An encounter with poison ivy while gardening can lead to weeks of itchy misery. (See our previous post on how to identify poison ivy.) All parts of the poison ivy plant -- leaves, stem, roots and berries -- are poisonous to humans. Allergic reaction is caused by urushiol, a caustic chemical in the plant’s sap. Gardeners rarely react to their first poison ivy exposure. However, even the slightest contact with urushiol stimulates the production of antibodies that provoke an allergic reaction during subsequent exposures. ...read more

An enjoyable day of gardening can turn nasty if you encounter poison ivy while weeding between the Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera) and Petunias or behind the Hydrangeas. Poison ivy’s blistering rash may not erupt until the next day, but by then the damage is done and you’ll be in for a miserable week or two of intense itching. The best way to avoid the misery that poison ivy brings is to know what this poisonous plant looks like and how to safely remove it from your garden. ...read more

In American, we consider our pets to be part of our family. Most of us include a package for Fido or Muffy when we place family presents under the Christmas tree. To keep pets safe during the holidays, owners should watch for potential hazards, including some popular holiday plants. Veterinarians say few holiday plants are toxic enough to cause serious illness, but it’s wise to keep certain holiday plants out of your pets’ reach. Here’s a helpful guide to the toxicity of common holiday plants:  ...read more

Summer camp season is upon us. Before you send your little one off on an adventure, make sure they know how to identify the following plants.  ...read more