Eco-smart gardening tips for sustainable growth

These curated articles discuss nature-friendly gardening techniques that promote sustainability and biodiversity. They explore how certain gardening habits and tools can enhance plant productivity while minimizing environmental harm. For example, the use of shade cloth can protect summer crops from excessive heat, allowing for continued growth of cool-season vegetables. On the other hand, bug zappers, which are often employed to control mosquitoes, actually disrupt ecosystems by killing beneficial insects.

Another story advises against the indiscriminate use of insecticides, encouraging natural pest management to maintain a balanced ecosystem. The article on mulching emphasizes its role in disease prevention by stabilizing soil moisture and temperature. Together, these articles provide insights into making gardens more eco-conscious and effective.

Diseases like powdery mildew, visible on this plant, can take over the garden in very moist conditions. By Heather Cwach

NO. 1: RAINY DAYS MEAN LUSH GARDENS, BUT BEWARE MOISTURE-LOVING FUNGAL, BACTERIAL DISEASES

Follow a few basic practices to protect your precious plants. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

Have you considered a more natural approach to pest control?

NO. 2: PUT DOWN THE INSECTICIDE! MANAGE GARDEN PESTS WITH A NATURAL APPROACH

Aphids, beetles, slugs, oh my! | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Markis Hill

NO. 3: LOVE YOUR SPRING VEGGIES? WITH THIS TOOL, YOU CAN GROW THEM EVEN IN SUMMER’S HEAT

Learn the tricks to using shade crops to protect plants in hot days. | Published June 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Reardon

The grass-like texture that Leavenworth sedges provide is excellent for filling in small bare spots in an area of dry shade. By Markis Hill

NO. 4: SHADY SPOTS GIVING YOU FITS? LET THIS HANDY PLANT COVER UP THOSE BARE PATCHES IN LAWN

Learn all about shade-tolerant sedges from Johnson County Extension pro. | Published June 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Markis Hill

Helpful bugs like moths are more likely to be drawn into the bug zapper than pesky mosquitoes.

NO. 5: WHY YOUR BACKYARD BUG ZAPPER HURTS THE ECOSYSTEM, NOT PESKY MOSQUITOES

That bug zapper may make you feel safe from mosquitoes, but is it really helping keep bites away? | Published July 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Markis Hill

A past season’s harvest shows a variety of locally grown heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 6: KC’S ‘TOMATO WHISPERER’ SHARES TIPS ON GETTING PRODUCTIVE PLANTS IN SUMMER HEAT

This tomato growing expert shares some simple things gardeners can do to keep their tomato plants productive during summer’s hottest days. | Published July 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.