more about: Pest Control

The Grumpy Gardener

Mulching 101 — Your Questions Answered

May 12, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (10)

Mulching may sound mundane, and doing it is even mundaner. But mulching the garden is one of the most essential ways to ensure its success, especially with the hot summer ahead. Therefore, let Grumpy guide you through all the in’s and out’s of mulching properly.

The Grumpy Gardener

Welcome to Dad’s Toxic Waste Museum!

April 14, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (3)

My Dad was an enthusiastic, conscientious, and thrifty gardener. He never threw away anything. This latter point was never illustrated any better than during my visit home last week. I walked into his workshop in the basement and opened the door to his garden pesticide cabinet. There stood a murder’s row of dangerous and mostly banned pesticides. Let’s all take […]

The Grumpy Gardener

Mole Control — Kill Them Critters Dead

March 3, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (7)

From the looks of Grumpy’s mail, Groundhog Day ought to be renamed Mole & Gopher Day. These animal agents of Satan aren’t waiting for spring to start tunneling through lawns and gardens and turning them into sponge cake. They’re partying now. So how can you, the average outraged homeowner, deal with them?

The Grumpy Gardener

Grumpy Goes Green! His Favorite Organic Products

February 24, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (11)

I know some of you think Grumpy is in bed with the big chemical companies, but nothing could be further from the truth. Judy will let Ketchup, our cat, sleep with us, but absolutely nobody else. Helping gardeners sleep more soundly these days is a wide range of nature-based pest control products, some even made by the big chemical companies […]

The Grumpy Gardener

What’s Killing My Boxwood?

February 14, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (3)

Boxwoods are supposed to be green, 24/7, 365 days a year. So it’s no wonder that when boxwoods turn brown, people get upset and demand answers. Why is this awful thing happening?????? As always, Grumpy knows.

The Grumpy Gardener

Don’t Feed Stinking Squirrels!

February 3, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (30)

I hate squirrels. Hate them, hate, hate them, hate them! They gobble my birdseed, dig up my plants, gnaw on my wires, and nest in my attic. And it’s all the fault of you people. You squirrel feeders out there.

The Grumpy Gardener

4 Bad Bugs to Watch for This Winter

January 13, 2013 | By Steve Bender | Comments (0)

Just because it’s cold and miserable outside doesn’t bugs are miserable too. Some are living quite warm and happily inside your home right now, feasting on your indoor plants. Here’s a helpful roundup of 4 of the most common bugs, how to indentify them and the damage they do, and how to kill them dead, dead, dead. And dead.

The Grumpy Gardener

Last-Second Garden Gifts from Grumpy!

December 20, 2012 | By Steve Bender | Comments (2)

We’re coming down to the wire. The Mayan calendar says the world will end tomorrow, December 21. But if it doesn’t and you’re still on the hook for a unique gardening gift for Christmas, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some items sure to make even the most discerning gardener blubber like a baby. Item #1. Heirloom Vegetable […]

The Grumpy Gardener

Is Organic Produce Better?

September 13, 2012 | By Steve Bender | Comments (7)

Some things seem so logical, we just assume they’re true. For example: “Organic fruits and vegetables are healthier for you.” Are they really? It depends.

The Grumpy Gardener

Question of the Week: How Bad Is West Nile Virus?

August 24, 2012 | By Steve Bender | Comments (1)

Solutions to Matters of Great Import Provided Here Free-of-Charge Q: I’m in a fog about mosquitoes and West Nile virus. Is the 2012 epidemic really as bad as they say on TV? Ina Tizzy

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