Gardening By The Yard # 4

Coming up today on

yard

gardening

, an update on mosquito control, then I'll show off some really interesting conifers and other evergreens we recently acquired, and last but not least, a man and his cyclamens, everything there are in the store, so stay tuned. The first time I did a segment on mosquito control, almost no one in this country had heard the words West Nile virus. Now you would be hard pressed to find someone who is not familiar with a disease or the culprit behind its spread, so today. I'm going to review some old basic strategies for controlling mosquitoes and also present several new approaches and of course the first and best line of defense is to protect yourself by covering exposed skin while working on the arm, which means wearing long pants and a shirt. long sleeves, as well as shoes and socks, even gloves and hat.

Sprays applied to clothing offer by far additional protection, the most popular mosquito sprays contain a chemical called diethyl - ala Meyde, better known as deep, in varying concentrations and while the scientific jury is still out on their safety. It does not appear to be as harmful and the concentrations are lower, especially when applied to clothing rather than directly to the skin. To protect the skin, there are a number of alternative sprays and lotions, most of which contain. some type of citrus oil, my favorite of all are these handy wipes that you simply rub on exposed skin and, believe it or not, you can now buy clothes, shirts in particular, whose fabric has been impregnated with a chemical mosquito repellent and the repellent remains. effective even after several washes, or you can skip the chemicals altogether and simply cover yourself at least from head to waist with a bug-back shirt like this one.

Super fine mesh keeps mosquitoes and flies away. It is considerably more comfortable in warm climates than a long one. -Shirt with sleeves and allows you a lot of freedom from the weather working in the garden or simply recreational, so I pass my screen test, since it is important that this protection is prevention, possibly even more so after all if you take measures to control mosquitoes and prevent them from infiltrating. on your property first, you will minimize the need for protection and the first step towards prevention is eliminating their breeding sites, which means getting rid of standing water anywhere and everywhere, and some of the most common mosquito breeding sites. include clogged gutters. air conditioner drain outlets leaky faucets old tires kiddie pools on irrigated and poorly drained lawns saucers under potted plants tree stumps and holes watering hands, buckets and wheelbarrows and that's the short list if you had to walk around your property, especially after a rain.

I'm sure you'll find many other places where water collects naturally now. There are some places where you want water to stay, like a birdbath or maybe a trough, and in situations like that, all you really need is a donut, a BT donut. that is this particular form of the Israeli BT bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis Ensis is still the most effective way to control mosquitoes and stagnant water and is not toxic to birds or fish. This granular form of BT is also available, but it is simply sprayed into the water. and now a new version of the same is available in these convenient disposable bags that last 30 days and treat up to 300 gallons of water.

Citronella continues to offer excellent protection against mosquitoes, whether in the form of candles or oil-filled torches. Works. best in smaller areas making it perfect for use on the patio while dining or entertaining and by the way here's a little trick I learned by accident several years ago if you place an unlit Rinella scented candle or a container full of Aromatic Rinella. oil in an area where bugs and spiders are a real problem, such as your garden shed, in no time there will simply be no more bugs and spiders and don't forget how effective a fan can be on the porch or patio, you will also see mosquitoes.

Since flies do not cope well with windy conditions, here is a summary of some of the more traditional methods of mosquito control. Now I want to show you several new approaches to keeping mosquitoes at bay. The first is this all-natural granular product that you simply sprinkle on. on the lawn and deters not only mosquitoes but also mosquitoes and one application lasts four weeks, regardless of rainfall, the active ingredients in this product are various oils derived from things like lemongrass, mint and garlic, all which slowly break down and break down into beneficial soil conditioners, a five pound container will treat and provide protection for up to four thousand square feet of grass and, as a sort of added bonus, this product leaves your lawn smelling like chiami from your favorite Vietnamese or Thai restaurant and, speaking of natural oils, this cute little notebook.

The fan-powered repellent uses one of the most effective oils available. It is made from a particular geranium. All you have to do is add a cartridge containing the oil and you'll get up to 30 days of protection against all species of bloodsuckers, flies, nappers, and even moths. This contraption protects an area of ​​up to about 300 square feet, making it ideal for placing on an outdoor dining table or perhaps on a picnic blanket. It comes with two cartridges and replacements are also available. Here's a trap you may want to add to your mosquito control arsenal. device uses a powerful pheromone to attract female mosquitoes which, by the way, are the only ones that actually attack humans to activate the trap, simply add rainwater or pond water, a lure and an activator, place the trap in an area where mosquitoes are a problem and you end up with six weeks of control in an area up to a quarter of an acre and last but not least there is this contraption that looks for all the world like those bug zappers you used to see and listen in all the suburbs and, in fact, plug it in and hang it like those zappers of yesteryear, but it is relatively quiet, the only noise you hear is that of a small fan inside the case and it is made specifically for mosquitoes that attracts and catches instead of attacking.

It actually contains two lures, one in shape. of ultraviolet light that mimics the heat of the human body and the other in the form of a photocatalyst that reacts to form titanium dioxide a compound similar to carbon dioxide which is what attracts mosquitoes to humans more than anything else there are also some very impressive mosquitoes and quite expensive There are control devices that almost all burn propane to produce carbon dioxide and if you have several hundred dollars to spend, get one; However, these less expensive approaches work well and you don't have to deal with refilling all those empty propane tanks, which is a chore.

I really am a pig. I mean, I really can't stand doing that. It drives me crazy every time I have to empty a tank, and also, for reasons I can't fully explain, mosquitoes rarely bother me. In fact, I exhaled a lot more carbon dioxide than most people and at one point I used to think it was because they ate a lot of garlic, but now I'm convinced it's because I'm in the television business, a business for which it takes a lot of fat. skin, so I'm going to plant it directly in the garden in a place where it gets full sun.

Woo, B almost got me up until noon, followed by the afternoon shadow. I know 12 tough real estate agents. I guess it's no secret that I'm crazy about conifers. I started planting them when I moved to this place five years ago and largely because at the time it was one hundred percent deciduous and now well, now I have over fifty really cool conifers and today I'm going to add. a bunch more, but before I show you my new babies up close I thought I'd introduce you to some conifers I planted last fall here, for example there's a golden Deodhar cedar, also known as cedra's d adhara re, although it's not a true us for this beauty. however, it will develop gracefully arching branches as it matures and should ultimately reach 25 feet or so and here is a really cool weeping bald cypress.

This thing will only get more conspicuous over time and yes, it is a conifer, although it is not evergreen, this new weeping Norway spruce. It looks great and will eventually spread to almost ten feet while remaining only five feet tall. This is Picea, a bee pendulum, and last but not least, I recently planted this Japanese pine, Pinus parviflora glocca. This type will top out at between fifty and eighty feet, but Not in my lifetime, you see, is so slow growing that it is often used as a bonsai specimen. Well, now it's time to show you the new things and get started.

Look at this usage. This is Taxus baccata strict aria and is a narrow upright grower. that should grow to about 8 feet. Wow, that was a big mouthful now just for fun. What are you saying? We break down Latin taxes. It is the general one in which all usage lies baccata means having fruits with a pulpy, berry-like texture. strict amines. Strict vertical. Aria means golden, put them all together and you get strict Picatta taxes to guide you or you with pulpy berry like fruits that grow upright and are golden in color. Look, Latin really comes in handy from time to time and speaking of Roman things, here's a plant.

I can't seem to find a home because it is an Arizona Co cupressus, more commonly known is an Arizona cypress. I am struggling with my indecision because although this plant is hardy in my area and enjoys the warm weather, it does not hold up as well in high humidity which is abundant around here on second thought I think I will stop planting this one for them this is Camus oppressive juices split rock a named variety of the famous Hinoki cypress and as you can see I have potted it at least for now because even as an adult it is a shorty that maxes out at 3 maybe 4 feet.

Here is another dwarf form of the Hinoki called the Raised Dock and as you can see there is also a container home to be found, this Hinoki on the other hand. It will grow to about 8 feet tall, so I will plant it directly in the garden in a location where it will receive full sun. That pretty much got me up until about noon, followed by afternoon shade, so can you tell I'm an Okie? I would really like to know the keys. This compact little cryptomeria called elegans is a real winner. It can also be a little difficult to grow in a humid environment, but I have it here in this pot, which means I can move it around as much as I want until I find a perfect place for it, this is the Picea Sachin papoose, a young spruce. which I had read about in a magazine and just had to look at its new growth, beautiful, eh, and finally here is a curious plant that is not a conifer but an evergreen tree. that's native to Chile, this is araucaria, our best known economy is the araucaria tree and in the wild it can reach heights of 40 feet, of course it's not even close to hardy here in my area so I'll have to spend the winter inside, assuming I can find the room and simply why it is called araucaria well some say it is because only a monkey is able to climb it without being stabbed by the tip of its thorn to leave as it acquires new plants me I will be sure to show them for you, after all, having more plant options is a worthy goal for amateur and professional gardeners alike, of course, in my case I am neither amateur nor professional.

I'm fine, I'm a fan. He would like to educate people about that. if the flower is really over the hill, you twist the stem a little and then get some good plants for the garden, why not try cyclamen? The flowers are unique, the foliage festive in the Crown compact, and they're more available than ever. Before in nurseries and garden centers across the country, long-time cyclamen expert Hans Garretson wants to show us what's so good about this fine family of plants - you know, if cyclamen had a slogan, it might be something like this Like we've been waiting for you. down four up one down that would be the sound of a cyclamen in the perfect pedal position just look at these vigorous troops can't you hear the cheers of the revelry?

It is a very compact cyclamen many small leaves compact flower habits thick stems and in the the perfect flower looks something like this we have four petals on top and then one on the bottom they may look delicate but great if cyclamen are actually tough soldiers in the fields of planting they spend part of the year quiet in dormancy and then when conditions are right they stand up attention in full bloom, so if we go between, say, 50 and 65, the plant is lovely, if you have night temperatures that drop, Elm still freezes, cyclamen stillIt will survive and that is its beauty.

The evergreen cyclamen is very hardy, perfect for landscapes in colder regions. of the country, the leaves grow from the swollen root or tuber found just above the ground, the hardiest varieties are also smaller than the standard-sized florists' cyclamen, but if you are looking for a happy medium size, the Medium size fits the bill as well for the home gardener. I would recommend plants and the medium sized type a smaller one directly in the ground, while I would put a larger type, perhaps in a patio plant or on a terrace. Hey, if your olfactory vision is working, you can spot another advantage of the midsize mini.

Full-size cyclamen fragrance and check out some of the other new things breeders are coming up with for adventurous gardeners. Here we have a wing type tree that almost looked like a type of budgie, albeit the tulips, the flames, the fringed edges and the ruffles, but the newest battle cry for cyclamen lovers. Aida, damn it. you have seen the single flowering type and now here we are looking at a double flowering type. The double flowering type is not really a product you see every day. Those people for their cyclamen are already in bloom, largely because growing from seeds is very time consuming, but for a few, the proud and the serene, the challenge is like a call to duty, here are the seeds of Key plants in loose, well-drained soil.

Hans uses just a layer of vermiculite on top to cover and keep the seed in place after the seed is planted and covered with water very well so that it remains moist. About 58 to 60 degrees, after three weeks in a dark closet at home and five weeks in filtered light, the seedling will look like this at 16 weeks. Let's see the tuber and the leaves forming well two weeks later, there are a few more leaves, but if you are willing to wait a full seven to nine months, the results are sensational. The drill to keep the cyclamen looking puffy is much faster.

Well, we would like to. to educate people that if a flower is really over the hill, you twist the stem a little bit and then pull it, so the trick is to actually twist the stem and pull it, that's how you clear a cycle and then you have a beautiful plant again. Things will harm cyclamen, however, excess heat and extreme light if people get a product like this and expose it to sunlight or very dark conditions, it may not be so good to achieve balance in the harmony with plant life. The biggest complaint about cyclamen raised as a houseplant is its seemingly premature demise.

Remember that they are cold climate plants. If they end up in a place that is too warm, they can go into a state of torpor. Find the coldest room in the house and you'll find a happy home for your cycle. Minh. then only water is needed. The general rule of thumb is that it is completely a water issue, so if you are going to water it once a week then you will be in good shape and then almost let it dry out when the plants die back in the summer you can stop watering. completely. Plants should be moved to a cool location under a tree or on a porch while flowers are on leave.

Most cyclamen are perennials because they dissolve a little tuber, so if you put the tuber in the right place, it comes back year after year and that's how the cyclamen can be all it can be, join the army of gardeners enlisting these proud soldiers in

yard

s across the United States. Thanks to Hans for that cyclamen sidebar. Hey, and get this game to give you an idea of ​​the longevity of this one. Planting tubers can live over a hundred years, no joke, unfortunately, however, I need to spend a little more time with our latest newcomer, who would be lucky, keeping wild animals out of the garden is at best cases, complicated in many parts of the world. country deer are a big problem and in other places people deal with everything from armadillos to water mops it's a type of termite yeah I can't think of anything else that starts with a Z okay I mean Not that zebras are a problem in The Gardens Aren't Here anyway, domestic animals can be just as difficult to control and they too can cause considerable damage unless, of course, they've been trained like Maggie.

Years ago I taught him to stop every time he found a mulched area and from every square. The foot of my garden has mulch, she's never been a problem, that's right, Maggie is perfect, isn't she, dear? Unfortunately I need to spend a little more time with our latest arrival, good luck and yet, interestingly, though dogs can cause considerable damage in the garden. I usually hear more complaints about cats, so I decided to look into several ways to keep cats out of the yard. The first is this medieval looking contraption which is basically a spike mat to use, simply place the mat or mats on the ground in the areas where cats tend. frequent and the spike serves to draw attention to address potential garden invaders now with all due respect to the people who do these things.

I'm not sure I want to protect my garden with spikes to a large extent because I'd probably be the first to step on them and I wouldn't want my kids playing near them either, but I can see where they could be useful, for example around a bird feeder or a birdbath or even a pond full of fish, perhaps around lucky repellents. have been popular for years, especially the granular products that are commonly shaken around plants or the perimeter of garden beds. Unfortunately, most of these repellents on the market must be applied daily, which is a big drag and the active ingredient they contain is toxic if so little is absorbed through the skin.

The gizmo here uses the same active ingredient, but at least houses the chemical inside this cute little mushroom or bell-shaped casing. To use it, simply fill the perforated post with the granules, screw on the lid, and place everything in areas where cats and dogs tend to be a problem according to the manufacturer. One of these things offers protection of about 12 feet in each direction. What they don't tell you is how long the pellets stay effective, so I guess you just replace them when it doesn't seem like it. is working very well, so here are some tips for keeping cats out of your garden, any of which you may want to try if there are cats particularly in your area.

As for me, oh thank you, I have all the help I need. I have dogs