Ned Birkey

These plants have been trialed in gardens across North America to ensure they aren’t just beautiful but also withstand heat, humidity and pests while keeping local bees and butterflies happy.

When deer start damaging garden plants, it can feel frustrating. But by combining fencing and other deterrents, you can significantly reduce deer browsing damage while working with nature rather than against it. No plant is completely deer resistant, but some are far less attractive to deer.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to watch farming neighbors and friends who may seem overly worried about the weather, planting delays, financing or other issues. Farming can be rewarding, but uncertainty, rising costs and isolation can take a toll on mental and physical health.

Soybean stand assessment needs to be done after soybeans emerge, more critical this year because of the planting delay and crop insurance deadlines.

Having a safe and healthy environment for children on farms is important even with the busy work that must be done with crops and livestock.

It is more profitable to cut wheat early and dry it down rather than waiting and having it rain, as wheat can lose up to one pound of test weight per day and have increased falling number issues.

Organic farming is the best agricultural approach for pollinators to thrive.

Corn rootworm development can be partially forecast by when fireflies come out. I first noticed them on June 28, which means that the timing is right for corn rootworm to begin feeding

Most ant species are beneficial, from aerating the soil, preying on pests, recycling organic matter, dispersing seeds and contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.

Luckily, strong scents by some common garden plants can somewhat help block the scent of receptors that the bugs use to find us.