Danny Lipford

Ashes for Plants

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:24:41 +0000

The potassium in wood ashes encourages strong stems in plants while the phosphorus in the ashes encourages root growth. Soils low in potassium often benefits from wood ash but be careful with acid-loving plants such as blueberries, rhododendrons and azaleas. To use wood ash safely, add a small amount to your compost pile. Here the wood ash will help maintain a neutral condition, which is the best environment to help microorganisms break down organic materials. Sprinkle ashes on each layer of compost as the pile is built up and allow the ash to dissolve in the compost. Also, be sure not to use any pressure-treated wood ashes.

Organic Pest Control

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:00:59 +0000

Organic Landscaper Rachel DeToro offers these tips for natural pest management.

Nesting boxes and food sources will keep birds nearby and they in turn will keep insects under control.
Toads also perform the same function. You can give them a home by leaving partial clay pots at ground level.
Tree frogs will rest in the top of a vertically oriented piece of bamboo and feed on damaging insects.
Use pieces of cut potato (regular or sweet) placed in the garden to attract insects. This will provide a snapshot of exactly what bugs you have and how prevalent they are, so you can treat accordingly.

Compost Bin

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:30:38 +0000

Even the most novice gardeners know the benefits of using compost in their gardens, but nobody wants to look at a compost pile. One solution is a pre-fab compost bin made of plastic. Most of these units are compact in size and have removable lids that allow you to add material to the compost. The design should allow plenty of air and water to get into the mix, so the organic material can properly decompose. The only real work included here is occasionally stirring or rotating the compost.

Vinegar Weed Killer

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:20:32 +0000

Weeds popping up through paving stones or cracks in sidewalks can be a huge annoyance. Here’s a solution to stop them without back breaking work or toxic pesticides. Fill a spray bottle with household vinegar and spray it liberally on the offending weeds. The acidity of the vinegar with a little help from the sun will quickly burn the weeds up. Stubborn weeds may require a second application and English ivy may resist the treatment all together, but most weeds will be gone in a few hours.

Native Plants

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:42:54 +0000

If you’re looking for low maintenance plants for your garden you don’t need to look any further than your own backyard. Organic Landscaper Rachel DeToro tells us that native plants are a great addition to the landscape because they are readily available and they require little special care since they occur naturally in the wild. Local nurserymen or native plant societies can show you the species that work in your region and give you tips on their uses. However, before you dig up these “wild treasures”, be sure you have permission from the landowner.

Natural Remedies

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 15:34:48 +0000

If you look hard enough you can find solutions to many of your lawn and garden problems “naturally.” The pungent aroma of many herbs acts as a natural insect repellent. Planting herbs like parsley or basil among your vegetables will offer them some protection from bugs and simplify harvesting a salad. Marigolds, another pungent smelling plant, can help keep mosquitoes at bay if positioned around the perimeter of a deck or patio. If larger pests, like dogs, cats and squirrels are digging in your garden, try sprinkling a little cayenne pepper around on the ground to discourage them from future visits.

Feed Flowers Fruit

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:19:30 +0000

Roses love banana peels. They rot quickly, releasing minerals roses need such as calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and phosphates. Just cut them up and mix them in the soil at planting time or anytime you want to give your roses a boost. You can also make a banana peel tonic for use after the plants are established. Just soak chopped pieces in a closed jar of water for two weeks. Pour the remaining mush under the rose bush.

Leaf Compost

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 18:09:49 +0000

Mulching is a natural way to build up soil and add nutrients, but if you let your leaves stay where they fall they can create a natural habitat for pests and some diseases. If you put your leaves in a compost pile you may notice that many are still intact while the vegetable matter is broken down. This is because many leaves that fall during autumn contain “liguen” a protein, which rots by fungi instead of bacteria causing the leaves to take longer to break down. The best way to make leaf mold is to separate it. Take a large black plastic bag, tie the bag closed, then puncture it all over and store it for about a year. Make sure you give the pile enough time to break down.

Seaweed

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:38:11 +0000

Organic landscaper Rachel DeToro tells us one of her favorite tricks for container planting is using seaweed as mulch. The seaweed can be rinsed (to remove salt and the pungent smell) and dried for use in potted plants. The mineral rich material helps retain soil in the pots by blocking drain holes, which allows water out but not soil, and also makes a great mulch for the top of the pots to prevent erosion. Seaweed also works in the garden for all-around mulching duties and is especially good for vegetable gardens.

Leaf Shredding

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 20:13:41 +0000

Turn leaves into fuel for next year’s garden by shredding them before you compost them. Shredding one leaf into five or ten smaller pieces does several good things. First, it increases the surface area, giving microbes many more places to work. It also prevents the leaves from packing together into layers that won’t let water or air penetrate and it reduces the volume dramatically. Ten bags of whole leaves becomes just one bag of shredded leaves. Fill a garbage can half full of dried leaves and run your string grass trimmer in the can. In a few minutes, they’ll be just right for composting.