The Basics Butterflies and moths are two evolutionarily related group of insects. They are in the Lepidoptera. All of them have wings covered with scales. Their family name comes from the words for scaly (lepido) and winged (ptera). Most butterflies are very colorful and usually active exclusively during the day. In contrast, most moths […]
Happy Happy Holidays
We would like to revisit a favorite Garden poem by Sara Coleridge. The Garden Year January brings the snow, Makes our feet and fingers glow. February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again. March brings breezes, loud and shrill, To stir the dancing daffodil. April brings the primrose sweet, Scatters daisies at […]
Hardiness
Salt and Ice When you add salt to ice it melts. Why? The melting occurs because the salt molecules sneak in between the water molecules and this increases the distance between the water molecules. By making them farther apart than it would at that temperature they now behave as a liquid. Sugar has a […]
THE TENT MAKERS
TENT MAKERS Summer has come to an end and some of us are looking forward to a cooler seasonal change. Especially the tent making caterpillars !!!!! Really scary picture of a tent caterpillar nest ! LIFECYCLE This is a specialized sub group of butterflies and moths, the young (caterpillars) of this […]
OH NO ! STINK BUGS !!!!
THE ADULTS Common brown stink bug This crop pest of China was introduced into Pennsylvania by accident in 1998, and has spread throughout the Northeast. The name “stink bug” refers to glands on the abdomen. When disturbed or if crushed the insect will release a potent and unpleasant odor – like potent skunk […]
SOIL GRUBS
Grubs Grubs are the immature larvae of various species of beetles: There are endless species of them. This is a mostly invisible pest – living its life cycle in the soil for most of the season. Grubs of different species tend to look similar except for their overall size The Adult Beetles […]
ESSENTIAL OILS
Use in Aromatherapy Essential oils are often used in massaging and aromatherapy. This is a form of alternative medicine that employs plant extracts to support health and well-being. They are not meant to be eaten or swallowed. Essential oils These oils are compounds extracted from plants. The oils capture the plant’s scent […]
CEDAR APPLE RUST
WHAT IS THAT ! Fungal blisters on apple leaf As the summer progresses into fall gardeners start noticing these blisters on their apple tree leaves. It’s a fungus !!! This disease is one of several caused by the genus Gymnosporangium. Its called Cedar Apple Rust. Life cycle on broadleaf plants The […]
CAULIFLORY
NO… this is not about cauliflower ! Cauliflory is an evolutionary adaptation in which flowers and fruit develop directly from the trunks and woody branches of plants. Cauliflory means “ stem flower”. It occurs in a distinct vertical zone below the forest canopy. Its found throughout the world. It is most prevalent in the […]
