GARDENING

Another question, if I may:
About controlling various bugs on tomato plants.
What do you use?
I really hate using poisons at any time, but particularly if the fruit of the plant is to be eaten. And keeping tomatoes bug free is a tough situation.
Any reliable organic bug controllers/killers you can recommend?

I've heard of using chili pepper-water spray. What kinds of bugs?

fertilizer - horse manure is what I use for plants. I also buy an old-bark compost mixed with sea shells. I dunno - it seems people have been using farm animal manure for ever. If it's been a good thing this long.....

How about hiring a battalion of ladybugs and arm them with swords and laser rifles?

Or just get a bunch of ladybugs ....
http://www.instructables.com/id/Ladybugs-Instead-of-Pesticides/

Oh, the usual tomato bugs, k.
Moth worms, grubs.
You end up with holes (& worms) in the fruit & leaves that look like lacework, if the plants are left unattended.
There's this poisonous powder (tomato dust) which is supposed to control this, & does. It's supposed to be harmless after a particular period of time ... but, you know!

What I like about you, tsar, is that you are always the practical helper outer, the helpful solution finder for these tricky gardening situations ...

Practicality is my middle name. I just spell it differently: Craig.

I swear by horse manure, k!
Fabulous stuff!
I've never come across a compost mixed with shells. Interesting. I guess it's what's available locally?
For both my manure & compost needs I buy in loose, in bulk. There's this place, about a 5 minute walk away, which has rows & rows of different varieties lined up. I just chose which one/s I want & they deliver! (Then the hard bit begins! )

Ha!

lady bugs are really good for small insects. There's a wasp whichg lays parasitic eggs on certain tomotao caterpillars (gruesome, but cool).

Are you serious, k?

.... I mean, introduce a wasp to deal with the problem?

I wouldn't if they weren't native to your area. Anyway, they tend to find the caterpillars on their own.

For compost I use horse manure.

I never have a big problem with pests or insects with my tomato plants. I think putting some marigolds in the pots with the tomatoes does help.

Well, you one upped me farmerman: "sea salt shaker'. Radishes usually have difficult time making it inside the house as well.
,...if I was shaker equipped,.....
More divine garden food talk. Eggplant, that has been battered and fried. Especially the skin. The parmesan final dish is usually smaller, then what was originally planned, due to out of frying pan pickings.

original marigolds are indeed a repellent, they stink. Hybrid marigolds, the large blooming ones so popular in all garden centers are NOT a repellent.

Yes, when I was a kid the marigolds gave me a huge headache. they don't seem to be as potent nowadays.

I'm going to experiment with steel wool or brillo pads this year to deter pests. or even alumimum foil collars around plants.

I usually plant marigolds all through out garden, one here, and one there,.....to attract bees. Sometimes, the bees build their hive in the ground, in the garden.

I usually support my local greenhouses, and purchase my plants from them. Past few years, they stopped growing their own plants, and ordered from a large company, that the big home improvements use as well. Not a good quality of a plant. So, this year, I planted all my seeds, close to two hundred plants so far, in containers. Built a make shift temporary greenhouse. Pondering a winter project of a more permanent one. The joys of gardening.

Tree grafting.
I found this tree last week. It is neat. Disregard date on picture.

I reckon that whoever mowed the lawn had had at least four pints.

How many medium sized tomatoes for one quart of salsa or sauce.
Doubled plant quantity.
Any input in regards to weed blocker Preen?
I laid the weed guard mesh this year. Not only did the weeds grow down through barrier,...they grew up through.
Joy.
Preen prevents weeds. Even though Preen has had good reviews, I ponder, anything that prevents something green from growing, possibly may not be wise to use near consumable vegetation.