No one enjoys unexpected houseguests, especially those of the rodent variety. Chilly winter weather makes your home extra inviting for mice escaping the cold, making it a typical time for …
As the temperatures fall and the days grow shorter, many of us spend more time inside. When the wind gets whipping, and rain or snow makes it downright miserable out …
It’s mid-September; prepare for the invasion of the eight-legged freaks! Does anybody get that reference? No? Lucky you. I had the supreme misfortune of seeing that movie in the theater, …
The wisdom to use trap crops in your garden is free for the taking. Only you have to be introduced to the concept first, to understand why it’s so important. …
No garden is complete without a set of garden pests. That is if you are growing organically. There is no possible way to be entirely bug-free. But, why would you …
If you’re a nature lover or outdoorsy type, you’re no stranger to toads and frogs. These adorable amphibians can be found in forests, ponds, creeks, and gardens all over the …
Zucchini and squash can be relatively easy plants to grow. But like most crops, there are a number of things that can go wrong. If you’re having issues with your …
If you’ve got an aphid problem you’re looking to fix, you’ve probably read that ladybugs are the solution. Using these cute little beetles to combat tiny green pests is an …
Growing your own potatoes is usually guaranteed to give you a plentiful harvest. However, there is one little thing that may get in the way of your harvesting plans – …
I was making my morning inspection of my garden, coffee in hand when I noticed something on my spinach that made my heart skip a beat. There, on one of …
It’s time, Rural Sprout Readers. They’re coming. Spring 2021. Who knows, they may already be in your neighborhood. Some sunny afternoon, you’ll walk outside expecting twittering birdsong, and instead, you’ll …
Operating under the cover of darkness, slugs and snails can do massive damage to garden plants in a very short period of time. Each evening, they leave their cool …
Wasps have earned a reputation for being the absolute jerks of the flying insect community. With menacing looks and an aggressive behavior that fears precisely no one, wasps are equipped …
Hornworms are one of the most common tomato plant pests. If you have small children in your life, then you’ve probably read Eric Carle’s book, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” about …
For many of us, the sight of a creepy-crawly bug in our beautiful garden stirs an age-old instinct – SQUASH IT. But wait! Before you pulverize that little critter, take …
Living right in the middle of Pennsylvania State Game Lands meant I would often enjoy my morning cup of coffee while watching a family of deer drinking water from the …
Gardening organically is often a process of trial and error. There are a range of pests that can become a problem, and organic pesticides are sometimes prescribed as a solution. …
Often associated with vampires, witchcraft, and darkness, bats have gotten a pretty bad rap in our stories and lore. And yet, bats are a sure ally in the backyard, helping …
Growing tomatoes in your garden can be a hugely rewarding experience. But inevitably, as you garden, you will encounter some problems. Often, the problems with tomato plants will be related …
You’ve seen bags of it in the health food store and you have pinned images of the fine powder stating its health benefits on Pinterest, but have you gotten around …
We all could certainly do with less pests in our lives, especially the type that bite, sting, and raid your pantry. Getting rid of household pests is an age old …
Fungus gnats are small, dark, soil dwelling flies that feed on organic matter in potting mix and other growing media. Adult fungus gnats reach a size of only 1/16 of …
Rabbits might be cute – with their huge ears, soft furry bodies, bunny hops, and wiggly noses – but that adorableness quickly fades once you see the damage they can …