Mumsy's Romantic Garden Advice

[armorfirelady]

Midnightroo my tots ate the hostas around the veggie gardens down to the ground as well. I'm going to transplant some around the coop but on the side they won't have access to. They should keep the grass away come spring and spiff up the coop. Thankfully I planted the hydrangea on that side as well. I'm sure they would of tasted it like they did the new perennials I put in their run. Some they didn't like but they dug one up so they could have a new dusting hole. I finally got netting up around it and they didn't get under it so the plants should be safe. I need to do the other grouping when I move the electric netting again.

Mumsy do you think a spider plant in a large pot would come back the following spring if left to winter over in the pot? My mom does it with hostas without a problem.

Also my trumpet plants have spider mites. It's been an on going problem for years. I found a recipe for non toxis treat pimento I have been doing for a month or so. There are def less but some still hanging on. I'm beginning to think I should dump the soil and repot them in fresh soil. What do you think?

 

[MumsyII]

I love hosta. Used to have a garden area devoted to them. All sizes, leaf colors and bloom colors. I couldn't grow them without using heaps of slug poison. I finally stopped using it and one by one every single one of the hosta were eaten to nothing. I want to grow them again someday but it will have to wait.

@Aleta: Glad to know your ff did no harm. Who knows? Maybe it did make them more sprightly.

@amf: The only Spider Plant I know about was a house plant. It wouldn't live outside here year round. I really don't know if it will winter over for you.

Yes about re-potting the plants with Spider mites. I would rinse the roots before re-potting and the leaves as well. A thorough soaking maybe? What exactly is your Trumpet Plant? Any potted plant that has bugs should get this treatment before winter. No refugee bugs allowed to winter over.

 

[MumsyII]

http://eatingmymoccasinsnow.blogspot.com/2009/04/dock-rumex-crispus.html. A blog that talks about eating dock. Not the only blog I have seen about eating it. I think it depends on the lense you are looking through. Garlic and onions are bad for dairy cows because if they eat too much their milk doesn't taste good, but it isn't harmful for them. And I am not going to stop growing onions and garlic!

http://www.moonwiseherbs.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=126. Elderberry is a highly regarded herb and food for people.

I am growing stinging nettle which most people would pull out because it stings you, but it too is highly nutritious for people, good for the garden and is a host plant for butterflies.

That said, like Mumsy said many plants are just too invasive and can't be controlled so it is best to not grow them because they do more harm then good. That is why I like natives.

Is mock orange on your list of invasive? My neighbor has one and I was going to ask her for a cutting, but I think I will do some research first.

Chicory is a very pretty flower and the roots are a native alternative to coffee. A place that sells the seeds. http://www.localharvest.org/blog/48630/entry/how_to_grow_and_the

The booklet I shared seem to suggest that if livestock were hungry (little grazing left) they were more apt to eat too much of something poisonous. I think with people, common sense should rule the day. Know your plants and know which part is edible and which is not. This takes experience and knowledge from someone wise in herb lore. It isn't enough to think a plant 'looks' like a safe variety. Mistakes can land people in the hospital or the grave. It happens every year.

Mock Orange is a desirable shrub in my garden. I have it in my shrubbery along with all the other Spring blooming shrubs. It blooms in June here. Comes in single bloom and double.


Shadow playing in the Mock Orange. Double bloom variety.

 

[armorfirelady]

@amf: The only Spider Plant I know about was a house plant. It wouldn't live outside here year round. I really don't know if it will winter over for you.

Yes about re-potting the plants with Spider mites. I would rinse the roots before re-potting and the leaves as well. A thorough soaking maybe? What exactly is your Trumpet Plant? Any potted plant that has bugs should get this treatment before winter. No refugee bugs allowed to winter over.

I dont know what variety of spider plant it is. They spend spring, summer & part of the fall outside in pots hanging on my garage. My Mom brought over a giant one for me to add to my collection and its so large I would rather just leave it outside instead of trying to split it up into more plants.

Its an angel trumpet plant. The inside variety but I put mine on the back deck during the warmer weather. I've been battling the spider motes for a long time inside & out. This year I finally looked up for a non toxic treatment and it did eliminate most but not all and I figure its because of the soil.
Here is a picture of a plant that is like mine:
http://www.logees.com/Angels-Trumpet-Angels-Blushing-Beauty-Brugmansia-hybrid/productinfo/R2314-4/
My mom was told when she got them they are an inside plant though we have seen the outside variety here as well and my Mom was able to get some seeds from a neighbor. Mine hasn't bloomed in a year or more but my Moms bloomed this year and is beautiful.

 

[Sally8]

I just love reading about everyone's plants and what works for you all and I especially like to read what plants winter over. Most won't for me. Armor, it's amazing how different things are for us when we only live 2 - 3 hours from each other. Must be the Great Lakes for you.
On my walks with the girls downtown we always pass a yard full of beautiful flowers and fruits. Her secret is burying all her egg shells at the base of the trees or bushes and along all her strawberry plants.

I know you all don't use this type of treatment but many years ago I had mites on. My plants after bringing them in. I did a small squirt of Raid and it took care of the bugs. I've never used it again. It didn't hurt the plants at all.

 

[armorfirelady]

I just love reading about everyone's plants and what works for you all and I especially like to read what plants winter over. Most won't for me. Armor, it's amazing how different things are for us when we only live 2 - 3 hours from each other. Must be the Great Lakes for you.

It truly is. I get hit by Lake Effect snow all winter long and below freezing temps most of the winter.

Maybe my plants are freeze dried from all the cold & snow?

 

[Calomel]

I love this thread so much. I wanted to know more about plants, so I signed up for a horticulture class at the university. Here's hoping I learn something. xD

 

[MumsyII]

I love this thread so much. I wanted to know more about plants, so I signed up for a horticulture class at the university. Here's hoping I learn something. xD

Welcome Calomel.

I'm so very jealous! I have friends in Omaha with close ties to the University. I would take a class there in a heart beat if I lived there.

There is a nursery in Omaha called Muhall's that I spent a lot of time in on my last visit. Beautiful there in Spring. Also there are a lot of parks and public areas that are great for plant identification exercises.


Loved the indoor store at Mulhall's in Omaha.


I loved this little Hydrangea display inside the store.

A great wildlife habitat that few people in Omaha are even aware about is called Heron Haven. I go there every visit to Nebraska and spend hours marvelling at the wild life and native plants. It's a true treasue to your great city.



Rugosa roses growing in the butterfly garden at Heron Haven in Omaha.

 

[midnightroo]

Welcome calomel!

Beautiful photos Mumsy, I can see why you spend so much time there.

 

[Calomel]

Thank you! I am really looking forward to the class, as much as the ones tied to my major and I am fanatic about those so it really says something. Classes start on Monday and I'm already knee-deep in the book.

I know that display! The indoor section is great for ideas. My daughter really likes it when we go to Mulhalls, it's where I go to get any landscaping things for the house. Their staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. When we went in the spring to get tomato plant supplies, they were giving away daisy plants with every purchase and let her pick one. Miraculously, it is still alive and kicking.

I will have to look up where the Heron Haven is, and take a trip out there with my daughter. Thank you for posting about it. I'm originally from California and there's so much awesome here that is tucked away into little nooks of the city, I'm still learning where to find them.