top of page
Search


Pests in the Garden: Cabbage Moths
Cabbage “worms” aka the larvae are small green caterpillars with yellow stripes and a large appetite.
Monica Sabella
Sep 8, 20232 min read


Pests in the Garden: Flea Beetles
Although plants can survive some damaged leaves, flea beetles carry bacteria, viruses and other diseases from one plant to the next.
Monica Sabella
Sep 8, 20232 min read


Pests in the Garden: Rose Sawfly
There are six different sawfly varieties, some attack hibiscus, roses, and trees like the pear, ash, oak, pine and dogwood.
Monica Sabella
Sep 7, 20231 min read


Pests in the Garden: Japanese Beetles
Likely transported in soil to western nurseries this invasive species is notorious for eating everything and anything in its path.
Monica Sabella
Sep 7, 20232 min read


Pests in the Garden: Aphids
These pests are known plant suckers that feed on juices of plants with their piercing beaks, causing plants to shrivel or mutate.
Monica Sabella
Sep 7, 20232 min read


Detroit's Own 'Lyricist' Raps to Save Lives in National Competition
“It’s just part of who I am. I believe in giving and giving without expectation,” hip-hop artist and producer David 'Lyricist' Young said.
Monica Sabella
Sep 3, 20232 min read


Floristry's Five Principles
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist, Journalist As the summer months set in and the weather begins to change, spring blooms and cut flowers make the best bouquets, turning any dinner table to a meal at the Ritz. A complete novice to floral displays, I decided to research the principles to mastering the perfect bouquet so my holidays at home would complete. According to the State Floral , there are five tangible principles all florists should follow to create the perfect displ
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Handmaid Gifts: Mother Earth Trumps Father Christmas
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist and Journalist Nature is filled with a vast supply of resources and with the holidays closing in, I’m turning to mother earth for a little help for Christmas presents this year. With a handful of herbs, peppers, vinegar, fruit and water, the world is your oyster. Choose your cuisine, the internet says. With just a few ingredients, you can turn a basket of produce into a beautiful and tasty Italian giardiniera or a can of tomato sauce. Cook do
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Nasty Winter Pests and How to Avoid Them
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist and Journalist Frosty winter winds blow in and send the trees to sleep and, unfortunately, the bugs to shelter. Sometimes that shelter can be the warm and cozy comfort of your home. Here are a few pests to watch out for this winter and how to prevent intrusion. The best way to prepare is to survey the most common entry points. The attic, the garage, the basement, the roof and the chimney should be checked for cracks or ware and tear. Cracks a
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Roses and Winter Prep
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist and Journalist I work as a rosarian and horticulturalist at a beautiful estate in southeast Michigan. One of my main duties is to care for the breathtaking and fragrant rose gardens on the property. They date back to the 1920’s so it’s a big responsibility. Winter is coming, so to ensure that our roses survive to next year there are a few things I have to do. Different varieties of roses require different care. Some are hardier than others. D
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Foraging in the Modern World
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist, Journalist The art of foraging has existed since the stone age, traveling through the centuries from the shelves of so-called witches and the pots of medicine men. Although, transcended by modern medicine, a movement has emerged to return to the old ways. One social media influencer stood out from the rest when New York gave her center stage for creating a safe space for minorities to explore wildcrafting. Dressed in frilly attire and makeu
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Stripes in the Garden: Handling the Four-Lined Plant Bug
By Monica Sabella, Horticulturist, Journalist A newb to vegetable gardening, imagine my surprise when I walked out to the garden and found a small black beetle with bright orange stripes trailing down its back creating havoc in my paradise. Yes, it was the four-lined plant bug. With a pinching, sucker it was draining the life from my plants one nutrient at a time. Partnered with the other seasonal dangers and pests, my crops didn’t stand a chance against this monstrosity. So
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20232 min read


Tropical Michigan: Transforming Outdoor Gardens with Indoor Plants
By Monica Sabella, Master Gardener, Horticulturist, Journalist Sprays of native grasses, colorful perennials and dazzling annuals are a Midwestern classic. But a pop of citrine or fushia from a tropical coleus, dracena or banana plant is the perfect way to add variety and a unique touch to your summer garden. Michigan’s humid summers and recent heavy rainfalls are great for a variety of tropical plants. The majority of concern lies deep beneath the surface, it’s the root of
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20233 min read


Protecting Our Environment and What to Do With Pesticides
By Monica Sabella - Master Gardener, Journalist With the season springing into gear, the anticipation of a healthy harvest can drive eager gardeners to do whatever it takes to protect their crops. A quick spray is fast, easy and cheap, but disposing excess chemicals and containers require a little more care and forethought if we want to protect the things we love. A few drops sit at the bottom of a Miracle Grow container. It’s about five years old, gathering dust on the shelf
Monica Sabella
Apr 16, 20234 min read


Ecuador Relives Christ's Passion in 'Semana Santa' Procession
Thousands of religious devotees filled the streets of Ecuador's capital in a final public display of faith and devotion before Easter Sunday
Monica Sabella
Jan 7, 20202 min read


Ecuador's Colorful Past Comes to Life in Mama Negra Festival
Standing under the shadow of the volcano, Cotopaxi, the city of Latacunga fills the streets celebrating 300 years of tradition in its larges
Monica Sabella
Jan 7, 20202 min read


Revealed: The Most Dangerous Sports in the Winter Olympics
Brain trauma, fractured spinal cords, concussions, shattered knees, torn ligaments: just a few injuries suffered during the Winter Olympics.
Monica Sabella
Jan 7, 20205 min read


Canada: Investigators Review Case of Forced Sterilization
“[The doctor] remained, waiting for them to sign" the consent form for tubal ligation, the attorney told officials.
Monica Sabella
Apr 4, 20193 min read


Canada: Native Teens Revive REDress Anti-Gender Violence Campaign
The red dress hanging from a tree serves a visual reminder to Canadian society of the crime perpetrated against Indigenous women in impunity
Monica Sabella
Dec 5, 20182 min read


Indigenous Leaders Take On Ottawa's Child Welfare Services
Bellegarde: "First Nations are ready to reform child and family services in ways that respect our rights, cultures and family structures."
Monica Sabella
Dec 1, 20182 min read
bottom of page