Waddle and Cluck

10/21/2026

Cold doesn't kill most hives — mites, starvation, and wet bees do. Winterizing is less about sealing bees in and more about sending a healthy colony into the cold with enough reachable food and a dry box. The order of operations: colony health and mite counts first, heavy syrup while it's still warm, solid feed above the cluster once temps hold below ~50°F, controlled ventilation so moisture escapes, then wrap for wind and finish the hardware (entrance reducer, mouse guard, strapped cover). A roll of hive wrap cannot rescue a struggling colony — the biological work comes first. Are your hives buttoned up yet?
https://waddleandcluck.com/winterizing-bee-hives/

10/19/2026

The squash you grew in August can still feed you in February — if it goes into storage right. Sort before you store: hard rind, attached stem, no soft spots earn the shelf; bruised or stemless fruit goes in the use-now pile (roast, puree, freeze). Cure the keepers 7–14 days in warm, dry air, then keep them at 50–55°F, off bare concrete, away from apples and pears, and check every week or two. One soft spot ignored will take the whole shelf. What's your longest-keeping variety this year?
https://waddleandcluck.com/how-to-store-pumpkins-winter-squash/

10/17/2026

Storage systems fail in predictable ways — wet gloves sealed in a tote, the tree stand nowhere near the tree, empty jars collecting dust beside the paint thinner. Instead of buying matching bins, our new seasonal storage guide answers four questions: Is it clean and dry? Where will you look first? Can you reach it without unloading the room? What needs fixing before next use? Winter gear, holiday decor, and canning equipment all get the same treatment.
https://waddleandcluck.com/seasonal-storage-ideas/

10/17/2026

A bird-friendly garden is built in layers, not bought at a feeder aisle. Ground cover, perennials, shrubs, and small trees give songbirds food, water, and shelter across every season — and you get free pest control. The honest part: the same habitat can attract roof-nesting flocks, so our new guide covers who to welcome, how to discourage the troublemakers (physical exclusion, never sticky traps), and feeder placement that keeps cats out of the equation. Which birds are regulars in your garden?
https://waddleandcluck.com/bird-friendly-gardens-attracting-good-birds/

10/15/2026

Vie Pratique included Lindsey’s advice on avoiding late-summer fertilizer mistakes that can damage container plants.

Fin d’été, vos jardinières s’épuisent : adoptez une formule ciblée qui relance la floraison sans fragiliser les plantes jusqu’aux gelées.

10/14/2026

The Spruce included Lindsey’s advice for keeping coneflowers upright and blooming into fall.

If your coneflowers are drooping or slowing down, don’t give up on them yet. One gardening expert shares simple ways to keep them blooming into fall.

10/14/2026

Canning season will expose a bad pot decision fast: jars sitting too high, a base wider than the burner, a full 24 quarts you cannot safely lift. Our new guide matches the pot to the job — the all-around stainless workhorse, the manageable 16- and 20-quart sizes, the classic budget water-bath canner, and the pressure canner that low-acid foods actually require. Which pot has earned a permanent place on your stove?
https://waddleandcluck.com/best-stockpot-for-canning/

10/13/2026

Homes & Gardens talked with Ryan about making the most of vertical space when you do not have a shed, plus how to clean and dry tools before winter storage.

This Amazon garden tool wall rack uses vertical space to keep tools neat and safe in between use. It's an ideal solution if you don't have a shed for your tools

10/12/2026

The prettiest fall table at your house might already be growing in the garden. A few clean squash, a jar of dried herbs, a bowl of eggs from the coop, and low candles do more for a harvest table than a cartload of plastic decor. Our new guide walks through the simple formula — plain base, two colors plus one accent, low harvest pieces, warm light, and room for the actual food. Which part of your harvest is making it to the table this year? 🍂
https://waddleandcluck.com/fall-tablescape-ideas/

10/12/2026

Yahoo featured Lindsey’s advice for helping houseplants transition into fall, including cleaning leaves and checking for pests before plants come back indoors.

Discover seven fall houseplant care tasks as we transition out of summer. There's lots to adjust in your plants' growing environment this season.