Homeschool World Forum

[knobren]

I know it is only January, but I can't help but think about gardening! After the list of hints that I posted from an email I had received, I got to thinking about gardening hints. I don't have many myself, but maybe we could share.

I have a sweetgum tree, so I have lots and lots of sweetgum "balls" every year. I put them around the garden and sometimes particular plants to keep slugs away. If you aren't familiar with sweetgum fruits, they are about the size of golf balls, but covered in sharp spines. I have also used them to keep wandering cats from using flower beds as litter boxes. It is easier to dig somewhere else. They might keep squirrels from digging up bulbs, too.

Before I got a bird bath, I used to have trouble with squirrels taking the occasional green tomato or unripe squash to quench their thirst during dry spells. A bowl of water on the ground is supposed to deter this, too.
Of course, the water needs to be changed frequently to prevent mosquito problems (and West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, etc.)

I have a chicken wire fence around my little veggie garden and I don't seem to have rabbit or mouse problems. I have heard that putting cat hair around your garden will help keep fury pests away though.

I have Japanese beetles here that attack my roses, raspberries, and cherry bushes. I have heard that Japanese beetle traps actually attract more of them to your yard. (They use a pheromone in the traps to attract them.) I had read a hint once about knocking the beetles off of branches into a bucket of dilute Murphy's Oil soap and water. They fall before they start flying. I use hot water, just to make sure. I splash a cool bucket of the Murphy's Oil soap solution onto the plants, too.

I guess those are about all the hints I have. Does anyone else have some to share?

-Brenda

[Theodore]

http://firstimpressionsbaby.blogspot.com/2007/08/organic-pest-control.html
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[momo3boys]

I've found quite by accident that plants do really well next to the house in small flower beds. My tomatoes were huge and protected from frost when it got cold. just make sure it is a sunny side.
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[Regina Hogsten]

Slugs eat young plants and slime the walls, porch, doors,.. I don't mind picking up bugs, but not slugs! Stepping on those squishy slimy creatures in bare feet is gross and funny as long as it's someone else. My husband gets great satisfaction salting slugs. But, these are the ones you can see. At night they crawl in the gardens chopping down tender plants. Use beer or yeast mixed with sugar and water in a disposable pie plate. At night, place the plate in a place no one or the dog will step in it. Pour in the beer or yeast mixture. The slugs crawl in for a drink and drown. In the morning, toss the plate in the garbage. I guess, if you have a dog, he might drink the beer so keep him in overnight.