Frogs and Toads
Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center talks about frogs and toads and why you want them in your garden. They are amphibians that are tied to water. They lay their eggs in the water and have part of their life cycle there too. The bumps or warts on toads are a protection. The bumps contain glands that secrete a toxin. Toads are a kind of frog. Mary has several frogs and toads with her to demonstrate the differences. Frogs like the bullfrog have long back legs and leap. True toads have dry rough skin and shorter stubbier legs to hop. She also brought a tree frog and spadefoot toad.
Frogs and toads are beneficial in several ways. The most obvious is that they eat a lot of insects. Also, frogs and toads can absorb things through their skin, so they can be an indicator that you have problems in your yard or garden. To attract frogs and toads to your garden you need to provide habitat they like. They need water and moisture. You can also provide places for toads to hide. Mary shows how to make a toad abode with a flowerpot and a couple of rocks. Related Resources: Frogs and Toads Frogs, Toads, and the Garden Frogs & Toads of Florida |
Seed Germination Test
This week in the garden UT Assistant Professor of Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner shows how to do a germination test on some old seeds. She puts some seeds in a wet paper towel and puts that in a plastic bag. A week later she can see how many of them germinated.
Watch>> Other things to do
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Songbirds As Pests
Mike Dennison talks about how to handle songbirds when they are pests. You cannot kill songbirds, so you have to discourage them. >>Watch
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Hostas
Hosta expert Jim Crowder from Memphis Botanic Garden talks about basic hosta care and shows a few varieties. >>Watch
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Spring Soil Preparation
Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about getting your garden soil ready for planting. >>Watch
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Plant Societies and Garden Clubs
Former Memphis Horticultural Society President Suzy Askew talks about plant societies and garden clubs. >>Watch
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Viewer Questions
Should I prune an old Osage orange?
Osage oranges are tough plants with very hard wood. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison recommends not pruning >>Watch
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Should I fertilize my shrubs in the spring?
Jim Crowder from Memphis Botanic Garden says that generally speaking, you do fertilize in the spring, but there are some exceptions >>Watch
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My crape myrtle has white patches on the branches. Is this a problem?
It could be crape myrtle bark scale. >>Watch
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More Questions & Answers
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