Gall Midge Cures

Header image: Purple microbial mats offer clues to how ancient life functioned. Pieter Visscher, CC BY-ND

As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:

For generations, gardening has been a popular pastime in the UK. Regardless of whether it is an ornamental or vegetable garden, the act of sculpting the land around us to create our very own oasis of tranquillity provides a sense of comforting accomplishment, as well as a great way to express creativity and individuality.

While a family of five (a couple and three daughters) had made some renovations throughout the years to their 1949 mid-century, post-war house in Seattle since they moved in in 2013, there was one room that still desperately needed a facelift: their galley-style kitchen. “It was hardly big enough for two people to move about, let alone a family of five!” says Meghan Price of Maple & Plum, who oversaw the project. “There were areas of wasted space, major lack of storage, and it felt dark and uninviting. The back door and laundry were situated just off the galley kitchen, with tight, limited access to the backyard.”

Hellebore sap can cause irritation to skin or an allergic reaction. No part of the plant should be eaten. Hellebores flower in winter or early spring from buds formed during the previous summer. They may benefit from some watering during a dry summer to encourage more buds.

Will the EU ban the garden use of glyphosphate the best chemical cure for Couch grass?

Attribution ‘The root of the problem Project 365(2) Day 111’ by Keith Williamson, on Flickr Creative Commons License Deed Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

If gardeners have left wet leather gloves or shoes in a mild garage since summer they may now be covered in a white dusty substance that is powdery mildew. Powdery Mildew can affect many garden plants and it is especially vexatious on Gooseberries, Roses and Peas. The greying of leaves leads to yellowing, distortion and falling, it is unsightly and damages crops. For help understanding mildew read these tips.

Liverworts are primitive plants that can become a nuisance in plant pots and lawns. Liverworts are related to mosses and can look like slimy Algae.

I thought this was meant to be a bird box but the wasps thought differently.

Small Cabbage White Caterpillar (pic)

Fresh South Carolina tomatoes harvested in the summer months are true delicacies. They really are at their best with bare minimum preparation. A Pico de Gallo style salsa combines ingredients that highlight a super fresh summer tomato. The following recipe is simple, easy to prepare, and packed full of flavor.