Hort Shorts
- One of the environmentally friendly ways to rid gardens of grubs and beetles is to introduce nematodes into the soil. These simple multicellular organisms resemble miniature worms or elongated jellyfish. Their name means “threadlike.” They are parasites on many species of insects, bacteria and fungi. Consult your county Extension Office or nursery specialist before determining what kind of nematodes to use.
- Aphids have ruined many plants, but so have chemical treatments to remove those tiny pests. An environmentally friendly treatment is to spray the leaves with a mild solution of biodegradable soap, using two tablespoons soap to a gallon of water. Aphids also dislike garlic. Crush up a head of garlic in a gallon of warm water. Let it stand for a couple of weeks in a cool place. Then spray it liberally on the leaves and watch it go to work.
- In gardening, the two basic factors are soil and climate. Give consideration to both. In vegetable and flower gardens, the direction the growing area faces will determine how much sun it receives in general. A south-facing plot is warmer than a north-facing one. An exposed plot may be windy, which can cause problems. If heavy winds prevail during the growing season, plant hearty crops. You may need a windbreak; trees are what most farmers use.