http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:01:38 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/06/04/stone-when-more-mulch-isn-t-better/stories/20260604016 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/06/04/stone-when-more-mulch-isn-t-better/stories/20260604016#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:03:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/06/04/stone-when-more-mulch-isn-t-better/stories/20260604016 Too much mulch can harm the tree. Too much mulch can harm the tree. Too much mulch can harm the tree. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/28/stone-recording-meaningful-observations/stories/20260526082 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/28/stone-recording-meaningful-observations/stories/20260526082#comments Thu, 28 May 2026 10:45:07 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/28/stone-recording-meaningful-observations/stories/20260526082 Common milkweed hosts a remarkable variety of insects throughout the growing season. Common milkweed hosts a remarkable variety of insects throughout the growing season. Common milkweed hosts a remarkable variety of insects throughout the growing season. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/21/stone-why-hiring-an-arborist-matters-most/stories/20260518076 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/21/stone-why-hiring-an-arborist-matters-most/stories/20260518076#comments Thu, 21 May 2026 10:50:12 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/21/stone-why-hiring-an-arborist-matters-most/stories/20260518076 I have always held a high respect for arborists, but especially those individuals who climb. The admiration stems from my always preferring both feet on the ground. They are agile and seem to be one with the tree, even in dangerous situations. Participants in a recent tree-climbing competition. Participants in a recent tree-climbing competition. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/12/stone-an-abundance-of-environmental-to-dos/stories/20260512085 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/12/stone-an-abundance-of-environmental-to-dos/stories/20260512085#comments Wed, 13 May 2026 12:57:30 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/12/stone-an-abundance-of-environmental-to-dos/stories/20260512085 Have you ever heard the phrase — There is nothing to do? While this can go in many directions, today's column will prove that the opportunities are endless, with a focus on nature and the environment in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. In fact, as we take a deeper dive, there are so many opportunities that we often have to pick and choose, or be scheduling geniuses to fit it all in. Cassandra Boorom, owner of C11 Clean, and her husband, Joe, chat with attendees during EcoFest at the Glass City Metropark in Toledo on May 9. Attendees browse booths during EcoFest at the Glass City Metropark in Toledo on May 9. Amy Stone, former Ohio Sate University extension educator, speaks during a Gardeing 101 panel during EcoFest at the Glass City Metropark in Toledo on May 9. Marvin Gladieux, Toledo Technology Academy teacher, sets a napkin on fire using a solar reflector array, during EcoFest at the Glass City Metropark in Toledo on May 9. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/07/stone-thinking-inside-the-box-a-new-pest-on-boxwoods/stories/20260505114 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/07/stone-thinking-inside-the-box-a-new-pest-on-boxwoods/stories/20260505114#comments Thu, 07 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/05/07/stone-thinking-inside-the-box-a-new-pest-on-boxwoods/stories/20260505114 Thinking inside the box — a new pest on boxwoods A box tree moth caterpillar measures roughly an inch long. Note the distinctive yellow-green body with black stripes and white markings — key identifiers when scouting your boxwoods. A box tree moth caterpillar at work on a boxwood, surrounded by the telltale silk webbing it spins while feeding. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/29/stone-knocking-on-may-s-door/stories/20260428085 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/29/stone-knocking-on-may-s-door/stories/20260428085#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:03:06 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/29/stone-knocking-on-may-s-door/stories/20260428085 As the calendar turns to May, I hope that you feel like your garden is finally waking up from its long winter nap. May Day baskets are a charming tradition of leaving small bouquets, flowers, or handmade arrangements for friends and neighbors on May 1st. May Day baskets are a charming tradition of leaving small bouquets, flowers, or handmade arrangements for friends and neighbors on May 1st. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/22/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees-amy-stone/stories/20260420093 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/22/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees-amy-stone/stories/20260420093#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:16:11 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/22/arbor-day-a-celebration-of-trees-amy-stone/stories/20260420093 Most holidays are all about looking back, celebrating something that has already happened and remembering why it mattered and why it should never be forgotten. Christmas Holly Crabapple. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/15/stone-plants-of-year-promise-garden-success/stories/20260415006 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/15/stone-plants-of-year-promise-garden-success/stories/20260415006#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/15/stone-plants-of-year-promise-garden-success/stories/20260415006 Each and every year, new plants are introduced to the market. A New Guinea impatiens basket that Brenda Ashcraft purchases at Parran's Greenhouse and Farm on May 2, 2016. Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hits from the azaleas on the 13th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament April 7, 2018, in Augusta, Ga. Flash illuminates rows of New Guinea Impatiens plants at the Black Diamond Garden Center June 13, 2023 in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/08/what-to-do-with-extras-now-and-in-the-growing-season/stories/20260408083 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/08/what-to-do-with-extras-now-and-in-the-growing-season/stories/20260408083#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:42:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/08/what-to-do-with-extras-now-and-in-the-growing-season/stories/20260408083 By now, you have likely gotten out into your yard, hopefully evaluating, assessing successes, and maybe even reconsidering the failures, or how I like to say it, the do-overs. A dwarf iris with an open or donut center. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/01/stone-gardeners-urged-to-hunt-spotted-lanternfly-eggs/stories/20260330089 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/01/stone-gardeners-urged-to-hunt-spotted-lanternfly-eggs/stories/20260330089#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:17:13 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/04/01/stone-gardeners-urged-to-hunt-spotted-lanternfly-eggs/stories/20260330089 The warming temperatures have made gardeners excited about what is to be. A spotted lantern fly nymph in the area of Airport Highway and Lake Shore Avenue Aug. 3, 2023, in Toledo. A spotted lanternfly egg mass is visible on the tree. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/25/stone-ohio-drought-s-effects-still-shape-gardens/stories/20260325007 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/25/stone-ohio-drought-s-effects-still-shape-gardens/stories/20260325007#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:47:49 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/25/stone-ohio-drought-s-effects-still-shape-gardens/stories/20260325007 Today’s column began as an idea to remind readers of previous weather conditions — specifically the 2025 drought — and the lingering impacts the lack of rain has, and continues to have, on our plants. https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/18/stone-spring-season-brings-change-and-anticipation/stories/20260316081 https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/18/stone-spring-season-brings-change-and-anticipation/stories/20260316081#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:31:50 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/Gardening/2026/03/18/stone-spring-season-brings-change-and-anticipation/stories/20260316081 We had a taste of spring — and I am sure we all enjoyed it — and then Mother Nature provided the harsh reality that it is still March, with thrashing winds and colder temperatures. Dwarf iris are showcased at Toledo Botanical Garden. Dwarf iris are showcased at Toledo Botanical Garden.