Tired of aphids sucking up your plants the way people on cruises
suck up drinks? Would you like to have your plants escape the
Landscape Death Squad? How is organic matter similar to pantyhose?
Read on!
Tired of aphids sucking up your plants the way people on cruises suck up drinks? Would you like to have your plants escape the Landscape Death Squad? How is organic matter similar to pantyhose? Read on!
First, regarding sucking aphids. You should know that aphids are probably sucking on the tender, new foliage of your roses even as you read this. Aphids love tender, new growth, and roses are a particular favorite. The good news is that aphids can be easily controlled, sometimes with something as little as a jet stream of plain water. A jet stream of water will usually knock aphids off foliage, and they are too young and weak to climb back on.
You can also mix up your own liquid soap spray. Simply mix a few squirts of liquid soap with plain water in a sprayer and spray to your heart’s content. Of course, you can also go with stronger stuff, including neem oil sprays and chemical insecticides. However, I would try the softer approach first because it almost always works.
How is organic matter similar to pantyhose? Well, organic matter holds the nutrients in the soil just as pantyhose holds legs together. This translates to adding plenty of organic matter to garden beds. Organic compost is inexpensive and can be purchased in 1.5-cubic-yard bags at any garden center. It can also be bought in bulk at some recycling facilities and rockeries.
How do your plants escape the Landscape Death Squad? Make sure to plant in the correct location. You would be surprised at how many people plant shade-loving plants in full sun and vice versa. The wrong plant in the wrong location usually equals death.
Next, check the soil and add plenty of organic compost. Be careful not to overfertilize when you do fertilize. Many novice home gardeners figure that if plants look sad, they must be hungry. Then, they figure if a little fertilizer is good, more must be better. Be cautious when fertilizing. Don’t be lazy. You can always come back in a few weeks and fertilize again rather than putting twice the amount on in one dose.
Irrigation comes next. Don’t sprinkle when you water; instead, soak. Deep watering encourages healthier, deep roots, and sprinkling encourages shallow, weak roots.
Mulching is beneficial in that it prevents weeds from sprouting, saves on water and makes any garden look more attractive. Mulch, top dressing, redwood soil conditioner, etc., are available at any nursery.
Finally, don’t be afraid to rip out still-living plants. If they’re not doing well and you’re not satisfied with it, rip it out. I know it might be hard to do – after all, it’s still alive. If you can’t do it, dig it up and transplant to a container. The side of my house always has “sick” plants that I hope to nurse back to health.
