Cold air, quiet beds, and a garden that finally gets a breather—winter feels calm and harmless. But beneath that peaceful surface, rats are actively apartment-hunting, and your garden may be flashing a giant “vacancy” sign. One common winter gardening habit creates warmth, shelter, and food all in one neat bundle, and rodents absolutely love it….
gardening and pests
Why Pests Overwinter in Untended Garden Beds
Winter may look like a quiet timeout for the garden, but beneath the surface it’s more like a survival reality show packed with drama, strategy, and stubborn contestants. As leaves fall and beds go wild, tiny creatures start scouting for winter condos with insulation, snacks, and protection included. Untended garden beds just happen to check…
Why January Is the Best Time to Prevent Garden Insect Infestations
The crisp chill of January might make you think the garden is asleep, but beneath the frost, the stage is already set for a summer invasion. Garden insects may be hibernating or hidden, but savvy gardeners know that early preparation can save months of frustration. While most people are still cozying up with hot cocoa,…
How to Keep Rodents from Chewing Your Tree Trunks This Winter
The moment the temperatures drop and the first frost settles, rodents across your yard seem to hold an annual strategy meeting about which of your tree trunks they’re going to gnaw on next. It’s almost as if they wait all year for winter to arrive so they can treat your landscape like an all-you-can-eat bark…
Why Seedlings Fail in Late Plantings
There’s a certain kind of optimism that hits when you drop seeds into soil later in the season—like you’re beating the system, sneaking in one last chance at garden glory. The sun is warm, the days still feel long, and the soil practically whispers, “Go ahead, plant something.” But then, within weeks, that hope turns…
6 Garden Pests That Hibernate in Your Soil
Winter seems peaceful, doesn’t it? The garden is quiet, plants are resting, and snow or frost blankets the ground. But beneath that calm surface, some of your garden’s most notorious troublemakers are lying in wait. While you’re sipping hot cocoa inside, pests are snoozing in your soil, ready to wake up and wreak havoc come…
10 Crops That Attract Mice if Left Uncovered
The moment you leave a crop unattended, mice treat it like an all-you-can-eat buffet with no closing hours. These little opportunists have a talent for sniffing out anything remotely edible, and once they discover your unprotected produce, they’ll invite their entire extended family. What starts as a tiny nibble can turn into a miniature disaster…
Why Garden Nets Stop More Than Pests in Fall
Fall gardening might sound serene—crisp air, golden leaves, and the satisfying crunch of soil beneath your boots—but every seasoned gardener knows this season has tricks up its sleeve. As temperatures drop, nature gets a little sneaky. Birds, squirrels, insects, and even the weather itself start competing for your hard-earned harvest. That’s where garden nets come…
How to Protect Root Crops From Hungry Rodents
Picture this: you’ve spent months lovingly tending your garden, nurturing those perfect carrots, crisp beets, and hearty potatoes. The soil is rich, the weather’s been kind, and harvest day is finally here. You reach for that first carrot—and instead of a bright orange beauty, you pull up something that looks like it lost a fight…
8 Insects That Actually Help in Fall Gardens
Fall might seem like the time when gardens start slowing down, but don’t put away your gloves just yet—and definitely don’t swat at every bug you see. While we often associate insects with chewed-up leaves and plant damage, there’s an entire squad of tiny allies working overtime once the temperatures drop. These unsung heroes protect…