Looking for some Gardening Tips...
By byfaithonly
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
June 6, 2009 8:44pm CST
Ok, calling all myLot gardeners. I had a horrid time deciding just where to put this discussion: writing, blogging, web sites, internet, oh ended up at gardening.
This is the deal - I've written several gardening articles and love doing them (plan to write more) but after being upset with Helium I'm not posting articles there at least for the time being but instead set up a new section on my own site just for gardening. I also set up a blog where I would like to post gardening tips.
That's where you all come in - I need suggestions, gardening tips, a bunch right now with the blog just starting there's like next to nothing there..
So, do you have any gardening tips you would like to share?
Please please please! I promise you'll get something in return:)
1 person likes this
3 responses
@snowy22315 (180452)
• United States
7 Jun 09
I think that you should write about using soap to wash leaves if they get infected with tiny little bugs. I know that you can use liquid soap to wash your plants if they get infected with the tiny aphids if you wash them off you may be able to save your plants. I don't think everyone knows about this.
2 people like this
@JeninND (65)
• United States
7 Jun 09
Well, there's something I didn't know right there! I'm trying to do my garden 100% organic this year, I just hate the little bugs. Do you suppose I could fill up a spray bottle with 7th Generation dish soap and water, and just spray the leaves? I won't use pesticides, so maybe the soapy water would work.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
7 Jun 09
Excellent tip - I've done this before and it does work, thank you for the reminder. I'll certainly use this and give you credit if you don't mind.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
7 Jun 09
I hope you won't mind if I interject but I have a suggestion -- try Sunlight dish soap (yep the one in the yellow bottle that has been around "forever"). My mom was an avid gardener and had a huge flower garden that became a bit of a sensation in her neighborhood. She was so proud of it and rightfully so. She taught me to use Sunlight for a few things -- put a good quantity in a sprayer and add warm water (I've seen recommendations to add a bit of oil to this mix but I never do that). Spray this on flowers, plants, bushes, she even used it on her hedges against pests. Worked beautifully. I also use it very successfully in a small watering can to combat ants on my patio. I make up the mix and pour it into all the crevices between my patio stones. Takes care of the ants and ant hills for usually about two weeks max. No matter what you use it for, you obviously have to repeat the process regularly but it's really affordable (much cheaper than a lot of the commercial products I used to try) ... just a small investment in time. We have a pesticide ban in my town so we have to find our own solutions. I'm not sure why Sunlight works... as I've mentioned in other discussions here, maybe citrus content? Not sure - but I rely on it :)
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
7 Jun 09
LOL - sometimes that looking like it does work, well did for me and golfing, everything matched including my new outfit and the pink golf tees. Our team took first place - and I don't know how to golf :)
I could use you as an example of what NOT TO DO :)
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
7 Jun 09
been writing gardening tips this morning - doing blog posts for the coming week then just date them to post automatically one a day send me a pm with your plant killing themes and I'll roll with that, will give you link back from the blog for any ideas :) I want to make this 'educational' but fun too. I love gardening!1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
7 Jun 09
Congratulations on starting your gardening section! Looks great in the photo!
I don't have specific "tips" at the moment but I did have a thought... since we are living in tougher economic times, a lot of people are turning to gardening that have never done it before. A lot that "used to" garden are taking back the tools and digging. It makes sense (and may be necessary in many cases) to devote space (whether it's actual garden beds or space on an apartment balcony) to growing food. Perhaps you could include either tips or articles on "economical gardening" -- the most reliable produce that can be grown from seeds (cheaper than buying plants from a nursery), "food crops" that grow reliably / successfully in containers (to help people avoid costly experiments), etc.?
Not sure this is what you're looking for but I wish you luck with your project! :)
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
7 Jun 09
Oh it's a pleasure! Glad to help wherever possible :) If I can think of any other tips for you, I'll certainly be happy to come back and share. Things seem to occur to me at the least likely moments! LOL
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
7 Jun 09
Great minds thinking alike on this one - I'm mainly gearing towards the 'newbie' gardener, keeping it simple, fun, but educational. Both the blog and the site will go in that direction. Time permitting though I want to do a bit of studying on the 'green' aspects but I'm a diehard 'Square Foot' gardener and swear by it.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
7 Jun 09
Wanted to add you gave me some great ideas and also read your post above about the dish soap and ants - I didn't know that and will certainly be using that one in the future.
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