They're baaaaack and more voracious than ever, it seems! Lymantria dispar dispar, known as spongy moth larvae, have hatched and are very hungry caterpillars, indeed. Learn ways to lessen their impact on your trees.

Rappelling from your rooftops, chewing tree leaves; the spongy moth caterpillar and how to combat them

Each week, Charlie Nardozzi joins Vermont Public’s Mary Engisch for a conversation about gardening, and to answer your questions about what you're seeing in the natural world.

Home & Garden

Leisure

Home gardeners have been placing certain flowers and vegetable plants together for decades. (I see you, marigolds near tomatoes!) Now, scientific research shows companion planting can be beneficial.

More than folklore: Placing certain plants and flowers together can reduce pests and weeds

"Glads" are tall, showy perennials and are part of the iris family. Their tall stems flower with multiple blooms along the stalk and come in many colors and heights.

Tall or small, grow cheery gladiolus and learn how to overwinter the bulbs

Wetter weather suits some garden critters, like slugs and snails. Slugs, especially, will eat your basil, lettuce, marigolds and more. Certain pesticide-free techniques can save your garden from becoming a slugfest this summer.

With beer, wool and seashells, you can deter slugs from taking over your garden

Some garden plants grow quite large and take up lots of space, like cucumbers and pumpkins. But summer squash — like zucchini and yellow crookneck — can be grown vertically if you have limited real estate in your garden.

Go vertical to save space when growing summer squash this season

Their heady fragrance can transport you; plant tall or smaller flowering shrubs for color and scent all season.

Rappelling from your rooftops, chewing tree leaves; the spongy moth caterpillar and how to combat them

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