hints and tips

Hints and Tips from Friends

A Tip for Roses

Des Stark from Tamworth NSW has not turned a spade of soil since 1966. has always used the no-dig system. Newspaper then lucerne,manure and straw topped with compost to start. A good spray he has tried for black spot on roses over the years. 3 teaspoons of bi-carb, 10ml White oil, 4.5 lt water, Spray as often as required. Enjoyed your site. Keep on gardening. E-Mail Des

Tomato Seedling Helper
Just a little idea I came across some time ago that I have used, and think it is a good one.
Hope someone gets some use of it.
A 2lt milk bottle with both ends cut off to create a square tube. Stand on end and fill with seedling mix or similar and sow seeds. At transplanting the tube and all is planted, pull the tube up a little to
create a "shelter" for the seedling. This can then be slipped up over the plant as it gains vigour, which has hopefully had a little head start.
Happy gardening and here's to a healthy planet.

A tip from Denise in Ireland
A friend of mine sprayed her cabbages with a mixture of vinegar and water to kill the catepillars. I haven't tried it my self but she swears by it. Have you ever used netting to keep carrot fly away?

A tip from Jim in GRANBURY,TEXAS USA
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, LIVING WITH MY GRANMA, I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY THERE WAS GARLIC GROWING UNDER ALL THE PEACH TREES. ONE DAY I ASKED HER, SHE TOLD ME IT WAS TO KEEP BORES OUT OF THE PEACH TREES. EVERY TIME WE PLANTED A PEACH TREE, GRANDMA WOULD PLANT GARLIC ALL AROUND THE TREE, STARTING ABOUT THREE INCHES OUT FROM THE TRUNK. AFTER I MARRIED AND HAD A PLACE OF MY OWN, I DO THE SAME. IN FACT, I PLANT GARLIC AROUND ALL MY FRUIT TREES. SOME PEOPLE SAY IT WILL FLAVOR THE FRUIT. I HAVE NEVER FOUND IT TO BE SO.
I REMEMBER ONE YEAR BACK IN THE 70' S , MY JOB SENT ME AWAY FROM HOME FOR ABOUT [6] WEEKS. IT WAS A DRY YEAR, DURING THE SUMMER. ABOUT 108 DEGREES DURING THE DAY. NO RAIN FOR MONTHS. WHEN I GOT HOME, ALL MY TREES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO DIE. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MULCH , ALL I HAD WAS A LOT OF BIG FLAT ROCKS, AND SOME DRIED OUT COW MANURE, I SCRATCHED THE DIRT UNDER THE TREES A LITTLE, PUT ABOUT 1/2'' OF MANURE AND THOSE FLAT ROCKS UNDER MY TREES, ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE DRIP LINE. STARTED WATERING AS MUCH AS I COULD, AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, THOSE TREES STARTED TO PERK UP AND THEY ALL LIVED AND DID GOOD. SO, ROCKS ARE A GOOD MULCH.THEY KEEP THE SOIL COOL AND
RETAIN MOISTURE WITHOUT CUTTING OFF THE OXYGEN.
JIM WALKER