Category: Dan’s

Got Weeds?

Got weeds? Don’t blame it on Arnold Palmer….

For most Americans the perfect yard includes grass, in some cases lots of it. Not just any grass though, the turf must be lush, green and free of weeds. Of course this achievement isn’t natural and requires the consistent application of synthetic fertilizer, selective herbicides and lots of water.

Up until the 1950’s turf grass was primarily installed and utilized for recreation in the US. From that point forward turf was mostly considered ornamental and in many cases a status symbol. Some experts blame this on professional golf and television. As televised golf gained popularity so did the desire for thriving , weed free monoculture in yards. Even dry, arid climates such as Reno enjoy this luxury today.

Going organic will require a perceptual shift for many people. With applications of natural elements such as compost and nitrogen (fish emulsion for example) chemical free lawns are often as lush and green as any other on the block. However we do find more than just grass in our grass. Clover for example has become all but extinct in my neighborhood with the exception of my lawn which is full of it. As it turns out clover is a “nitrogen fixer” and rather than choking out the grass it actually helps the turf absorb the available nitrogen in the air and soil. This in itself dramatically reduces the need for fertilizing. Then there’s the perennial battle of the dandelion. Despite the fact that they are also nitrogen fixers I pull them every chance I get and find that they only thrive where the turf is weak.

So if you’re considering a chemical free lawn start by evaluating what’s important to you. If health and ecology prevail over image then you’re a good candidate. Assuming that’s the case perhaps you should start by teaching your kids to wear shoes while playing on the grass (they will be happily ignorant of bees and clover). Or as is the case in my house they may soon realize that an occasional bee sting is not the end of the world and certainly a safer alternative to the chemicals most of us use today.

Earwigs Anyone??

If you’re gardening in Northern Nevada it’s likely that you fight earwigs daily. I’m in favor of mulch in and around the beds which seems to make the earwigs incredibly happy.  Never fear organic gardeners there are some strategies I’ve found to be pretty effective.

• Redwood Traps: Take two equally sized redwood pieces (I have an old fence post but  2×4’s would work) cut channels into one piece and lay the two flush sides  together.  Bury both halves in the mulch a bit if you can. Check the traps early in the morning and you’re likely to find several dozen earwigs  nesting in the channels.  I feed ‘em to the chickens but one can easily drown them in light, soapy water.

• Plastic traps:  Used, small sour cream or cottage cheese containers work pretty well. Place a smelly food scrap (tuna for example) and about ½ inch of  vegetable oil  inside the container. Poke or melt several earwig sized holes into the lid of the container then seal it up.  This trap worked extremely well until Tony Blaze (our cat) discovered them.

• Spray at sunset:  A very seasoned gardener friend of mine lightly sprays his garden with water every evening after dinner and swears the earwigs hate it. I do know this strategy works well with aphids and it certainly shouldn’t hurt the plants in moderation so why not huh?

• Plant a couple of extras:  We know that we’ll lose a plant here and there so we take the time to plant a few spares.

Give it a try and if you have any ideas or experiences to share, please do.

Dan