Would you like to add beauty and restore environmental function to your landscape? Native shrubs are a great place to start. Their extensive root systems reduce storm water runoff and soil erosion while also providing critical habitat for wildlife. Fortunately, many homeowners have already developed a consciousness about the need to add native plants to their landscape.
JoinedMay 28, 2025
With fall upon us and winter just around the corner, we begin to feel the urge to make everything outside neat and tidy so when spring arrives, we are ready.
By Michelle Smith, Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer Fall is often a bittersweet time for gardeners. As we enjoy the...
Every gardener wants to use the best practices for a healthy garden. When we look at a landscape that is in balance, we see diverse variety, a lot of color, and randomness. Pollinators hum, birds sing. We may notice some, but not much, damage. Mixing plants in vegetable gardens helps mimic natural ecosystems, addressing common gardening issues like weeds, insect damage, and moisture retention.
Every summer about this time, Japanese beetles descend upon our communities and begin to skeletonize leaves, flowers and fruits of many different plants.
If you don’t know an invasive weed called Lesser Celandine, count your blessings, but keep reading in case you do find it in your yard or garden.
As autumn temperatures begin to decline, it is essential to prepare for the transition of houseplants that have been kept outdoors during the summer months in Ohio, back indoors. While many houseplants benefit from outdoor conditions, exposure to low temperatures — particularly below 45-50°F — can lead to damage or loss.
You may have heard of Spotted Lanternfly. You may have even seen one. What should you do when you see them? Kill by swatting, stomping, scraping, squishing, or contain, trap, vacuum. Read on for details. They may be pretty, but they are dangerous to our plants and trees.
The joys of summer, walks in the woods, trips to the park, camping, but wait— what are those plants? And now I have an itchy rash! Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak: these are three of the common poisonous plants which can cause rashes when we encounter them in the woods and at home.
This time of year, many growers are cursing the overly prolific weeds. However, some master gardeners view weeds as an opportunity to ingest highly nutritious greens, flowers, seeds, and roots.
There is nothing quite like the taste of a home-grown tomato – vine ripened and bursting with flavor. This could be the reason that tomatoes are one of the most popular plants you will find in any backyard garden.









