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RingConn Gen 2, Smart Ring with Sleep Apnea Monitoring, 12-Day Battery Life, Stress/Heart Rate/Women’s Health Tracker, Android & iOS Compatible (Gold, Size 8)

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November 27, 2025

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RingConn Gen 2, Smart Ring with Sleep Apnea Monitoring, 12-Day Battery Life, Stress/Heart Rate/Women’s Health Tracker, Android & iOS Compatible (Gold, Size 8)

Price: ~~$299.00~~ - $32.99
(as of Nov 27, 2025 21:59:19 UTC – Details)

From the brand

RingConn Gen 2 Sizing Kit

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring

Download the RingConn App

Begin Your Health Journey

[Sleep Apnea Monitoring] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring supports sleep health with advanced technology. Developed with leading universities and hospitals, this AI-powered ring accurately tracks sleep apnea. Unlike traditional devices, it’s lightweight and comfortable, offering multi-day monitoring with real-time AHI data and personalized insights via a dedicated app for easy sleep health management
[Size Before You Buy] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring uses unique sizing standards, different from U.S. and other health rings. RingConn Gen 2 Sizing Kit helps you find the most comfortable and accurate fit for your finger, preventing the inconvenience of returns and exchanges by ensuring you select the correct size before purchasing
[No Subscription Fees] Unlock lifetime access to the comprehensive suite of features on the RingConn Smart Health Monitoring App with your RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring. Experience continuous, real-time health tracking and personalized insights
[More Than Just Health Monitoring] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring surpasses standard health monitoring features by not only tracking your activity, sleep, stress, heart rate, HRV, and blood oxygen saturation but also supporting OTA updates. This ensures continuous improvements and the addition of new features, delivering an ever-evolving experience tailored to your needs
[Waterproof for Every Adventure] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring features upgraded water resistance of up to 100m, making it perfect for daily wear, workouts, and swimming. Plus, RingConn Gen 2 offers outstanding durability with a gentle touch, even for sensitive skin
[Longer Battery Life & Ultra-Thin Design] RingConn Gen 2 offers up to 10-12 days of battery life, keeping up with your busy lifestyle. Battery life varies by ring size — larger sizes (12-14) can last up to 12 days. With the smart charging case, it can exceed 150 days. The updated design is now thinner, lighter, and more comfortable — with a better fit than ever — so light, you’ll hardly notice it’s there
[HSA/FSA Eligible] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is HSA/FSA approved. Easily use your Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account to make a purchase
[What You Get] RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring*1, Charging Case*1, 1m/3.3ft USB-C to USB-C cable*1, user manual*1, our worry-free 12-month warranty, and friendly customer service

Customers say

Customers find the smart ring to be better than other brands and appreciate its sleep monitoring capabilities, particularly for sleep apnea tracking. Moreover, the device effectively tracks activities and steps, and customers consider it well worth the price. However, the battery life and functionality receive mixed reviews, with some praising the quick charging time while others report charging issues, and some units stop working after three months. Additionally, accuracy and sizing are also mixed aspects, with some finding it true to size while others note it runs big.

45+ Christmas Activities for Kids to Do This Holiday Season

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November 27, 2025

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For many of us, Christmas time means a little more time with family and a break from school. We do an adventure points system over summer break, but I wanted to brainstorm some more Christmas ideas. Here are some fun Christmas activities for kids that encourage creativity, imagination, and movement during the holiday season.

Christmas Activities for Kids

I already have a big list of 100+ boredom-busting activities for kids. But sometimes it’s nice to have something a little more in the holiday spirit for them to do. Most of these easy Christmas activities for kids are free, can be done at home, or are near you.

Maybe your kids are home on Christmas break and you’re looking for a fun family activity to do together. Or maybe they’re getting a little bored and are looking for something hands-on.

Our family focuses on gratitude and giving over the Christmas season, so you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly ideas that line up with that principle. There’s just something a little magical about this time of year and it’s nice to enjoy fun Christmas activities alongside a mug of (healthy) hot cocoa.

The ideas below aren’t divided by age, but you may find that some of your kids will enjoy one activity over another. Older kids aren’t as thrilled with sensory bins and toddlers aren’t really able to do an activity like snowboarding. So pick and choose what works best for your family.

Some of these work well as Christmas party activities for kids if you’re hosting a family gathering. Or if you’re an educator, they can be done in school in a classroom setting.

Christmas Playdough

Playdough is a hit with preschoolers everywhere and it’s easy to make your own. I like this playdough recipe here, plus it’s gluten-free for kids who have allergies. I’ll add a little natural red or green food coloring to make it holiday colored. Add a little peppermint extract to the batch to make a fun candy cane playdough!

Holiday Themed Sensory Bin

This one is great for toddlers and preschoolers. Even kids who are a little older love getting their hands in a bin of rice or beans for sensory play! The best sensory activity is one that encourages creativity and free play. It’s not as fun if the parent spends more time putting all of the details together than the kids do playing with it.

It’s also a great opportunity for little ones to use tweezers, spoons, and other utensils to transfer the objects from one container to another. This is a fun way to practice fine motor skills.

Make a cinnamon themed bin with rice, cinnamon sticks, pine cones, and little gingerbread themed items from around the house.
Create a natural Christmas sensory bin with pine cones, cranberries, fir branches, and small pieces of cut wood or branches. Mix them into a base of red beans, dried peas, and white beans (like navy or lima), for a red, white, and green theme.

Christmas Craft Activities For Kids

You may be a paper plate, popsicle stick, and glitter kind of family or maybe your kids prefer less crafty art projects. I enjoy sitting down with the kids to draw or paint, and we’ve done several art projects this way together. Here are a few holiday crafts the whole family can do together.

Cut out paper snowflakes from white paper and hang them up to display
Make a Christmas tree craft out of construction paper, popsicle sticks, or miniature ornaments. Older kids can make one out of scrap wood.
Pull out the pom poms and make a festive photo ornament wreath.
Try an origami Christmas project.

Science Experiments

Do a science experiment (together or have the kids do one on their own). I love this book for the kids because it has projects they can mostly do themselves. And I don’t have to buy any special ingredients or supplies.

KiwiCo also offers a subscription box for those who love having science experiments delivered. They also have art and craft boxes if that’s your thing. I like that they have options for everyone from babies to teens (and older) and for different budgets.

Fingerpaint

If your kids aren’t old enough to wield a paintbrush yet, then try this edible finger paint! I use spirulina or spinach for the green color and beets for a pinkish red. They have a lot of fun painting with it and I don’t worry if they get some in their mouth. The art projects only last for about a day, so I’ll snap a picture if it’s something I want to keep.

Make Your Own Crayons

Kids can have fun making their own beeswax crayons with this DIY project. Use a silicone mold in fun, Christmas themed shapes like gingerbread, trees or snowmen.

Build a Gingerbread House

A candy covered gingerbread house isn’t something you’re going to find on my table. However, there is a way to get in on the fun and still be (relatively) healthy. I’ll make sweets for the kids on occasion, just with healthier ingredients.

Here’s a tutorial for an AIP gingerbread house or a regular version that you can easily make with organic ingredients. Dried fruit, nuts, coconut shreds, and dark chocolate make great decorations. Stick it all on with the frosting recipe from the bottom of this vanilla cake post.

Bake Christmas Cookies

One year my kids wanted gingerbread cookies so I came up with this molasses cookies recipe. It has all the flavors of gingerbread without the junky ingredients. Coconut macaroons, snickerdoodles and chewy chocolate cookies are also a big hit at our house.

This is the perfect opportunity for the kids to bake some treats for the neighbors, nursing home residents, or extended family and give as a gift.

Make a Christmas Card

Christmas is the one time of the year when we all wear coordinating outfits and snap a family picture. Even if you’re like us and send out a family photo Christmas card, you can pair it with a homemade card. Kids can use construction paper, paint, and markers to make their own Christmas cards with a heartfelt note. These can either be mailed or hand delivered.

Festive Marshmallows

Christmas activities for kids can be delicious too. Years ago I started making my own homemade marshmallows. The kids love the taste and they’re full of gut healing gelatin and naturally sweetened.

These matcha marshmallows are a festive green color. Or add some peppermint extract (instead of vanilla) to my homemade marshmallows recipe for a seasonal flavor.

Christmas Songs

You can play some Christmas songs in the background while the kids are doing chores around the house, cooking meals, or doing fun projects. Do some Christmas song karaoke or dance to your favorite tunes for fun movement.

Advent Calendar

Countdown to Christmas day with an Advent calendar. I use this one that gives a prompt for a kind act we can do each day. It takes the focus off of getting stuff and encourages us to do for others. Here are more ways our family honors the advent season.

Christmas Movies

Make a list of Christmas movies to watch together and make some popcorn and snacks. We keep a basket of blue light blocking glasses in our living for everyone on family movie nights. It’s a Wonderful Life is one of our favorites that we watch every year.

Capture the Memories

Every year I gift the kids a photo book with some of their favorite memories from the past year. They always look forward to it and enjoy looking back on what they’ve been up to. Kids can make their own keepsake photo books with their holiday memories. They can also make one with favorite family recipes from the holiday season.

Some kids may need a little more help than others with formatting their special photo book, but places like Mixbook make it really easy.

Sip on Cocoa

Hot cocoa is a must have in our house. Even better if it has some homemade marshmallows on top! Make some homemade cocoa to sip on while wrapping gifts or reading a favorite Christmas book. I also like this healthy premade hot chocolate that’s packed with superfoods (like medicinal mushrooms).

Make a DIY Christmas Snowglobe

If your kids are anything like mine were, they’re fascinated with snowglobes. They can make their own with a small figurine or ornament and a mason jar. Here’s a simple tutorial for how to make a glitter snow globe from a Mason jar.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

If your kids like working with air dry or oven bake clay, then they can have fun making their own customized ornaments. Salt dough is another great way to make homemade ornaments, even for young kids. Little ones can make a handprint ornament to give to the grandparents. Or use cookie cutters to make Christmas shapes to decorate.

Get the tutorial for how to make salt dough ornaments here.

Make a Garland

The kids can make a popcorn garland or string together cranberries and dried oranges. This is a fun activity to do while listening to a favorite Christmas book or music. You can hang the finished garlands around the Christmas tree, the stairway, or even the wall.

Get the instructions for how to make a DIY natural Christmas garland here.

Craft a Window Display

Decorate the window for a festive Christmas display. Kids can hang up some Christmas lights, garlands, or ornaments for passers-by to see. You can even get large, removable holiday themed stickers for the kids to put on the glass.

Make a Gnome Garden

Some kids love fairy gardens and can rearrange and play with the pieces for hours. Help the kids make a holiday themed version with gnomes. You can add little gnome figurines, rocks, moss, twigs, and other natural ingredients to the garden. Lincoln logs also make great gnome houses!

Learn how to make your own gnome (or fairy) garden here.

Christmas Games For Kids

Anything that requires movement and creativity is a win in my book.

Make a Holiday Wreath

My girls started sewing at a young age and they’ve had a lot of fun with sewing projects over the years. This easy burlap wreath tutorial can be customized to make any shape you want. I did an egg for Easter, but kids could also cut out and sew a gingerbread man, a star, or a Christmas tree.

Get the instructions for a DIY burlap wreath here.

Christmas Tree

Find a local Christmas tree farm and go pick one out together. Whether you opt for a real tree or an artificial one, decorating it is another favorite Christmas activity. Don’t forget to put on some Christmas music and sip on a peppermint mocha or homemade hot cocoa while you decorate!

Donate to Local Families in Need

The week before or after Christmas (when we’re not busy doing school), the kids and I go around the house looking for things to get rid of. Things that we can share with others that they’ll benefit from. This helps make room for the new gifts and items coming in on Christmas day. The idea isn’t to clear out junk, but to bless someone else with something they’ll love.

We also do what we call the surprise Santa tradition. We find another family, either through a local church or a domestic violence shelter who is in need. Then we’ll get them gifts, clothing, enough food for some meals, and gift cards. Even though we don’t actually meet them in person, my kids absolutely love doing this for others.

Go Christmas Caroling

Our neighborhood has a wagon full of carolers that go around singing Christmas carols to the neighbors. Your kids can go caroling around their own neighborhood, at a local hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility (if rules allow). It’s a great way to spread free Christmas cheer.

DIY Christmas Gifts

The kids can make their own Christmas gifts for friends and family. Younger kids may need a little more help with this one. Some popular DIY gifts around here are things like lotion bars and sugar cookie lip scrub. You can find a whole list of DIY gift ideas here.

Christmas Eve Feast

For years our family has had a fishy tradition. On Christmas Eve we’ll make a traditional Sicilian feast of the seven fishes. Yes, I really make 7 different types of fish! A lot of times it’s something small like an oyster, or a crab cake so we don’t end up eating a huge amount.

The kids love getting involved with the planning and the making of the meal. You can read more about how this tradition started for us and why we do it here.

Outdoor Christmas Activities for Kids

Get outside and into the fresh air with these Christmas activities for kids ideas.

Build a Snowman

If you live in an area where there’s snow, building a snowman is a timeless kid’s activity. Everyone can work together to build the ultimate snowman, or each family member can create their own. No snow? Make one inside with moon sand.

Christmas Lights

Many towns have Christmas light displays that are fun to go see. You may find one at the local park. Or maybe the neighbors don’t pull any punches when it comes to decorating their yards for Christmas. Take a walk around and enjoy the lights together!

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is a fun way to get some more movement in during the colder weather. Even if you don’t live near a pond or lake that’s safe to skate on, you can probably find a local indoor or outdoor rink. Some offer discounts for groups or during certain (slower) times of the day.

Sledding

Of course, I couldn’t leave out this classic pastime. If you’re in an area with enough snow, then find a big hill and haul out the sleds. You may also be able to find a tobogganing track near your area.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Put together a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Make a list (or use pictures) of items the kids can find around the neighborhood. These can be things like Christmas lights, a snowman, a cardinal, and a wreath. They can work in teams or individually to find the items. Or instead of a checklist, turn it into a bingo card and see who can get 5 in a row first.

Here are a few more Christmas activities for kids:

Make eco-friendly cloth gift bags to wrap presents for family and friends.
Start a winter garden or plant a windowsill herb garden.
Whip up a batch of snow cream (if you’re in a snowy area).

Does your family have any special traditions or activities during the holidays? I’d love to hear about them! Let me know in the comments below!

Thank You, GPODers! – Fine Gardening

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November 27, 2025

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Hi GPODers and Happy Thanksgiving (happy belated Thanksgiving to all of our Canadian GPODers)!

Another year is quickly coming to an end, and I would like to take this day to share my gratitude for all the gardeners that continue to keep this blog and community going. You might recall when I did this last year (Check out last year’s post here: Giving Thanks to the GPOD Community), reflecting on my first six months as the Garden Photo of the Day editor. A year later and I’m feeling equally as sentimental and grateful for this generous community that makes this job such a treat.

We’ve showcased and celebrated the gardens of several frequent contributors as well as many brand-new gardens featured on the blog for the very first time this year. I appreciate immensely everyone who feels compelled to continue sharing or start sharing their special outdoor spaces with a bunch of plant-loving strangers on the Internet. It is also a testament to the community that has formed here, as the overwhelmingly positive and supportive comments welcome all gardeners with open arms.

With all that being said, we can always use more contributors, particularly this time of year, so I rounded up some great submissions from the past year that will hopefully provide as much inspiration today as the day we originally shared them.

January 6th: Tingshu’s Garden in Winter

First up we have some seriously stunning winter scenes from Tingshu Hu and her husband Philip Zhao in Dunstable, Massachusetts (Tingshu’s Low Maintenance Garden in Massachusetts, Deedee, Lulu, and Luke in Tingshu’s Garden, Summer in Tingshu’s Front Garden, Summer in Tingshu’s Back Garden, etc.). Tingshu’s garden is full of vibrant color from the earliest days of spring straight through to the end of fall, but she kicked off the new year on the blog with a different perspective on their lush designs.

Looking from below an apple tree, with a bare branch hanging overhead, the crabapple tree, the blue spruce and a false cypress stand on the left. A magnolia tree, a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum and cvs., Zones 6–9) and a few azaleas stand above a stone retaining wall. There is a yew at the bottom of the photo.

February 25th: Lizzi’s Front Yard Veggie Garden in Washington

I regularly make calls for GPODers to submit a wide variety of different types of gardens, and in February Lizzi Gualtieri in Walla Walla, Washington (Lizzi’s Walla Walla Garden, Walla Walla Backyard, Lizzi’s Springtime in Walla Walla, and Lizzi’s Fall Garden in Walla Walla) answered that call by sharing her stunning front yard veggie garden. This submission included some fantastic progress pictures, which made these “after” photos that much more impressive!

And finally the view looking south with the pig fence arches in the foreground. The arches allow for so much more to grow in this relatively small space. We grow more that we can eat or preserve, sharing with friends and neighbors with the exception of the garlic, you can never have too much garlic!

March 20th: Cherry’s Small Space Garden and Greenhouse Experience, Part 4

We also started the year with a fabulous series from Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia (Wreath Making with Cherry, Cherry’s August Garden, Cherry’s May Garden in British Columbia, A Cold but Colorful November, Cherry’s Amaryllis, and countless GPOD on the Road submissions), where she gave us incredible details in the step-by-step process of installing a greenhouse in her small garden. From the removal of the beautiful beds that needed to be removed to make room to the accessories and styling that finalized the project, these posts still have me brainstorming about my dream greenhouse.

Hubby added a spot light for inside the greenhouse right after installation, but I wanted to add something pretty. I love the way the Europeans decorate their greenhouses with a chandelier. Our greenhouse has a lower ceiling with not much room for one, so we got creative and strung a long mossy branch with electric LED fairy lights and hung the lit branch with zip ties.

April 19th: Cindy’s Spring in Dallas

Things really started to heat up in April as spring submissions began rolling in. One of those early submissions was from Cindy Bolz in Dallas, Texas (Spring in Dallas and Collecting Japanese Maples) who celebrated the range of bright and colorful foliage in her garden as much as she did her beautiful blooms.

This photo shows purple oxalis (Oxalis triangularis, Zones 6–10) with white-veined pipeline (Aristolochia fimbriata, Zones 7–9). Each summer I get at least two full cycles of the beautiful black pipevine butterfly (Battus philenor) laying her eggs in these leaves. This is shortly followed by a tribe of little black caterpillars munching their way through every single leaf right down to the roots. Then the leaves grow back and the full cycle repeats.

May 7th: So Much Spring in Angie’s Arkansas Garden

We always see lots of fabulous plantings on Garden Photo of the Day, but we also saw some really amazing garden art on the blog this year. A piece of art that really stood out to me was this happy metal shark shared by Angie Caruthers in Arkansas (July in Arkansas and Dogwood Season). Two great photos showed how a baptisia coming into bloom during the season gives the shark a “sea” of plants to swim through.

Continuing the violet, lavender, and white color scheme, my Decadence^® Sparkling Sapphire baptisia (Baptisia ‘Sparkling Sapphires’, Zones 4–9) is showing mega growth in just one week. The above photo is from Friday, April 18…and here they are on Friday, April 25. Side note: I love how the baptisia makes it look like the shark is swimming through an ocean bed of seaweed!

June 2nd: Irises and More in Beth’s North Carolina Garden

As spring continued on, more color flooded the Garden Photo of the Day inbox. In June we got an update from Beth Tucker in Waxhaw, North Carolina (Early Spring in Beth’s North Carolina Garden, A Look Back at Beth’s Early Summer Garden, Beth’s Poolside Garden, etc.), a garden we’ve watched evolve and fill with color over the years. Beth is also a frequent commenter who always has something encouraging to say about the gardens featured on the blog, so it’s always a treat when we can return the favor.

Gravel path borders in early spring

July 16th: Lee’s Spring Garden in the Mohawk Valley

Along with all of the gorgeous garden photos we receive weekly, we also get incredible garden descriptions and insights from across the country and around the world. A gardener who always has something poignant to say is Lee from the Mohawk Valley of central New York State (There Is Always Room for More, Chasing Away the Winter Blues with Lee in New York, Lee’s Garden Through the Eyes of an Ant, Lee’s Tulips in Mohawk Valley, Lily Pre-Bloom in the Mohawk Valley, etc.). In this submission from July he had some inspiring words about garden beauty and embracing a bit of the unconventional.

Lee’s ostrich ferns with an incredible weigela in full bloom—potentially the cultivar Wine & Roses^®(Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’, Zones 3–9), based on the dark burgundy foliage and bright pink flowers.

August 26th: July in Teresa’s Maryland Garden

I’ve been sharing a lot of frequent contributor submissions so far, but I do want to give ample credit to new gardens we’ve enjoyed for the first time. One fabulous example came in August from Teresa Eutsler in Worcester County, Maryland. This is a newer garden, built from scratch in 2017, but you would never be able to guess from the photos that she shared.

The skies have been generous, so the little ‘Limelight’ is enjoying the moisture, and I’ve been very happy with Milena Fleur dahlia (Dahlia ‘Milena Fleur’, Zones 9–11 or as an annual). It has returned for me despite a very cold winter and is a beautiful color with the Hameln grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’, Zones 5–9) as it’s neighbor and the Tuscarora crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Tuscarora’, Zones 6–9) behind, along with the Casa Blanca lilies (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’, Zones 5–8) in the background.

September 17th: August in Carla’s Pennsylvania Garden, Part 2

We couldn’t highlight this year of gardens without mentioning Carla Zambelli Mudry in Malvern, Pennsylvania (Roses and Clematis Bloom in Carla’s Garden, Ahead-of-Schedule Flowers in Pennsylvania, A Weird Summer in Carla’s Garden, Hydrangea Season in Carla’s Garden, Carla’s Late June Flowers and Foliage, etc.). Carla has shared her garden many times over the years, but this year she kept the gorgeous photos coming and provided regular updates throughout the seasons. This shot from her late summer submission epitomizes the lush designs that thrive in her woodland landscape.

With all of that gloss, I’m assuming this photo was taken after one of the many heavy rains that Carla’s garden got in August. In her woodland garden, a tapestry of foliage comes together to create wonderful patterns and designs.

October 21st: Judy’s First Frost in Montana

Another fabulous new garden was featured in October, and was an excellent (and stunning) representation of the end of the gardening season. Judy Hessert in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana shared some gorgeous photos of her garden the morning after the first frost in her area. The colorful foliage and abundant flowers were picture-perfect coated in a shimmery coating of ice, but I hope we have an opportunity to see this garden at its peak.

‘Indian Summer’ black-eyed Susan in the foreground, Korean spiraea (Spiraea fritschiana, Zones 3–8) on the left, Klehm’s Improved Bechtel flowering crabapple (Malus ioensis ‘Klehm’s Improved Bechtel’, Zones 4–8) with the tree guard, and the Sapphire Mountains in the background.

November 6th: More of Heidi’s Fabulous Flowers in Connecticut

Submissions really start to slow in November, but we were able to keep the garden color going with a backlog of fabulous photos that didn’t make it into previous weeks. Heidi Weirether in Redding, Connecticut (Heidi’s Colorful Garden in Fairfield County, Heidi’s May Garden in Connecticut, Peak Season in Heidi’s Connecticut Garden, Heidi’s Flowers in Connecticut, and September in Heidi’s Connecticut Garden) had one final batch of glorious flower photos that got featured on the blog at the beginning of the month.

Heidi has awe-worthy borders full of fantastic perennials, but her patio garden mainly consists of incredible annual plant combinations. White zinnias and pink cosmos are heavenly against a backdrop of bright pink impatiens.

Thank you again to all of the contributors who have shared their gardens this year and will continue sending spectacular updates through the seasons. If your garden or submission didn’t make it onto this list, just know that I could easily make post twice as long and it still wouldn’t cover all of my favorite submissions from this year.

And please consider sharing your garden photos with us to keep this blog going as we descend into winter and many of us need doses of daily garden color more than ever! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Lee Valley Large Gardener’s Wash Basket

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This basket was designed to be used by gardeners to wash freshly harvested vegetables before taking them inside. You can gather your vegetables and then hose them off right in the same basket. However, you can also use it for fruit or add a cloth liner for serving bread or other baked goods. Measuring 16″ long, 11″ wide and 4″ deep, it is made of chrome-plated steel to resist rust.

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone’s hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.

WHATAFIT Resistance Bands, Exercise Bands，Resistance Bands for Working Out with Handles for Men and Women Fitness, Strength Training Home Gym Equipment

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November 27, 2025

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WHATAFIT Resistance Bands, Exercise Bands，Resistance Bands for Working Out with Handles for Men and Women Fitness, Strength Training Home Gym Equipment

Price: ~~$24.99~~ - $19.56
(as of Nov 27, 2025 09:40:04 UTC – Details)

WHATAFIT Resistance Bands, Exercise Bands，Resistance Bands for Working Out, Work Out Bands with Handles for Men and Women Fitness, Strength Training Home Gym Equipment
DIFFERENT COLOR ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE BANDS: The exercise bands come with 5 different resistance level 10lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs, 25lbs and 30lbs in 5 different colors, and and can be used alone stacked in any combination to a maximum equivalent of 100 lbs
MULTI FUNCTION & PORTABLE: Resistance bands for working out can apply to different types exercise. Great for toning your arms,shoulders, chest, gluts, legs etc.Also comes with convenient travel pouch，You can take them outside, to the gym, wherever you want to work out
HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS: Bands for working out is made of natural latex . Strong wear resistance and perfect elasticity, steel metal buckle for stronger strength, non-slip handle, comfortable and absorbent
PERSONAL HOME GYM: Work out bands includes 5 exercise bands, 1 door anchor, 2 cushioned handles, carrying case and user manual to allow you to perform the widest variety of resistance training exercises possible at home
SUITABLE FOR DAILY USE: Each exercise bands set is carefully constructed to resist snapping and breaking, which are able to withstand intense daily exercise sessions.Now enjoy the exercise with WHATAFIT resistance bands set

Customers say

Customers find the resistance bands work well, are sturdy, and easy to use, with one customer noting the door adapter works great for fastening them. They are versatile, with one customer mentioning they’re great for home workouts, and come with multiple attachments. The color range receives mixed feedback, with some finding the colors nice while others say they’re not as advertised. The resistance level receives negative feedback, with several customers reporting that the resistance weight is way off.

Deekin 20 Pcs Resistance Bands Resistance Loop Exercise Bands Exercise Equipment Elastic Drap Ring for Women and Men Home Fitness, Gym, Yoga

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November 26, 2025

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Deekin 20 Pcs Resistance Bands Resistance Loop Exercise Bands Exercise Equipment Elastic Drap Ring for Women and Men Home Fitness, Gym, Yoga

Price: $24.99
(as of Nov 26, 2025 21:23:23 UTC – Details)

Features:
The strength bands can be applied for a variety of sports activities, as well as muscle building, body flexibility training, like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, weightlifting and more.
The exercise resistance bands can be regarded as delicate gifts for sports enthusiasts, athletes and more, quality and serviceable.
Specifications:
Material: quality TPE material
Color: yellow
Resistance strength: 25 lbs
Package includes:
20 x Resistance bands
Notes:
Manual measurement, please allow slight errors on size.
The color may exist a slight difference due to different screen displays
Quality Materials for Durability and Safety: our resistance bands crafted from quality TPE material; These bands offer strength, longevity, and safety during vigorous training sessions; They are designed to withstand a resistance strength of 25 lbs without losing their shape or elasticity; Sturdy yet flexible material which ensures a dependable and long lasting exercise companion
Unleash Your Maximum Strength: with a resistance strength of 25 lbs, our exercise bands resistance bands set allows you to push your limits and strengthen your muscles; They add a major boost to your exercise by providing a healthy tension which effectively engages your muscles and enhances both strength and stamina
Versatile Tool for a Wide Range of Exercises: challenge your routine to a welcome diversity with our tension bands for exercise; They are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into a wide assortment of exercises, providing functionality and effectiveness in one handy package; They can be a trainer for sport specific training, or a booster for body weight exercises, yoga, and Pilates; A fundamental attribute that caters to all types of athletes
Bulk Package: our package comes with 20 exercise bands, allowing you to never run out of exercise options; With such a generous quantity, you will be well equipped to perform countless exercises and routines; Achieving your fitness goals have never been this convenient; Plus, it offers a great solution particularly for fitness trainers and large groups
Reliable and Nice Performance: with our resistance band, you can trust on their rugged resilience during the most demanding exercises; Our bands are ensured to withstand the force and pressure of regular, intensive use, suitable for seasoned athletes

Customers say

Customers find the resistance bands effective, with one mentioning they are perfect for their XC team. They consider the product worth the price, with one noting it’s a great purchase for coaches and trainers.

Medicare negotiated lower prices for 15 drugs, including 71% off Ozempic and Wegovy : Shots

Health

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November 26, 2025

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Medicare negotiated lower prices for 15 drugs, including 71% off Ozempic and Wegovy : Shots

A box of Ozempic at a pharmacy in Los Angeles on Aug. 6, 2025.

Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The federal government has announced the results of the latest round of Medicare drug price negotiations: 15 lower drug prices for Medicare to go into effect in 2027.

Medicare will get a 71% discount on Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, blockbuster drugs for obesity and Type 2 diabetes that have current list prices of around a thousand dollars a month.

The negotiations also included drugs for asthma, breast cancer and leukemia. The discounts ranged from 38% for Austedo, which treats Huntington’s disease, to 85% for Janumet for Type 2 diabetes.

“President Trump directed us to stop at nothing to lower health care costs for the American people,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a press release. “As we work to Make America Healthy Again, we will use every tool at our disposal to deliver affordable health care to seniors.”

The program that covers drugs for more than 50 million seniors negotiated its first batch of drug prices last year, after the passage of the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

A provision of that law, passed without Republican support, ended Medicare’s 20-year ban on negotiating drug prices.

Negotiations for this second batch of 15 drugs wrapped up at the end of October.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) say the new, lower Medicare prices would have saved the program $12 billion dollars if the lower negotiated prices had been in effect in 2024.

The latest negotiated prices are great news for taxpayers and patients, says Dr. Benjamin Rome, health policy researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Federal taxpayers fund much of Medicare, but beneficiaries also must pay copays and coinsurance.

“This is more savings than the first round, but a lot of that has to do with the nature of the drugs being negotiated this year and probably some learning from experience,” he says.

Drugs were selected earlier this year based on criteria written into the law. They had to have no generic or biosimilar competition, account for a high amount of Medicare spending and be on the market for a number of years.

The lower Ozempic and Wegovy prices follow a separate deal the Trump administration announced on Nov. 6 with Novo Nordisk, which makes both drugs.

That deal was part of the president’s push to get drug companies to voluntarily lower their U.S. prices to match those in other developed countries.

But, confusingly, the discounts from the Medicare negotiations were less significant than what Novo Nordisk agreed to give Medicare as part of the Nov. 6 deal.

That previous deal set a price of $245 dollars a month for Ozempic and Wegovy. But according to the negotiated prices announced this week, the prices of Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus — the company’s Type 2 diabetes pill — will be $274 a month.

“It’s not clear why Novo [Nordisk] would promise a different price in two different venues,” Rome says.

In a company statement, Novo Nordisk explained that it “look[s] forward to additional clarity from CMS on how pricing and coverage will work.”

The separate Trump Administration deal “reflects a broader effort to expand access to obesity care across Medicare and Medicaid,” the statement said.

(The deal expanded access in those two programs to the drugs to people with a body mass index of over 35 and people with BMIs above 27 who have additional health conditions. But the details of exactly how this will work remain unclear.)

The Novo Nordisk statement affirmed that the company is committed to advocating for affordable access to its medications, but “we continue to have serious concerns about the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on patients and remain opposed to government price setting.”

AARP, an advocacy group for the 125 million Americans who are 50 and older, was pleased with the results of the negotiations.

“Today’s announcement marks yet another significant next step forward in our long-standing efforts to lower prescription drug prices,” AARP’s CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan said in a statement.

“Older Americans across the political spectrum consistently say lower drug prices are a top priority, and these negotiated prices will bring meaningful relief to millions of people on Medicare.”

How Cold Is Too Cold For Chickens?

Gardening

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November 26, 2025

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The most common question among those who are raising chickens for the first time is how cold they can tolerate.

It is evident because colder weather in a few zones is harsh and makes it difficult for chickens.

Can insulating the chicken coop or running a heat lamp ensure that the ideal temperature is maintained?

Though chickens are resilient by nature, as winter rolls around, you should ensure the flocks are healthy and comfortable.

First, you need to know how much cold chickens can tolerate so you can act accordingly to provide ideal temperatures for your flock’s well-being.

In this write-up, you’ll learn cold tolerance signs of too much cold and proper care tips during winter.

By nature, chickens are equipped to handle colder temperatures, but when winter hits and the temperature outside drops 35F, then it can be uncomfortable for your flocks.

Ignoring extreme cold temperatures can cause low performance and even death in chickens.

So, the first step is to choose winter-hardy breeds to grow. Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Ameraucana, and Orpington are known to overwinter.

Prepare the chicken coop by insulating, providing roosts, keeping the coop ventilated, providing the required heat through radiant heaters, and regularly cleaning chicken manure.

As the feeding intake of chicken increases in cold, give a balanced diet to your flocks.

Cold temperatures can freeze water; regularly check the water and replace it if needed.

How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate?

By nature, chickens are tolerant of cold temperatures, thanks to their feathers, which act as insulation.

For most breeds, temperatures in the range of 32 to 10F can be uncomfortable but not immediately harmful.

Chickens use their feathers to trap warm air next to their bodies, which helps them stay cosy even in freezing weather.

That said, some chicken breeds, like Silkies or Bantams, might be more vulnerable to the cold because they have less feather coverage or smaller body masses.

Larger, more cold-hardy breeds, such as Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, or Plymouth Rocks, tend to manage cold temperatures much better.

At night, chickens experience colder temperatures since they’re less active and tend to huddle together on their roosts.

Nighttime temperatures dropping into the 20F range are typically tolerable for most chickens. Still, when the thermometer dips lower—into the teens or single digits—your chickens may struggle to maintain their body heat.

Any temperature consistently below 0F is too cold for chickens without proper intervention, as this can lead to frostbite and hypothermia.

Also Read: 9 Ways to Winterize Chicken Coop?

How Can You Tell if Chickens Are Too Cold?

Chickens have various ways of showing they’re feeling the chill, and as a responsible owner, it’s essential to recognize these signs early on to prevent any severe health problems.

1. Fluffed Feathers

One of the first signs your chickens are too cold is when they puff up their feathers.

Chickens do this to trap more air between their feathers, creating insulation. While it’s normal to see them puffing up occasionally, if they’re constantly fluffed up, they may be struggling to stay warm.

2. Lethargy or Huddling Together

If your chickens seem less active and spend most of their time huddled in groups, especially in corners of the coop or near heat sources, it’s a sign that they’re trying to conserve body heat.

This behaviour is a natural way for them to stay warm, but it also means they’re battling cold temperatures.

3. Cold Feet and Combs

You can check a chicken’s comb and feet to determine if it’s suffering from a cold. When chickens are cold, their combs and wattles may turn pale or dark, and their feet might feel cold to the touch.

These are areas prone to frostbite in extreme cold, so it’s essential to monitor them closely during the winter.

4. Shivering or Shaking

Chickens, like other animals, may shiver or shake when they’re cold. This is their body’s way of generating heat, but prolonged shivering is a sign that they’re not able to maintain a safe body temperature.

5. Decreased Egg Production

Cold temperatures can also lead to a drop in egg production. If your hens are laying fewer eggs than usual, it might be a sign they’re expending more energy on keeping warm than on laying eggs.

Check this: Why Are My Chickens Laying Small Eggs?

How to Care for Chickens in the Winter?

Winter care for chickens involves a few key steps to ensure your flock remains healthy, warm, and productive despite the cold. Below are some essential tips to care for your chickens during winter months.

1. Provide Proper Coop Insulation

One of the most effective ways to help your chickens stay warm is by ensuring their coop is well-insulated.

You don’t need to completely seal off the coop (good ventilation is still essential to prevent moisture build-up), but insulating the walls, roof, and windows can help maintain a more stable temperature inside.

Use straw, wood shavings, or even foam boards to add insulation.

2. Use Deep Litter Bedding

Deep litter bedding is a method where you allow bedding material like straw or wood shavings to accumulate on the floor of the coop.

As the bedding breaks down, it generates a small amount of heat, helping to keep the coop warmer. Plus, it provides your chickens with a soft, insulating floor to walk on.

3. Provide Extra Heat Sources (if needed)

In icy regions, or if the temperatures dip significantly below freezing for extended periods, you may want to consider using a heat lamp or other safe heat source.

However, this should be done with caution, as heat lamps can be a fire hazard. If you do use one, ensure it is securely mounted and placed far enough away from any flammable materials.

4. Ensure Proper Ventilation

While it’s tempting to seal up the coop to keep the heat in, adequate ventilation is essential for your chickens’ health.

Moisture from their breath and droppings can accumulate in a tightly sealed coop, leading to frostbite and respiratory issues.

Make sure there are vents near the top of the coop to allow humid air to escape without creating drafts.

5. Keep Water From Freezing

Chickens need access to fresh water year-round, but in winter, it can be challenging to prevent their water from freezing.

You can use heated water or place their water source inside the coop, where it’s less likely to freeze. Another option is to bring out fresh, unfrozen water several times a day.

6. Boost Their Caloric Intake

Chickens burn more calories in the winter to stay warm, so it’s essential to provide them with extra food. In the evening, you can offer scratch grains or cracked corn, which helps them generate body heat overnight.

Also, ensure they have access to high-quality layer feed to maintain their health and egg production during the colder months.

Also Read: 70 Things Chickens Can Eat & 30 Food Items to Avoid

7. Protect Their Combs and Feet from Frostbite

Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your chickens’ combs and wattles can help prevent frostbite.

Frostbite commonly affects these areas because they’re exposed to the cold. Ensure the coop floor is dry and avoid standing water, as wet feet are more susceptible to freezing.

Also Read: 19 Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds that Tolerant Winter

8. Provide Perches

Chickens naturally perch off the ground at night to avoid the cold earth. Make sure they have adequate space to perch, as their bodies will cover their feet, keeping them warm and protected from the cold.

Are Chickens Warm Blooded or Cold Blooded

Conclusion

In conclusion, chickens can handle cold weather pretty well, but they need a dry, draft-free coop with good ventilation to stay comfortable.

Keep an eye out for signs that they’re too cold, like puffed-up feathers or low energy, and take steps to prevent frostbite.

Most of the time, extra heat isn’t needed, but if you do use a heater, make sure it’s safe and out of the way. With the proper care, food, and shelter, your chickens can stay healthy and get through the winter just fine.

Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting

TheFitLife Pull Up Assistance Bands- Resistance Bands for Working Out, Long Workout Bands for Exercise, Fitness Band for Pullup Assist, a Substitute of Dumbbell Set and Kettlebells, Barbell

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November 26, 2025

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TheFitLife Pull Up Assistance Bands- Resistance Bands for Working Out, Long Workout Bands for Exercise, Fitness Band for Pullup Assist, a Substitute of Dumbbell Set and Kettlebells, Barbell

Price: ~~$29.98~~ - $23.68
(as of Nov 26, 2025 09:22:14 UTC – Details)

Versatility, perfect for any exercise and all fitness enthusiasts: TheFitLife pull up stretch excersize bands are perfect whether for beginners or fitness buffs, men and women. They can perform a variety of exercises, like assisted pull up, chin-ups, cross-training, powerlifing, yoga, pilates, also perfect for physical rehabilitation. Effective and durable home gym equipment that can help to improve your strength and range of motion across all major muscle groups
Premium materials to ensure maximum life, health and safety during use: Our pull-up assistance loop bands are made from high quality latex, they are durable, comfortable, environmentally suitable and skin friendly. These resistance weight bands will not break, snap or roll when doing exercise, they can stay strong and retain elasticity even after repeated stretching, avoiding injury from sudden snaps
Protable and compact, excersize anytime, anywhere: These portable workout bands allow you exercise in anywhere, not only are they ideal fitness equipment for home gym, but also good for travelling and business trips. They take up essentially no space, can go easily into your backpack or suitcase. Just combining with pull up bar, exercise equipment or any fixed and stable objects, you can quickly transform your surroundings into the most effective gym
Four levels of resistant for customized workout: Our pull up assist bands included four levels of resistance and you are free to switch and choose the resistance level that suits you. Red: 15-35 lbs, Black: 50-75 lbs, Purple: 75-120 lbs, Green: 120-175 lbs. You can gradually increase your resistance through training. It offers you endless possibilities that are just waiting for you to discover
Get your complete resistance bands set now: You’ll feel 100% satisfaction from the moment you received the pull up exercising bands set. They are available in red, black, purple and green colors. We are quite sure that you will be super-impressed with the durability, portability, versatility and high quality of our pull up assist bands

Customers say

Customers find these resistance bands to be solid and versatile, suitable for both home and gym workouts. They provide the right amount of resistance, are easy to use, and offer good value for money. The durability receives mixed feedback – while some say they last a long time, others report them breaking violently after 3-4 months.

Homemade Peppermint Mocha Creamer (Dairy-Free)

Health

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November 25, 2025

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It’s no secret that I’m an avid coffee drinker, even if I don’t drink it everyday. I’ve written many posts on the health benefits and controversies of coffee and have a podcast episode on my favorite mushroom coffee. And I have lots (and I do mean LOTS!) of recipes for my favorite coffee shop style drinks. So when I realized I could easily make my own festive peppermint mocha creamer, I was thrilled!

Peppermint Mocha Creamer

Store-bought coffee creamer comes in so many fun flavors. There’s the Chobani peppermint mocha creamer and even Starbucks has their own line of creamers. It’s kind of a bummer they’re so full of ingredients I try to avoid. Ingredients like carrageenan, high-fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils.

And while many stores now have simpler coffee creamer with cleaner ingredients, they still have some downsides. This healthier peppermint mocha creamer is simple, easy, and tastes even better!

Dairy-Free Creamer Options

This coffee creamer is paleo and dairy-free thanks to its coconut milk base. I prefer using coconut milk for my peppermint mocha creamer since it’s naturally so thick and creamy. I like to add healthy fats to my coffee anyway. If you’d rather use a different milk, feel free. Oat milk and cashew milk are especially creamy options.

I add a little peppermint extract for flavor and maple syrup for natural sweetness. If you’re looking for a sugar free peppermint mocha creamer, try liquid stevia instead. Both the sweetener and flavor can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Want to try a different flavor? Simply swap out the peppermint for another extract, like vanilla, almond, or orange.

Peppermint Mocha Creamer Recipe

Dairy-free coffee creamer made with coconut milk, peppermint extract, and a touch of maple syrup.

Warm the can of coconut milk in a bowl of hot water for about 5 minutes to make it easier to pour.
In a pint-size mason jar, combine the coconut milk, peppermint extract, and maple syrup.
Put a lid on the mason jar and shake vigorously to mix.
Stir into coffee or milk for a festive treat.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator and use within 7-10 days.

Nutrition Facts

Peppermint Mocha Creamer Recipe

Amount Per Serving (2 TBSP)

Calories 76
Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.3g

Sodium 5mg0%

Potassium 97mg3%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Fiber 0.5g2%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin C 0.3mg0%

Calcium 11mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Feel free to adjust the peppermint and syrup up or down to suit your tastes.
Omit the cocoa powder if you just want a peppermint creamer.

How to Use Homemade Coffee Creamer (of Any Flavor!)

The most obvious is, of course, to stir it into a fresh cup of coffee. However, there are a lot of other tasty options as well. I like to use it in leftover chilled coffee or cold brew coffee. It’s also great in tea without the cocoa powder if you’re more of a tea drinker.

My kids love it added to hot chocolate or just cold milk for a festive treat. You can also add it to homemade vanilla ice cream to make a shake.

Try a batch of this healthy creamer with vanilla extract instead of mint over steel cut oats for breakfast. I bet this recipe for gingerbread creamer would be delicious that way too!

More Homemade Hot Beverages to Try

When you’re longing for a hot and tasty beverage (that doesn’t cost $7 or more!) try these:

Side note: Don’t throw out your used coffee grounds — they have lots of uses!

Do you make your own coffee creamer? What’s your favorite flavor?

How to Grow and Care for Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Gardening

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November 25, 2025

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How to Grow and Care for Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Disease

Generally, western red cedars are healthy trees, especially if you plant them in the right location. However, there are several fungal diseases that can impact stressed plants.

The first is fairly uncommon but incredibly destructive.

Butt and Pocket Rot

Caused by Oligoporus sericeomollis (syn. Poria sericeomollis) and Phellinus pini, butt or pocket rot is a form of heart rot that affects many conifers but is particularly destructive in western red cedar.

In fact, western red cedars are the only living host. Otherwise, these pathogens colonize dead wood.

As the name suggests, it causes pocket-like rot in the “butt,” or the part of the tree just above the roots.

It’s one of the major diseases of western red cedar, but it’s most prevalent in western North America, though it can be found in Europe and Asia.

The pathogens can thrive in both live and decaying wood, but they only breed on dead wood.

Usually, by the time you know anything is going on, the disease will be way too far along to do anything about it.

As such, prevention is key. Avoid wounding your tree, control pests, and remove nearby decaying conifer wood that can harbor spores.

Leaf Blight

Wherever western red cedars grow, leaf blight, sometimes called Keithia blight, can develop.

That’s because the fungus that causes it, Didymascella thujina, is endemic to all the same areas.

Unless you live in a warm, moist environment, it’s fairly rare. It’s more common in coastal, low-elevation areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Whenever the conditions are wet and temperatures above 50°F, the spores will be reproducing and spreading.

Symptoms start with pale patches on young leaves, followed by brown or black spore structures. Infected leaves may turn brown or gray and drop, often making the tree appear scorched.

Older trees are generally less at risk to serious damage, but seedlings can be destroyed.

The cultivars ‘Atrovirens’ and ‘Excelsa’ are most susceptible. If you live in an area where this disease is a common problem, avoid these cultivars.

To prevent infection, maintain good airflow with proper spacing, water at the base, and keep weeds under control.

If needed, treat with copper- or mancozeb-based fungicides during spring and fall, following label directions.

Yellow Ring Rot

Caused by Coniferiporia sulphurascens (formerly Phellinus weirii), yellow ring rot is more severe in firs, Douglas firs, and western hemlock, but can also affect western red cedar.

The pathogen spreads on wood, both living and decaying, so it can spread through roots or wherever wood chips, fallen branches, tree stumps, or closely-spaced trees exist.

Once a tree is infected, it will slowly decline, but you’ll only see the rot if you look at the roots or cut open the tree. The big risk is that the disease will weaken the tree.

While it’s rarely fatal in home landscapes, prevention includes proper spacing, prompt removal of infected wood, and avoiding planting within 200 feet of infected trees.

There is no cure, so focus on maintaining overall tree health.

Embrace the Tree of Life

They are gorgeous, sturdy, and long-lived. Western red cedars are such graceful trees with their lacy leaves and swooping branches.

I’m always in awe of them, whether I encounter one while on a walk in my neighborhood or while hiking in the forests near my house.

A vertical image of pollen cones on a western red cedar in the landscape. — Photo by Kristine Lofgren.

I have a towering tree in my backyard that I love to watch during breezy days because it looks like it’s dancing.

How do you plan to enjoy your tree? Is it going to be a focal point of the garden or will you plant a few as a visual barrier between you and a neighbor? Let us know in the comments section below!

And for more information about cultivating conifers in your landscape, check out these guides next: