While their antics are entertaining, squirrels can cause a lot of damage when they start digging up potted plants. Common tree squirrels with their big bushy tails and striped ground squirrels (also known as chipmunks) can uproot a thriving container garden in short order. Guided by their instinct to bury food for later use, squirrels often see a pot as a perfect spot for hiding their bounty. Also, the tender vegetation in the container is a tempting food source. Encourage these active rodents to play in the dirt elsewhere with these simple tactics for protecting your potted plants.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Potted Plants: 7 Smart Tips

Squash bugs (Anasa tristis) are infamous plant pests with an insatiable taste for cucurbit vegetables, including summer and winter squash, pumpkins, melons, gourds, zucchini, and cucumbers. These garden marauders are notoriously difficult to control; they overwinter in plant debris and emerge year after year to wreak havoc in garden beds. With the right tips and tools in your gardening arsenal, you can prevent and get rid of squash bugs for good using all-natural, organic methods.

8 Tips for Getting Rid of Squash Bugs Naturally Before They Devour Your Plants

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks and whistle pigs, may look cute and cuddly, but they are among the most destructive garden pests. Not only do groundhogs wreak havoc in vegetable beds, mowing down entire rows of peas, beans, and carrots, but they also dig unsightly burrows and tunnels in grass lawns and clamber up fruit trees in search of a sweet score. If you suspect groundhogs are making a buffet of your vegetable beds and fruit trees, this guide will show you how to safely get rid of the critters and keep them from coming back.

How to Get Rid of Groundhogs in Lawns and Gardens

One of the best things about the weather getting warmer is the selection of fresh fruit that's back in season. So long “meh” grapes and hello sweet strawberries!. Of course, enjoying all of this bounty comes with making sure that our fruit and vegetables are clean. Videos of people washing their strawberries in salt and seeing tiny bugs come out of them went viral last year, which had us wondering—how exactly do we avoid that? No one wants to imagine that insects are living inside their fruit salad, so how exactly do you remove bugs from your berries?

Yes, There Are Bugs in Strawberries—Here’s How to Get Rid of Them

Woman and Home

Fed up with pesky squirrels stealing your bird food? Follow these harmless suggestions to keep them out of your garden

How to deter squirrels from your garden – tips from pest control experts

Dengarden

10 Smells Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Other Garden Critters Hate

NBC News

We don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often should you wash your hair and more. There...

How to get rid of flies, mosquitoes, gnats and other household insects

Dealing with crabgrass in your lawn? This pesky weed can quickly take over and ruin the look of your yard, especially during the spring and summer. But don't worry—with a bit of know-how and persistence, you can effectively control and prevent crabgrass to keep your lawn looking lush and healthy all year round. We've got all the details you need to know right here, including tips from gardening experts on how to identify, remove, and prevent crabgrass.

How to Get Rid of Crabgrass in Your Lawn

July might seem like a late start for gardening, but it’s actually an ideal time to plant certain fast-growing vegetables and flowers that will thrive in the warm summer and cooler fall weather. Whether you’re filling in gaps in your garden or looking to extend your growing season, here...

20 Best Vegetables to Plant in July and Still Get a Huge Harvest

If you’re like me, always on the lookout for beautiful plants that attract butterflies and add a splash of color to your garden, you’ve probably considered planting the butterfly bush (Buddleja). This plant is renowned for its vibrant flowers and ability to draw in those lovely winged creatures. However, despite its allure, the butterfly bush can cause more harm than good. Before you head to your local nursery, it’s important to understand why you should steer clear of this seemingly perfect plant.

Beware: This Is Why You Should NEVER Plant Butterfly Bush

If you’ve ever had your garden ravaged by deer and rabbits, you know how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, there are many beautiful perennials that these animals typically avoid, allowing you to enjoy a vibrant garden without constantly battling these hungry visitors. From fragrant herbs to unique flowers, these deer and rabbit-resistant plants can help create a stunning and resilient landscape.

15 Perennials That Deer and Rabbits Avoid

Should you mow today or wait another day? While there isn’t a formula to calculate a mowing calendar, grass provides plenty of cues that help you know when to mow. Whether you use a push mower, rider, or robotic model, timing your mowing right begins with understanding how your grass grows. These tips will help you decide how often you should mow your lawn to result in healthy, lush grass.

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn? 8 Tips to Time It Right

Homes & Gardens

Are your plants discolored? Diagnose and treat your ailing zucchini plants with our expert tips

Why is my zucchini plant turning yellow? 4 common issues and how to fix them

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Gardening Soul

Companion planting is a time-tested gardening technique that involves planting different species close together to benefit each other. One of the most successful and popular combinations is planting marigolds with tomatoes. This duo offers numerous benefits, from pest control to soil health, ultimately leading to healthier and more productive tomato plants.

How Planting Marigolds with Tomatoes Solves Most of Your Tomato Problems

Fruit flies may seem like tiny, annoying pests, but they hold a treasure trove of fascinating facts. Did you know these little insects have been crucial to scientific research for over a century? Fruit flies are not just a nuisance around your bananas; they are genetic marvels. With a short life cycle and simple genetic makeup, they help scientists understand complex biological processes. Their contribution to genetics has even earned them a spot in several Nobel Prize-winning studies. Ready to be amazed? Here are 20 intriguing facts about these tiny yet mighty creatures that will change how you see them forever.

20 Best Facts About Fruit Flies

Many homeowners dream of a lush, green lawn. However, over time, lawns can become patchy, thin, and worn out due to various factors such as weather, pests, and regular wear and tear. Reseeding your lawn is an effective way to rejuvenate it and bring back its vibrant appearance. This guide...

How to Reseed Your Lawn Like a Pro in Just a Few Easy Steps

Livingetc

Getting your summer trip out of the group chat should be the most difficult thing you do this summer; keeping your garden alive should not be

6 Tricks to "Vacation-Proof" Your Backyard to Help Your Plants Survive Your Getaway Without a Gardener

Growing tomatoes in containers is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce, especially if you have limited space. However, container gardening comes with its own set of challenges. Making a few common mistakes can quickly lead to unhealthy plants and disappointing harvests. But don’t worry—by being aware of these pitfalls and knowing how to avoid them, you can ensure your container tomatoes thrive all season long.

10 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Container Tomatoes Fast

If you're finding an overflow of gnats outside your home, it can be a huge nuisance. They're attracted to decomposing matter and standing water—so we first recommend removing trash promptly and being mindful of water sources. Gnats aren't all bad—they decompose organic matter, pollinate flowers, and serve and as...

How to Control Gnats Outside Your Home and Yard Right Now

Wondering whether or not it's time to replace your dishwasher? Be on the lookout for these six telltale warning signs that you may want to say goodbye to your existing appliance and purchase a new one. Below, we're highlighting some common issues that indicate your dishwasher is not functioning as...

6 Warning Signs to Look Out for Before Buying a New Dishwasher, Pros Say

NewsBreak

How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs Before They Ruin Your Harvest

If you’ve noticed brown or gray insects with large, flat bodies scrambling over your precious zucchini, pumpkins, or squash, you may be dealing with a squash...

How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs Before They Ruin Your Harvest

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