Lace bugs = Bad – Buggy Joe

Ron Wilson Joe Boggs, OSU Extension, chatted with my pal and garden expert, Ron Wilson, recently on Ron’s national radio gardening show. It was all about lace bugs. Jul 28, 2021 Lace bugs (order Hemiptera; family Tingidae) are so named because of the lace-like pattern of the veins and membranes in their wings which are held flat over their body. Most lace bug species found in Ohio … Continue reading Lace bugs = Bad – Buggy Joe

Fall Webworms are Here Now

Friend and colleague Joe Boggs, Ohio State Extension, tells and shows you all you need to know about this creepy little crawler.  Fall webworm caterpillars feed on the leaves enveloped by their silk nest. Early instar caterpillars feed primarily as leaf skeletonizers with later instars consuming all leaf tissue except for the petioles and coarse veins. As caterpillars grow in size, they expand their nest … Continue reading Fall Webworms are Here Now

Summer Watering Tips

Home > Plant Care > In the Garden Blog > Gardening Tips > Summer Watering Tips From colleague and garden expert, Ron Wilson of Natorp’s nursery, another timely tip for summer. SUMMER WATERING PLANT TIP During the heat, you need to make sure to check your plants often. Always check your plants each time before you water. Physically and visually check to make sure water is needed by pulling the mulch aside to … Continue reading Summer Watering Tips

Raised Beds vs Container Gardening: What’s the difference and which one is best for you?

Today on the Son Rise Morning Show, Matt Swaim and I talked about gardening. Raised beds rest directly on the ground and raise the soil level up by as much as two feet, while container gardening uses enclosed pots that you can move. Both container gardens and raised beds warm up quicker than an in ground garden.Raised beds are often larger than containers, although some pots … Continue reading Raised Beds vs Container Gardening: What’s the difference and which one is best for you?

Those Darn Stinkbugs and Asian Lady Beetles

They’re trying to get into my house by flying onto screen doors, crawling along the outside stoop into the house, and other nefarious ways to get in to winter over. I’m talking about stinkbugs and lady beetles! I’m willing to bet you have them, too. Here’s some fun and always timely information from Joe Boggs, Ohio State University Extension. “Buggy Joe” comes through again! This … Continue reading Those Darn Stinkbugs and Asian Lady Beetles

Yellowneck Caterpillars: Have you seen these?

Friend and colleague Joe Boggs, from the Ohio State University Extension shares photos and timely information about these creepy caterpillars. Yuck!Jul 23, 2020 Jim Chatfield sent a picture on Tuesday of a group of middle-instar yellownecked caterpillars (Datana ministra) devouring leaves on a witch-hazel (Hamamelissp.) in Secrest Arboretum. Yellownecks feed in groups, sometimes called “colonies,” numbering 10 – 30 individuals throughout their development. The colonies tend to … Continue reading Yellowneck Caterpillars: Have you seen these?

Orange Dust From Callery Pears

Orange Dust From Callery Pears – Buggy Joe and Jim Chatfield Jun 24, 2020 Wow! Along with the Saharan dust that’s enveloping some parts of the US, here in Southwestern Ohio we have another dust and it’s orange! See what friend and entomologist Joe Boggs, of Ohio State Extension, has to say. Also check out all of Joe’s good information on Ron Wilson‘s In the … Continue reading Orange Dust From Callery Pears

How to Plant your New Trees

Another helpful bunch of tips from friend and colleague and garden expert, Ron Wilson, .Home > Plant Care > Tree Care Guide   As the largest tree grower serving Mason, West Chester, Ohio, and the Tri-State area, we know how to get your new tree sapling off to a great start. Here are our tips on how to plant your new tree: Here are some … Continue reading How to Plant your New Trees

Wooly Aphids – Watch Out, They’re Here!

Woolly Aphids – Buggy Joe Boggs As usual, Joe Boggs, OSU Extension, gave some timely advice on Ron Wilson’s radio show Saturday. And boy could I relate. I’ve got wooly aphids on my snowball bush! Here’s a tutorial, photos and all – let me know if you have these little buggers, too. May 11, 2020 Thanks to the sharp eyes of Dave Bienemann (Municipal Arborist/Utility … Continue reading Wooly Aphids – Watch Out, They’re Here!

How to Control Slugs in the Garden

  It’s that time of year when the slugs start showing up in the garden. Friend and gardening expert Ron Wilson of Natorp’s shares this information. Take a look – and now you know….   WHAT ARE SLUGS?   Slugs are simply shell-less snails.  Slugs (snails) feed on a variety of living plants as well as decaying plant matter.  They have chewing mouthparts and cause … Continue reading How to Control Slugs in the Garden