Miscellaneous

• Use judgement when ordering from gardening catalogs that use only common names rather than appropriate genus and species for naming their plant materials. Plant materials, services, and products from such catalogs may be less professional than those of a catalog using the accepted scientific naming system.

• Remember that all insects in the garden are not necessarily pests. Be sure properly identify insects as pests and to check with your local extension office before treating.

• Seed longevity is determined by seed moisture content and temperature. As a general rule, seed storage life decreases by half for every 5 degrees C rise in temperature from 0 to 50 degrees C, or for every 1 percent increase in moisture content from 5 to 14 percent. Another rule of thumb is to keep percent relative humidity and temperature (degrees F) below 100 during seed storage, preventing damage to seeds from high respiration, fungi, mold, and insects.

• Spruce up your front porch, patio, or balcony with a colorful container garden! Recycle any type of container that supports plant root growth and provides adequate drainage. Be sure to water your containers properly, allowing excess water to run out of the bottom.

• Check new plant growth for aphids. Aphids, or plant lice, can weaken plants and delay growth.

• Everyone can incorporate integrated pest management (IPM)practices in their gardening. To reduce pesticide use, plant cultivars that are resistant.

• People generate over 6 pounds of trash per person per day. Reduce the amount you generate by becoming a selective shopper at garden centers and recycle whenever possible.
• If a compost heap fails to heat, mix in green matter and manure to aid in the decomposition process.

• Dry catnip leaves to use as stuffing for toys for your cat. Cats also like to eat fresh catnip leaves.

• Persistence is necessary to keep shallow birdbaths filled with water. If a deep tub is used, add a few goldfish to keep the mosquito larvae under control.

• The best way to gain maximum benefits from predatory insects, such as lady bugs, is to maintain an environment that encourages their long-term, natural establishment near your garden. A mixture of crimson clover and hairy vetch used as a cover crop will provide the predators needed habitat while improving the soil. Switching to insecticidal sprays that break down readily will also help.

• At different times of the day, go into the yard with a note pad and take time to really look and record what you see. Look at the soil. Note where it dries out too fast or stays water-logged for long periods of time. Notice where shadows fall. Make a note about any sun-loving plants that have become shaded by trees. Plan to move these plants or prune the trees next year to remedy the problem. Note the worst problems, their causes and possible cures. Record which plants have the fewest problems.

• Bats can be an important weapon in a chemical-free arsenal for bug control. One big, brown bat can eat 3,000 to 7,000 insects each night. Attract bats to your yard by building and placing bat houses in your yard. For answers to all the questions you have about bats, (but were afraid to ask!) GO HERE.

• Heavy rains encourage slug problems. Go on a few extra slug patrols during rainy periods to hand pick the pests.

• Leftover vegetable and flower seeds may be stored in a cool, dry location for planting next year. One method is to place seed packets in a jar or plastic bag and store the containers in the refrigerator.

• Birds will generally not be scared away by scarecrows. Instead, try tying pieces of glass, colored cloth or tin to loose strings so the wind can blow them and clash them together. Random motion is the key to alarming the birds away from the garden.

• A method of composting in limited space is to put all of the compost materials (leaves, soil, weeds, kitchen garbage and manure) in a large, polyethylene bag, moisten it thoroughly, tie the top tightly and leave it out in the sun. Shake the bag around occasionally, and let in fresh air every 2 weeks. Before long, you will have a convenient bag of well-rotted compost.

• A sundial should be set on June 15. Place it so the shadow falls on the twelve o'clock position at exactly noon on this date.

• Japanese beetle traps are probably not appropriate for most home use because they tend to attract the beetles without trapping them all. However, if traps are used, recent research indicates that white is more attractive to Japanese beetles than other colors. Place traps at least 25 feet from fruit trees and roses to lure the pests away from treasured plants.

• The use of milky spore disease (Bacillus popilliae) for Japanese beetle control is most effective in neighborhoods where most residents use it. Otherwise, Japanese beetle larvae hatching in other yards will reinfest your property.

• To protect bees that pollinate many of our crop plants, spray pesticides in the evening after bees have returned to their hives.

• Protect yourself, your family and your pets from contact with pesticides. Wear protective clothing, and spray only on calm days. Wash your hands and clothing thoroughly after using garden chemicals. Buy only enough to do the job; excess chemicals are difficult to dispose of properly.

• Weed removal is important for a number of reasons. It conserves moisture, conserves nutrients in the soil and helps prevent the spread of disease and insects.

• To avoid back strain and assorted muscle pains, try the following suggestions while doing lawn work: When weeding, try to kneel, keeping your chin close to your chest rather than bending on all fours with your back parallel to the ground. When mowing or hoeing, make sure the tool handle is long enough so you can work without doubling over. Lift heavy objects by bending at the knees, not the back. Always move on to another job before your muscles begin to protest at the one you are doing.

• Although it is among the leading vegetable crops worldwide, the sweet potato has been under-used in the United States since it was established in Virginia in the mid-17th century. However, sweet potato French fries may soon move this root vegetable from its traditional place at holiday meals to restaurant menus alongside the more popular white potato. Sweet potato fries have a texture somewhat like traditional French fries and taste good with vinegar, salt, sugar or other seasonings. And they are a good source of nutrients. Your body converts the orange-colored beta carotene of the sweet potato into vitamin A, an essential nutrient for vision; growth; and development of bones, teeth, and skin.