Re: Insects and Jerry Baker

Marge-

Well you have given me many things to think about and I thank you for all of 
the information.  You've made me feel very good about my efforts as it sounds 
like I might be doing a few things right and have given me additional 
information to improve my methods.

About the dish soap--I might have misunderstood my mom-n-law, maybe she said 
it wouldn't kill 'all' the bugs.  Anyway, I still have a much cleaner garden 
since the wash and the only plants who really resented the wash was the 
ferns.  I knew they would, just got two by accident but they are showing 
signs of life at the base.

My brother swears by the sludge stuff---the 1st I've heard of it was two 
weeks ago from him.  I really didn't give it much thought when he mentioned 
it because he is somewhat of a gimmick fellow (use to be involved in the 
pyramid sales thing).  Now that you've mentioned it I think I'll have to look 
into sludge.  For the most part our lawn is lovely but we have two large live 
oak trees in the front yard and the grass suffers from the shade.  Do you 
think the sludge would help the grass in a shady location?

My mom-n-law told me that sometimes when a plant is looking a little sad to 
put 1T brown sugar with 1 qt of warm water and water the plant with it.  Now 
I have done this and yes, sometimes ants come temporarily, but the plant does 
seem to respond.....is this good or bad?

What about the pinch of epson salt/sugar (equal parts) in the hole before 
planting a plant......I know that the epson salt provides magnesium but do 
you think this is worth doing?  Since doing this I've had great results with 
my plants....Is this good or bad?  I've been recommending this to various 
gardeners and I don't want to continue if it is a bad idea.  

You mentioned The American Gardener, do you recall which issue the organic 
rose treatments were featured as my neighbor is a rose grower  (about 75 in a 
suburban lot) and constantly fights various problems.  Speaking of 
organic...is there a book you can recommend on organic gardening.  I've been 
to Barnes and Noble in their gardening section and I become very overwhelmed. 
 I do usually try to get books from the library first, especially if the book 
is pricey.  It is really hard to tell from an index if the book is actually 
going to provide the information you are looking for.  I love to read and 
have collected about 100 different types of gardening/flower books over the 
past 4 years from 1885 to current.  I smiled when you mentioned the "pour the 
soapy dish water out the back door story", one of my flower gardening books 
is written by a lady in 1915 and she mentions such things as that and putting 
rusty nails in your garden.  I think my grandmother did things like that.  I 
know that her rose bush by her back door was absolutely beautiful (not even 
in full sun)....I think that is where she threw her coffee grounds too.  
Anyway, if you, or anyone, have any suggestions on a good book about organic 
gardening I would appreciate it. 

I'm not opposed to chemical treatment of things, if it is really really 
needed, but I have two small children at home (4 & 2) and when I'm outside 
they are too, so I prefer something safe for them.  Do you recall the baking 
soda recipe for mildew, I recently purchased a "plate" style hibiscus and it 
has been plaqued with mildew since I brought it home.

You also mentioned commercial products--we are always looking for that 
"great" fertilizer that will give our plants the best and biggest blooms.  
There are so many to choose from these days and they are constantly coming 
out with new--this too can be overwhelming and sometimes costly.  I guess it 
does give us reason to think about what our grandparents did....they 
certainly didn't have extra money for fertilizer.    

Thank you for your time and your information....you certainly have my mind 
whorling.

Happy Gardening

Kemberly McLain
Katy, Texas  Zone 9

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index