I was going to write about compost. I am such a huge fan. That rich nourishing smell of the earth, the way the steam rises off a warm rich freshly turned pile. Something I love and know a lot about! However, being that the release of this article (Nov 7), I thought I would try writing about something I know absolutely nothing about! Deer Season! That time of year when beards start to grow, the gear gets brought out, rifles get sighted, PTO that has been saved is about to be used, and the nursery is almost vacated of staff and customers.

What gives? I thought I would do a little research and see what all the hype is about. And boy did I learn a lot!

Of course, my immediate focus was ‘hunting and the challenges to the landscape’.  However, as I was educating myself on all things “whitetail”: scouting, the Rut, scrapes, rubs, food, disease, etc., I was totally intrigued by this thing called “hunting”! I get it!

Even though I couldn’t shoot or use a bow, the opportunity to be in the woods, the excitement in the air, and the camaraderie between fellow hunters must be an awesome experience. So why the decline in hunters? It was interesting to read about the decline and the ripple effect it has on the economy.

Public opinion has had a direct effect, and this year had the biggest decline in 30 years. Demographics have had a huge impact on the approval rating. Only 65% of African Americans approve of hunting, 61% of Hispanics, and 69% of people 18-39. The highest favorability was those who hunt regularly, shoot recreationally, fish, are male, caucasian, live in the Midwest or rural areas and are 35 years old or older.

The decline of hunters has vast funding issues for the state government. Fewer licenses being sold hurts state and federal programs. Hunting pumps hundreds of millions into conservation efforts. Unfortunately, without that funding, there is a less detailed approach to many programs. Most importantly, controlling and managing the herd!

As much as I like hearing my hunter friends bragging about that 8-point buck, it seems the responsible approach to managing the herd lies with the does. With the decrease in hunters, the deer population is rising. This increase in the deer population has many great concerns.

I could certainly continue in many different directions. I could go on about all the cool clothing and garb, best practices, safety, and even about programs aimed at building renewed interest in the sport. There is so much more to the sport then picking up a weapon and heading in the woods. Educate yourself, respect the landscape, and be mindful of the footprint you leave behind. Have fun and be safe!

But, most of all, good luck!

Bzzzzzzwhzzzzz….SWAT!!

Another ’skeeter gets smacked, leaving your blood and her guts on your sleeve.

We all love to hate them. They’ve ruined countless outdoor summer gatherings, left me with sleepless nights whilst camping, and can make working outside a nightmare. Do these flying parasites actually do any good for this world?  Should we wish for a perfect eradication method so we never have to hear that buzzing sound again?

Mosquitoes are pollinators. Flower nectar is actually their main source of food. Many of our garden vegetables enjoy being pollinated by mosquitoes, as well as wetland and prairie plants. Are you a fan of chocolate? If so, perhaps you will look at mosquitoes a little differently, as they are the main pollinator of cacao trees!

The females only need a small amount of blood to develop the proteins casings for their eggs. The rest of their time they spend flying around your garden and surrounding areas looking for flowers.

Mosquitoes are a food source for bats, dragonflies, and several birds, such as hummingbirds

The impact of mosquito larva in aquatic environments is difficult to measure, but is significant. They spend their time eating away at detritus matter, cleaning up ponds of decaying leaves, expelling their waste for beneficial microbes to consume.  Mosquito larva biomass makes up a large portion of some fish’s diet. Backyard pond fish and all smaller wild fish eat mosquito larva, providing a strong base in the food chain that feeds larger game fish for sportsmen.

If you want to have fewer mosquitoes in your yard keep your grass well-cut and thick bushes away from your entertaining areas. (This helps with ticks, as well)  Look for places where water may collect and remain still for a period of time so they cannot breed in the puddles. Eliminate empty pots and flip wheelbarrows upside down so they cannot collect water. Childrens toys,  buckets, garbage can lids, even plastic bags that have blown into the yard may collect water.   Fix lawn drainage problems for your customers.  It only takes five days for a mosquito to develop from an egg to a biting adult, so consider any standing water a breeding ground.

Bee-lieve it or not, I have never, in my life been stung by a bee. In all my years working here at the plant center, I have managed to avoid that painful sting. Often by running around like a crazy person, screeching. The fear of the unknown is probably worse than the actual pain. As scared as I am, there are so many benefits to planting pollinator-friendly varieties that I would like to share with you. The pollination of food-grown crops, the growing number of endangered insects, easy maintenance, and low-cost gardening are just a few. Pollinator plants attract bees, wasps, butterflies, bats, and even hummingbirds. These benefits far outweigh the fear of the sting.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male parts of one flower to the female parts of another, within the same species. Pollination results in fertilization, which is essential to fruit and seed production. This process is accomplished by insects, birds, reptiles, and some mammals. Fertilization is essential in food-grown crops such as fruit trees. Approximately 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food-grown crops depend on pollinators for their success. That’s roughly one in every three bites! That makes pollinators an essential factor in the global food web.

Another important reason to grow pollinating plants is the declining number of honeybees and other pollinators. This is largely due to human actions such as pesticide use, urbanization, emerging pathogens, parasites, and predators. US beekeepers are losing up to 30% of their colonies each year. While there are still over 2.88 million honeybee colonies in the US, some species are still considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. 

Pollinators are important for many reasons. Global food production, making sure invaluable insects endure, and helping our environment, and the important ecosystems within it thrive, are just a few. Planting pollinators is cost-effective, low maintenance, and will help you feel that you are doing your part to preserve our valuable planet. Just try not to get stung, I’ve heard it hurts!

In every lovely garden, there live lovely creatures. Sure, most people wouldn’t find loveliness in critters like slugs and snails. Despite their proven reputation of treating gardens like their personal buffets, I have always been fascinated by them. Let’s face it, they are cute creatures. The leisurely way they move about, the cartoon-like features… there’s something special about them. That being said, they are a pain and can be detrimental to your job site. This article will provide you with some tips on how to keep them away from your plants without harming them.

Slugs and snails are part of the Gastropoda, combination of Greek words gastros (stomach) and podos (feet), under the phylum mollusca (mollusk). Is there a difference between the two? Aside from the obvious shell that differentiates them, not much. Snails tend to be slightly faster than slugs, but other than that, they are quite similar and will eat as much as the other.

While they are notorious garden menaces, they are also helping your landscape as well as feasting on it. Slowly but surely, slugs/snails will break down garden debris and turn it into nitrogen rich fertilizer that enhances soil nutrition (similar to worm composting). Not to mention, albeit a bit morbid, they are a natural food source for other insects and critters such as spiders, birds, frogs, snakes, and toads.

What kind of plants do they like to eat? Anything. They don’t discriminate. However, they usually nibble on the tender leaves and stems of seedlings.

The big question is, what’s attracting them to your landscape? Slugs/snails tend to dry out quickly, so they love wet or damp soil that will keep their jellied mollusk bodies hydrated and happy. If you have incorporated mulch into your job site, that would be another reason why they are taking up residence as mulch tends to retain moisture. Mulch is beneficial for many reasons, so to help with this I would suggest keeping the mulch away from the base of the plants.

Since their main form of transportation is crawling, their sensitive bodies will avoid rough terrain that will irritate their skin. I would suggest creating a barrier around the plants with natural items such as coffee grounds, wood ashes, sand, or eggshells to repel them while simultaneously fertilizing the plants.

Garden debris is a perfect environment for slugs and snails to thrive in, so cleaning debris quickly after the soil thaws in the spring can help. They also tend to lay eggs in debris as well, as it’s a dark, damp, hidden place. If you are dealing with a slug infestation, it is likely that you will find eggs. They are small, jelly-like balls stuck together in slimy clumps. They vary in color but are usually white or translucent. They will typically hatch anywhere from 2 weeks to 100 days depending on environmental factors. Slugs will breed all year round, but peak months of egg laying are from March-April to September-October. To prevent more generations of slugs, rake and turn over soil in areas that have been untouched. Another method is to pour slightly soapy or salty water on identified slug larvae. This will act as a natural poison without harming your plants in the process. You could also simply pick them up using a glove and discard them that way.

While I personally love slugs and snails, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. If you run into some of our mollusk friends this season, hopefully you find some of these tips helpful to safely discard them from your job sites while maintaining the safety of the plants.