Stomping Snails And Non-Toxic Dandelion Killers

hughe — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:28:31 +0000

A few weeks ago I wrote about an English gardener who was investigating the homing instinct of snails. By marking their shells with a little spot of nail varnish she was able to check whether snails she had moved a certain distance were able to find their way back. It turned out that thirty yards was the critical distance. If you remove the snails further than this you will not see them again.

Heather Hacking from Chico CA has a different approach. For her the most satisfying form of organic pest control is snail stomping. Having decimated the snail population in her own yard she now scours the sidewalks in her neighborhood after rain in search for more of these pests. Read more..

“Non-Toxic Dandelion Killer” sounds great – just what I need I thought. Dandelions in the spring are hard to get rid of, particularly in the lawn. Read on and you discover that “Your kitchen and bathroom are the first places you should look for non-toxic options for killing dandelions in your yard. You might be surprised to learn about what you already have in your home that can be used as a non-toxic weed killer”.

Several homemade recipes are suggested, but it is not too clear as to how effective they are. But then you can always use your shovel to dig them out making sure that you don’t leave any of the root behind. Finally the counsel of perfection – don’t allow any to go to seed! Read more..

Finally a suggestion for a homemade activity which is both creative and could solve your Christmas present headaches. These eco planters are made from cement and vermiculite using common household containers for the moulds.

“I started making these eco planters for gifts a year ago and haven’t stopped. They are simple, stylish and downright lovable. Each pot is unique and has an organic, handmade feel. It is not an instant gratification project and you will have to commit, but the results are well worth it. I like to make about six at a time.”

Organic Weedkillers And Chelsea Flower Show

hughe — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:50:26 +0000

Controlling broadleaf weeds in the lawn has always been a problem and particularly so for organic gardeners who do not use chemical weedkillers. In my garden I have several clumps of wild promroses that self seed naturally through the borders and provide a fine display in the spring. What is not so welcome is that they seed equally vigorously in the lawn. This is in addition to the usual crop of daisies, dandelions and the other common weeds that spoil the look of the grass.

But help may be at hand. Recently I came across a product which claims to be both organic and effective. Iron X is a selective weedkiller for lawns. It contains iron in a chelated form which you dilute in water and spray on the grass. The iron has no adverse effect on the grass, but kills most broadleaf weeds. And it is fast acting – within hours of application, broadleaf weeds turn black and begin to die.

At present Iron X is only available from Gardens Alive where you can find a list of the twenty weeds that it controls.

Maria Rodlale, CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc, has her own secret organic weed control method. This one is not for lawns, but rather those awkward places where weeds sprout among rocks and cracks in paving stones. Simple in the extreme – just boil a kettle and pour hot water on your weeds. Apparently it works best on smaller weeds. Read more..

It’s Chelsea Flower Show time again. In fact it’s nearly over. The show has been running all this week and there are some stunning exhibits. I’ve found this short video from YouTube which is an introduction to the show, but if you want to see more including tours of all the show gardens go to the BBC website.

Garden Supplies News » dandelions

Stomping Snails And Non-Toxic Dandelion Killers

Organic Weedkillers And Chelsea Flower Show