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Spruce Spidermites Info & Control

Photos courtesy (University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign) Photos courtesy (University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign) Info / Symptoms: The Spruce Spidermite is a type of mite that specifically eats spruce and a few other conifers. These mites eat the plant by poking holes in the needles, resulting in small discolored marks left behind with each feeding. … Read More “Spruce Spidermites Info & Control”

Salt-Tolerant Landscape Solutions

What causes salt damage? Across the Midwest, the use of deicing salts in winter to maintain safe roadways, sidewalks, and driveways is a common practice. Despite the benefits, deicing salt deposited on trees and shrubs can cause extensive damage. Deicing salt is dispersed from roads by plowing, meltwater runoff, splash, and aerial spray. Plants sensitive … Read More “Salt-Tolerant Landscape Solutions”

Best Deer & Rabbit Repellant | Plantskydd Organic

What is Plantskydd? Plantskydd is a certified organic, blood-based animal repellant intended for deer, rabbits, squirrels, voles and chipmunks. It is rain and snow resistant, and typically lasts 4-6 weeks after the initial application. How does it Work? Plantskydd repels by emitting an odor browsing animals associate with predator activity—stimulating a fear-based response that will have garden … Read More “Best Deer & Rabbit Repellant | Plantskydd Organic”

What are Microgreens?

Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs that come in a variety of flavors. They are easy to grow, packed with nutrients, and taste great with just about everything. Microgreens are Nutrient Powerhouses The amount of nutrients inside microgreens is incredible. Certain types of microgreens have been found to contain up to 40 times … Read More “What are Microgreens?”

Plants Not Favored by Deer

TREES  Bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum) Beech (Fagus spp.)  Birch (Betula spp.)  Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Catalpa (Catalpa spp.)  Chestnut (Castanea spp.)  Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)  Giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata) Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)  Honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)  Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) Larch (Larix spp.)  Redbud (Cercis canadensis)  Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Smoke tree (Cotinus spp.)  … Read More “Plants Not Favored by Deer”

Espoma Lawn Program

Espoma Organic Lawn Food Organic lawn care focuses on growing a healthy lawn because a healthy lawn is the best protection against weeds, insects, and diseases. To have a healthy lawn, you need healthy soil. Healthy soils are crumbly, brown, and alive with earthworms and beneficial microbes. Healthy soils let grass roots grow deep, making … Read More “Espoma Lawn Program”

Maple Bladder Gall Information

Info Maple trees of all types are a mainstay in No. Illinois. Their vibrant fall color, hardiness, disease resistance and fast growth rate make them a landscape favorite. Some species of Maple can develop small red or black bumps on their leaves during the summer months that can be alarming at first glance. These small … Read More “Maple Bladder Gall Information”

How to Treat Viburnum Leaf Beetle

Viburnum Leaf Beetle Info Viburnum Leaf Beetle are invasive insects which feed on the leaves of many popular types of viburnum. Even many of the Illinois native viburnum are susceptible to damage from Viburnum Leaf Beetle. The insects larvae will chew holes in the leaves in spring (typically early to mid-May). After this, the larvae … Read More “How to Treat Viburnum Leaf Beetle”