Gardening Ideas, Photos and Answers

Gardening: What is This Orange Fuzz on My Apple Tree?

It is also on a couple of pear trees.

Laurie 12 minutes ago

I had cedar apple rust on my apple tree. I put a sample in a ziplock baggie and then put it ...»
in a second baggie. I took it to my local university extension and they told me what it was. I lost my apple tree.

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REALLY Killing Weeds With Vinegar

For more details on this process, please visit the blog post below.

Lately, I've been seeing Pinterest boards and blogs with tutorials on how to make a ...»

vinegar weed killer. Friends, I'm here to tell you that their information is faulty and their vinegar weed killer will not work.

Most of the blogs that show vinegar weed killer recipes, show household vinegar with 5% acidity.

This.Will.NOT.Work. I repeat, This.Will.NOT.Work.

You need a vinegar that has AT LEAST 10% acidity PLUS a horticultural citrus oil. There is some controversy within the organic gardening community regarding vinegar strength. Very respected gardeners say that 10% acidity mixed with citrus oil will kill weeds.

For at least 10 years I have been using a 20% vinegar for my weed control. I have not tried 10% vinegar ~ but I trust the gardeners who say it will work. Many of them are diluting their 20% vinegar by cutting it in half and adding water. Doing this will give you two gallons of 10% vinegar.

WARNING: This 10% – 20% vinegar is potent. You need to wear goggles, rubber gloves, long sleeves, and shoes when working with 20% vinegar. It will burn your skin if any splashes. I have experienced this first hand ~ it can be very painful.

While the vinegar alone will work well at getting rid of weeds, it's the orange oil that nails the coffin shut on weeds. However, none of this will kill weeds if it isn't properly applied. That is the real secret to killing weeds and killing them for good.

If you want to kill weeds naturally, then here's what you do:The correct ratio for weed killing is: 1 gallon of 10-20% vinegar to 1 C. of orange (or citrus) oil. Mix well. (see my Warning above) Then, add to either a spray bottle like this one. I highly recommend rubber gloves when applying with this type of bottle ~ it does tend to drip.

This ONLY WORKS when applied at full strength, in sunlight, during the heat of the day.

That means, if it rained yesterday, then don't apply it. If rain is in the forecast within 24 hours, don't apply it.

Wait until the soil is dried out a bit, the sun is bright, and it's the middle of the day. It must be at least 70-degrees for maximum efficacy. The weed will think you are giving it some good food. Down the hatch, little weed.

Keep in mind that this brew does not discriminate. Be careful where you spray. It will kill your flowers and plants just as effectively. Obviously, avoid application on windy days.

Erika W 4 minutes ago

Household vinegar works for me in the dead heat of summer but not at other times here in ...»
central Virginia

Gardening: One Lonely Iris

Last year, I planted a number of iris cuttings from a friend. The only one to bloom has just opened. They are in full sun and I planted them shallow as I've done before successfully. What could be wrong?

Gardening: One of my red maple trees died.

We planted three red maple trees over two years ago and they did well the first year. Last summer two of them had some white powder looking stuff on the leaves. This year one of them did ...»

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Gold Rimmed Chalkboard Pots

Looking for an easy way to spice up your outdoor pots? Try painting them with chalkboard paint and adding a gold rim! They're sure to make you smile.... and they make everything you plant look fabulous! Stop by for the tutorial!

JustAWhimsicalWorld 34 minutes ago

What a great idea! I'm loving the splash of gold you added :D

3 Simple Steps to Create Gorgeous Containers

To busy to plant? No worries... here's a way to make your neighbors envious and your friends amazed. Simple pop a gorgeous hanging basket into your existing planter. Add a few more plants ...»

Donna Dixson 43 minutes ago

It is a great idea! You can also just plop them in the ground for a ready made flower bed at ...»
the mail box or small front bed.

Plant I.d.?

I have had this planted in my Secret Garden (shade garden) for several years. Although I had probably left a plant id tag by it when it was first planted, I have no idea what this plant is.....can anyone help id the plant for me?

Donna Dixson 46 minutes ago

I think Barb Rosen has the right of it in the other post. It is an Epimedium

Gardening: Weed?

I have this coming up all through my flowerbed. Can anyone tell me what it is? I can't find anything online that even looks remotely close. I live in the West Central part of Oklahoma if that means anything...

Donna N 46 minutes ago

Gail, after reading your reply, I went outside to "smell" the "alien plant" and it just smells ...»
like if you would tear grass and smell it. It just smells like cut grass. No onion smell. It's really light and airy....I'm not totally convinced that it's "nutgrass" (sry Nancy) because it just doesn't look like any of the images I have viewed. I'm just gonna let it grow and see what it does. Everything needs a chance at life and I'm gonna wait this one out. Thanks for replying! :-)

My Favorite Flower Pot Combination

This is one of my favorite flower pot combinations! I planted these in an old Rustic concrete urn. I combined Red Geraniums, with Blue Lobelia and Silver Helichrysum! Once they fill in, ...»

Easy