Posted on 06/08/2018 11:21:28 AM PDT by Augie
Greeneyes is having computer issues today, so we'll have to start the party without her.
Here! My one five year old grapefruit seed bush is still doing quite well; unfortunately it only bloomed one bloom early on and never again.
I was at our little grocery store yesterday after I posted, and was surprised to see they had some okra sprouts. I bought a couple. One went into the hay bale, the other into a pot.
Experiment launched.
Now we’ll see.
What a creative idea! Potato bags like the ones from the supermarket? I wonder if that will protect my fig? Last year a rat ate part of a fig every night. On a small tree that produces once a year, that was too much!
Birds - smell probably doesn’t work with them. Fortunately, the cat patrol minimizes their presence.
Yeah, the ones from the supermarket. I’ve even tied up the plastic ones, as long as there’s some kind a netting so the smell gets out they are fine. We don’t get too much direct sun here, not like we did in the desert, so the plastic bags have actually held up for a couple years. Cloth netting would be better I’m sure.
I wish the animals would just pick one fruit and devour the whole thing! Instead of a bite here, a bite there. Then I wouldn’t have to drive them away.
I don’t know if it works on rats, but it did great with dear, Chipmunks, squirrels, and bunnies. And whatever else was out there eating my garden. Let me know if it works on the rats too.
I think birds are more visual, I’ve heard of putting shiny things in the trees. I haven’t got to that point since my baby orchard isn’t producing yet.
Hi Diana,
Yes, Wisconsin is well known for this problem. I saw a fogger advertised in a catalog. Just have to wait an hour. Then it works for @6 hours. Good idea about cleaning out the underbrush. Didn’t realize mosquitoes lay their eggs in that stuff. Frankly, bats would be the easiest solution if their house can be put high enough in the trees to keep kids and pets safe. But how would you know if they are going to “eat” in your yard vs. all your neighbors’?
Also didn’t know mosquitoes can’t “see” white clothing. Easy to wear but that means pants for ladies who often prefer flip flops and dresses for evenings out. These are all doable so thank you for taking the time to write back!
The Westerner
Or worse, having to smell stale beer all summer long! But thank you for these recipes. I knew oldtimers had solutions. Just didn’t know where to look.
I did a five bucket hydroponic system for tomatoes and peppers a few years ago. Timed nutrient water and aeration. Perlite as the growing medium.
Worked quite well but the tomatoes had absolutely no flavor at all. (Watery?) I’m used to Eastern Shore Maryland tomatoes…
Also, as addressed below, we have loads of Fruit Rats down here who seem to start chewing just as we are getting ready to harvest the tomatoes.
Got rid of the five bucket system and replaced it with a yardsale purchased “Tower Garden”. 28 vertical cups with a 20 gallon nutrient tank below with a timed pump where the fluid is pumped up the middle and flows by drip gravity back down the inside of the tower flooding the cups.
Very good system. Had more Lettuce (many varieties) than we could use. Gave away lots.
Now Marigolds at the top, Strawberries, Calendula flowers and a more conservative variety of Lettuce’s.
We start all our flowers/vegetables/Sunflowers, etc. in plastic cups (with holes drilled in the bottom), potting soil and placed in trays to contain the water.
So that’s a description of our little “garden”.
As noted, this big deal here are the various varmints that eat the newly planted seeds, the seedlings and the finished flowers/vegetables.
Tried powdered Cayenne Pepper but it’s a big deal to constantly refresh it.
The most recent deterrent that seems to be working quite well is liquid Peppermint Extract mixed in a spray bottle with water. Seems to confuse the seed smeller’s noses so they go elsewhere. Very easy to apply anytime.
Feel free to pass along any other varmint deterrent hints, Thanks…
That’s a great idea, peppermint extract is very aromatic.. probably works in the same way as the soap.
How often do you spray it to keep it active? Do you find any of your fruits and vegetables are pepperminty? :-)
Hmm, now I’m wondering if planting peppermint and spearmint near the crops would work. I have some lovely spearmint in the backyard but it is all by itself. And nothing eats it.
I scatter marigold seeds throughout the garden, I’ve heard those keep the insects away. Unfortunately the marigolds don’t seem to germinate until half the crops are already quite large. But maybe it helps, I don’t know. It is pretty to see all the yellow and gold out there.
Another thing I heard but haven’t tried until this year is to plant basil among the tomatoes. I think that is for the insects, not sure how would it affect your rats.
I used to sell that contraption when I worked for Jung’s. Mainly to folks who had, “HAD IT UP TO HERE!” with those little b@stards, LOL!
I hope it helps!
The underbrush just shelters them during the heat of the day; they just hang out there and fool around with one another. It’s like a Singles Club for Mosquitoes, LOL!
They need STILL WATER for laying eggs and making more mosquitoes. Jerks.
As for bats, since they devour so many, they can take care of your yard and pretty much the whole neighborhood. :)
Your ‘tower’ sounds awesome!
I hear you on the lettuce! We are about 8” AHEAD on rain for the season, so my lettuces are happier than ever - and VERY abundant!
While I love to garden now, and would find my life sad without a big veggie garden, I will say I AM looking forward to my Condo Years and I will want a system like that on my patio, too!
Zero; zip; nada. Of course, I counted as “lost’, as not being able to find my gloves, even though they did turn up a few days later, when my wife found them, right where I forgot I put them..
How many times have I warned you about Mosquito porn on this forum!!!
>>>She was horrified to hear of most of the suggestions.<<<
Guess it was a good thing I didn’t mention the very low power”Super Target” loads I use in the 12 ga. Don’t even damage the shingles when the little buggers are on the roof...another good reason not to have neighbors.
Yum !
Yummy! Mom is coming out to my farm today, and we’re going to a local Farm Market for strawberries. My patch is only 2 years old, so not 100% productive, yet.
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