My Husband Said That If I Buy More Plants He Would Leave Me!
I’m Sure Going To Miss Him!
What an amazing array of weather we had this last weekend, especially on Sunday. From sun to a light rain to a downpour to hail and back to brilliant sun again. It’s hard to figure out how one should dress especially in the greenhouse as when the sun hits it it jumps to 30 degrees in no time at all.
This coming week is supposed to be hot and sunny which should be great for all my transplants. Lettuce and Spinach are ready to harvest and will be available at the Monashee Co-Op on Tuesday. Bedding Plants will be available next Monday at the Co- Op or come out to the greenhouse on Albers Road call 250 547 6567 to ensure that there is someone available to give you assistance.
I’ve had some request regarding the elimination of weeds and as we all experience them and I hope this helps.
These are all methods that will help but it is impossible to eradicate all weeds permanently. Weeds can be perennial or annual and are rapidly reproduced by the abundance of seed they develop as well as deep roots and rhizomes they produce. They are introduced to our gardens by wind, birds, animals and in soil that comes in on plants or soil we purchase. They are unsightly, grow rapidly, thrive in any soil or condition of light, drought, clay, you name it. If only other plants could be as hardy.
Weeds also compete with the availability of surrounding plants of nutrients, light and moisture. They can also harbour insects and their eggs and disease. There are several methods of attack depending on where they are growing and the plants in the area.
Starting with hand picking or hoeing which is tedious but affective and needs to be repeated on a weekly basis to ensure they are kept at bay. Be sure to keep areas that contain weeds mowed or use a weed eater frequently to discourage growth and seed development. Most commercial weed killers contain chemicals that are very counterproductive to down right dangerous for humans, animals and beneficial insects especially bees in your garden. These chemicals remain in your soil and when they do disperse the weeds will return. In areas like pavement cracks or spaces there are many methods that can work from pouring boiling water on them to mixtures of Salt, Epsom salt, Vinegar and Dish Soap can be very effective. Vinegar kills weeds very rapidly (1 or 2 days) but may harm plants nearby and should be used cautiously ensuring than only the weeds are sprayed.
You can use pickling vinegar, regular vinegar or even apple cider vinegar. The use of Salt or Epsom salt is effective too but can interfere with Phosphorous absorption in plants around the weeds and will remain In the soil for some time. Bleach too works well but stays in the soil for some time so should be cautiously applied to the weeds that keep returning.
In new areas being cultivated use old carpet, black plastic, throw rugs to smother the area first to kill the weeds. I use all my leaves in fall to cover my raised garden beds this smothers out most weeds until I am ready to plant. 10 ounces of Borax mixed with 4 ounces of water will make a concentrate that you can then mix with 2 gallons of water to make a spray. 1 gallon of Vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tbsp of dawn dish soap will make a good spaying solution for larger areas like driveways and side walk seams and cracks. Apply on a hot sunny day. Mulching around your perennials also helps keep weeds at bay. Never put the weeds in your compost but you can burn them if it is safe to do so.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
