Written by Madame Parsley The samples were crisp and brittle when they got to us. Three spiders; two of the same species and one smaller and reddish. Many insect are identified by their mouth parts, genitalia, pedipalps, spinnerets, and other body shapes which can be tricky and get as technical as flower or plant ID […]
Client called asking if we had a list of different mulches and their uses. Sent her: The Myth of Pretty Mulch http://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/bark-mulch.pdf and A Guide to Mulches (but read “Myth” document to distinguish between bark and wood chips) http://www.spokane-county.wsu.edu/spokane/eastside/Fact%20Sheets/C075%20Guide%20to%20Mulches%2009.pdf Other good reads: Organic mulch https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/0907033.pdf Hazards of rubber mulch: http://www.finegardening.com/its-red-its-rubber-it-safe-your-garden
Written by Jill B. At a recent Jefferson County WSU plant clinic, a client brought in fruit with tiny worms in them. The fruits were blackberry, strawberry and cherry. The plant clinicians suspected Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). SWD is a soft fruit pest and has been spotted around the PNW since 2009 Since […]
written by Jill B. You can post your responses under the comments section. Here are some of the responses we received from four different master gardeners: – Looks like a type of Bumble bee. They don’t usually nest in homes. They are typically ground dwellers. It takes quite a bit to get […]
