Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Growing Tips for Amaryllis Belladonna Lily



When I moved to the Midwest region of the United States, there was a beautiful pink lily that bloomed at the end of summer. My neighbors told me that the flower was commonly called “naked ladies”. The common name seemed odd because this pink flower was glorious. I searched for it online and learned that the flower growing wild in my yard was the Amaryllis Belladonna lily.
Here is a postcard that I made from a photograph I took of Belladonna lily in bloom. You can see that this is a beautiful flower that will brighten your garden.

Pink Belladonna Lily Bloom Postcard
Pink Belladonna Lily Bloom Postcard by Sgolis  

I have transplanted this lily and found that it is easy to grow outdoors and indoors during the winter months.
There are several ways to grow the Amaryllis; in the winter as a houseplant and then transplant it to your outdoor garden in the spring after the threat of spring frost has passed. Or you can buy the bulbs and plant them in outdoor containers or in your gardens.



Growing Tips
  1. Select an area in your garden that has full sun to shade in the heat of the day.
  2. Plant naked ladies in soil that has been amended with compost.
  3. The garden site needs to be well-drained
  4. When fully grown the naked ladies' flowers are 24 to 36 in height, it is best to plant them in an area where they will not be overcrowded. Space the lily bulbs one foot apart.
  5. Plant the bulb so the top is even with the soil surface.
  6. Water well when planting is completed
Here is a photograph of Belladonna lilies growing in my side yard.


The fragrant pink rose flowers will bloom from tall naked stems (no leaves) in late summer to early autumn. The lilies are hardy to 28F.  Note I have grown these flowers for many years.  Where I reside it is not uncommon for the temperatures to dip below zero in the winter months.  This is why  I protect my lilies with 3 to 4 inches of mulch in late fall.
In my experience, the lilies that are planted with a wind block, in an area that has morning sun/ afternoon part shade in the peak heat of the day and is not watered daily seem to have vibrant blooms and long-lived flowers.

Other Growing Tips

Choose your planting site well and then do not disturb the naked ladies. If you transplant them it will take a few years for the plant to produce blooms.
Grow in full sun, for zone 7 to 11 and height is 28-35 inches / Common name is Belladonna lily, Cape belladonna, Naked ladies



Planting Tips for NON-GMO Milkweed Seeds/ Butterfly weed

If you love watching monarch butterflies and other butterfly species then plan to grow non-GMO milkweed seeds in your garden, field, or other open space. Milkweed plants (Asclepias) are the plants that attract Monarch butterflies, other butterflies, and hummingbirds because of the nectar source. This plant is also attractive to Monarch butterflies for egg-laying. 


Butterfly white tree nymph and the milkweed plant



If you plan on growing milkweed this season then I would recommend that you start your seeds indoors. Milkweed needs a (cold season) This is an important step as the cold temperature is needed for seeds to germinate. 

So before you plant your seeds you would dampen a paper towel, set the seeds on the towel, and put the towel in a ziplock plastic bag. Set the bag with seeds onto a baking sheet or other flat surface and put it in your refrigerator for 30 days. 

Remove the milkweed seeds after 30 days and plant your seeds in starter kits or in the ground. If the weather is not hot, then plant outdoors, but if your temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit then milkweed will not germinate outdoors I would recommend growing them indoors in a container, then transplanting them outdoors.

Know that it is recommended to plant milkweed seeds in the fall for the following spring season. 




Saturday, May 7, 2016

Herbaria Lavender Face Serum Product Review

Herbaria makes a face serum that is made from lavender and bergamot essential oils. This biotherapy treatment for your face makes your skin feel soft, smooth, and ageless. Know that I grow herbs that could be used for essential oils but prefer to buy this organic herbal face treatment at  herbariasoap.com 




The products that herbaria use are pure, natural, and highest quality.  Know that I have been a long-time customer, since 2006. I was one of the customers that bought a variety of herbal soaps and DEET-free citronella mist for insect repellent when they were making the products in their home's basement. Love all their products but was happy that they came out with an anti-aging herbal face serum.


 I bought the face herbal serum and within a month of using the treatment twice a day,  I can see and feel the difference in my skin.
This serum works so well that I stopped wearing makeup. This herbal blended serum has restored elasticity and rejuvenated my complexion. I love the skin the that I am in because my face has a youthful glow.  


Since using this face serum my friends and family ask me “what are you using on your face” or they say “your skin looks great, care to share your secret?”



My secret is simple; 8 hours of sleep, 8 glasses of purified water, and Herbaria herbal face serum.



How to apply herbal serum:


In order to get firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin. you need to apply only a few drops daily. What I do is wet my face with tepid water. Then I add 2 to 3 drops of the essential herbal oils to the palm of my hand. Rub my hands together before adding to my face. Then wait a few minutes for the oils to absorb into your skin before applying makeup. I treat my face in the morning and at night.


More Information


All products used in this serum are organic, which is very appealing. Ingredients are as follows; essential oil of lavender, essential oil of bergamot, organic rosehip oil, hemp seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, Vitamin E, and organic sunflower seed oil.


The fragrance of this oil is delightful, and the results of the one-month treatment are fantastic. Know that I recommend this herbal face treatment to anyone who desires natural moisturizer and youthful-looking skin.


Learn how to make essential oils from cuttings from your flower and herb garden by viewing this video.  You can make them in your kitchen, easy to do. 


Monday, May 2, 2016

What to Do if Coyotes are in Your Yard


Our home is located directly next to 29 acres of woods, with a creek in the valley.  This land connects to a state park and it is an ideal habitat for a variety of animals. We enjoy watching the wildlife but when the coyote came into our yard it was too close for comfort. This article will tell you what we did to stop the coyote from coming into our yard.




When coyotes come into your yard it is best to scare them off. In general, coyotes are fearful of humans. Normally if you wave your arms in the air, and scream at them they will run away.


We have lived in this house for 15 years and this is the first time coyotes came into our yard so we needed to determine the attraction.


Coyotes' diet consists of small animals, insects, berries, and vegetables. I grow blueberries, Nanking cherries, and vegetables. Since these plants are grown in outdoor gardens husband decided that we needed to install a repellent to keep the coyotes out of our yard.


We bought a motion-activated water repellent; the Scarecrow animal repellent by Contech at amazon.com  Installation was easy; insert it into the ground and attach it to your garden hose. This motion-activated animal repellent protects up to 1200 square feet and is effective at repelling not only coyotes but also stray dogs, deer, cats, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits.


If the coyote comes into our yard and crosses the motion sensor then the scarecrow's noise will startle the animal and the water burst will come in contact with the coyote, and the animal will feel a sting. The noise and sting of the water will scare the coyote. They will exit the yard because they will be caught off guard. The animal will try a few times to get past the scarecrow but eventually learns that they are not welcome.


Making yard unattractive to wildlife



The following day husband and I decided to clean up our yard. The dog's food had spilled out of his bowl and was lying on the ground. To remedy this food source, we decided to feed the dog in the garage. The husband bought trash cans with locking lids at Lowes.com to prevent coyotes from getting into the trash.


We also cleared away many of the plants that were growing thickly, this created an area that provided no hiding spots. A manicured yard is not a comfortable yard for wildlife.



*** If you reside in a city I would recommend contacting animal control and asking them to set up a live animal trap in your yard to remove the coyote and relocate it outside of the city. Trapping in my situation is not the answer since there are many coyotes in the woods. Repellents and deterrents are best in my circumstance. 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

About Mole Animals - How to Get Rid of Them

Today my neighbor came down to talk to me about the mole animals in his yard. He had one that had dug a hole up by his oak tree and did not like the mound of dirt. He also did not like his kids playing around the mole and was concerned for their safety. He asked me how to get rid of the moles in his yard.

You may not know a whole lot about moles, but I know a thing or two.  They are burrowing small mammal that lives underground. This small animal has nice soft-looking fur with powerful-looking front paws with claws that are meant to dig.  Moles are not blind but they do have poor eyesight.  The mole eats grubs, beetles, slugs, and earthworms and they will eat plant tubers and roots that have become water logged or infested with insects. 

I have never ever heard of a mole chasing and biting a child. These animals spend their entire life underground. Occasionally you will get a photo of them, as they rarely leave their den.





I use organic repellent if I have more than one or two in my yard. I will remove their mound of dirt and work it back into my yard and garden, this makes my yard look better. For me, these little animals are an organic way to get rid of insects that are not desirable, such as grubs, slugs, and beetles. 

My neighbor had been told to spray his yard with chemicals to get rid of the moles and every living insect. Not to mention this chemical would be harmful to pets and kids. He was also told to put rubber pellets in the ground that were about the size of a grub and this would be the best way to get rid of the mole permanently.

There is no reason to end the life of the moles in your yard when you can get rid of them without harming them. There are organic repellents that will get rid of the moles and they won’t come back.

One way is to buy a Concentrated Garlic Barrier and spray your entire lawn and spray into the mole tunnel. Why? Moles find the garlic vapors to be repulsive, and they will leave.

Another safe and effective way to get rid of moles is to Buy Plant Por-Tech Gopher and Mole repellents I found this product at Amazon.com and it works well. You put the slow-release garlic stake in the tunnel and it will continue to release the garlic vapor for 12 months. This is an easy repellent that gets rid of moles and other burrowing pests.

Now my husband prefers to treat the lawn with home make mole repellent. He uses a mixture of dawn dish soap, caster oil, and water that is mixed in a lawn sprayer bottle. Before he saturates our lawn with this formula he will backfill the dirt into the mole tunnels then he leaves a puddle of the caster oil, dawn, and water in the area of the hole. When the solution seeps into the tunnel the moles will leave.

This treatment which consists of 4 ounces of caster oil, 1 tablespoon of dawn dish soap, and water that is mixed well prior to applying needs to be repeated monthly to repel any new moles that want to burrow in your yard.


I recommend natural mole repellents because they are organic and safe to use around pets and kids.

Buy Mole Repellents at Amazon.com

12-Month Garlic Slow Release Stakes to Safely Get Rid of Moles
Concentrated Garlic Lawn Spray for Pests Control and Mole Repellent

Learn more about moles, the animal here:








Thursday, March 31, 2016

Capstone Garden Path

One man's trash is a treasure to me. My neighbor set them at the curb concrete capstone, 6 slabs, and my husband brought them home. We recycled the capstone by adding the stones to our preexisting garden path. Thanks to the capstone find I was able to extend the garden path and it really makes the yard look nice
It did not take long to extend our path with capstone. My husband and I worked on the path together as it was a DIY weekend yard improvement project. View the photograph to see how we spaced the path and then completed it with the cypress mulch. Note the stones are not perfect, but we do not mind. The total cost for this project was under $10. as we got 3 cupric feet of mulch that were discounted at Walmart garden center.


Learn how to install a capstone garden path by reading my blog post YardSale Finds Create Inexpensive Garden Path



Walkers Low Catmint

A few years ago I bought walkers low catmint online at Greenwood Nursery. They shipped me very healthy potted plants, that had green leaves and pretty flowers. These plants were added to my garden and they bloomed throughout the summer season.
Photographs of the catnip plants I bought from Greenwood Nursery.  This is how they looked on the day I received them.  I definitely recommend this online nursery for your garden needs.


By the second season, these six plants put out runners and filled in a space of 4 x 4, forming a thick mat of green foliage and pretty lavender-blue flowers. The flowers bloomed continually in May and June, then I deadheaded the plants, fed them with miracle grow bloom booster and the catmint bloomed again.
What I like about this plant is that it is maintenance-free and pest resistant and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to my yard. 

I would recommend that you plant in full sun, although it will tolerate some shade in the afternoon. My summers get very hot and where I have planted the catmint there is part shade at the peak of the day followed by the late afternoon sun. On average the plants get 6 hours of sun daily. My garden soil is well-drained and I water this catmint in the morning with a slow drip soaking hose for one hour. By afternoon the soil is dry and I have found that the catmint can hold up and is tolerant of dry soil conditions.

Learn more about this beautiful perennial for your garden here


Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Camouflage Fence with Flowering Vines

Talk about an eyesore, the chain link fence needs to be camouflaged. If you are like me and want to hide your ugly chain-link fence then do so by growing a flowering vine.

A few years ago a garden friend of mine gave me some “Grandpa Ott” morning glory seeds. She told me that the morning glory would cover up my six-foot chain link fence and that the long blooming flowers would attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

I really liked the garden tips for hiding the fence, with pretty flowers that attracted hummingbirds. So I planted the seeds indoors and then transplanted them outdoors after the threat of spring frost had past.

What I like about this vine is the foliage; both heart-shaped leaves and petunia-like flowers are attractive. Plus the “Grandpa ott” flower is so pretty; dark purple with magenta pink and yes the vine fills in quickly and does camouflage the ugly link fence.


This vine looks beautiful when grown over a wooden privacy fence.  


Tips:

Growing from seed is easy provided you soak the seeds overnight before planting. Morning glory is a vigorous vine that fills in quickly forming a dense mat. Flowers will start to bloom in June and will continue to bloom in fall as long as the weather is warm.

Hot Pepper Wax Natural Animal and Insect Repellent

When it comes to repelling plant-eating garden pests I prefer to apply organic products rather than chemicals and have been using diatomaceous earth in the soil but found I needed something else for the leaf nibblers. So when the girls at my garden club were talking about a hot pepper wax spray that they used to repel animals and insects; deer, groundhogs, squirrels, aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers, and other garden insects that ate plants I took notes.

The organic pepper spray sounded great, but I wondered if the formula would be too strong for some of my herb plants since the application was to spray the entire plant including the soil in the garden. Sure enough, I was told that some plants are sensitive to pepper spray and that I should not treat the herbs peppermint, basil, lemon balm, or parsley. I am certain there are a few plants in my garden that will be sensitive to this potent pepper spray so I plan to test the plant by spraying a small amount on a leaf to see what happens, before spraying the entire garden bed.
Know that hot pepper wax should be spayed at dusk, this will allow the wax to harden due to the cooler air. Wax would not coat the leaves if sprayed on a sunny day. Make sure that you spray the entire plant, that includes the front and backside of the leaves, the stem, bud, and flower, The pepper spray will protect all plants that are treated in the garden from pests, however, you must watch for new growth. Anything new will be unprotected.
 On average the pepper spray lasts about two weeks. Know that when you harvest your edible plants you must wash them with warm water to remove the hot pepper wax. I had a deer take a bite of my lily leaves, the pepper wax did not stop the deer, BUT the deer had a coughing fit, then drank from my pond before leaving my yard. So you bet the hot pepper wax spray works.

You can buy hot pepper wax spray for animal and insect repellent at ebay.com (one-gallon concentrate) 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard


When it comes time to planting I always plan an area in my yard for annual and perennial flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both my husband and I enjoy watching these birds that come to feed off our flowers. Know that the best way to attract hummingbirds to your yard is to provide them with their dietary needs and a reliable water source. Then the hummingbirds will visit your yard and gardens daily.

Photographs of hummingbirds in the flower garden




Hummingbirds are particular about their flowers as they need flowers that are rich in sugar content and will reject other plants. They will also look for gardens that have insects as they need to nourish their bodies with nutrients.

Decide on the nectar-rich plants that you want to grow Buy a variety of flowers that will bloom throughout the summer months.

Here are a few of my favorite flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Asters, Autumn Joy Sedum, Asiatic lilies,
Black-eyed SusanButterfly bush, Chamomile, 
Cardinal flower (red), Chives, Chrysanthemum, 
Clover (white, yellow, and red), Coreopsis, Cosmos, Crabapple
Dandelion Dill herb,  Echinacea Coneflowers, 
 Four O'clock flowers, Garden Mint, Happy returns day lily, 
Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lilacs,
 Marigold, Milkweed Mimosa, Parsley, Peony, Purple Phlox,
 Red and Fuchsia Bee Balm, Sage, Sweet Pea, 
Sweet Autumn Clematis, Thyme, , Verbena, Yarrow, and Zinnias.


You can buy an orange trumpet vine at ebay.com and attract hummingbirds to your yard. 

Helpful Tips


Keep hummingbirds in your yard and garden by installing a bird bath or water fountain. Change out the water daily to make sure that it is fresh. Do not use chlorinated water in the fountain, instead collect rainwater for your water fountain. You can also use filtered water.

Provide the hummingbirds with an organic environment by refraining from treating your yard and gardens with chemical-based insecticides as these chemicals will poison the hummingbirds and kill off their insect food source.