Today:
* Added some copper decorations to the tomato cages for the pretty pretty but also because copper is good for the garden (uh, don't ask me to cite a source, just trust the Wooga). Ions or something...
* Soaked and then planted nasturtium seeds all around the garden in nooks and crannies, for their beauty but also because they distract pests. Oh and the flowers are edible.
* Sprinkled marigold seeds throughout the tomato bed. Marigolds repel pests.
21 May 2009
'L' is for Loser
It's that magical time when late Spring begins to turn into Summer and the early hard work begins to pay off. Vines climb to the sun, roses and peonies bloom, bees zip around honeysuckle and lavenders.
It's also the time when mistakes become obvious, plants put in the wrong spot, or at the wrong time, seeds that never germ, pests unchecked.
This past weekend I had the "I've done everything wrong and I'm a loser" moment or two (or 30) in my garden. Here's a list of the mistakes and what I'm going to do about them.
Chinese lantern. After planting this in turned soil I did not put skewers around it to protect it from the cats, and they killed it dead. I will save that spot for zinnias or sunflowers, which I typically plant later in the summer.
Muskmelon. The seeds never sprouted. Don't know why. I considered buying a start from the nursery but have instead decided this is the perfect spot for that third tomato I had no space for.
Sidewalk strip weeding. While I concentrated on the back yard, the weeds on the sidewalk strip have gotten out of control which was stressing me! Solution: I'm going to just relax about it. The garden should be at least as much fun as it is work. These weeds are not threatening any plants; it can wait.
Roses health. The mites and their corollary disease and pest issues could have killed my favorite plant. I should have taken that problem seriously, quickly. Bringing it back to health is now a top priority.
Jupiter's Beard. These seeds never sprouted either. The packet says it can take up to 24 days so I'm going to wait just a bit longer but will save some dwarf sunflower seeds for the spot if necessary. Next year, I should be more realistic about which things I have success with as starts vs. seeds.
Dahlia. Dahlias should be planted on Mother's Day, which means that duh I should have purchased the tubers before, *well* before Mother's Day. By the time I went shopping, everything was gone. No new dahlias in the garden this year, but I will look for Fall red tag sales and get on the ball earlier next year. The spot I had reserved for a new dahlia will instead be filled with annuals.
As June fades into July we'll see what else I've blown. ;)
It's also the time when mistakes become obvious, plants put in the wrong spot, or at the wrong time, seeds that never germ, pests unchecked.
This past weekend I had the "I've done everything wrong and I'm a loser" moment or two (or 30) in my garden. Here's a list of the mistakes and what I'm going to do about them.
Chinese lantern. After planting this in turned soil I did not put skewers around it to protect it from the cats, and they killed it dead. I will save that spot for zinnias or sunflowers, which I typically plant later in the summer.
Muskmelon. The seeds never sprouted. Don't know why. I considered buying a start from the nursery but have instead decided this is the perfect spot for that third tomato I had no space for.
Sidewalk strip weeding. While I concentrated on the back yard, the weeds on the sidewalk strip have gotten out of control which was stressing me! Solution: I'm going to just relax about it. The garden should be at least as much fun as it is work. These weeds are not threatening any plants; it can wait.
Roses health. The mites and their corollary disease and pest issues could have killed my favorite plant. I should have taken that problem seriously, quickly. Bringing it back to health is now a top priority.
Jupiter's Beard. These seeds never sprouted either. The packet says it can take up to 24 days so I'm going to wait just a bit longer but will save some dwarf sunflower seeds for the spot if necessary. Next year, I should be more realistic about which things I have success with as starts vs. seeds.
Dahlia. Dahlias should be planted on Mother's Day, which means that duh I should have purchased the tubers before, *well* before Mother's Day. By the time I went shopping, everything was gone. No new dahlias in the garden this year, but I will look for Fall red tag sales and get on the ball earlier next year. The spot I had reserved for a new dahlia will instead be filled with annuals.
As June fades into July we'll see what else I've blown. ;)
20 May 2009
Tasks - 5/16-17/09
This weekend:
* Went to Garden Fever and bought a few annuals for blank spots.
* Washed egg shells.
* Planted two tomato starts -- Aunt Ruby's Green and Sungold -- in the new bed, adding in egg shells for calcium and hair for protein. Put up tomato cages and re-arranged the red plastic to reflect light. Added skewers to empty dirt to block cats.
* Went to Garden Fever and bought a few annuals for blank spots.
* Washed egg shells.
* Planted two tomato starts -- Aunt Ruby's Green and Sungold -- in the new bed, adding in egg shells for calcium and hair for protein. Put up tomato cages and re-arranged the red plastic to reflect light. Added skewers to empty dirt to block cats.
Before & After - Ladybugs
Recent tasks lists mention a mite problem -- specifically a plague on my favorite plant, the Cafe Ole roses. The poor roses have a few other problems -- black spot and caterpillars -- all likely related to the mites weakening the plant's overall health. Are mites a cause or a symptom? Either way, I decided to tackle them first.
With ladybugs. Most nurseries sell them in a mesh bag, which can be stored in the frig for no more than 10 days, though it's best to use them as quickly as possible. Both for the ladybugs (how long have they already been sitting around the nursery?) and for the plant you're trying to save from the pest.
The mites got out of control because I attempted to kill them by blasting them with the hose. Does that method work for anyone?!? Seems like it just spreads them around to bother more plants.
At sunset, the ladybugs free because they are less likely to fly away -- you want them to stick around and the eat the mites. Do two things. First, water the plant well because the ladybugs will be thirsty. Second, lightly spray the ladybugs with a mixture of water and a sugary soda like Coke. That will make their wings stick for a day, again, encouraging them to stick around and gorge on mites.
Add a little rum & lime to the rest of that Coke and watch them do their work!
Took about 6 days for them to eat all the mites. With luck, they'll decide to make a home and create successive ladybug generations to keep pesty bugs under control.
With ladybugs. Most nurseries sell them in a mesh bag, which can be stored in the frig for no more than 10 days, though it's best to use them as quickly as possible. Both for the ladybugs (how long have they already been sitting around the nursery?) and for the plant you're trying to save from the pest.
The mites got out of control because I attempted to kill them by blasting them with the hose. Does that method work for anyone?!? Seems like it just spreads them around to bother more plants.
At sunset, the ladybugs free because they are less likely to fly away -- you want them to stick around and the eat the mites. Do two things. First, water the plant well because the ladybugs will be thirsty. Second, lightly spray the ladybugs with a mixture of water and a sugary soda like Coke. That will make their wings stick for a day, again, encouraging them to stick around and gorge on mites.
Add a little rum & lime to the rest of that Coke and watch them do their work!
Took about 6 days for them to eat all the mites. With luck, they'll decide to make a home and create successive ladybug generations to keep pesty bugs under control.
14 May 2009
Tasks - 5/14/09
Today:
* Pulled up that parsley that sprung up from last year because it was bolting already.
* Set up a temporary protection of the kiwi since the cats are attacking it.
* Finished assembling boards for kiwi bed.
* Checked on the work of the ladybugs. Good job. The mites are mostly gone, but will keep a close eye on the affected roses.
* Brought lawn chairs out of the basement and cleaned them off for garden party season!
* Pulled up that parsley that sprung up from last year because it was bolting already.
* Set up a temporary protection of the kiwi since the cats are attacking it.
* Finished assembling boards for kiwi bed.
* Checked on the work of the ladybugs. Good job. The mites are mostly gone, but will keep a close eye on the affected roses.
* Brought lawn chairs out of the basement and cleaned them off for garden party season!
Hee hee, hee hee, hee hee
Plants & Puppies
Or, how to send Wooga into apoplexy. OMG, puppies! And plants.
Scanning garden calendars for this weekend, this particular event jumped out at me. Visit with puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind while shopping among shrubs, perennials, grasses, etc.
Saturday, May 16 10am - 5pm
5432 SE Hawthorne
Or, how to send Wooga into apoplexy. OMG, puppies! And plants.
Scanning garden calendars for this weekend, this particular event jumped out at me. Visit with puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind while shopping among shrubs, perennials, grasses, etc.
Saturday, May 16 10am - 5pm
5432 SE Hawthorne
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