Gardening with Mother Nature
Posted on: Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Did you know Mother Nature can help you control garden pests the natural way? Here are a few of her techniques that we employ(and you can too): For garden snail control, use Decollate Snails, a carnivorous snail that devours pesky garden snails and slugs. Ladybugs are great for aphid control. Release your ladybugs at dusk into a freshly watered area of the garden. Ladybugs do not like to fly at night and will settle down right in your yard and get to work eating aphids. Beneficial Nematodes eliminate fire ants, grubs and fleas. An application lasts up to two years and is completely nontoxic to humans and pets. Benefical Bacteria helps control algae. My favorite is Clarity Max Plus. Clarity Max Plus now contains activated Barley which naturally inhibits algae growth. When partnered with Clarity Max's bacteria and enzyme blend you get a natural but effective way to limit unsightly algae growth.
If you left your waterlilies in the pond for the winter(and most of us do here in the South), you will see the first flowers on Hardy Lilies in mid-March(weather permitting). Tropical lilies are a little slower to "wake up" and you won't see a bloom untill mid to late April. Night Bloomers are the "sleepiest" of all - you won't see flowers untill late May or early June.
Tropical lilies are tender perennials which usually, but not always, survive the winter here along the Gulf Coast. See my blog on "Is my tropical water lily is still alive?"
All waterlilies, Hardy and Tropical, should be repotted into fresh, fertilized soil each spring. A lesson on repotting lilies and other aquatic plants will be part of the March 17th Workshop at 11:00 am. Or bring your plants in and the Nelson Crew will do the dirty work for you. Also please check out our website under Special Events to see the full list of Spring Workshop topics. All workshops are free and held on Saturdays starting at 11:00 am. rain or shine.
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