How to Get Rid of Aphids on Plants, Least Toxic First
Most aphid outbreaks can be handled with a hose and a little patience. Here's the order that works, and why the ants matter as much as the aphids.
Category: Pests & Diseases
Identify what is eating or infecting your plants and treat it, starting with the least toxic option.
How to Tell If You Have Grubs in Your Lawn, and When Treating Is Worth It
Spongy turf and digging animals are clues, not proof. A square-foot count tells you whether to treat, and the calendar tells you whether it is too late.
Moles vs Voles: How to Tell Them Apart and What Works on Each
They rhyme, but they are very different pests. Check for ridges or open runways first, because the fix for one does nothing for the other.
How to Keep Deer From Eating Shrubs: What Works and What Doesn’t
No shrub is truly deer proof, but some defenses work far better than others. Here is how fences, cages, netting and repellents compare, and why sprays need repeating.
How to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms: Find Them, Pick Them, Spare the Wasps
Stripped tops and dark droppings give hornworms away. Hand-picking handles most home gardens, and some caterpillars are better left exactly where they are.
How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in Houseplants, Least Toxic First
Those tiny flies around your pots are a soil moisture problem more than an insect problem. Dry the surface first, and the rest gets much easier.
Neem Oil vs Insecticidal Soap: Which Should You Use?
Both are lower-toxicity options, but they work in different ways. Soap is the simpler first step, and neem suits a slower, longer job. Don't mix them.
Why Are My Seedlings Falling Over? Damping-Off Causes and Prevention
Healthy-looking seedlings that topple overnight usually have damping-off. You can't save the ones that fell, but you can protect the rest of the tray.
Powdery Mildew vs Downy Mildew: How to Tell Them Apart
They share a name but not a cause. Here's how to identify each in under a minute, and why a spray that works for one may do nothing for the other.
Squash Vine Borer: How to Spot It, Save the Vine and Prevent It
A healthy squash plant that collapses in a day often has a caterpillar inside the stem. Here is how to confirm it, save the vine and stop it next year.