This February, many of us are cocooned at home in the wake of snow and ice storms. We are drawn to activities that nurture the land and our families. But outdoor projects in are limited and garden care isn’t at the top of most people’s minds. Aside from the annual delight of daydreaming about––and strategizing...
If you’ve ever seen leaves that look like lacy skeletons, with only the veins intact, you’ve seen the damage Japanese beetles can do. These pests are relentless, invasive, and incredibly detrimental to our ecosystem. The beetle, originally from Japan, was first discovered in the US (in New Jersey) in 1916. Since then, populations have steadily...
If recent weather patterns are any indication, we’re gonna be getting some real snow this winter here in the Berkshires. Despite having our first big snowfall of the season, there’s still time to prepare your yard to avoid damage from animals and the elements, alike. Settle Snowfall Fears Your hydrangea blossoms may be the envy...
Ah, springtime in the northeast. Finally. The trees are budding, birds are chirping, the air is crisp and sweet—and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a buzzing little bee flitting about in all the fresh bloomage. For bees, it’s officially the start of their busy season—time to pollinate. Bees are invaluable to local plant life—one bee...
Fall has now arrived and as I drink my coffee in the morning I watch squirrels moving around at a frantic pace getting ready for winter. Like squirrels we to seem to adopt this crazy pace after kids are back in school with their activities and with our mental checklists of items that have to...
by Pete Mays Many people who spend time outside and in gardens in the Berkshires, myself included, have had multiple run-ins with fire ants. Myrmica Rubra Linnaeus or European Fire or Red ants, were first found in Massachusetts in 1908. Currently, they seem to be developing a stronger foothold moving inland beyond the coastal wet...
