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So far Karen Bussolini has created 126 blog entries.

Eat a (Least Toxic) Rainbow

We're often advised to "eat a rainbow" of colored fruits and vegetables for their fiber and healthful phytochemicals (biologically active chemical compounds produced by plants). But when deciding to purchase organic produce or conventionally grown, how do you know which crops are most or least contaminated with pesticides? The Environmental Working Group issues an annual report - The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15.

By |2020-07-01T15:51:08-04:00January 14th, 2020|Categories: How-To's|Comments Off on Eat a (Least Toxic) Rainbow

Carpenter Bees at Work in Home and Garden

Bees are smart. They recognize high quality food and habitat. The buzz has gone out that my house is a happening place for carpenter bees. I don't want to kill or drive carpenter bees away, I just don't want them messing with my house. Looking into their habits and life cycle gives clues to peaceful coexistence with carpenter bees.

By |2020-07-01T15:51:08-04:00January 7th, 2020|Categories: Clues, Garden Coaching|Comments Off on Carpenter Bees at Work in Home and Garden

Ecologically Important Pest Dilemma

I love watching songbirds gobble down bugs and berries on the staghorn sumacs planted outside my front window and listening to owls whoo-ing nearby at night. But some wildlife - voles - have worn out their welcome by eating plants and tunneling through gardens. How do I establish self-sustaining wildlife-friendly plant communities when the wildlife keeps eating my plants? Voles and mice play an important role in ecosystems - but I want them out of my garden.

By |2020-07-01T15:51:08-04:00January 2nd, 2020|Categories: Garden Coaching, Views|Comments Off on Ecologically Important Pest Dilemma

Is Your Yard a Refuge – Or a Trap – for Pollinators?

Sometimes our good intentions backfire. Scientific research, like insect-plant relationships, is highly specific. But researchers are beginning to fill in the dearth of data and come up with some pretty good clues to answer the big question: Are native plant cultivars - "nativars" - and hybrids good for pollinators and other beneficial insects?

By |2021-01-03T09:37:19-05:00October 25th, 2019|Categories: Clues, Garden Coaching|Comments Off on Is Your Yard a Refuge – Or a Trap – for Pollinators?

Collect Native Plant Seeds in Fall

Sow seeds collected from nearby wild areas, or from plants thriving in your own yard, for well-adjusted offspring. Growing your own is a good way to save money, get your hands on hard-to-find plants, support local foodwebs and promote genetic diversity. Seeds of summer and fall blooming plants, and even some spring bloomers, are ripe in September and October.

By |2020-07-01T15:51:08-04:00September 25th, 2019|Categories: Garden Coaching, How-To's|Comments Off on Collect Native Plant Seeds in Fall

In Praise of Aggressive Native Plants – Even if They’re Pink

A garden coaching client's bed of Physostegia virginiana totally changed my perspective about this aggressive native plant. Now this stalwart perennial tops my list of plants that are beautiful, support wildlife and solve problems. Read about how this plant solved a big erosion problem with style.

By |2021-01-03T09:39:55-05:00September 15th, 2019|Categories: Garden Coaching, Great Plants, Views|Comments Off on In Praise of Aggressive Native Plants – Even if They’re Pink