Q&A: Garden pest organic control and treatment?

Question by qncyguy21: Garden pest organic control and treatment?
What are some good organic methods for preventing or treating garden pest infestations such as white flies, aphids, etc

Please let me know which specific pest your treatment treats.
thanks

Best answer:

Answer by crash
http://www.canningperennials.com/new_page_11.htm

this has it all

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Am I watering new sod too much? Is that possible?

Question by cquick99: Am I watering new sod too much? Is that possible?
I recently laid new sod in my yard (over clay soil) and my wife’s uncle who helped us set the sprinklers to water for 20minutes a time, 8 times a day. This seems excessive to me, can this hurt the sod?

Best answer:

Answer by Robert S
Yes. If the soil remains damp you can develop rot and fungus.

It is recommended:
It is recommended that ½ inch of water be applied to the lawn during each interval. With average water pressure and fixed pop-up heads, this would take approximately 21 minutes. It is best that the water be applied in cycles in order to maximize penetration of water into the soil and to the root zone. For example, set the automatic timer to run for seven minutes, repeated three times, with one hour between each cycle to achieve 21 minutes or ½ inch of water per interval. But keep in mind this schedule is based on averages, and your lawn may require a different cycle time, and you may need to water less frequently.

Add your own answer in the comments!

What kind of soccer cleats should I get for playing outdoor on artificial turf? (not real grass)?

Question by sup: What kind of soccer cleats should I get for playing outdoor on artificial turf? (not real grass)?
I am looking to get new soccer cleats and the field I will be playing on at my school is turf, not real grass. Now I am wondering if cleats that are FG (firm ground) will work or if I should get cleats that are labeled AG (artificial ground) or ones that are labeled turf. I’ve heard that FG works with turf and that AG and turf cleats are for indoor turf…so I’m unsure of which type to get.

Best answer:

Answer by antiphon
I suggest you to get the AG because you will not be playing on real grass.

Give your answer to this question below!

Bayer 704130A Bayer Lawn Weed And Crabgrass Killer

Bayer 704130A Bayer Lawn Weed And Crabgrass Killer

• Bayer Crop #704130A Gallon Weed/CRBGRS Killer
• BAYER CROP SCIENCE

Ready to spray. Kills dandelions, crabgrass, nutsedge, and over 200 additional weeds. Won’t harm lawns. Rainproof in 1 hour.

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 18.99

Price: $ 13.24

More Crabgrass Killer For Lawns Products

Using Door Hangers To Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Using Door Hangers To Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Spring is almost here and many of our regular lawn service customers are getting ready to distribute door hangers in their local neighborhoods. Door Hanger Advertising is a great method to use for growing your lawn care business. If you are considering door hanger distribution, here are a few things you should consider.

1- Divide Your Market Into Groups

Group A: Homes in the neighborhood that already have a lawn service. Within this group are: 

Customers that are happy with their lawn service
Customers that are unhappy with their lawn service
Customers that consider their lawn service “just ok”, or nothing special

Group B: Homes that do not have a lawn service. Within this group are:

Potential customers that think they can’t afford a lawn service 
Potential customers that no longer want to mow their own lawn due to age or health
Potential customers that might need work done occasionally

2 – Create A Special Offer For Each Group

When creating a special offer, be aggressive. It’s hard to get potential customers to change their habits. Whether you are trying to get them to fire their current lawn company and hire yours, or to stop doing the work themselves, you’ve got to give them a strong enough incentive to get them out of their “comfort zone”.

Here is an example of a strong offer that has been used successfully by lawn services. Headline – “NEW CUSTOMER INVITATION: FREE LAWN SERVICE! Details in smaller type – Pay For 2 Cuts At Our Regular Low Price and Your 3rd Cut Is FREE!” 

That works out to be a 33% discount on the first three cuts. After 3 cuts, if they like your work, you’ve probably got a regular customer.

Don’t make the mistake of evaluating the success of your door hanger advertising campaign by considering only the first purchase a customer makes. Look at the lifetime value of a customer. Here is a link to an easy to use calculator that can help you determine the lifetime value of a customer. 

Remember that the purpose of your door hanger is to generate a lead. You’ve still got to make the sale. So be prepared. Answer the phone live if you can and if you must use a recorded message, let the caller know that you will return the call quickly (the quicker the better).

Don’t worry about having the lowest prices and don’t get annoyed if the prospect seems to focus on price. The reason most callers start off with price questions is because they don’t know enough about the lawn service business to ask other questions. So, be prepared to defend your prices by describing the differences between you and your competitors.

When you give a price, look for a reaction from the prospect. Some potential clients may be embarrassed to question your prices. This is a “hidden objection” that you can dispose of by addressing it head on. For example you might say, “if you are shopping for price, you will find that the rates of most of the qualified lawn service companies in town are within a few dollars of each other. We not the highest or the lowest, however our service is way above average. Here’s why…..”

Keep close track of which offers are working best and then fine tune your door hanger before mailing again. Door Hanger Advertising is an on-going process. You’ve got to distribute, track response, fine tune and then distibute again. After awhile your response rates will become predictable and your business will be growing along the way.

More Lawn Service Business Articles

The Top 10 Allergy-Prone Cities In The US

The Top 10 Allergy-Prone Cities In The US

If you think that all the wheezing, coughing and watery-eyed symptoms that you are experiencing is entirely due to your being â??genetically prone to allergiesâ??, think again. The culprit might be the city where you are living.

So what is it about a particular place which makes it more allergy-prone than others? Basically, it is factors like high pollen content, mold counts and the level of pollution which triggers the allergy attack in an individual.

The ABCâ??s of Allergies: What You Need to Know about Allergy Attacks?

Before letting you know about the top allergy-prone cities in the United States, let us first take at the basic facts about allergies. First, why do you get them? Experts believe that allergies tend to be inherited from oneâ??s parents.

As your body gets exposed to allergens, its defense gets weakened which in turn triggers an allergic reaction .These allergens can intrude on your body through your nose, mouth and lungs.

Second, what exactly are the elements which are considered to be allergens? This includes:

â?¢ Airborne grass, tree, weed, pollen
â?¢ Dust mites
â?¢ Mold spores
â?¢ Pollen
â?¢ Pet dander

Remember that even if you are born with allergic tendencies, you are not automatically prone to having an allergic reaction. As in the case of pet dander, it may take several years for you to be sensitive to a specific allergen.

Aside from inheriting allergic-prone genes from your parents, your allergic reaction will also get triggered if you are usually around pesky allergens, and when your body comes in contact with allergens your immune system tells you to stay away from.

Finally, what are the symptoms of an allergic reaction? Sneezing, having a stuffed nose, coughing, itchy throat, watery eyes, and having dark circles under the eyes from sinus pressure are just some of the symptoms that you should watch out for.

A Look at the Top 10 Allergy-Prone Cities in the United States
As mentioned earlier, your allergic reactions will definitely get triggered if you live in a place where allergens are usually around. So which places in the United States are considered to be the most allergy-prone cities? Take a look at the following list:

1. City: Lexington, Kentucky

Worst Season: Spring
Top Allergens: Pollens

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America or AAFA, Lexington has a worse than average pollen score at 100. It means that thereâ??s a daily average of 300 grains per cubic meter of pollen which pollutes the air on a daily basis if you live in this city.]

Kentucky also has a worse than average medicine utilization factor, as well as board certified allergists per patient. From a rank of 52 in 2007, the ranking of Lexington as the allergy capital of the nation is ranked by the AAFA has jumped to number one in 2008.

2. City: Little Rock, Arkansas

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weeds, pollen, mold spores

Last year, the AAFA ranked Little Rock, Arkansas to be the 9th most allergy-prone city in the country. What makes the city of Little Rock especially prone to triggering allergies in people is the weeds pollen.

However, the main culprit seems to be its mold level, which is higher than average as compared to other cities.

Molds actually grow on rotting logs, grasses and compost piles â?? but the worse thing is that they spread when their spores become airborne.

3. City: Greensboro, North Carolina

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, tree and weed pollens

According to the AAFA, the city of Greensboro in North Carolina is the most miserable city for fall allergies. As the name of the city implies, there are a lot of â??greensâ?? that you need to deal with if you live in Greensboro, North Carolina and all that lush color will trigger allergy attacks.

Watch out for ragweed, weed, and grass pollens during the fall. This is especially an allergic-reaction trigger because the city has more than 170 parks which produce enough ragweed â?? enough to make the typical allergy-sufferer miserable.

4. City: Greenville, South Carolina

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, tree and weed pollens

Much like Greensboro, Greensville in South Carolina is not as good a city to live in for those who are prone to allergy attacks. Fall is the worst season of all because the city is a lush landscape of greenery at this time of the year.

The things which make the city a haven for nature lovers may just be the bane of allergy-sufferers, especially those who are dealing with asthma attacks as a kid.

5. City: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Worst Season: Spring
Top Allergens: Weeds or weed pollens

Based from the AAFA data, the city of Raleigh-Durham has an average pollen count â?? which makes it easy to conclude that there is one other culprit which serves as the cityâ??s worst allergen: weeds.

Raleigh-Durham has plenty of weak leaf, yellow nut sedge and yellow Indian grass which grow abundantly â?? so when spring season comes, you need to take into account this fact if you would not like to suffer from allergy attacks.

6. City: Jackson, Mississippi

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Grass, weed

If you have allergic reactions to grass, weed and pollen, remember that they usually circulate at around 10 in the morning to 12 noon. Experts recommend staying indoors during these hours to minimize your allergic reaction â?? no matter where you live.

However, if you are from Jackson, Mississippi â?? this is actually not a haven for allergy-sufferers, especially those who have a bad reaction to Bermuda Grass and ragweed.

The city is rich in these two allergens. So if you are suffering from allergic reactions, the best way to counteract this is by staying away from the outdoors during the time of the day when such allergens are airborne.

7. City: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weed or weed pollens

Yet another city which is not really a good place to be during the fall season is Grand Rapids in Michigan. Ragweed, plantains and nettle are the worst allergens â?? especially during the autumn season.

If you would like to fight off a possible allergic reaction and you really need to be outdoors, make sure to take a quick shower and change your clothes after enjoying a day outdoors.

8. City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Worst Season: Spring
Top Allergens: Mold spores, weeds and grass pollens

Knoxville, Tennessee was ranked as the 6th worst city to be for those who are prone to allergies â?? especially during the spring season [Spring allergies]. Despite having an average pollen count, they do have a worse than average medicine utilization for allergens.

What makes Knoxville a particularly bad city to live in for those who are suffering from allergic reactions is the presence of garden sorrel and a grass called redtop.

9. City: Wichita, Kansas

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Mold spores, weed or weed pollens

You may want to say that youâ??re not in Kansas anymore if you live in the city of Wichita and you have allergic reactions. Ragweed and chenopods are the culprit elements and during the fall, weeds and molds provide plenty of airborne allergens for an allergic-prone Kansas resident to be particularly unhappy.

10. City: Madison, Wisconsin

Worst Season: Fall
Top Allergens: Weeds or weed pollens

There are plenty of allergens to travel around when you live in Madison, Wisconsin. Amaranth, pigweed, tumbleweed and the occasional mold are the items which trigger allergic reactions to individuals.

If you live in these allergy-prone cities and you donâ??t see yourself moving in the near future, then you should always consult your doctor about how you can stay away from allergens when walking outdoors so that you can enjoy either the fall or the spring season without having to cough, sneeze or wheeze your way through it.

Most popular Plant Watering Automatic auctions

Plant Watering Automatic on eBay:

Automatic Plant Watering Aqua System PlantWatcher 650

US $9.99 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 9:31:03 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2 Large Automatic Plant Watering System PlantWatcher

US $24.98 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 9:31:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $24.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Automatic Plant Watering Aqua System PlantWatcher 650

US $9.99 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 9:32:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Growing Frangipanis (or Plumeria)

Growing Frangipanis (or Plumeria)

Frangipanis will grow well in any soil type but prefer a well drained soil. They will grow in all climates except the severe frost prone temperate climates, however, they prefer and grow best in a hot dry climate. They are very drought and fire hardy.

Growing Position

Being a tropical plant, the frangipani prefers to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. They will tolerate part shade, but those grown in a warm to hot position where they get at least 6 hours of sun a day will grow faster and flower far better than those grown in part shade. They can cope with sea breezes but prefer protection from high winds. Frangipanis will tolerate light frosts, but in cooler climates give them the warmest, sunniest spots in the garden or move them to a warm protected area in late autumn. A hot house is ideal, but placing your frangipani on a concrete path against a brick wall where it will get radiated heat (and be protected from frost and wind) will also work. 

Frangipanis are also perfectly adaptable to growing in containers. Because they respond well to pruning, they’re easy to keep under control. Choose a large container with a diameter of at least 40cm and plenty of volume. If over time the tree becomes pot-bound, lift it out and prune back the roots before re-potting into fresh potting mix.

Feed them occasionally with a soluble fertiliser and remember that potted plants need more frequent watering than those in the ground. Water moderately in summer, especially when the trees are young and becoming established. Old established trees can survive quite happily on natural rainfall. During winter, when the trees are bare, leave the watering to nature. Frangipani will not tolerate its root system being over wet and cold at the same time, and rot may develop!

Fertilising

Frangipanis respond best to organic fertilizers which are high in nitrogen, potassium (or potash) and phosphorous.

Nitrogen is good for green growth, phosphorous for large flowers and healthy roots, and potassium or potash for good plant cell structure and strength, as well as improving disease resistance. During the growing season, an application of liquid fish fertiliser and seaweed solution is beneficial. 

Do not fertilise during dormancy.

Mulching the soil around the tree will keep the roots cool in summer and warm in winter. It also helps to retain moisture and reduce weeds however mulch should be kept away from the trunk to avoid rot.

Pruning

Frangipanis respond very well to pruning. Different pruning approaches can be used to create a compact, densely branched tree or a standard with long trunk and no lower branches. However, be aware that frangipani flowers appear only at the end of branches, and these must be two years old before they bloom. So, if you plan to prune your frangipani heavily, consider doing half one year, and then half the next year to ensure a continuous display of flowers.

To create a densely branched specimen prune branches to one half or one third of their natural length. These pruned branches will sprout multiple branches near the pruned ends.

To prune to produce a standard, simply prune branches right back to the main trunk so that no further branching can occur.

Pruning is best done during late winter or early spring. 

Find More Seaweed Fertilisers Articles

Hello, I am trying grow an organic garden?

Question by Black Princezz: Hello, I am trying grow an organic garden?
I dislike go to whole market and purchase expensive veggie purchase , so a boy gave me Great idea saying “you really don’t have go since you are vegetrian you will need a lot of veggie and fruits” “what about grow your own garden?” uh?! GOOD IDEA! I am into both Vegetrian / Organic and would like to grow my own garden.
But I need an advice from ya’ll who did the growing of your own GARDEN in YOUR YARD, is it as easy you think? Did flies ,worms, or Bugs often get into them ? what the special thing s I must buy to keep them off and to keep other human beings from stealing? How often do you have to water them?

Please do tell your story and detailed questions, if you wanna..
You can tell me the name link of website where i can get packaged seeds (growth) from?

Best answer:

Answer by Stephen B
you do have alot of questions/goto organicgareningguru,com/gardenzone.info/etc. /just look up organic gardening/ but, after all your hard work and one of your buddies wants to steal your first tomatoe that you were going to pick the next morning “SHOOT IM”

Add your own answer in the comments!

Q&A: Wheat and other grains are grasses. How edible is ‘garden variety’ grass seed? If you let it grow instead of..

Question by cdf-rom: Wheat and other grains are grasses. How edible is ‘garden variety’ grass seed? If you let it grow instead of..
mowing it regularly, and if you have acres of it, and if you harvest it and grind it to flour, could you make edible bread out of common grass…?

Yes, I KNOW that wheat, oats, rye, corn, etc., are better and have been bred (no pun intended) for the purpose. But would it work? Anybody know or heard of anyone who’s tried it? Would it taste nasty…? I know cows, horses, etc, will eat it, but I don’t think they have very discriminating palates.

I don’t have the time or space to experiment with this. Please, serious answers only! Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by mr.perfesser
Good question. I have never seen any “Poison” warnings on grass seed bags. If cows and horses can eat it, we probably could too. A typical lawn actually includes a pretty wide variety of grass species, mixed with a similar variety of weed species. So you would get a lot of different seeds. I would expect most of them to be edible, but some might not be. So I wouldn’t try it. Anyway it would probably taste crappy. The grass seeds (grains) that we do eat have been selected for breeding largely because they taste good. If lawn grass seeds tasted good, we would probably be breeding and growing them for food.

Give your answer to this question below!

« Previous Page — Next Page »