I promised you two great tonics on the show this weekend, and here they are! If you have Gardenias or have Houseplants, which you want to look their best for the Holidays. These tonics are for you!
Gardenia Booster
1. 1 gallon of water
2. 1 tablespoon Knox gelatin
3. 3 tablespoon spoons hydrogen peroxide
4. 1 tea bag
5. 1 teaspoon liquid iron
6. ½ teaspoon ammonia
7. ½ teaspoon baby shampoo
For this tonic, mix ingredients, and pour all of it on top of roots, use entire gallon for a two foot plant., use two gallons for a four foot plant. Houseplant/ Fungus/Gnat Tonic
* 1 quart mist bottle
* 1 tablespoon antiseptic mouthwash
* ½ tsp Murphy's Oil Soap
* ¼ teaspoon Pyrethrin or Neem oil
* 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
Mist tonic directly onto foliage, it is that simple.
The two tonics should really keep your plants looking healthy and strong!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Today's subject is lowering the maintenance of your yard by reducing the square footage of total lawn area, this year has been a problem year to say the least, there have been, chinch bugs, mole crickets, pill bugs, earwigs, caterpillars, and just a few hundred other bug varieties. All have conspired to either thin out kill the lawn. The other issue that I believe is actually worse than the bug problem is fungus. Getting rid of all these thing sis time consuming, expensive and sometimes we do the best we can but still it doesn't seem to be enough.
Perhaps you should consider a huge reduction in the square footage of your lawn area. For example, you can connect trees in the lawn within free form islands where you can plant ground covers and shrubs and if you're so inclined can even add annuals, yes there would still be a perimeter of grass, but at least you would have reduced a huge percentage.
Another creative way and pretty artistic as well would be to add a meandering dry river rock bed which could bisect the entire lawn, and perhaps fork into two or three tributaries. A few Xeriscape [plants can be placed in strategic spots along the river bed and this is the concept that you don't have to mow every week.
Another Idea is to take up the square footage of lawn with the addition of either a gazebo or an arbor of sorts. By doing this you create an attractive focal point and large undulating beds can encompass the structure. Of course within in these beds you can add shrubs or flowers which would be a tremendous upgrade to the home.
Another idea is to create some free form islands in various parts of the lawn, especially in areas where the grass seems to die every year. Another concept, increase the size and maybe change the shape of some of your existing planting beds. Of course there is also the idea of adding a large area of stone or even a paver patio area.
So, try looking at your yard in a new and different way, discuss wit with the other family member, look at photos and I'm sure you'll come up with a customized idea just perfect for your style
Perhaps you should consider a huge reduction in the square footage of your lawn area. For example, you can connect trees in the lawn within free form islands where you can plant ground covers and shrubs and if you're so inclined can even add annuals, yes there would still be a perimeter of grass, but at least you would have reduced a huge percentage.
Another creative way and pretty artistic as well would be to add a meandering dry river rock bed which could bisect the entire lawn, and perhaps fork into two or three tributaries. A few Xeriscape [plants can be placed in strategic spots along the river bed and this is the concept that you don't have to mow every week.
Another Idea is to take up the square footage of lawn with the addition of either a gazebo or an arbor of sorts. By doing this you create an attractive focal point and large undulating beds can encompass the structure. Of course within in these beds you can add shrubs or flowers which would be a tremendous upgrade to the home.
Another idea is to create some free form islands in various parts of the lawn, especially in areas where the grass seems to die every year. Another concept, increase the size and maybe change the shape of some of your existing planting beds. Of course there is also the idea of adding a large area of stone or even a paver patio area.
So, try looking at your yard in a new and different way, discuss wit with the other family member, look at photos and I'm sure you'll come up with a customized idea just perfect for your style
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