The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a quarantine on hemlock tree movement in four counties in Western Michigan. The order came after state officials discovered a significant infestation of an aphid-like invasive species in Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties. Native to Japan, the hemlock woolly adelgid has been problematic in eastern… Read more »
In various places around the world, you can find rows of tall pine trees that all lean curiously in the same direction. These trees are known as Cook pines, and scientists now believe they always lean towards the equator. Originally from New Caledonia, a tropical archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean, Cook pines were first… Read more »
Researchers have uncovered new findings that may illuminate what sort of mechanisms trees employ in response to the effects of climate change. The key agent? Soil microbes Soil contains a rich mix of living entities that aid trees in the process of extracting nutrients and water from the soil. Some are microscopic while others, such… Read more »
If you’ve been waiting all winter to get back into the garden, then you’ve come to the right place. As you start planning out your plantscapes and what to place in your garden, it’s always good to know what’s hot for the season. Let’s take a look at what’s trending with tending your garden and… Read more »
Planting trees, bushes, plants and other shrubs is a nice way to increase the aesthetic appeal of a property as well as provide some shade and privacy. It is a pretty straightforward process to plant trees, shrubs and other plants, but the real question that often comes with a little bit of uncertainty is when… Read more »
If you’ve been listening to the news, you probably know that bee populations around the country have been on the decline in the last few years. ScienceMag.org says that according to recent studies, several species of bees have significantly declined in population over the last 10 to 20 years. There are numerous reasons behind the… Read more »
Does your yard remain wet much of the year? Does your property feature wet, marshy soil? Do you have a pond, stream or other water feature that sometimes contributes to soggy soil around the property? Planting some of these thirsty shrubs that absorb water can help you to reclaim your yard and keep your property… Read more »
There is nothing like seeing a home surrounded by vibrant, green grass, but planting grass is not as easy and artless as simply laying down some seeds. It is imperative that you do your research on proper grass planting techniques and timing, and it all starts with choosing the best time to plant. So when… Read more »
If you live in a nice country area, or you like to grow nice plants and trees, one of the major issues you might face is deer eating your garden or foliage. One option is to use a fence to keep deer out of specific areas on your property. However, deer are resilient, and can… Read more »
There are very few things in this world that have been around for more than 350 million years. But the fern is one of them. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, scientists believe ferns date all the way back to the late Devonian Period, which ended about 359 million years ago, and the beginning of the Carboniferous… Read more »
If you’re a novice gardener hoping to transform your backyard, it might be tricky to know which season is best for planting certain items. For any green-thumb hopefuls who want to add vines to their garden, check out our tips below on the best time of year for vine planting. Vines are pretty easy to… Read more »
Spring is almost here, so gardeners and landscapers around the country are starting to plan their spring gardens. Have you decided what you’ll be planting yet? One of our favorite spring plants is bearberry. If you’re looking for low-maintenance ground cover, you’ll love bearberry, too. Bearberry (arctostaphylos uva-ursi), or sometimes known as kinnikinnick, can be… Read more »
