See something to do with homemade and or natural bug killers, deterrents or garden tricks and tips... I have seen several and wondered if they really worked. Have tried a few tips for killing ants, mosquitoes, slugs, bugs and flies........Some worked a little and scientifically make sense but, the summer is here and so our the creepy crawly critters. Not everyone has tons of money to pay for stuff that does not works and often out of desperation want to try something cheaper and hopefully safer for our families and our pets.
Here is your chance to see if you found something that swears it works and would like proof. I know many of us see links via Facebook, Tumblr, Google+ and Pinterest to just name a few and have wondered if it really works. Especially, when we find out that it has a little trick photography to make it looked like it worked.
If you come across something that someone shared or you found online when looking for something to take care of it and want to know if it works. Comment the link and I will be more than happy to test it out and share the results.
Recently, I am working on a fly trap that involves a jar with holes, hotdogs, syrup and a bit of water. So far, I was able to catch 2 flies and attract a cat that managed to get the lid off (I used aluminum and kept it on with the ring) that managed to get in the jar and eat the hot dog slices. I will try this again using the tin instead of the aluminum and with a few more jars out and post my results soon. This trap was posted from a friend that posted the link on Facebook.
Have a great week and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Steff
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Rebbecca LandryJune 20, 2014 at 6:24 PM
different suggestions for rooting hormones....Six Ideas for Rooting Hormone
Spit on them! Use your own saliva, which is said to be a natural root enhancer. I’m not sure how it works exactly because mouths are notoriously dirty, but go ahead and give it a try. There isn’t any advance preparation needed. Some die-hards suggested that you just give the cuttings a lick, however that’s not practical if you have hundreds of cuttings to make or if that plant is poisonous. I say – get your son to spit in a cup and use that. He’ll love a reason to do it and you will get your cuttings rooted.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar – AVC has over 30 trace elements that are beneficial to plant growth. Go lightly though, because vinegar is also a good weed killer.Mix 3 teaspoons of Apple cider vinegar into 1 gallon of water and dip your cutting in it before planting in rooting medium.
Open the kitchen cabinet and grab some cinnamon – Cinnamon kills fungus and bacteria and will help to keep those cuttings free of disease while rooting. You can double the fun and dip your cutting in saliva or willow tea and then cinnamon, they go hand in hand. Cinnamon will minimize off damping off in your seed flats as well.
Honey is also naturally anti-bacterial and will benefit your new cuttings. To make a honey rooting hormone, take a few very simple steps:
a.) boil 2 cups of water
b.) add 1 Tablespoon of honey
c.) let the mixture cool and place it in a covered container (like a canning jar)Store your honey rooting hormone away from the light. It will last about 2 weeks. To use: dip cuttings in the solution then pot up as usual.
Aspirin crushed into powder and dissolved in water is also said to be an effective rooting hormone. While this might not be technically “natural” is is something you probably have around the house that could be used in a pinch.
Make willow tea – directions can be found at my previous post – DIY Willow Water, a Natural Rooting Hormone. Willows are their most potent in the spring when the trees begin to leaf out. Use only the stems from new growth.
....and can i add....i have never used the "spitting" method...
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
For those of us that want to grow naturally so that we can provide the freshest foods for our family and control the critters that eat our garden without all the harsh chemicals.... I found this wonderful article about deterring garden bugs with things that you already have in your home. I personally have used cheap washing powder and or liquid dish soap in an empty sprayer and misted my plants but, only either in the evening before the sun went down so that it does not burn the leaves. I have tried it in the morning and did not have the best success and had to wait a couple of days to pinch off all the leaves. But, here a few new tips and suggestions that help......
Deter Garden Bugs Naturally
Keep pests, diseases, and critters out of your garden with a homemade spray you can whip up in less than five minutes.
http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/deter-garden-bugs-naturally
I am so in love with the website.....They offer so many wonderful things from home remedies, organic, how-to's and gardening ect... If you are like me, I hate grabbing seeds and finding out that it is not the best time to start them and really do not know when. I am new to gardening and have so many questions. Often, I find myself trying to just use the chart on the back and save the seed package for later. The problem I find out with this system like most busy moms lol we forget.... then on a nice day I grab my seed packages only to find out that I forgot to try and start them and it is not the right season to plant them. Personally, now I know to try and use a file system taking 12 files and putting my seed packets in the beginning of the month that they grow in my region. This allows me time to start them inside and then time to find the perfect spot for them outside....Then at the 1st of each month I can look at the file for that month and I will know what seeds to start.........So, offering a step-by-step article that I found at Mother Earth News to let you know what seeds to shop for or look in your collection of seeds so that you know which ones you need to start now for a Fall Garden. Enjoy :)
By Barbara Pleasant
August/September 2009
Grow Your Best Fall Garden Vegetables: What, When and How
For gardeners wanting to get the most from the time they have, here’s expert advice on planting and growing fall garden vegetables.August/September 2009
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