USDA Recommends Soap and Oil for Insect Control : Household liquid detergents and cooking oils are being recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as low-cost, effective killers of garden pests. USDA scientists recommend using 1 tablespoon of detergent and 1 cup of oil – either peanut, safflower, corn, soybean, or sunflower. When ready to use, mix 1 to 2 ½ tsp of the prepared solution to one cup of water. The detergent-oil mix has been used successfully on eggplants, carrots, …
Hummingbird Favorites
A = Annual B = Biennial P = Perennial Vines: Honeysuckle (P), Trumpet (P), Morning Glory (A), Scarlet Runner Bean (A), Trumpet Creeper (P), Cardinal Climber (A), Clematis (P), Weigela (P), Mandevilla A), Mina lobata (firecracker vine) (A) Shrubs: Glossy Abelia (P), Azalea – All (P), Beauty Bush (P), Butterfly Bush – Buddleia (A), Coralberry (P), Flowering Currant (P), Tatarian Honeysuckle (P), & Yellow Honeysuckle (L. flava), Flowering Quince (P), Rose of Sharon (P), Lilac (P), …
Hummingbird Favorites (extensive list)
Wenke Wisdom Hummingbird Garden Genus Common Name Acanthus spinosus Bear’s Breeches (P) Achillea Yarrow (P) Agapanthus Hardy Blue African Lily (P bulb) Agastache Anise Hyssop (Herb) (P) Ageratum Ageratum (A & P) Ajuga Bugleweed – Carpet bugle …
Create a Hummingbird Garden
The ruby throat is our only hummingbird in Michigan. The primary element in a successful hummingbird garden are bright tubular nectar rich blossoms. Gardens can be supplemented with feeders but hummingbirds will always choose their natural food source first. Hummingbirds also appreciate a nearby spot of shade for rest. Hummingbirds do not use bird baths. Hummingbirds bathe on the “fly.” If possible, provide a mister or overhead sprinkler for them to fly through. When creating your hummingbird garden try using …
House Plants – Moving them Outdoors for the Summer
When summer finally gets here we often get the itch to move our indoor plants outdoors. If you do, don’t forget they will all need to come back in for winter. All this moving can be confusing to the plant and hard work for you. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Do all plants need to go outdoors for the summer? No, but almost all plants will benefit from a few months of fresh air, frequent showers and …
Papa Joe’s Herb Chart
Herb Name Hardiness Uses Light Needs Water Needs Spacing Light Shade Sun Avg. Moist Dry Basil – ‘Aristotle’ Annual Pesto – Use fresh in Soups, Sauces, Fish, Meat dishes . ***** ***** 24″ Basil – ‘Boxwood’ Annual Pesto, Tomato dishes, and Salads, as well as ornamental. Tight mounds of small leaves resembling boxwood. ***** ***** 24″ Basil – ‘Genovese’ Annual Pesto – Use fresh in Soups, Sauces, Fish, Meat dishes . ***** ***** 24″ Basil – ‘Mammoth’ Annual Pesto – …
Drying Herbs
Leafy herbs with long stems can be tied in bunches and hung upside down to air dry out of sunlight. Ventilation and air circulation are very important. Microwave drying is another method. When microwaved herbs have a tendency to retain their green color. Place clean and patted dry herbs in a single layer between 2 paper towels. Microwave about 2 minutes, being careful not to cook them, you only want to dry them. Leaves should remain whole and placed in …
Garlic
Soil Garlic prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and major nutrients with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. We recommend preparing the soil several weeks prior to planting using plenty of organic amendments and fertilizer. This will allow beneficial soil organisms to increase. Sowing Remove outer skin from the bulb (not individual cloves) and split cloves from the bulb just prior to planting. This tells the clove it is time to sprout roots. Plant the best cloves. The larger …
Winterizing your Garden
In autumn or before the first hard frost, remove all annuals from beds, borders and gardens. These may be added to a compost pile. Hand pull weeds, bag and dispose elsewhere. In autumn or late fall when perennials have finished flowering, cut back top-growth to the ground or crown of plant unless you leave seed heads for birds to feed on. Clear weeds from the surrounding soil, leaving beds and borders neat and tidy. Quick Tip: If it’s brown, cut …
Garden Maintenance
Perennials Late March/early April cut back dead plants and apply a general purpose fertilizer. Every 3-5 years divide and transplant your perennials. Dig entire plant and cut into sections (2-3 growth buds each). Tangled growth, holes in center of plant (middle is dead) or reduced flowering indicates it is time to divide. Keep transplanted divisions moist until established. Remove spent flowers throughout the season. Prune stems back to crown of plant. Some perennials will bloom again in fall if this …