Ticks can be a concern. Lyme disease is real. But a lot of what you’ve heard is bunk!
Funny how quickly people make up stuff and how easily the powerful internet spreads it.
Tick Talk – 18 Myths About Ticks Debunked
Myths About Straw And Hay In The Garden
What is the difference between straw and hay? I am always surprised at all of the misinformation that is spread whenever discussions start about using straw or hay in the garden. Which one has more weeds? Do they improve soil? Are lingering herbicides a problem? Should either be used in the garden?
The answers to these questions are quite simple if you first eliminate the myths and that is what I’m going to do in this post.
Does Callicarpa Beautyberry Repel Insects Such As Mosquitoes, Ticks Or Fire Ants?
Mosquitoes are a big problem in many places, and ticks are becoming an even bigger concern. Fire ants are more localized, but they can be a real problem in the garden. Both folklore and modern-day experiences suggest a remedy for these pests based on callicarpa, the beautyberry. Some people plant it in the garden to reduce insect numbers. Others prepare various concoctions to spread on clothing or skin to keep pests off, and some just rub the leaves on their skin for a similar effect. One person even reported that she eats the berries and never gets bitten!
What does science say?
What is Bagged Garden Soil?
As part of my research on soil products I became aware of the fact that most garden soil is not garden soil. If it is not soil what is it?
Too Many Male Flowers On Squash And Cucumber
Squash, cucumber and pumpkin belong to the cucurbit family and most garden varieties produce both male and female flowers. Since only female flowers produce fruit, gardeners get concerned when they see too many male flowers and like any other gardening problem they invent lots of ways to fix the problem. Unfortunately most of these so-called fixes don’t actually work.
What causes too many male flowers on cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, and what can be done about it?
Streptocarpus Myths
The first hybrid streptocarpus was released in 1946 and since then hundreds of new cultivars have been developed and yet few people are familiar with them. I predict that will change. Streps are easy to grow house plants that can flower all year long. What other house plant gives you that much star power in a small package? They are even better than orchids because they flower more and are easier to take care of.
However, even this lesser-known houseplant has started to generate some gardening myths. Let’s have a look at some here.
An Introduction To Streptocarpus Houseplants
Streptocarpus are not commonly available and most gardeners either have not heard of them or they know very little about them. I was one of these gardeners not that long ago but now that I have some experience with them I can’t believe they aren’t more popular. They grow in fairly low light, are easy to take care of and flower 12 months of the year. They are also available in hundreds of colors and flower shapes including singles, doubles, straight and frilly-edged. Some of the newer hybrids don’t even look like streptocarpus. In this post, I will introduce you to streps, as they are commonly called.
Does Clay Improve Sandy Soil?
Sandy soil can be a difficult place to garden. It dries out quickly. It lacks nutrients. The amount of microbial life is very low. But it is easy to dig. It is claimed that clay can be added to sandy soil to improve it’s qualities but does this really work?
Adding clay to sand is a popular technique in some places like Australia and China, but it is not used very much in North America. Why is that?
There are many different kinds of clay – which one is best?
Fertilizer Nonsense #4: Soil Tests
Lots of information in books and on websites recommend a soil test to help you select the right fertilizer numbers. This is very good advice but it has limitations.
Can Commercial Muck Reducers Clear Pond Muck?
Pond muck is the organic material that accumulates in the bottom of a pond. It can be physically removed with nets and vacuums, or you can try to degrade it using commercial bacterial products such as MuckOut, Macro-Zyme, Muck Pellets, MuckAway, Natural Clear, Mukk Busster, Muck Reducer, Muck Doctor, MuckBiotics and the product name I really like, ” Get The Muck Outta Here”. All of these products claim to reduce the amount of muck in the pond and some also claim to reduce the nutrient level.
Do commercial muck reducers work?
Pros and Cons of a Clover Lawn – Which Clover is Best?
Turfgrass is losing its status as the golden child of groundcovers as gardeners look towards greener pastures. Clover has been getting a lot of buzz as a low-maintenance and eco-friendly lawn alternative or additive. Keep reading to find out what to expect from clover as a lawn alternative and how to add the right clover to your lawn.
Are Castor Bean Plants Poisonous – Should Gardeners Grow Them?
Cold climate gardeners are always looking for something exotic to grow and there are few plants that beat the dark red-leafed castor bean. Unfortunately, this plant has a bad reputation for being poisonous. Many experts tell you not to grow castor beans because they are so toxic.
I used to grow it, and grew a new variety last year. I am still alive! So how toxic is it? Is it safe to grow in the garden?
