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Goldenrod soldier beetles on goldenrod blossoms

Fall flower visitors – Goldenrod soldier beetles

As fall approaches, our landscapes begin to transition. Summer bloomers like purple coneflower, prairie blazing star, and milkweeds begin to fade while fall bloomers like asters and goldenrod begin their colorful displays. These plants are commonly covered in pollinators, one of which is the...
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a naturalized landscape bed

Nature by Design: Naturalistic Landscapes

In recent years, landscape design trends have migrated toward naturalistic aesthetics- a style that equally prioritizes ecological function, native plant selection, and beauty. For some, this may seem like an abrupt turn from the more familiar formal landscape design often employed in home...
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A fungal leaf disease on maple leaves in the form of dark spots caused by the pathogen Rhytisma acerinum, tar spot

Sick plants? Rotate fungicides to prevent resistance

We have hit the other side of the precipitation pendulum. In 2023 and 2024, we experienced drought conditions. Now in 2025, the sump pump sales have surely hit a high note. For instance, Macomb's total July 2024 rainfall averaged around two inches. In 2025, many Macomb rain gauges recorded over ten...
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female keeled treehopper protecting nymphs on a leaf

Keeled treehoppers, the bugs with bodyguards

If you take some time to look closely at a plant, chances are you’ll see a variety of different insects. Take sunflowers, for example: many different pollinators can be seen visiting the flowers, from bees and wasps to beetles, butterflies, and flies. Other insects can be found feeding on the plant...
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person standing in strawberry garden in flood water

Flooded gardens: Safety, cleanup, and recovery

Rain, during summer months, is usually a welcome assist when caring for a vegetable garden. But when there is too much of a good thing, a flooded garden can be devastating. Beyond the physical damage to plants and structures, floodwater can introduce biological and chemical contaminants, making...
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Tomato leaf with small brown spots caused by septoria leaf spot

Common tomato diseases in the garden and how to manage them

Tomatoes are one of the most commonly grown vegetables in home gardens. While tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, there are a few diseases you should keep your eye out for. Three of the most common diseases people encounter are early blight, Septoria leaf spot, and anthracnose. All of these...
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white flowers of elderberry cluster in an umbel spent flower head is in the background

The wild and wonderful elderberry

Most of the time, I work hard to achieve a desirable outcome in my landscape but, from time to time, a plant comes along that is easy to establish and care for without being too aggressive, is beautiful, and produces food for wildlife and my family…black elderberry is one of those plants....
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a thermometer resting against an apple branch with blossoms

Growing Degree Days: A Tool for Smarter Gardening

This past week, right around mid-June, I received my first question about Japanese beetles. Throughout a growing season, plants, insects, diseases, and many other natural processes emerge, develop, and complete their life cycles. How do we know when to expect Japanese beetles to emerge? Or squash...
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wool sower gall on an oak tree

Fuzzy growth on oak trees: Wool sower galls

If you spend enough time looking at and working with plants, you'll inevitably come across galls. Galls are abnormal growths and can be caused by a variety of different organisms, including insects (like aphids, flies, wasps) and mites, and occasionally nematodes, fungi, and bacteria. Galls can be...
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