Saturday, February 7, 2015

Natural Ways to Control Mosquitoes in your Yard

One of the unfortunate realities of a balmy summer night is mosquitoes.  Their buzzing and biting can ruin a great barbeque and you may not want to or may be unable to wear the store bought chemical laden aerosol that promises to ward them off.  There are some plants you can set out and several things you can do to cut down on their numbers and keep your skin clear of their big read welts.

Natural Ways to Control Mosquitoes

Citronella

The most popular and well known plant for deterring mosquitoes, Citronella belongs to the geranium family. Contrary to common belief  the plant itself does not deter mosquitoes but when the leaves are crushed  and oil released they are most effective and when rubbed on the skin they provide a gentle and mild deterrent.

Herbs

Basil, Lemongrass, Lemon Balm,Rosemary, and Catnip are reported to be an effective repellent. They are also all fantastic container plants so they can be moved easily to wherever you are.  Set big pots out on the table and all around your patio area. Not only are they effective they are pretty, and delicious, their strong scents that we love are what make them so unappealing to mosquitoes.

Marigolds

Many know that planting marigolds in a vegetable garden will help avoid pests, but the plant is also good at detracting mosquitoes from surrounding areas.

Geraniums

Pretty and heavily scented Geraniums are one of the main ingredients in over the counter sprays. Plant throughout your garden and in pots around your porch.

Garlic

The strong smell of this tasty cooking ingredient deters buzzing pests. As a  bonus you have the benefit of fresh garlic in your garden.

Bats

Consider installing a bat house or two, bats eat mosquito’s and can significantly cut down their population numbers. Call your co-operative extension office, sometimes they sell them for a very reasonable price.

Clean Up

The number one thing you can do to cut down on mosquito’s is to clean up a few areas on your yard. Mosquito’s love moisture, so make sure that you have no standing water- buckets near the shop, baby pools not in use but full of water,  stopped up gutters, old tires etc. This is a breeding ground for mosquito’s and where they lay their eggs.  If you have standing bodies of water like ponds that cannot be emptied you can pick up  BT-Baccilus thuringiensis israelensis, it is a natural bacterium that kills the mosquito larvae but is nontoxic to people and fish. You can find it at home improvement stores in the garden department.

Another place ideal for mosquitoes is tall grass, bushes, and weed patches. These areas tend to also hold water and moisture making them a perfect hideout for them.  Keep your grass cut short and all weeds and bushes trimmed well to make them feel unwelcome in your yard.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

The Garden

garden with bright picket fences - easy way to add colour
the garden

Colour
Colour

French Garden.
French Garden.

No, it's not really in my garden - not yet!
No, it's not really in my garden - not yet!

cute garden tool shed!
cute garden tool shed!

love this garden
love this garden
Street-side planting makes this yard feel larger. More landscape and gardening tips: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/sidewalk-garden-front-yard/#page=6
Street-side planting

Garden
Garden
garden
garden
Great colours!
Great colours!
Love this garden
Love this garden
Garden
Garden
latter garden
latter garden
LOVE this little garden shed
LOVE this little garden shed
I love this adorable garden entryway behind a picket fence.
I love this adorable garden entryway behind a picket fence.
lovely colorful flower bed
lovely colorful flower bed

Garden
Garden


lovely  garden....
lovely garden....

Garden
Garden

garden ideas
garden ideas
the rose garden
Add caption

Cottage Gardening.
Cottage Gardening.

garden shed
garden shed

garden
garden

beautiful garden
beautiful garden

Raised Bed Garden

Raised bed gardening

Tomato Garden container....this is such a great design



raised beds

small raised bed w/ planting instructions

Raised kitchen garden

raised veggie beds, trellis

Raised bed vegetable garden, Oregon

Raised vegie beds

raised bed vegetable gardens

Efficient small space garden, you can try it in your backyard or with any small space around your house.

raised bed vegetable garden

Raised Vegetable Gardens

raised bed

raised beds

Raised Beds done right!

Raised Beds

woven raised beds.

More raised garden beds.....these are really cool

Raised Bed Planters

raised garden beds

Raised beds

Raised garden beds & bench

raised bed planters

Gorgeous Succulents

Sedum 'Sieboldii' -Three Dogs in a Garden
Sedum 'Sieboldii' -Three Dogs in a Garden

Bromeliad
Bromeliad

Echeveria
Echeveria

Turbinicarpus Pseudopectinatus Flower - "Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus is a species of plant in the Cactaceae family. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and hot deserts."
Turbinicarpus Pseudopectinatus

✯ Beaver Tail Prickly Pear
Beaver Tail Prickly Pear

"Lobster Claw" Heliconia Rostrata, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
"Lobster Claw" Heliconia Rostrata, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Succulent - Natural Spiral
Succulent - Natural Spiral

Agave Victoriae-Reginae
Agave Victoriae-Reginae


hoya pubicalyx
hoya pubicalyx

Notocactus Mammulosus

Echinocereus coccineus Flowers
Echinocereus coccineus Flowers

Banksia coccinea, Western Australia
Banksia coccinea, Western Australia

Astrophytum myriostigma
Astrophytum myriostigma

Succulent, fractal symmetry
Succulent, fractal symmetry

Desert Beauty By Cindy Mcdaniel
Desert Beauty By Cindy Mcdaniel

Cactus

Claret Cup - Cactus Blossoms
Claret Cup - Cactus Blossoms

Sempervivum Cultivar - Royanum
Sempervivum Cultivar - Royanum

Cactus Flower
Cactus Flower


gymnocalycium_baldianum_flower.
gymnocalycium_baldianum_flower.

Sempervivum 'Atroviolaceum (Heimlich)'

Sedum oreganum
Sedum oreganum