Having To Deal With Garden Pests

June 15, 2009 by Michael Wilson  
Filed under Garden Pests

There is nothing more frustrating to the gardener than to walk through their garden to find holes in all of their plants that looked fine only hours before. The explanations for some of these plant-destroying holes are of course garden pests. Some of the main garden pests are slugs, worms, caterpillars, birds, snails, and the occasional gopher. Although you can never wipe out these pests entirely, after all your hard work in the garden you have to do something.

Insects are one of the worst things to have in your garden; they can live under the soil, in old weeds or piles of leaves, or in a number of other places. In order to help keep insects away, always try and eliminate places in your garden and near your garden that these insects and other plant diseases could be living. Remove old leaves, weeds, or any other decaying matter that insects and diseases could be living in from your yard. Also, regularly turn over your garden soil and break apart any clumps of dirt so that you can eliminate the living spaces any insects that might be hiding underground.

Another way to rid your garden of the pests is to use dormant spray, which is used to keep destructive insects and diseases under control. It is best that you use dormant spray when your plants are dormant, usually around February or early March. Dormant spray is only effective if you follow the correct instructions. Be careful you follow the instructions correctly as some insects can be beneficial to your garden, so be sure to find out which insects help your garden – before you accidentally kill them.

Another pest problem besides insects is birds. Instead of chasing them away, why not put a bird feeder in your yard. Instead of costing you time and money with the birds eating your garden, the birds eat at
the bird feeder. In the long run it’ll save you money. Not only can a bird feeder help keep birds away from your garden, but they can also be a new part of your yard decoration.

If you start seeing mounds of dirt around your yard, and your plants keep dying, you can assume that you have a gopher problem. Gophers are rodents that are five to fourteen inches long. Their fur can be black, light brown, or white, and they have small tails. One method of getting rid of these root-eating pests is to
set traps. The key to successfully capturing a gopher using a trap is to successfully locate the gopher’s tunnels and set the trap correctly. Another way to get rid of them is to use smoke bombs, which you place into the tunnel and the smoke spreads through out it and hopefully reaches the gopher.

If you suspect that your gardens are being pillaged by any of the pests mentioned, try your hardest to eliminate the problem as soon as possible. The longer you let the species stay, the more established it will become.

  • Share/Bookmark

There Are Many Different Garden and Landscape Supply Items

April 19, 2009 by Michael Wilson  
Filed under Garden Supplies

There are many different garden and landscape supply items that are necessary for maintaining your garden and landscape. These items usually have something to do with the upkeep of the garden. Many of the tools included in the list are mainly garden tools. Many of these tools are for the plants in the garden. Landscape lighting is not included in this list of garden and landscape supply items and necessities.

Gardening Tools

Gardening tools will always be included in any garden and landscape supply list. Some of the more common gardening tools that even the least avid gardener will use is shears or scissors. These are used to cut, shape and prune plants that have become unruly. As part of the garden and landscape supply list, cutters are necessary for those who grow flowers and vegetables. You might have the urge to pick fresh flowers for vases or fresh vegetables for dinner.

One other gardening tool that may be essential as a garden and landscape supply item is the garden hose. This garden and landscape supply item helps to water the plants. Water is essential to all living things. The weather may not cooperate sometimes when plants need rain the most, so it is vital to have a watering hose or even a watering can on hand to give the plants some relief.

Another common garden and landscape supply item is the spade. This small shovel can help to dig soil as well as carry a small uprooted plant. The size of the spade is usually about four inches long with about three to four inches in width. This garden item should have a sturdy handle that you should be able to grip well. Not only is a spade handy for digging but it can also be used for turning up the ground and tilling it.

Fertilizers and Supplements

These garden and landscape supply items are not actually vital for the success of a garden but they can help to make it one. Fertilizers supply the soil with much needed elements and vitamins that are necessary for the plants to thrive and grow. Some soil may need supplementation for specific needs of plants in them. These garden and landscape supplies can help to make your garden more beautiful and attractive.

  • Share/Bookmark