Yellowjackets and paper wasps may become aroused and attack in defense of their nest when disturbed and can be pests when they build a nest on or near your house.  Nests of most species are placed underground in rodent burrows or other soil cavities and colonies attain maximum size in August and September. Worker yellowjackets, […]

Have you noticed the western red cedars in your neighborhood showing lots of brown fronds lately?  In most cases, these trees are not really suffering from some horrible tree disease or pest but simply shedding their old foliage.  This annual phenomenon is called “cedar flagging” and is much more noticeable this fall due to our […]

Our common Pacific and Townsend’s moles put aside their solitary ways at this time of year – and begin thinking about love. Have you noticed a surge in mole hills in your yard? Male moles expand their tunnels to look for “girl friends”.  Particularly ambitious males could make as many as 302 mole hills in […]

It is important to plan the layout of a screen or hedge before installation. Once trees or shrubs are planted and begin growing, it can be difficult to make changes. Factors to consider include the available space on the property; whether it will be a formal or informal design; the need for deciduous or evergreen […]

Ideally, spring bulbs need to be planted in early November or before the first hard frost in your area. However, bulbs are also very forgiving and may still bloom even when put into the ground as late as early March. Bulbs grow and bloom the best when planted in an area that receives direct sunlight […]

It is fairly easy to accidentally damage your plants or nearby environments when applying horticultural oils. Here are some important points to consider before using these oils: Horticultural oils are non-specific so if beneficial insects get sprayed, they will die along with the insect pest. Only spray plants with confirmed pest problems in order to […]

Many living, growing woody plants contain allelopathic chemicals, which can prevent seeds from germinating or kill young seedlings. Most compounds have no effect upon established plants. Cedars (Thuja spp.) have not been found to have this ability. Even Juglans nigra (black walnut), the best known allelopathic species, has not been shown to have negative effects […]

In the Northwest, garlic is planted as cloves in the fall. Garlic requires full sun (at least 6 hours per day). It is best started by direct sowing seed garlic that can be purchased through some garden centers, catalogs, and online websites. Certified seed garlic has been grown specifically for planting in the garden and […]

Winter squashes are harvested fully mature when the skins feel hard and waxy. In autumn, there is no hurry to harvest winter squashes unless excessively cold or wet weather is approaching. Pick winter squashes with stems attached. Cure in a warm, dry place and store at room temperature. Under these conditions, winter squashes store between […]

In field situations it is difficult to significantly alter soil pH without the addition of chemicals. Temporary changes in pH may be found in the decomposing mulch layer itself, but these have little effect on underlying soils. Significant changes in soil pH can only occur after decades or centuries of mulch use. For more information […]