
How to Prevent Pond Algal Blooms from Developing
Excessive pond algae indicate that the natural balance of the pond ecosystem has been compromised. While some algae can be appropriate, too much can wreak havoc on the pond’s appearance and the mini-ecosystem in and around the water. These clusters… Read More
How to Control Mosquitos This Summer
Many of us will be spending more time outdoors during the summer. However, mosquitos will also be spending more time outdoors, and they can make enjoying the warm weather and long days very difficult. While most mosquito bites are merely… Read More
5 Possible Causes of Summer Lawn Stress
During the hottest days of summer, your lawn may begin to turn a shade of brown in patches. This transformation varies based on numerous factors, but when your grass is in this weakened state, it becomes much more susceptible to… Read More
4 Signs That You Are Overwatering Your Plants
During the long, hot summer months, you may be tempted to increase the amount of water you give your plants. While it is natural to worry about underwatering your plants, you can overwater them and damage them that way as… Read More
How to Conserve Water While Preserving Your Landscape
During the hot summer months, homeowners can use two to four times as much household water as they normally do, just to water their lawn! But did you know that all that water use may not be necessary? You can… Read More
How to Prevent Weeds in Your Landscape
Weeds are an inevitable part of gardening and maintaining a healthy landscape. They can sometimes perform valuable services, such as fixing nitrogen in the soil, but most gardeners prefer to keep the weeds from growing. You can use several techniques… Read More
5 Ways to Prevent Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the highest-occurring tick-borne infection in North America and is transmitted by ticks. Deer ticks, in particular, are the ticks that can pass this infection to people, and these ticks are quite small and difficult to see. Deer… Read More
How to Spot and Treat Frost Damage on Red Maples
Many Maryland landscapes have red maples or other trees and shrubs that provide beautiful foliage and desirable growth traits throughout the year. However, this year many of these trees and shrubs are showing signs of frost damage. This can happen… Read More
Your Early Summer Lawn Care To-Do List
After Memorial Day weekend, many people’s minds turn to summer. For many homeowners, this means that their lawn requires more regular attention. If you plan your lawn care tasks effectively, you can save future costs, grow a beautiful landscape, and… Read More
Tips for Teaching Kids How to Garden
Gertrude Jekyll, a British horticulturist, and garden writer, wrote that a garden “teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; [and] above all, it teaches entire trust.” These are admirable character traits that we want our children to… Read More