Category: Nature/Trees/Plants

About Rita, Flowers, Fruit, Garden pests, Gardening, Insects, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized

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?

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Flowers, Garden pests, Gardening, Nature/Trees/Plants, Pollinators, Uncategorized

Have you heard of Mexican Sunflowers?

Mexican Sunflower Friend and garden expert, Ron Wilson, showcased one of my newest favorite flowers, Mexican sunflower. I saved seeds from last year and now have a nice row almost ready to bloom. Here’s what Ron has to say about these beautiful and easy to care for flowers: “One of my favorite, newly discovered for me, good for the pollinators, colorful annual is starting to … Continue reading Have you heard of Mexican Sunflowers?

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Flowers, Fruit, Garden pests, Gardening, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized, Vegetables

Keep Container Garden Watered While Away

How can I keep my container garden watered while away on vacation? Always such timely information from friend and garden expert, Ron Wilson. Jul 2, 2020 6 TIPS TO WATERING YOUR CONTAINER GARDEN 1.) If possible, group your plants indoors or out in a semi-shadier location. By grouping your plants, they will provide shade for each other. The shaded spot will help them not dry … Continue reading Keep Container Garden Watered While Away

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Flowers, Fruit, Garden pests, Gardening, Insects, Nature/Trees/Plants, Plant diseases, Uncategorized

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

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Insects, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized

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!

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Healthy/Vegan, Main dishes/Entres, Mushrooms, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized, Wild edibles

Morels! Yes, They’re Growing!

Friends Char and Butch with a morel harvest. One place there’s no worry about social distancing during these challenging times is when my friends, Charlene and Butch Castle and I go foraging for wild morel mushrooms.   We start out at the bottom of the hill. By the time we reach the top of the hill we have kept our distances naturally — in fact, … Continue reading Morels! Yes, They’re Growing!

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Flowers, Gardening, Gifts from kitchen, Herbs, Jams, jellies, Kids, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized

DIY Wild Flower Jellies and Jams

Granddaughters Emerson and Ellery Violet jam One thing that has me smiling is how many of you responded with interest for making wild flower jellies and jams.  My guess is while sheltering in place, you’re noticing what Mother Nature has to offer right in your yard.  Like purple violets (leaves make a healing tea)  and dandelions. Red bud blossoms. On my little patch of heaven, … Continue reading DIY Wild Flower Jellies and Jams

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Flowers, Garden pests, Insects, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized

Snap! Crackle! Pop! (And it’s NOT Cereal!)

It’s about boxwood bushes and all the noise that’s going on with them. Here’s what friends and colleagues Joe Boggs, of Ohio State Extension and Ron Wilson ,Natorp’s Marketing Manager and host of “In the Garden” radio show have to say. Crackling Boxwoods – Buggy Joe Boggs Apr 14, 2020 Joe says:I posted a BYGL Alert on Boxwood Leafminer (Monarthropalpus flavus) back in March noting … Continue reading Snap! Crackle! Pop! (And it’s NOT Cereal!)

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Gardening, Invasive plants, Nature/Trees/Plants, Uncategorized

Lesser Celandine and Marsh Marigold: What’s in your landscape?

Ron Wilson The Rise of Lesser Celandine – Buggy Joe Boggs Mar 17, 2020   Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna(previouslyRanunculus ficaria)) is now very evident in southern Ohio. Blooms have not yet appeared; however, this conspicuous life-cycle stage is just around the corner. This non-native highly-invasive weed belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and is sometimes called “fig buttercup.” The “fig” refers to the shape of the underground … Continue reading Lesser Celandine and Marsh Marigold: What’s in your landscape?

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