http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/gardening-blog.html Hi - this is the place to get all the latest gardening blog articles, gardening questions and answers and notices of photography posted on this site. en-us gardening Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:06:37 GMT Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:06:37 GMT simplegiftsfarm.com http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/rotenone.html I believe that Rotenone, like all chemicals used in the garden, should be understood before you go spreading it around. So here’s the technical details you might find interesting and useful.. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:06:37 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/slug-control.html Organic garden slug control is fairly painless now if you focus on using one (or more) of the following techniques. And yes, I do know... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:06:37 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/garden-design.html Garden Design Tips and Techniques from garden author Doug Green Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:28 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/free-plants.html Free plants aren’t always free as in Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:24 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/daffodils-planted-late.html I have never planted Erlicheer Daffodils before... and the ones I just received from New Holland Bulb Company have GREEN points on the tops of the Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:47:37 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/caterpillar-identification1.html I don't know if you do this anymore but I have a caterpillar that I need identified. I don't know if it will hurt my plants/garden. Can you please Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:42:44 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/ajuga-propagating-in-container.html I have Ajuga growing in a pot with other things. It now has long trailers and I have snipped most of them off. I want to transplant the trailers Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:42:12 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/lovely-compost-draining-away.html Dear Doug, I have built several raised beds (18 deep, each box about 4'x8') in our asphalt-covered driveway. It's south-facing (the only bit of the Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:33:01 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/planting-by-a-propane-tank.html I have a propane tank situated between two trees and would like to include the three items into one flower bed. I have been told by some people that Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:13:08 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/rhubarb-and-powdery-mildew.html Is rhubarb affected by powderly mildew? I have leaves turning yellow, then dying...I haven't seen the telltale powdering on the leave tops, just the Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:09:54 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/dividing-or-moving-peonies-late.html October is the best time to divide peonies in my zone 7 garden, and I have done so successfully in the past. I missed this 'window of opportunity' Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:08:07 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/grey-bug.html Grey in colour, can jump. What do I Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:55:21 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/black-and-creme-striped-long-narrow-insect.html This insect appeared in Edisto Island, SC when we were at a beach home and it was on one of the beach chairs that we carried to the beach. It hung Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:54:37 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/galvanized-tank-water-feature.html Hi Doug I would like to utilized the ground water pumped from my basement sump in a water feature containing aquatic plants and maybe some Koi. My Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:42:00 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/kis-compost-tea-brewer-in-canada.html I was wondering if there is a Canadian supplier of this product? Doug says not that I'm aware of - mine came from the US but if there is - I'm sure Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:37:05 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/brownish-spiked-crest-adult-wheel-bug.html 2 1/2-3 long. found in Central Illinois near woody/wet area. Did not see it fly or crawl. Back area golden and glittery. Kind of a horn closer to Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:32:02 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-growth-enhancer.html I am a 71 year old convert to organic as I am using only Fish Emulsion, Sea Magic Seaweed, and Alfalfa tea on my Tomatoes and my Impatiens and Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:12:10 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/grubs-in-my-compost-kill-or-keep.html every time i turn my compost, i come across dozens of grubs. what can i use to get rid of these pest so i don't transfer them when i use my compost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:09:16 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/reusing-potting-soil.html Can I re use my potting soil next year? Doug says he reuses his peat-based potting soil from year to year. All I do is dig it up and loosen it up Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:33 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/harvesting-and-sowing-perennial-seeds.html Why can't I just deadhead my perennials for seeds and sow them directly on the ground in the fall? Must they be brought inside and stored in the Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:40 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/hollyhocks.html Hi, I live in Minnesota and I am wondering if I need to spread my seeds yet this fall or wait until spring to do it. I have always just left them, Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:42:18 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/help-violets-taking-over.html How do I get rid of pesky violets that have just taken over my garden and are in the lawn and EVERYWHERE!!!! I've tried digging them up by the roots Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:40:20 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/black-white-stripe-reddish-legs.html This bug was just sitting there in late September in East central Illinois. I have no idea on what he is. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:26:15 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/cross-of-yelloworange-7mm-euonymus-leaf-notcher.html Flying insect that is yellow to orange in color with black in tail. Fuzzy. ~7mm in length. Flies around evergreen bush and other bushes. Clings to Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:38:58 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/brown-with-orange-markings-leaffooted-seed-bug.html found on my doorknob when i went home. never saw it before. seemed pretty big, Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:37:13 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/black-with-white-markings-beelike-insect-baldfaced-hornet.html The insect is shown on a brick wall in downtown Toronto on August 7, 2009. It looks somewhat like a bee or wasp. There were 2 identical ones but one Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:10:03 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/flying-creature-giant-ichneumon-wasp-female.html Black body, yellow head and feelers, long black stinger, about 3 inches (body only) stinger was about 5 inches, black wings, black legs. It was on my Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:08:24 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/brown-spider-cross-orbweaver-spider.html My daughter saw this spider outside her bedroom window and I had to go out and take a picture of it. There is a picture of it from the top. If you Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:04:28 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/pink-fuzzy-caterpillar-lycaenid-butterfly-caterpillar.html Hello. We found this pretty pink caterpillar on our sidewalk today in San Diego, CA. It's about 3/4 of an inch long and has a short fuzz, almost Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:28 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/deterring-cats.html is there any plants that will deter cats from coming into my garden and making a mess thank you Doug says there are a ton of marketers who would Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:53:04 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/worried-about-pond-in-winter.html My koi pond has been great all summer now fall is here and winter is coming. I have read numerous differnt things about leaving pump on and some say Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:11:08 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/small-black-beetle-southern-green-stink-bug.html small black beetle with green spots. Looks like a lady bug only wrong color. In the picture the spots look white. There are about 20+ on one plant. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:55:34 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/fuzzy-black-fly-with-white-wing-tips-bee-fly.html Can you tell me what kind of fly this is? I found it on the side of our garage while we were painting it. It is fuzzy and black with white wing tips. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:54:08 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/tiny-wasp-or-ant-subterranean-ants.html I keep finding these in my basement.(they've all been dead) Thought carpenter ants, but these are tiny and everything I read says they get big. Put a Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:41 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/greenhairlessgolden-stripe-mottled-prominent-moth-caterpillar.html about 1.5 long, green, hairless, red-golden stripe down back, split Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:51:10 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/brown-long-insect-striped-walkingstick-pair.html not sure what this is hangs around my porch with backs up to a wooded creek area. carries it's young on it's back Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:44:57 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/brown-approx-3-inches-flying-giant-water-bug.html I saw this guy in Ottawa. It's about 3 inches long, brownish-grey coloured, with large wings that cover the top of its body. It was by itself. At Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:43:27 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/purple-winged-long-tail-giant-ichneumon-wasp-female.html Looks like a grasshopper with purple wings and a long tail. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:41:56 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/1-inch-green-caterpillar-looper-caterpillar.html I thought these were Hornworms infesting my garden again, but these were making a cocoon and are only an inch or smaller. I found them among my Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:53 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/big-green-with-orange-headdress-hickory-horned-devil.html About 4 inches long. Southeast Georgia (about 30 miles west of Brunswick). Photo from 10/17. Crawling up a Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:20 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/orange-fuzzy-caterpillar-salt-marsh-caterpillar.html Found on a sunny wooden fence next to mixed gardens at a Harvest Festival in Southern Rhode Island in Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:33 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/round-green-lots-of-fuzzy-protuberances-crowned-slug-caterpillar.html I can't even tell what family this bug might be in. Sorry, don't know where he was except found on a hike in the 'wilds of the Catskills'. There are Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:36:43 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/big-fat-green-caterpillar-with-orange-spots-polyphemus-moth-caterpillar.html I found this in South Carolina in the grass beneath an oak tree in late October. It's about 4 inches long, with faint whiskers sparsely spread Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:57 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/weeds-in-an-alpine-garden.html Hello Doug, Maybe this question has been answered already with your experiementation of vinegar , salt and dish soap. I have tried everything to rid Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:56:10 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/virginia-creeper-is-wilting.html My Virginia Creeper does well in the spring but come summer the leaves start wilting, turning an orange/red and brown on the edges. It is hot here, Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:52:20 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/winged-borer-insect-with-long-antennalike-tail-ichneumon-wasp.html A maple tree in our yard has extensive damage to the trunk. There are holes around the circumferance of trunk from the base to about 5 feet from the Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:09:58 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/large-black-bug-whipscorpion.html large black bug with brown legs and very long feelers on either side of the body. flat bodied. crawls sideways and very fast. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:08:28 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/long-orange-yellow-black-flying-4inch-insect-giant-ichneumon-wasp.html 4 inches long, patterned body in orange yellow & black, resembling a huge mosquito or Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:05:48 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/large-brown-caterpillar-with-green-spots-imperial-moth-caterpillar.html 4 inch caterpillar on my crepe myrtle bush. brown with yellow spots and both ends have yellow thing that look like Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:04:26 GMT http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/tiny-red-bugs-scentless-plant-bug-nymphs.html These tiny little critters are on a sedum plant. Could they be baby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:02:35 GMT