Gardening

gardening@eastraleigh.org

139 discussions

by Jennifer Woody

What a bore the last week has been! I had been on the look out for these squash bugs that folks had discussed earlier, but didn't see any. Earlier this week a few of my plants started looking really droopy so I investigated and found frass near the base of the plants... Two plants are totally dead and gone--removed from the garden. Two more aren't looking so good. Anyway, I did some research online and found this great article about organic control of squash bugs and vine borers (they're different but control methods are similar). http://bit.ly/ju4fUH It isn't NC-specific, but the one article I found from NC extension basically said to put some poison on it. It's not promising that this will lead to some half-dead plans surviving, but I may try cutting into the stem of one to kill the borer...a last resort. Thought I'd share some things I learned about squash pests that may be helpful: 1) You probably will have them--either the bugs or the borers so start your system of control now for next year (see link above). I thought I was immune--big mistake! Also I learned the bugs can fly up to 1/2 mile so with all us gardeners around here, they'll be back! 2) They come out sometime in early May to Mid-June, so be on the look out right about then... And by "look out" I mean not just the bugs on the leaves, but the borers in the stems too! I found a Minnesota-based website that said late June, but I'd back that up earlier for us. Anyone have more info on the timing? 3) The bugs and borers usually have one life cycle, but perhaps two in some southern climates. So, possibly, you can replant your squash in July and they'll be safe for the season...or maybe not... Any advice? 4) Plant resistant varieties that were listed in a post earlier this year on this forum. At least I got two giant marrows out of the dead plants before they were taken down by the bores. This was of much interest to my fiance who is an Agatha Christie fan. Apparently Agatha writes about a Belgian man who retires to grow marrow and there is much discussion among her fan base about exactly what a marrow is. We ate one for lunch on Wednesday. Delicious! Bored on Penn Rd, Jennifer

13 years, 7 months

Fwd: [East-CAC] insecticidal soap?

by Mark Turner

Any advice for Emily? Mark -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [East-CAC] insecticidal soap? Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 11:05:09 -0400 From: Emily Orr <emily.g.orr(a)gmail.com> To: Stevens rd <stevens-road-raleigh-nc(a)googlegroups.com>, East CAC Discussion <east-cac(a)eastraleigh.org> Dear all, Today is the day that we plant neato stuff in our vegetable garden. We have a plan to keep the squirrels out of the tomatoes, and now I am looking for something to repel squash borers. Squash borers ate our first two gardens. We have followed the "no squash planting for one year" rule and we would like to try again. I am leery of commercial insectisidal soaps, as they contain bifenthrin (roach and termite killer.) I'm sure the amount is small, but still, I don't like the idea of it getting in my food. We thought we'd try an organic insectisidal soap (basically Dr. Bronner's, water, and a few stinky things.) Does anyone have any experience with this method? Thank you!

13 years, 7 months

Overwinter your hot pepper plants indoors

by Damian Maddalena

For the past several years, I have been overwintering a few hot peppers plants indoors. (They are productive for several years in their native range.) I either grow one or two in pots all summer or dig out choice plants from the garden and pot them for the winter. Replanting them in the ground in July gives you a jump on fruit production because not as much energy has to go to vegetative growth, and a larger plant produced more pods. I've been most successful with Fatalii and Tobasco peppers. I've never been lucky with habanero for some reason. I got tons of crazy peppers ready for pickling, hot sauce, and drying for flakes/powder. I encourage you to try this if you are a pepper head. Yesterday I dug up the plants I'll overwinter because of the fear of the coming frost. Today is a great day to do it too! Remember to water liberally if you are digging out a plant and re-potting it. Especially if your trimming roots or replanting after removing all soil, as this reduces overall root-soil contact. A little dash of fertilizer in the pot is also a good idea. Cheers. -Damian 219 Lafayette Rd.

13 years, 7 months

Raised beds vs Voles

by Judith Duke

I've been wanting to dig up the backyard for vegetable gardening but have been put off by the amount of work allegedly required for vole combat (and my yard is definitely Vole City): online research recommends digging down a foot or so and lining sides of the bed with hardware cloth, etc. It's not clear, however, whether that's required for raised beds as well as ground-level gardening. Does anybody have experience in this regard? I'd certainly welcome any advice. Thanks, Judy

13 years, 7 months

Fwd: [Historic Oakwood] - Free plants

by Mark Turner

FYI, Mark -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Historic Oakwood] - Free plants Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 16:53:07 -0400 From: Ellen Hipp Nightingale <emhipp(a)yahoo.com> To: historicoakwood <historicoakwood(a)yahoogroups.com> The garden club was lucky recipients of 10 extra tomato plants and 15 Lenten rose/hellebores off shoots. Tomatoes are all different heirloom varieties. Hellebores are lime variety, I believe ,and are shade loving. On the side walk in front of 407 east jones. Thanks, Ellen

13 years, 7 months

Fwd: [Belvidere-Woodcrest] Free Monkey Grass

by Mark Turner

FYI. Mark -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Belvidere-Woodcrest] Free Monkey Grass Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:07:49 -0700 (PDT) From: Patrick Madden <patricksmadden(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: Patrick Madden <patricksmadden(a)yahoo.com> To: bpw(a)eastraleigh.org <bpw(a)eastraleigh.org> Hello all, I just dug up 12 large plants of Monkey Grass. (probably 2 gallons each) They are on the side of the road and free for the taking. Excellent 12 foot border! Enjoy! Patrick 223 Glascock Street

13 years, 7 months

Re: [Gardening] [Belvidere-Woodcrest] 6 large free Azaleas to good home

by Mark Turner

FYI. -Mark On 04/21/2012 10:29 AM, Patrick Madden wrote: > > 6 large Azaleas to good home. First come.....118 Plainview > Patrick

13 years, 7 months

Fwd: Celebrate Spring at the PAX Spring Plant Sale- This Weekend!

by Vanessa Van Horn

FYI If it is a rose, it will come into bloom sooner or later. ~Goethe Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: Pi Alpha Xi <paxatncstate(a)gmail.com> > Date: April 19, 2012 10:30:40 PM EDT > To: Pi Alpha Xi <paxatncstate(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Fwd: Celebrate Spring at the PAX Spring Plant Sale- This Weekend! > > Hello fellow gardeners! > > Pi Alpha Xi's annual Spring Plant Sale is this weekend!!! Print the postcard attached to this email, and bring it to the sale for a free raffle ticket and a chance to win novel plants. And, feel free to forward this email along to your gardening buddies. > > Where: J.C. Raulston Arboretum (4415 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC 27606) > When: Saturday, April 21 (8 am to 4 pm) and Sunday, April 22 (10 am to 3 pm) > > Few other points: > 1. Cash or check only; CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!!!! > 2. Proceeds from the sale go to horticultural scholarships and area charities. > 3. For more information about us, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/project/pialphaxi/ > 4. Get there early because the plants go fast! > > This sale's plant lists can be found at our website: http://www.ncsu.edu/project/pialphaxi/plantsale.html. > > Hope to see you there! > > Stephen L. Meyers > 2011-2012 Secretary > Pi Alpha Xi- Iota Chapter > > Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=338473927879#!/pages/NCSU-Pi-Alpha-Xi-Plant… > > > > > > -- > Visit our PAX website! > Fan our PAX plant sale Facebook for updates! > >

13 years, 7 months

Spring Day at Joslin Gardens is Saturday!

by Mark Turner

Hey folks, wanted to make sure you didn't miss your annual chance to visit the beautiful Joslin Gardens this Saturday! Read below for more details! Cheers, Mark Spring Day at Joslin Garden will be held Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m located at 2431 West Lake Drive. Guests are invited to enjoy a self –guided tour of the gardens. Please note that there is limited parking therefore guests are asked to park on one side of the street only. There are also no restroom facilities so please plan accordingly. The gardens are part of a private residence so this is the only day the gardens are open to the public during the year. In November, the City of Raleigh was awarded access of more than four rolling and wooded acres that sustain one of the Piedmont’s most expansive variety of flowers, shrubs, plants, grasses, groundcovers and trees. The benefactors Mary Coker Joslin and the late William Joslin, made their home at the site at 2431 West Lake Drive for more than 60 years. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin were inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in 2011. The Joslin family and the City of Raleigh have worked collaboratively to develop a tax-exempt entity, the City of Oaks Foundation. The foundation will be the owners of the property and the recipient of the Joslin Gardens Endowment Fund for the maintenance of the property. The City of Oaks Foundation will contract with the City to manage the park. The purpose of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department is to actively, encourage, provide, promote, and protect quality leisure, recreation and cultural opportunities, facilities and environments that are essential for the enhancement of the lives of our citizens. For more information visit parks.raleighnc.gov or call 919-831-6640.

13 years, 8 months

Great Resource for Organic Pest Control in NC Gardens

by Jennifer Woody

Toxic Free NC just put this resource out--thought I'd share! http://www.toxicfreenc.org/organicgardening/index.html

13 years, 8 months

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