How to deter Groundhogs from Spending Quality Time in your Garden

It’s that exciting time of year again when our flowers are blooming, and our gardens are starting to produce vegetables that are almost ripe and ready for picking.  But then we start to notice beautiful flower heads going missing, and same with that almost ripe tomato or head of lettuce has been picked right off too. Who is the culprit of all this? Probably groundhogs unfortunately, and most … [Read more...]

What We All Want: Deer Resistant Plants!

One of the most common questions people ask us at the nursery is “what can I plant that is Deer Resistant?” Living in the Hudson Valley we all know the deer are everywhere, so finding the perfect plant that won’t get destroyed is important when planning your garden. Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as we would all like it to be. Below is a list of several recommendations by our expert … [Read more...]

Invasive Species of the Hudson Valley

It's Invasive Species Awareness Week! You've definitely heard the term, but maybe you don't know exactly what it means. An invasive species technically refers to anything that wasn't here back when the first European settlers arrived in the Americas in the late 15th century. While all invasive species disrupt the native environment, some pose more of a threat than others. Here's a look at some of … [Read more...]

Beneficial Insects in the Garden

It’s that time of year again: aphids, sawfly larvae, scale insects, and other bugs are appearing all over your garden.  But along with these pests come beneficial garden insects that help to control - and sometimes take care of entirely - the populations of garden pests. So hold off on the neem oil or other insecticidal soaps until you know what you're looking at! Ladybugs Adult … [Read more...]

Removing Japanese Beetles from Your Landscape

As the weather warms up at the end of May, you might notice some new visitors to your landscape. Japanese Beetles are those iridescent green and orange bugs you see on trees and flowers, usually in stacked pairs. They tend to hang around in big groups, usually on tree trunks or stems. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or new DIY-er, you probably know what a pest these guys can be. Japanese … [Read more...]

Gardening for Other Pollinators

Aside from bees, there's a huge variety of creatures that pollinate and help maintain our ecosystem! Here's a quick guide to just a couple. Make sure to check out this post to learn more about gardening for pollinators in general. Butterflies Butterflies are attracted to many of the same types of plants as bees. Both love bright colors, sweet scents, and prefer small or shallow flowers with … [Read more...]

Planting Bee Gardens

You don't have to be a beekeeper to support your local bee population. Bee gardens can be as lovely and low-maintenance as any regular garden, and feature some perennial favorites! In general, bees prefer small or shallow flowers with easy access to nectar. Sweet-smelling and brightly colored will help draw bees in, and providing more structural plants like woody shrubs and trees can make your … [Read more...]

Planting a Pollinator Garden

June is National Pollinator Month! What's a pollinator? A pollinator is any animal that helps move pollen from one plant to another, aiding in fertilization and propagation. The most famous pollinator is the bee, but there are plenty of others, including butterflies, moths, beetles, bats, and many birds (especially hummingbirds!) Pollinators are vital to the natural environment, as well as the … [Read more...]