Cast members of the new Ghostbusters film aren’t the only ones getting slimed – trees sometimes get slathered in slime flux as well. Many kinds of trees are subject to sludge assaults, with elms, apples, oaks, maples, and walnuts being among the more vulnerable species. Tree-goo, unlike the Psychomagnotheric Slime in Ghostbusters, is basically harmless. In fact, it can be beneficial. [Read more…] about Tree Slime: Harmless & Beneficial
gardening
Rethinking the Lawn: Cutting the Grass
This spring, we went the no-mow route on about a quarter-acre of our lawn, the last remaining groomed piece we hadn’t turned into vegetable garden or permanent meadow. What a relief! During the hottest, driest spells over the summer, the grass wasn’t growing anyway. The lawn we did mow during the drought – mostly pathways – turned unhappily brown. [Read more…] about Rethinking the Lawn: Cutting the Grass
Garden Club of Lake George Celebrates Centenary
The Garden Club of Lake George was founded in the summer of 1922 by nine women: Mary Whitman Knauth; Marianne Schurz; Gertrude Ranger; Elizabeth Brereton; Mona Hawkins; Mary Hayden; Elizabeth Kreitler; and Charlotte Hyde.
These were no ordinary women. [Read more…] about Garden Club of Lake George Celebrates Centenary
Wild Blueberries: A Primer
Among summer’s many sweet offerings are wild berries. And among these, blueberries are my favorite. Years ago, I took to carrying large, empty yogurt containers in my car – and smaller vessels in my backpack – so I would have something to fill should I pass a good berry patch. My children became used to my meandering travels along back roads and woods trails as I foraged opportunistically. [Read more…] about Wild Blueberries: A Primer
Slug Slime: A Secret Weapon
Gardening at night has its rewards. For me, it offers a way to stay on top of planting and weeding while balancing work and family responsibilities. It is also cooler at night, and the quiet act of having my hands in the dirt helps me unwind.
My favorite part of night gardening however, is following the starlit silvery trails of the garden slugs. These shimmery tracks are made of slug slime, whose mucus-like appearance belies its protective and locomotive qualities. [Read more…] about Slug Slime: A Secret Weapon
Moth Diversity in Our Landscape
On Planet Earth, there are some 5,400 species of animals, 11,000 species of birds, 18,000 species of butterflies — and 160,000 species of moths.
That was just one of the many largely unknown facts shared by Paul Smith College’s Professor of Biology Janet Mihuc at a recent meeting of the Adirondack Garden Club held at the Ausable Club in St. Huberts in the High Peaks. [Read more…] about Moth Diversity in Our Landscape
Tree Selection For Our Changing Climate
My ex-wife gave me a shirt that reads “Change is Good. You Go First” when our divorce was finalized, a much-appreciated bit of humor in the midst of a challenging time. It’s hard to find the mirth in some changes, especially when we don’t have a say in them.
Climate change is a good example. Global temperatures are rising at an ever-increasing rate. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe with time, and no amount of denial will make it go away. We have to learn to roll with this one. [Read more…] about Tree Selection For Our Changing Climate
Report Invasive Jumping Worms
Be on the lookout for invasive jumping worms and report your findings to NY iMapInvasives.
Jumping worms, sometimes known as “crazy worms,” are an invasive species native to Asia that are being found more and more in many parts of New York State. Jumping worms leach nutrients from soil, making it difficult for most plants to grow. [Read more…] about Report Invasive Jumping Worms
How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs
Have you noticed spongy moth egg masses in your neighborhood? Last year was a boom year for spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) caterpillar populations, especially in Central and Western New York.
Egg masses contain 600-700 eggs each and will hatch around May. If you find them now, you can scrape them off trees or buildings and drop them into a container of detergent to prevent the eggs from hatching. [Read more…] about How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs
A Poison Ivy Vaccine May Be Available Soon
Now that the V-word has joined the list of things we mustn’t say in polite company, I hesitate to bring up the topic. No, I mean the other V-word – vaccine. Even if vaccines give you a headache, there’s a new one on the horizon which you may well like.
I realize this claim smacks of a Green Eggs and Ham-style discourse. Not to worry; I won’t stalk you with promises that you’ll like getting jabbed with a mouse, in a house, in a box, with a fox, here or there, in car, or anywhere. Now that I think on it, Green Eggs and Ham was a creepy kid’s book. [Read more…] about A Poison Ivy Vaccine May Be Available Soon