When someone mentions bees, most of us picture honeybees, bumblebees or those aggressive carpenter bees that drill into wood surfaces. There are, in fact, four thousand species of bees native to the United States, and fully one-quarter are ground nesters. Commonly grouped together and referred to as 'digger bees' they comprise 70 different species with the greatest number found in western states. Digger bees belong to the family Apidae.

If You're Noticing Small Mounds in Your Garden, You May Have Digger Bees—What to Know

Slugs can be a major nuisance in the garden, devouring plants and leaving behind a trail of destruction. Many gardeners, in their quest to protect their precious plants, resort to salting slugs as a quick fix. However, this method, while effective in killing slugs, is not only cruel but also detrimental to your garden and the environment. Understanding why salt kills slugs and exploring alternative methods can help you manage these pests in a more humane and environmentally friendly way.

Why Salt Kills Slugs (And Why You Should Never Salt A Slug)

The Mirror US

Gardeners have been sharing an unusual trick to keep birds away from fruit and vegetables, and it involves using old CDs - and people are hailing it as 'genius'

Gardeners are being told to hang old CDs from trees this month to stop

If you’re looking to add a splash of color to your garden while also attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.) is the perfect choice. This native perennial, known for its tall stature and clusters of purple flowers, is a magnet for pollinators. As a gardener, I find Joe-Pye weed to be an essential plant for creating a lively and beautiful garden ecosystem.

The Native Pink Flower Hummingbirds And Butterflies Can’t Get Enough Of

When it comes to planting, many gardeners focus on selecting the right soil and choosing the perfect plants. However, an often overlooked but essential aspect of successful container gardening is ensuring proper drainage. Adding pinecones to the bottom of your planter is a simple and effective method to enhance drainage,...

Here’s Why You Need to Add Pinecones to the Bottom of Your Planter

Real Homes

Wondering what plants to prune in August? We asked a gardening expert for their top tips plus info on what pieces of greenery to avoid pruning this month

The 7 plants to prune in August — and the 2 pieces of greenery you shouldn't touch

Oregon City News

Spending time in the backyard can be restorative and relaxing. Is it any wonder that homeowners are increasingly improving their homes to blur the lines between the indoors and outside and enjoy more recreational moments in nature?
                Part of what makes a landscape inviting is the bevy of plants dotting suburban landscapes. Individuals may take painstaking pleasure in mapping out landscapes that are both functional and appealing. When selecting foliage, it’s wise for homeowners to familiarize themselves with certain plants that may not be very...

Watch out for these poisonous backyard plants

Real Simple

Need some shade, stat? Consider one of these easy-to-grow trees.

16 Fast-Growing Shade Trees to Help You Keep Your Cool Outdoors

Hibiscus plants boast some of the largest and most colorful blooms among their perennial peers. The ultimate goal is flowers when you grow and care for one of these shrubs. We want as many as possible, for as long as possible. So when they fall off sooner than we expected, the disappointment is real.

Why is My Hibiscus Dropping Flowers?

As you're spending time outdoors, it can be irritating to deal with pesky mosquitos flying around you and your guests or family. Using chemical-laden sprays and repellents isn't always a desirable way to deal with these insect pests, and the use of chemical pesticides can cause harm to wildlife and kill beneficial pollinators.

Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes Fast With These 11 Natural Fixes That Actually Work

A-Z-Animals

It’s a well-known fact that most birds can fly. Some birds fly to catch prey, while others fly to escape predators. Regardless, the ability to fly is one of the defining features of most birds. However, there exists a subset of birds that lack this ability. There exist a handful of birds that can’t fly […]

10 Birds That Can’t Fly

On a summer night, look up and you may see bats zipping across the sky. Having inspired tales of vampires, superheroes, and more, some people fear the winged creatures. But bats offer so much more to their surrounding environment than folklore gives them credit for. Like birds, bats play an important role as pollinators for plants and provide a great natural pest control solution in the garden. With this new perspective, you may be wondering how you can attract more bats to your yard. Luckily, there are many effective ways of doing so.

How to Attract Bats to Your Yard—and Why You Want To

Cute but a gardening hazard, these furry rodents can ruin your favorite plants in no time. So, here’s How to Keep Squirrels Out of Potted Plants!. Squirrels and chipmunks won’t just irritate you by knocking over plants and pots; these adorable mini monsters cause immense damage by digging up bulbs and burying nuts and seeds in pots. But we have just the right tricks to help you keep squirrels out of potted plants without harming them!

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Potted Plants

As summer progresses, many gardeners might think it’s too late to add more color to their gardens. However, July is a perfect time to plant a variety of flowers that will bloom beautifully in the fall. These late-season bloomers can refresh your garden with vibrant colors and extend the flowering season. As a passionate gardener, I’m excited to share some fantastic flowers you can plant in July to ensure a stunning display come autumn.

12 Flowers You Can Plant In July For Fall Blooms

Upworthy

In 1997, ecologists Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs approached an orange juice company in Costa Rica with an off-the-wall idea. In exchange for donating a portion of unspoiled, forested land to the Área de Conservación Guanacaste — a nature preserve in the country's northwest — the park would allow the company to dump its discarded orange peels and pulp, free of charge, in a heavily grazed, largely deforested area nearby. One year later, one thousand trucks poured into the national park, offloading over 12,000 metric tons of sticky, mealy, orange compost onto the worn-out plot.

A juice company dumped orange peels in a national park. Here's what it looks like now.

Apples are a delicious fruit that grows in abundance from late summer through fall. And while picking your own apples from the orchard is a fun seasonal activity, have you ever considered making your own tiny orchard in your backyard? After finishing an apple, harvest the seeds and plant them in small containers. Soon, the seeds will germinate, and you'll be well on your way to growing an apple tree.

How to Plant Apple Seeds So They Grow Into Fruit-Bearing Trees

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Gardening Know How

Looking to sell your house or just beautify it for yourself? These five trees will kick your curb appeal up a notch.

5 Best Front Yard Trees To Boost Your Curb Appeal

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

The love for animals generally brings with it a strong sense of compassion, companionship, and a need to care for all things natural. In your birth chart, caring for animals falls with your moon sign in the 6th house, ruled by Venus and Mercury.

3 Zodiac Signs That Most Love Animals

NewsNinja

One raunchy piece of advice made Haliey Welch an internet sensation — though her fame has come with a price. The 23-year-old, best known as "hawk tuah girl," has had to deal with some rather creepy fans ever since a video of Welch giving a tip about intercourse went insanely viral online.

'Hawk Tuah' Girl Haliey Welch Says She Was Offered $600 to 'Spit in a Jar' After Her Lovemaking Tip

NewsBreak

Why You Should Attract Fireflies to Your Yard If You Have a Slug Problem

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are enchanting insects that bring a magical glow to summer evenings. While many people are familiar with their bioluminescent beauty,...

Why You Should Attract Fireflies to Your Yard If You Have a Slug Problem

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