Catmint, if you don't want to take steps against the cat, try putting your feeder higher on a pole and/or near shelter (like a bushy shrub, or even a brush pile)... I think encouraging birds in my yard has done a lot for controlling japanese beetles & others. I do have plenty of "good bugs," too.
Thanks for the notice about free shipping from Lee Valley! i love their tools, especially the stainless steel ones, and they have some great gift items, too. Recent favorites -- terra cotta "water warblers," which make the most amazing birdsounds, a gizmo for popping the suction on jars to make them totally easy to open, and precision scissors with regular-size handles (great for cutting out snowflakes and for any "fine" work).
SSG, are you interested in getting more cannas this year? ADR still has some in stock... I could go for 'Pink Furturity', a tall brown-leaf variety, or 'Perkeo', tall striped leaf pink, 2-3 eye divisions for about $1 (25 for $23.75, plus shipping), but I'd take a few of any other you liked, too.
SHOPPING LISTS, Spring 2014 What are you getting?
Critter, I would seriously love to relocate this cat! I have talked to the local Alleycat people, and they can supply me with a trap for trap/neuter/return, but I really don't want to return it to this neighborhood since it constantly returns to my yard. :-( It does seem like a former pet rather than truly feral and it's possible they could resocialize it... except it *loves* being outdoors.
Where to locate the feeder has been an issue for me. The main issue is that any place low enough for me to reach to refill it is going to be low enough to be pestered by the cat. I also don't have any mature trees/shrubs in my back yard. And for the dogwood and red bud in the front yard, any branch low enough for me to reach it is too twiggy at the ends to hold this feeder (it's a heavy, 'squirrel-proof' one).
Here is my current set up, with the feeder hanging from an old clothesline pole where I have my wisteria planted. The holly tree is in the background.
(You can also see the back neighbor's yard really well now that they have chopped down their shade tree. :-( Goodbye, shade garden! I'm going to have to move everything I want to keep, and either toss or swap the others, assuming they survive... First to move will be the mountain laurel, which is behind the holly.)
Jill, I was immediately drawn to Crimson Beauty. That's a beautiful soft color. I've never seen such a soft pink on a canna before! Then I remembered that I'm doing this for the hummingbirds, so I shouldn't get a dwarf canna. : /
I really like Canna Aida, but that's not tall enough either. I love the orange Wyoming, but I know it'll clash with everything else in my garden!
Have any of you planted the Lochinch Buddleia? I've had a terrible problem with spider mites on every buddleia I've ever planted, no matter where I plant it (but always in full sun with good air circ.). I've blasted 'em with water &/or insecticidal soap, used Capt. Jack's, Mitex, you name it. I swear I have enough bug stuff in my shed to open my own store! I read online that the rough-leaved buddleias seem to be the most mite-resistant; apparently the females can't lay eggs as easily on the fuzzy leaves. I usually try to stay Native with my plantings but butterfly bushes are one of the few things that truly live up to the term "butterfly magnet" (for hummers too). Those little "mite-y" buggers can drive you "buggy"! Anyone ever tried the Lochinch? I did order one from Ace in Edgewater, just to give it a try. I'm gonna keep it in the pot to see how it does.
I have a butterfly bush that I'm getting rid of this year, not because of a spider mite problem but because it's taking up too much valuable space. I've never noticed a mite problem with mine, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough?
Mine's not all that pretty, but it truly is a bee and butterfly magnet. That Lochnich looks interesting, though. It's supposed to be fragrant. I've never noticed any scent with mine.
My dad has had a pole-mounted feeder for years (sits on top of the pole, doesn't hang from it... you can get a pole like that for your feeder), never had trouble with cats getting up to it, although of course birds hanging out on the ground are not safe. Maybe a pole-mounted feeder with a brush pile nearby? As for branches... I gave my dad a feeder to put in his big maple tree in the back, and he has it on a pulley, raises & lowers it like a flag on a flagpole. Even just hanging it from a rope over a high branch could work -- fasten the other end of the rope to a hook on the trunk.
Butterfly bushes... I think it's about time to get out there and prune them! I'm not always good about this, but if you prune them nearly to the ground (8-12 inches maybe) early each spring, they'll have a fuller and more compact habit. I've also got some younger ones that I intend to attempt pruning to a tree-form, with 1 or 2 trunks.
SSG, I'd like any of the pink cannas. I dont' think 'Crimson Beauty' is really a soft pink, though; I tihink that's just the photo. Stokes calls it "hot pink-red" and a google search shows a wide range of shades.
my butterfly bushes need to be pruned too. And a year or two ago Gita had horrible mite problems on hers.
The user-submitted photos on DG plant files are soft pink, so I was hoping that was its true color. The tall pink cannas aren't really catching my interest, though...
For what it's worth, in case anyone is interested in experimenting with biocontrol, apparently ladybugs, pirate bugs, and big-eyed bugs all feed on spider mites.
Herbs that attract the pirate & big-eyed bugs are:
Carum carvi (Caraway)
Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos)
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
Mentha spicata (Spearmint)
Tagetes tenuifolia (lemon gem Marigold)
Some plants that attract ladybugs are:
Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow) Ladybugs,
Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugleweed)
Alyssum (Aurinia) saxatilis (Basket of Gold)
Anethum graveolens (Dill)
Anthemis tinctoria (Golden Marguerite)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Coriandrum sativum (Coriander)
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Tagetes tenuifolia (lemon gem Marigold)
I was also just reading that tachnid flies feed on Japanese beetles. yay! A lot of herbs attract tachnid flies.
Geranium, Ringo Salmon 18 plants
Vince Cora Mixed 18 plants
Bacopa, Guliver Blue Sensation 12 plants
Begonia Bonfire 18 plants
Cordyline Red Star 12 plants
Euphorbia Diamond Frost 18 plants
Osterspermum, Passion Mix 12 plants
Supertunia Vista Silverberry 12 plants
Verbena, Lanai Strawberry & Cream 12 plants
Alyssum, Easter Bonnet Mixed 36 plants
Dusty Miller Silver Dust 36 plants
Pansies Tapestry 36 plants
Marigold Sweet Cream 600 plants
Begonia, Dragon Wing Pink 56 plants
Begonia Dwarf Vodka Red/dark leaves 350 plants
Coleus Rainbow Mix 350 Plants.
Total of 1,548 new plants just moved into the GH 1,356 of them need to be transplanted into 6pks.
Phew!!!
Ranunculus at Lowes were so pretty
WOW Holly & Ric! I managed to overwinter one of the 'Diamond Frost' euphorbias I got from you last year... it's really leggy & lopsided, in a pot by a sunny window that doesn't get much attention (because it's behind the couch LOL)... but it's been continuing to bloom all winter! It makes a wonderfully airy "filler" plant in a big container.
SSG, maybe we'll save the cannas for another year, ordering earlier so everything is in stock. :-) I'll try those dwarf pink ones, though, if you want them. I can put them as "spacers" between the amaryllis bulbs, and they'll add some color. LMK over on the ADR thread, please.
edited to add: SSG, i actually clicked over to the page at Stoke's Tropicals, and they noted that their "hot pink-red" one was "not Pfitzers Crimson Beauty, and is sometimes referred to as Tall Crimson Beauty." So there are a couple of 'Crimson Beauty' names out there, and maybe the dwarf one is that nice soft pink!
This message was edited Mar 29, 2014 3:55 PM
Jotted down a few thought reading through all the above...
Cat---
A big step to getting rid of Jap. Beatles id to get rid of all the grubs.
This time of year--ass soon as it warms up a bit--they will be making
their way up from the ground to feed on all the tree roots and then to hatch
into the beetles.
If you are not against it--"GrubX is a good product to take care of this.
It also prevents the eggs laid in fall from hatching.
IF you want to go strictly organic--and have a lot of patience--the "Milky Spores"
treatment is the way to go. Just FYI--This product is now yellow-tagged
and on clearance at the HD. I think it is about $10 off the reg price. Check it out.
I also had some ideas on your cat problem and the feeders--and that was to hang a baffle
upside down UNDER the feeder. Of course--that laundry pole is the enabler
for the cat to get up there. I like Jill's dad's solution better...
SS--
if you like the red, feathery canna I grew last year (orig. from wind) I have a lot
of roots to share. It does grow tall, has med. green leaves and makes massive
root clumps. (pic.)
Jill--are you talking about a dwarf, pink Canna? Do you remember the 3 small
pots I got last year when I was getting all the free stuff from the GH?
That one was a very pretty pink--but definitely small enough to be grown in containers. (pic)
Carol---
Yes! I have always had an issue with Spider Mites on my Butterfly Bush.
It is the fuzzy leaves that attract them---any plant with fuyzzy leaves will get
either SM--or Whitefly.
BTW--My bush has been cut back already since early winter. I just did it!
It is already sprouting leaves....I wonder how a Systemic in the soil would do for them?
Sally--
HD also has in pretty Ranunculus--5" pots--I think. We had to shelter all these
in the GH when the freezing nights came. Hope that is over now....
Phew--lots to catch up on.
1--Wind's red canna
2--The small, pink Canna I got in pots. Will see how bug it grows this year.
Definitely a "thriller" in some big pot. (vs. "filler" and "spiller"....)
Ooh, yes! I'd love that canna! Thanks, Gita!
SS--the red one?
I would have to start it for you (pot it) as you do not want to wait
until end of May before you plant it.
If you are ever in my neck of the woods--you can p/u a couple roots of this.
OK? G.
This is the amount of roots from just 3 small pieces planted....
I could not even dig this up w/o breaking it apart.. You ready for this???
Gita, that little canna is a very pretty, clear pink! Wish we knew the name so we could see if it's the same as the one at ADR. :-) Could I ask you for a piece of your red one, please? Your photo of it is just gorgeous! If you have no room to start it, don't worry, I can plant it late & be happy with whatever bloom it gives me this year.
I'm supposed to come up there and pick up the strawberry plants at some point, so I'll pick up the bulbs then!
Jill--Went downstairs and got the tag.
It is called: "Tropical Rose" Canna x generalis
Summer to frost bloomer
Mature size--24"-30"-----space 15"-18"
Attracts Butterflies
Care--remove spent blooms
Maybe you can scan the code from a macro shot for more info????
Try it...
SS--please give me a couple days heads up of when you are coming...
I work Tuesdays--Wednesdays--and all day Sunday--till 6PM.
I could take you to the wholesale GH here that I buy my stuff from.
They do just annuals--perennials--HB's--and patio plants. no trees and shrubs...
The strawberries are all potted up and safe.
Didn't get as many as i thought--but plenty to share with you.
G.
Thanks, Gita! Sure is a little beauty. I still have a "caveman" phone -- no texting, no data plan, can't snap those nifty codes for more info. LOL
Does your DH have a better one?
May be worth finding out all about it.
Thanks, Gita! I'll need to check with Karen as well, so I'll be in touch with both of you. It may not be for a couple of weeks.
Thats right! We were going to go to that perennial Nursery!
I know the only day free for Karen is Saturdays. I am free as well--
unless something else is scheduled...
LMK!
Those little codes are popping up everywhere these days... being able to use them would definitely be a bonus if/when we get a cell phone data plan. I'd also love to be able to look things up on DG threads & PlantFiles when I'm browsing a nursery sale!
Our SM thinks we all should have Smart Phones--because you can now
download the HD app and check anything immediately for a customer..
Do we have it? How much os it? how many we have? If we don't have it--which store does?
Customer comments on that product? etc...besides--you can speak in it the product
you are looking for--and, instantly, the aisle # and bay comes up...
Pretty amazing!!
Yeah! If the company wants to buy it for us..we all WILL have it...
G.
Here are a couple pics of the plugs, coleus, begonia, and marigolds.
Oh, so *that's* how the pros do it!
I've sown a few begonia seeds, and they're soooo slow going. I really should have started them around Christmas. They barely have their second set of true leaves.
I've sown both Bonfire and Dragon Wing. At this rate, I might not get blooms until July.
Hm so HD going to buy them for you, and pay the monthly data charges? People are getting so impatient with everything, they can't follow you to a computer station and let you look it up? Target has the place you can scan your item, but HD can't have people trying to scan 60 pound bags of mortar mix, can they ? or 12 foot 6 by 6 deck timber (chuckle)
Kiosks, my boy, kiosks!!
I am hearing this word in a couple places, it means a station with limited internet functions that can be easily installed because all you do is run some wires that don't need a licensed electrician for power. DH is doing some- not in a store but maybe more stores could have them, like Target does. The library is talking about more kiosks for self check out. So I have this little voice of an early industrialist in my head saying Kiosks my boy that's where we'll make our next millions...kiosks! Or I could be way off. All wet, so to speak...
that is so neat Holly!
This message was edited Mar 30, 2014 7:25 AM
Walmart & Kohl's have price-check kiosks, but they are 1-function stations. If not kiosks, HD could simply issue smart phones or another data device to every employee at the start of their shift, to be turned in when they clock out. Yes, that would also be an expense they'd rather avoid, and they'd need to be clear on who pays for damaged units. Absurd to expect their employees to shoulder the expense, but that's a prevailing corporate attitude.
Jim's company doesn't provide anything for employees who work at home; they say the savings of not commuting cover the costs of internet connections, paper, etc... seriously? When they're saving the cost of a corner office with a window, they can't cough up for internet? At least they do provide his Blackberry (only way they got him to carry one). *shrug*
OK, back on topic... does everybody know where their new plants are going this year? Are you filling in gaps, developing new areas... ??
I have a pond-form a good friend gave me, and I think I finally figured out where to put it. We had some wet winters, and I lost a bunch of irises along the back part of the perennial bed... I'm pretty sure that makes enough space for the little pond, might have to move a few, but there's enough unoccupied space back there. it's also near where I just installed a weeping cherry I got on clearance last fall... figured it would be a focal point, maybe a good spot for a bench... great spot for a little pond, too!
I don't have a good way to get electricity back there, but I do have a little solar pump I can try... or I'll mostly fill it with garden soil and use it for lotus and marginals. I'll have to hire a neighbor kid to help to dig it in, but I'm thinking it doesn't have to go down as far as the soil level; some mounded soil and rocks around the edges will give me some additional little planting spots to play with.
I have a lot of potted bearded iris that I'll plant out behind the new little pond... not only has that been a good place for irises in the past, I also think the sword-shaped leaves are a great backdrop for a water feature.
As for all these lift-in-fall flowers I seem obsessed with this year... I think I might give up a good bit of my veggie garden to them, especially ones I'd like for cutting like the glads. I'm going to get some dollar store plastic baskets to plant things like dahlia clumps... I figure leaving the rim above ground will make them easy to locate & pull up in fall, and smaller roots should be able to grow through the openings just fine.
Right now, there are a lot of daffs in the veggie bed, because
i couldn't dig at all this fall, so my kid helpers dug trenches for them in the loose soil there. We'll pick the flowers, then move the bulbs to go around newly planted shrubs. I'm so relieved that most of the rhodi's & azaleas that had to say in pots this winter look like they survived.
Sounds like quite a project Critter! I'm mostly trying to rethink my beds, try new things in that way...
Couldnt resist two Scottish Moss from Lowes. And a few pansies for my front pots. I picked the wrong winter to see if the pansies would do well in those pots.
Jill sound quite ambitious and beautiful.
Critter, I just run one of those green heavy duty exterior extension cords thru the grass to my bathtub pond. I lay it on the grass and pin it down in a few spots with a few u-shaped landscape pins, to keep it good and flat. Ric doesn't have any trouble running right over it with the mower and over a bit of time it just works into the grass and we never have any trouble with it. I have one that has been in place for two years now. The trick is getting it nice and flat when you first put it out.
good tip! it'd be easy enough to even work a slit into the ground.
Jill--you said---
If not kiosks, HD could simply issue smart phones or another data device to every employee at the start of their shift, to be turned in when they clock out. Yes, that would also be an expense they'd rather avoid, and they'd need to be clear on who pays for damaged units. Absurd to expect their employees to shoulder the expense, but that's a prevailing corporate attitude.
I don't think Curtis (our SM) was serious about us all having Smart phones.
He was, sort of, teasing me--because I don't even use a cell phone...I was--"NO! NO!!"
He was just saying it in jest. Half the people already own "Smart Phones"---so they just need to
put the HD App on there and done.
We will NEVER have to pay for any equipment we use---never!
If one of these phones breaks--it is sent out to repair--or replaced.
We have plenty of company provided "One Phones"--the bulky, boxy, black hand-held
multi- function gizmos. It can do everything!! You can see it used in all the stores.
These things cost $3000 a pop.
There is ONE for each department--but--sometimes--it is hard to find one.
Each one also has a certain extension which is tied in to the department it belongs to.
Like--paint is Dep. #24. To call the Paint dept.--you have to dial #124.
Lumber is D. #21---to call them--you have to dial #121. etc...
We also have smaller versions of this phone--kind of like a souped up walkie-talkie.
They also correspond to certain depts.--just with a different prefix. #121--becomes #521.
Good luck finding one of those if you need a phone! People leave them in their aprons
and lockers--and we are always short of them.
We HAD a Computer in one of the main aisles--but they took it down, as it was not
convenient to anyone. They are talking about installing it near the GH entrance. Good!
That is a busy area.
Fear not--we are all well taken care of.... G,
Wanted to show you a pretty good bargain at HD.
You all know what "Mosquito Dunks" are. Right?
Well--they also come in a rough, granular form--called "Mosquito Bits"
These kill Mosquitos in any water feature as well as Bird baths.
It also kills Fungus Gnats larva in the soil in houseplants--therefore, eventually,
eliminating Fungus Gnats around your plants. Active ingredient--BTS.
Treats up to 2178 sq. ft.
These granules come in a plastic "shake or spoon" dispenser--like a BIG spice jar.
You can find this in Aisle #1 where all the bug repellants are.
This product has been clearances for a while--but now it has hit a really low price
of $2.43. Orig, price--$9.98. They seem to be, already, flying off the shelves.
Here is what the jar looks like. Go get some! G.
I wonder what the shelf life is on the mosquito bits? I've got some from last year that I'll use up before getting another big jug from Amazon... that's a great price, though, so I'll check here for them. Thanks, Gita!
I have a theory that by putting a bunch of water garden pots out and faithfully putting mosquito bits in them every week, not only do I keep them from being mosquito havens, but it's also like having a mosquito sterilization program for my yard. "Oooh lookie," buzzes mama skeeter. "A beautiful place to lay my eggs!" The eggs hatch, the larvae eat the BTS and die, and the next generation is prevented.
We do have an awesome mosquito problem in back, but in the past 2 years it's taken longer for it to get really bad back there -- like, late July rather than early June. So maybe? I think a lot of them came from the corn field, shallow furrows perfect for holding little water puddles. We'll see what happens with the construction behind us this summer.
Gita or Critter (or anyone, really), I've got a question about the mosquito dunks and bits. (sounds almost like a treat - Mosquitoes and dunks and bits and bits!)... if put into a bird bath, would it be harmful to the birds bathing and drinking there? If so, I'll just simply get more Lemongrass, but if not.. we carry those at work too, so I may just invest in some just for the bird bath out back. That's the only place I worry about with mosquitoes, and it's a hard balance to find; to keep the water dumped out and fresh enough to prevent mosquitoes but also "settled" enough for birds to want to enjoy it.
I'm not really planning much shopping for the yarden this year, due to time restraints. (math is taking every spare second I've got!) I got my Caladium bulbs, and bought more Asclepia seeds from work... oh, and I bought a replacement snail for the Big Bed out front (the extreme cold this Winter actually decapitated one of my snails!!)... Oh, and then there's Lemongrass -- I HAVE to have those. But, other than those few things, my time will be spent playing with numbers as much as possible while the rest of the world plays in the dirt. < =(
1: Decapitated snail
2: Replacement from work! (got a turtle too!)
Poor decapitated snail. Looks like you may be able to super glue its head back on? The replacements are nice though :)
I found this about the mosquito bits and dunks:
http://www.mosquitoreviews.com/mosquito-dunks-bits.html
Also Q & As here:
http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bti-mosquito-dunks-p-323.html
Q What is the shelf life of BTI Mosquito Dunks? Is there a limit on the length of time they can be stored before they are no longer effective?
A BTI Mosquito Dunks should be used within 2 years of the date of purchase. It is also important to store BTI Mosquito dunks out of direct sunlight and heat so that the product will not degrade.
Q Will BTI Mosquito Dunks hurt my wildbirds drinking out of a bird bath that has been treated?I want to treat my birdbaths but I don't want to do anything to harm my wild birds
A It will not harm the birds or any other animal that drinks from the water. The BTI dunks are designed to be used in rain barrels, horse and animal water troughs and similar areas like bird baths in a homeowners yard.
This message was edited Mar 31, 2014 6:48 AM
poor snail!
all things considered, I really try to dump and clean my birdbath rather than try dunks and bits. THe algae and the poo germs that must be in there...ew. I suppose Cornell Birds can say what is good for birdbath management.
Mosquitos are incredible at finding standing water. We had them in a very shallow pool of water in the bottom of our AC condenser unit. Can be in flower vases.
yep, I try to "police" the yard readily to empty any little puddles I find, keep empty pots turned over, etc. Seems to me it's at least 5 days from egg to biter, but I can probably google that... yep, it's 1 to several weeks from hatching to emergence. While checking that, also noted that asian tiger mosquitoes can reach maturity in as little as 1/4 inch of water (I read somewhere else once that they can breed in a soda bottle cap). This winter may have been cold enough to kill the eggs, but otherwise remember that the eggs can overwinter on the sides of containers, so watch for the wrigglers or put those bits in early - especially if you're moving water containers, birdbaths, etc., out after storing inside for the winter.
Jeff came running in the house on Saturday like an excited schoolboy with a treasure in his hand. "look what I found!". Yep, it was a biter! Couldn't believe it. UGH!!!!