This question depends greatly on what plant is affected and what insect or disease is on that plant. The first step is diagnosing the problem. The best way to do this is to bring in affected leaf or fruit and/or insects (in a bag please!) to our Main Garden Center so staff can help determine the problem and then the correct way to treat it. For example, certain chemicals can not be used on fruits and vegetables because they will be eaten.

The ’sap’ is most likely the product of an infestation of sucking insects. There are several kinds of insects that can do this; most of them are so small or so well camouflaged they are hard to see with the naked eye. Fortunately, the treatment for all of them is the same.

If you have children or pets and would like to use an organic product, try an insecticidal soap or one of the insecticides from the ‘Pharm’ line of herbal products. If you would prefer a product with more residual presence, try ‘X-Clude’. We carry a good selection of insecticides all year round.

If you have further questions, please clip a small sample of the plant, seal it is a bag and bring it in; we can identify the insect and recommend a product for you.

Birds, such as cardinals, finches, and chickadees, are fun to watch all winter long.
To survive in our cold weather, birds need food, water, and shelter. Bird seed is necessary but so is the extra fat provided by black oil sunflower seeds and suet to keep them warm in winter. Providing a heated bird bath for drinking and bathing is very beneficial as well. Birds also need a place protecting them from the wind and a place to hide and rest. Evergreen trees and/or shrubs and bird houses are great places for birds during the winter months, because they provide cover above with a more open bottom.