Dormant oils were originally developed centuries ago to combat stubborn scale and mite infestations on fruit trees. At first, these oils were heavy and poorly refined, making them unsafe to use on woody plants after they had broken winter dormancy. Nowadays, horticultural oils are lightweight and highly refined (and can even be used at diluted rates during the summer), so the … [Read more...] about Dos and don’ts of dormant oils
aphids
Pest guide: 10 pests to worry about
As I readied my fork to eat a homegrown salad with edible flowers, a few aphids paraded into sight. Less worried about eating them than I was about my gardener-colleagues knowing I had an aphid infestation, I discreetly picked off aphids as I ate. And I made a mental note: aphids like nasturtiums. Because my flower garden is not a display garden and I’m not a commercial market … [Read more...] about Pest guide: 10 pests to worry about
