Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Aphids Suck!!!
All six of my crabapple trees as well as my key lime tree are currently infested with aphids, which are slowly, but surely killing them. Aphids pierce stems, leaves, etc and literally suck the fluids from the plant.
Below is a closeup of the little blood suckers:
Once I noticed the damage, I was unable to treat the trees for several days, during which time they multiplied rapidly. Still, an application of Neem oil should do the trick. I plan to follow up with a second application in a week's time just in case.
Funny, just when I felt like I was running out of ideas for my Examiner page, Mother Nature throws one in my lap. Learn about the full course of treatment here.
Below is a closeup of the little blood suckers:
Once I noticed the damage, I was unable to treat the trees for several days, during which time they multiplied rapidly. Still, an application of Neem oil should do the trick. I plan to follow up with a second application in a week's time just in case.
Funny, just when I felt like I was running out of ideas for my Examiner page, Mother Nature throws one in my lap. Learn about the full course of treatment here.
Found water
Last year, I planted a host of Louisiana irises behind my HVAC unit to soak up the water that the system expels. My little experiment worked a little too well because the water-loving irises multiplied exponentially. I found after several divisions, my efforts only resulted in a very short-term dent, so I dug them all up, transplated a few, and happily shared the others with friends.
Once the warm temperatures kicked in, again I faced the challenge of how to deal with the water dripping from the HVAC unit. Thinking it over one morning, serendipitously with a gallon jug in my hand meant for the recyling, I placed it under the drain pipe and went on my way. A few hours later, I checked back to find the jug was completely full. I emptied it in to my rainbarrel and returned it. A few hours later, I repeated the process. And again. And again. And again.
With the thermostat set between 77 and 78 degrees Farenheit, I've discovered that I collect five gallons of 'found water' during the hours I'm awake. Amazing. I'm encouraged that when the City sets water restrictions later this year, which will no doubt coincide with a drought (ipso facto no rain water in my rain barrels), I will still have at least five gallons of water each day to water my criticals. YAY!
Once the warm temperatures kicked in, again I faced the challenge of how to deal with the water dripping from the HVAC unit. Thinking it over one morning, serendipitously with a gallon jug in my hand meant for the recyling, I placed it under the drain pipe and went on my way. A few hours later, I checked back to find the jug was completely full. I emptied it in to my rainbarrel and returned it. A few hours later, I repeated the process. And again. And again. And again.
With the thermostat set between 77 and 78 degrees Farenheit, I've discovered that I collect five gallons of 'found water' during the hours I'm awake. Amazing. I'm encouraged that when the City sets water restrictions later this year, which will no doubt coincide with a drought (ipso facto no rain water in my rain barrels), I will still have at least five gallons of water each day to water my criticals. YAY!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Bye Bye Split Ends
In addition to burning calories, I have found another side affect of gardening which appeals to my vanity: wearing my sun hat prevents my hair from drying out. YAY!
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