Lori Vanover

Milwaukee

Senior Digital Editor at Trusted Media Brands at Birds and Blooms

Writer at Taste Of Home

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Articles

Should You Buy Trees at Costco? Why or Why Not

3 weeks ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

There are many reasons why people enjoy shopping at Costco, from the great savings on a tank of gas to getting a hot dog and soda for $1.50. But Costco might not be the best place to buy a tree for your landscape. There’s nothing wrong with Costco’s tree options, per say; you might find similar varieties available for sale at local garden centers, big box stores and online retailers. But there’s still some factors to consider before you load that tree into your cart.
Stop Volcano Mulching - It's Harmful to Your Trees - Birds and Blooms

1 month ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

Mulch has many benefits for our gardens. Besides the aesthetic appeal, mulch helps slow weed growth, reduces water evaporation, and as it breaks down, organic mulch improves the soil. But too much mulch can be a problem, too. Read on to learn about volcano mulching and why it is harmful to trees. What Is Volcano Mulching? Joe_Potato/Getty ImagesMulch is piled too deeply around this tree sapling. Some gardeners make the mistake of thinking if mulch is a good thing, additional mulch is better.
Wave Petunias Launches Anne Geddes Photoshoot Giveaway

1 month ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

Anne Geddes Collaborates With Wave PetuniasWave GardeningPhotographer Anne Geddes at the Wave Petunias event in ChicagoIn celebration of its 30th anniversary, Wave Gardening is proud to unveil an exclusive collaboration with award-winning photographer, Anne Geddes. She is known worldwide for her enchanting and iconic portraits of babies in natural settings.
Butterflies Can't Resist Monarch Magic Ageratum Plants

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

Monarch Magic ageratum is a new plant for spring 2025 that will be available at garden centers this year. The flowers are a true periwinkle blue, with a light, sweet scent. Here’s what you need to know about this pretty pollinator favorite. Does Monarch Magic Ageratum Attract Butterflies?
How to Identify an American Dagger Moth

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

How to Identify an American Dagger Moth Published on Apr. 23, 2025 Learn what an American dagger moth and caterpillar looks like. Also find out which host plants these moths need. American Dagger Moth CaterpillarCourtesy Linda Maria DisalviaAvoid touching these caterpillars to prevent skin irritation.
When Is the Best Time to Water Your Plants?

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

When Should You Water Plants? Shutterstock / Edyta PawlowskaWater your plants first thing in the morning, when temps are cool and evaporation rates are low. “As a boy, my grandma taught me to water at the base of the plants in her garden and always in the evening so the water could soak in overnight without evaporating in the sun. Recently, I read to water in the morning. When is the best time to water?” asks Birds & Blooms reader William Toth of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
My Broccoli Is Flowering: Is This Normal?

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

Italian immigrants brought broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) to America in the early 1800s, and gardens haven’t been the same since. And that’s a good thing. Can you imagine life without broccoli? If you want to grow this vegetable, you need to harvest the heads at the right time or the heads of broccoli might flower. Read on to learn why your broccoli is blooming. Broccoli Planting AdviceStart seeds indoors five to seven weeks before the last frost.
How to Identify a Horned Grebe

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover |Kirsten Schrader

What Does a Horned Grebe Look Like? “Can you identify this bird?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Tommy Sharp of Crossville, Tennessee.
Bronze Birch Borer: Tree Damage and Treatment

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

EyeWolf/Getty Images Bronze Birch Borer: Tree Damage and Treatment EyeWolf/Getty Images Published on Apr. 15, 2025 Learn how to identify the bronze birch borer insect. See the tree damage signs to look for and the recommended treatment.
Avian Influenza: Should You Take Down Bird Feeders?

2 months ago | birdsandblooms.com | Lori Vanover

What Is Avian Influenza? Avian influenza, or the bird flu, is an extremely infectious respiratory disease that affects all domestic poultry, including laying hens, broilers, and turkeys, as well as waterfowl and game birds. It can spread quickly within flocks causing severe disease and death. Ken Keffer, co-owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited Store in Bloomington, Indiana, says, “Avian flu isn’t new. Avian influenzas were first identified in Europe in the 1870s.