Gardening With Sal

 The Pest That Makes Me Want To Break Out the Blowtorch 🐜 Garden Pests | by Guy Saldiveri | June 12, 2026   Spider mite infestation From June thru September, a Deep South garden is nothing short of a full-blown bug fest.  It seems like every pest imaginable shows up during that stretch — spider mites are no exception.

 Quiet, Destructive & Cattle For Ants 🐜 Garden Pests | by Guy Saldiveri | June 11, 2026 Aphids On Long-Beans Aphids are easily one of nature's greatest nuisances.  If you grow a backyard garden, then you know they're a headache — there's simply no way around them.

 Well Not in the Deep South Anyway 🌱 Plant Talk | by Guy Saldiveri | June 8, 2026 Healthy Leyland Cypress You can't drive around the South without seeing this tree prominently displayed everywhere. The question is — should it be?

It Happens Whether You Want It or Not 🌿 Garden Talk | by Guy Saldiveri | June 6, 2026 Cross-Pollination Myth There's a lot of myth, folklore, confusion, and a little bit of truth all tied together with this one.

 The Non-Emergency That Has Everyone Dialing 911 💬 Opinion | by Guy Saldiveri | June 2, 2026 Hammerhead Worm Everyone — right on up to the university extension offices — is calling this guy out for crimes against humanity it never committed.

Another Myth That Never Seems To Die 💬 Opinion | by Guy Saldiveri | May 31, 2026 Well, if you know me, then you know by that title where this post is heading. Here's the off-ramp if you want it — if not, let’s sow some real facts and real truths.

 The Transport Issue That's Treated Like a Supply Issue  🌿 Garden Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 30, 2026 Tomato with Blossom End Rot If you’ve ever tossed Tums into your tomato pot, this article is for you.

The Nightshade That Makes You Believe It's Dangerous 🌶 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 29, 2026 Various Peppers I've harvested Peppers are among the most versatile and fun vegetables to grow. The fact that they're one of nature's little tricksters is just an added bonus. 

 Nature's Artistry At Work 🌿 P lant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 26, 2026   Lady's Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes) Extended stormy weather, waterlogged yards, rapid and unchecked growth all around — it's amazing what pops up when you can't get out there and whack it down.

Sometimes It’s Okay to Ignore the Yard 🌿 Garden Talk | by Guy Saldiveri | May 24, 2026 Spiranthes - Lady's Tresses Orchids Now, anyone who really knows me will look at that title and think I've finally gone off the deep end and completely lost my mind.

 Well-Behaved, Easy-To-Grow, Beautiful in the Landscape 🌱 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 19, 2026 Monkey grass, or liriope, is another prominent, perpetual evergreen that is ever-present in my yard.

Good For Winter — Totally Useless In Summe r 🌿 Garden Talk | by Guy Saldiveri | May 17, 2026 And here we are again, everyone wondering what bee is in my bonnet today… Well, here's the thing: you get into any gardening group, online, in person, doesn't matter — the talk will always come around to USDA hardiness zones and which one a particular person is in. 

 When We Should and Should Not Use Them 🌿 Garden Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 14, 2026 This is another hot-button topic you'll find in any online gardening forum. 

 Is That Mold or Did My Garden Just Throw Up? 🌿 Garden Talk | by Guy Saldiveri | May 11, 2026 If you've ever walked out in your yard to look at the garden and noticed this stuff, you'll immediately understand that title. Slime mold is probably one of the weirdest and ugliest things you’ll ever stumble across in the garden. 

 Culinary or Ornamental, Easy to Grow, Beautiful to Look At 🌱 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | May 9, 2026 Have you heard ginger is something you shouldn't grow? Something that if planted will take over your yard, your neighbor's yard, or maybe even your whole neighborhood? I say hogwash! 

How to Identify, Control, and Outsmart Them 🪲 Garden Pests | by Guy Saldiveri | May 2, 2026 Leaf-Footed Bugs, Adult & Nymphs If you grow vegetables, you're more than likely familiar with this annoying pest—the leaf-footed bug. They are ever-present during the later part of the year, and they will definitely test your patience. 

How Storm Heat, Humidity, and Rain Supercharge Plant Growth 🌿 Garden Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | Thursday, April 30, 2026 You take care of your plants. You water them when they're dry and fertilize them when they need it, but you can't help but notice how much better they look all on their own after a good thunderstorm. 

Why This Whimsical, Controversial Tree Deserves a Second Look   🌱 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | April 30, 2026 Mimosa Flower If there were a tree fit for Whoville, it would be the mimosa. Look closely enough and you can almost see Cindy Lou climbing the branches.

A Beloved Southern Garden Staple 🌱 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | April 27, 2026   Confederate Rose Bloom Despite its name, the confederate rose isn’t a rose at all—it’s a large, fast-growing shrub in the mallow family that includes cotton, okra, hibiscus, and hollyhock. 

A Plant Everyone Should Own  🌱 Plant Talk| by Guy Saldiveri | April 26, 2026 Spider Plant   Spider plants (or Airplane plants) are among the most popular houseplants to grow. They are very attractive, moderately fast-growing, and easy to take care of.