Stan from Granite Shoals asks: How long do mosquito eggs survive on a dry surface? (After I’ve dumped the bowl that collected water when it rained.) Answer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Eggs are very hardy; Read more…
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Two in the morning. Dogs are going crazy. Coyotes aren’t howling, and bobcats aren’t screaming. But the dogs are barking. Next morning, I saw why. Hibiscus and rock roses really are deer candy. So, lesson learned: Air conditioners do not protect Read more…
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How is your garden growing? Tender vegetables peeking through the green leaves? As you walk through your gardens daily (gentle reminder), have the garden pests got you frustrated? Have you noticed all those little spoilers in your squash, pepper, and Read more…
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Replace or replenish mulch in the flowerbeds and vegetable garden. It’s time to deadhead the blooms from geraniums, pansies, snapdragons, stock, and calendulas. Deadhead means to remove the spent blooms. This practice encourages the continuation of the blooms. The more Read more…
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We have more formulas for safely ridding gardens of pests without having to “nuke” the bugs. We have already dealt with grasshoppers by using flour from the grocery store and fire ants by using a mixture of molasses, liquid humate Read more…
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The mesquite and pecan trees have awakened, and according to old-timers, that means the last freeze has occurred. It is time to transplant from the nursery, your greenhouse, or gifts from friends and fellow gardeners. Here are a few tips Read more…
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The hummers are back! We saw our first hummingbird on March 13. When did you see yours? For the first week or two, mix a 3-to-1 ratio of water to sugar. (No artificial sweetener, please.) Then, switch to a 4:1 Read more…
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We’ve heard many experts say this is NOT the time to make large cuts on oaks because they are susceptible to oak wilt. But what is oak wilt? “Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, which Read more…
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KINGSLAND — When Steven W. Horn retired as a dean at the University of Wyoming, he decided to go public with something he had only done privately: write books. However, he knew he couldn’t simply write tales that entertained; he Read more…
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If you’re new to the area, here’s a word of wisdom about wood ash from the fireplace. It’s not necessary to spread ash on the lawn or in the garden because, for the most part, our soil is plenty alkaline. Read more…
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