Posted on 06/10/2023 5:55:13 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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Here’s a “shout out” out to a new acquisition: “Trek” insect repellent by “Lemongrass Farms.” It’s not cheap ($10 for 8 oz. at Menards, but Menards has an 11% rebate.)
Some sellers are much higher.
“Trek” is a product new to me for repelling gnats and small flies. Those are annoying around our property sometimes, and REALLY bad around some (some) of the non-park lakes and ponds around here in late spring through early fall. My daughter and I were fishing at one of the West KY WMA ponds a few nights ago for not quite ~3 hours. The good news was that I landed a 4-1/2 lb. channel cat. The bad news was the attraction of the little flyers to my headlamp (head worn flashlight). I could only have it turned on for about 10 seconds at a time before hundreds of the little buggers were around me and in my eyes, nose, ears, and mouth (if the latter was open to say AAGGHH!!).
And that was with a good application of 40% DEET repellent. The DEET was doing a good job on mosquitos, but, it was all the other little winged attackers that were the problem. There must have just been a hatch...
So, I tried a little of this “Trek” repellent around my face and head and WOW, what a difference! I’d say at least 90% less bugs flying at me, even if I left my light on, and as time passed, that improved further.
I’ll test this stuff further in other circumstances — I have no idea if it repels ticks, for example, but my preliminary reaction is “Highly Recommended”! if gnats and small flies are the problem.
Otherwise, there’s more going on here than I have time to report! Including knocking down 5 “nuisance” walnut trees, including one growing at a crazy & twisted angle. Quadruple roped that baby to control where it went. Another was within a foot of a power line & leaning a bit that way too. Very tight to get that one down without damaging anything else either, but, all 5 ended up very close to or dead on their “target” landing spots. My Dad would have been proud. The biggest pain is all the cleanup: One tree is (was) 400 ft. from where all the downed wood has to go, with no real way to move it but cut it into carry-able pieces and lug it to the “brush pile”. My ankles are still sore. (And I followed that up by push mowing my Mom’s old place - a good acre. [The push mower died.]) Well, it’s good for me if it doesn’t kill me...
Lots more, but, I have rain & likely t-storms to beat this a.m. We do really need the rain.
Oh, also wanted to mention, if anyone is needing it, Tractor Supply has poultry netting and hardware cloth on sale, sale ends today. I’ll likely order a bit online - who wants to drive to town in a t-storm? :-)
How much water does one of those collect, anyway?
Thanks for the tip on the bug repellent. Menard’s is on our usual rounds when we have an Errand Day. The gnats are awful some mornings when I’m out watering and it’s still shaded. I tried a spray we had on hand and it didn’t work all that well, so I will try the ‘Trek.’
“The biggest pain is all the cleanup...”
That’s where *I* always seem to come in, in the operations around here, LOL!
We took down a massive Cottonwood last summer, and ‘The Last Ash Standing’ in Wisconsin that finally gave it up to those @#$%^&! Ash Borers. :(
“How much water does one of those collect, anyway?”
I just learned they were a ‘thing’ so I am pinging the expert on them for you. :)
I think I could have collected many gallons if I had one mounted on the roof of the car for my morning commute here lately.
Up at sunrise 5:47 and out in the garden by 7:15! There is so much peace and satisfaction to be in the garden that early watching the world wake up, the bees coming to anything that’s flowering, and the hummingbirds are starting to appear at the feeders in numbers.
This morning I had one goal and that was to weed my very last raised bed. I dreaded that job because it looked just awful, but to my surprise it went like a breeze and I had it done in no time! I was so inspired, plus I had gotten another Butcher Box shipment for the month of June (a gift, can’t afford it on my own) that I was able to cut up the box and use it underneath wood chips on the last part of the walkway between the raised beds that needed to be covered. BB ships in very heavy cardboard instead of Styrofoam.
I hauled three loads of five five-gallon buckets of wood chips and on the last load, I shoveled in another three buckets worth between the five buckets that were already filled. That walkway is now totally covered with wood chips and the garden looks so good.
Before I went out, I had half a cup of hot coffee - the half I didn’t drink plus another mugs worth in the coffee pot are now a refreshing iced coffee that is “hitting the spot”! Once I cool off (going to be 90 today & it’s already hot in the sun), I am going to see if I can get my herb bed expansion together. I think I’m going “big” with a 4 x 8. Filling it is going to be the ‘pain’ because the tractor has a broken hydraulic line, meaning I will have to haul dirt from the back pile in those 5-gallon buckets. I may try offering to take the hose & have a replacement made in exchange for a couple of loads of dirt ... fingers crossed this plan will work.
Good morning! Love those zinnias. I don’t get enough direct sun to grow them. Finally got my tomatoes planted; sowed seeds of basil and green beans. The basil came up right away. The beans will take longer. Sadly, the lettuce has bolted already. It tasted good and looking forward to fall crop.
Do you have any suggestions for getting rid of white fly? The rose bushes are covered with them and I’m afraid of losing the plants.
Beautiful pictures.
"Dune".... Arrakis....Water collection....Spice...Blue on blue Eyes! Australia...purple sage...Blue Banded Bees!
Blue Banded Bee collecting nectar from salvia flowers
Purple Salvia ...Purple Cabbage....How to make Home Made Red Cabbage PH Strips!
PhD Instructions on how to make Purple Cabbage PH Strips!
(Note...I have not tried this....Here is another YouTube on quick and "Dirty" test for garden soil PH! (I think you previously posted something like this!))
Every day! If the toilet is clean, the cat box empty, the floors swept and the dishes are clean - my work here is DONE. I’m going out to play! :)
Great progress!
We finally got some ‘rain.’ Again, nothing measurable, and more like MIST, but another overcast day certainly will give All Living Things a break from the relentless heat and lack of rain.
I’m caught up in the garden, BUT I have some house plants that need re-potting and the dogs are clamoring to get OUT into the exercise yard, and my greenhouse could use a straightening up, so there’s still plenty to do.
Apple trees and my crab apple as well as the Birch and Concolor Fir in the front corner of the yard could use a good soaking. I really am starting to worry about all of my ‘friends’ around here! :(
I was at the pole barn getting my lumber in my ‘sled’ & saw a flash of white running behind the horse barn. My first thought was someone’s darn dog is running loose! Then the animal appeared on the other side of the barn & I thought no dog, but someone’s baby goat. Then I realized it was a pure white fawn!!
Unfortunately, I did not have my phone/camera with me - using buildings as a screen, I came around the corner & froze - deer was maybe 8-10 yards max, would have been a great picture. It finally took off & by the time I got my phone & started looking for it, I spotted it at the neighbor’s & got a not-great pic from a distance, but enough my brother would believe I really did see a white fawn!
Hopefully, I will see it again & can get better pictures. My excitement for the day!
We’re getting some much needed rain last night and today in the form of occasional showers. Not a whole lot. Looks like 1/2” total but I liquid fertilized day before yesterday and watered it in yesterday so it should be good for a little while.
Seed ticks are mostly gone from the garden since I raked my mower clippings mulch that came from the back 40 out of there. Now I can put the truck load of compost down as mulch. That will help keep the moisture from this rain.
Additional trends from Farmer’s Almanac. I really like these MUCH better!
Great Garden Trends to Try in 2023
#1: Mix Up a Bartender’s Garden
As in cooking, the best cocktails are made from fresh ingredients, including those straight from the garden. Gardeners with a love of mixology are combining their favorite activities by growing fruit, vegetables, and herbs that can be used to make drinks that will delight (especially after a long day in the garden!).
The Garden Guide can help to get you ready for happy hour with a menu of herbs that are easy to grow and will go from the garden to the bar cart. Many of them—basil, fennel, rosemary, and others—can do double duty in the kitchen. In addition, learn some new recipes that use fresh herbs, including Strawberry Lavender Margarita, Honey Grapefruit Martini, and Chocolate Mint Mojito.
#2: Plant Pint-Size Produce
The popularity of vegetable gardening continues to grow as more and more people look to combat inflation at the grocery store. While small-space gardeners make efficient use of containers and limited plots, there have always been some larger fruit and vegetables that are difficult to grow in a contained space.
Enter mini varieties of popular favorites like melons, cauliflower, bok choy, cucumbers, carrots, and more. The new Garden Guide gives a primer on pint-size produce and shows gardeners how to get started! While minis require the same basic care as their full-size counterparts, they can be grown almost anywhere and can often thrive with as little as an inch of water per week!
#3: Grow Houseplants With Purpose
The demand for houseplants shows no signs of slowing down. What began as a pandemic hobby for many has continued to grow in recent years, and with good reason: Not only do houseplants add something special to any home’s décor but also they have proven health benefits, including reducing stress, promoting calm, and improving air quality. In fact, people in plant-filled homes and/or offices report fewer headaches, less eye irritation, and fewer respiratory conditions.
While all houseplants clear the air, the Garden Guide gives advice on the best choices to remove the most harmful toxins, including those from common sources such as cigarette smoke, nail polish remover, adhesives, paint, and more.
For houseplant lovers who are looking for a little more va-va-voom, the Garden Guide goes beyond the ho-hum with exotic, showstopping options that will add a bit of flair to any collection.
#4: Cultivate a Cutting Garden
While vegetable gardening has taken center stage over the last several years, flower gardening is on the rise with a focus on cutting gardens. This trend allows gardeners to enjoy the fruit of their labor inside and out. The Garden Guide suggests that gardeners start by concentrating on the classics: bold, eye-catching varieties like cosmos, dahlias, poppies, and Shasta daisies. All of these will bring color and brightness to the garden and look great in a simple vase or Mason jar.
For more on flower gardening, pick up a copy of the Flower Gardener’s Handbook, which includes growing guides for more than 30 flowering plants as well as advice on cutting, drying, and arranging!
#5: Spice Things Up
The humble herb is starting to claim a more purposeful place in the garden. Not only are gardeners embracing herbs for uses outside the kitchen, but more exotic spices are popping up in North American gardens. According to the Garden Guide, flavor-seekers are diversifying and growing ginger, turmeric, saffron, and Sichuan pepper, among others. Although sometimes a bit more persnickety than traditional kitchen herbs, these can still be well worth the effort, especially for versatile home cooks!
#6: Ditch the Lawn?
There’s a growing movement to repurpose lawns with almost anything! This is a controversial stance, to be sure—some people look forward to the weekly mow—but it makes sense for some: Lawns are thirsty, demanding house guests without much utility. When a food forest, cutting garden, or pollinator meadow is allowed to take over the front yard, depth, color, and bounty become natural by-products.
If you’re not ready to rip out the lawn just yet, start small: Stop mowing … at least for a month. A campaign from the British conservation charity Plantlife.org.uk encourages people to participate in #NoMowMay. Setting aside the lawn mower for even a month promotes more wildflower blooms and blossoms, which will welcome hungry pollinators!
#7: Embrace Ornamentals
As gardeners become more water-aware, they are looking for plants that are drought-tolerant and can stand up to weather extremes. Enter ornamentals, which can often take the heat and still look great. Many are even natural protectors: Ornamental grasses can slow water flow in heavy rains, reduce erosion, and shelter smaller plants in heavy winds. Also, they provide food and cover for birds and insects, as well as make great companions for many meadow-friendly perennials, including black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers.
According to the 2023 Garden Guide, growing ornamental grasses is simple even for a beginner. Because of their resilience, many are hardy enough to thrive in almost any climate as long as their sun or shade requirements are met. Unlike lawns, which need regular cutting and care, ornamental grasses need not much more than annual pruning based on the growing season.
#8: Grow a Spa Day
According to a recent National Gardening Survey, the top reasons that people garden are for relaxation and as a way to connect with nature. Following along with their continued turn toward self-sufficiency, many gardeners are now growing herbs and flowers to create their own self-care home remedies that nourish the body, inside and out.
Want to grow your own spa day? The Garden Guide suggests five common plants to start with (some of which might already be growing in your garden!) and takes a deeper look at their healing qualities. For example, lavender has long been recognized for its cleansing properties and is an effective treatment for burns, wounds, and irritated skin, while chamomile can ease skin irritation and puffiness. Also included in the newest Garden Guide are recipes for simple toners, creams, and scrubs to make the most of homegrown herbs or flowers.
https://www.almanac.com/eight-great-garden-trends-try-2023
That is a rare thing, indeed! I just read that a Buffalo in one of our National Parks gave birth to a white baby this season.
You are on the cutting edge of the ‘trends’ for 2023! ;)
Diana here: You can use everyday dish soap as long as it doesn’t have bleach in it (like Oxy) or is an antibacterial dish soap. This simple spray works on a lot of stuff. I am on the lookout for Flea Beetles on my peppers - so far, haven’t seen them, but I will spritz them with this if they show up!
Materials
1 gallon water
2 1/2 tablespoons pure-castile liquid soap
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional)
Tools
1-gallon size spray container
Measuring spoon
Instructions
Fill a gallon-size spray container with water.
Add the soap (and oil, if using) and seal the container.
Shake the container to mix thoroughly.
Spray the insecticide directly on pests (making sure to get the undersides of leaves where they like to hide). Insecticidal soap is best applied in the early morning or early evening, as the cooler temperatures slow evaporation of the soap and favor better pest control. Avoid spraying on a hot, sunny day and make sure your plants are well watered first.
Notes
The oil helps the solution stick around longer after being sprayed. Since the oil can go rancid, I mix up a fresh batch of this insecticidal soap every time I need it. If you want to keep some on hand at all times, omit the oil.
To scale the recipe for smaller applications, use 2 teaspoons pure-castile liquid soap for every 1 quart water (using a 48-ounce sprayer).
There are so many factors in play that it’s hard to pin down an exact number. One company that makes mesh collectors says that in one location, their mesh can catch up to 22 liters per square meter, per day. Fog harps can collect 20 times more than fog nets, so that could mean 440 liters, or roughly 116 gallons, per square meter per day. But, those numbers are estimates. It depends on the density of the fog, ambient temperatures, etc.
I would probably focus more on dew than fog, so the dew point and humidity levels would be important factors. I’ve been collecting pieces to build fog harps out of, but haven’t actually put one together yet. My design for a prototype uses fishing line instead of wire, and uses zippers to maintain the spacing between filaments. I also need a way to protect it from high winds, which are a constant hazard on my farm, because the way the hills around me are situated, I’m basically at the end of a giant wind tunnel.
But, even on hot dry days, the dew on my farm in the mornings is so thick you could drown in it, so I figure there’s got to be a way to make use of that.
Hi, Ellendra!
Thanks for the info. You answered some questions I was going to ask next: Can fishing line* be used? And what is the spacing? I have a ton of used fishing line. Zippers not so much, but, I can imagine alternatives like the right grade of stainless steel mesh, maybe? Sort of a sewing job...
I wonder if red “Cajun” line would hold up to UV better than clear or near clear lines?
I’m imagining a self-watering garden* for much of the year. And ditto on the dew, many nights / mornings here (mid-South USA — it often takes until noon for the dew to burn off enough to mow.)
I’d think these could be a big deal in poor, water-short countries. Materials need not be too expensive, cheap labor to assemble, or, automate fairly easily...
Do you have any links to articles about designs or how to (home-made) make and utilize (optimum angle / positioning?) fog harps?
*Or self-filling waterers for our chickens. I bought 8 more chicks at Rural King ($1 ea. blowout because they had surplus getting big enough to fly out of their bins.) And now, ~2 weeks later, we have two more hens going broody, and some of the other hens want to help by laying eggs in the broody hens’ nest boxes instead of their own. When my wife gets back home (she is on a 41 day trip to see relatives & friends back home) she is gonna kill me! (”had too many chickens already!”, she’ll say!) Lotsa chicken soup coming up!? Usually more rooster chicks seem to “recruit”, as the fisheries people would say, than hens.
Which reminds me I need to get going on henhouse & run repairs & expansion too — like about 10 million other things around here. Why is there more of this stuff to do the older I get?
However, if I can solve a couple forseeable maintenance problems, self-filling waterers for the gardens and chickens could be a good time saver. :-)
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