Gardening thread

[registerforfree]

I thought we might have an official thread for gardening question in general. I often have questions regarding gardening and it might be better to have an official thread dedicated to it rather than making a thread every time.

So I've currently got a massive caterpillar problem. I started a mint garden (about 3x2.5) in the alcove in front of my flat last year October and they were really doing amazing until about two weeks ago. It was very lush and full. Now it's barren and almost completely destroyed by green caterpillars. I kill them whenever I see them, but they still seem to be gnawing away like crazy. It doesn't help that they're the same color as the mint, which makes them very hard to spot.

Anyone have any advice on getting these little monsters under control?

 

[holler]

I read somewhere that red pepper, mixed with water and then sprayed on the plant help to get rid of some plants.

 

[maumau]

3x2.5? That's a humungous mint patch if you're talking metres.

 

[registerforfree]

I might be overestimating it a bit, but it's a fairly sizable mint patch, yeah. It's a bedding in the alcove between two flat entrances. I planted mint there as a ground-cover so that when people throw their cigarette butts and other crap into it it doesn't blow into my flat when the wind blows.

I read somewhere that red pepper, mixed with water and then sprayed on the plant help to get rid of some plants.

Thanks, I'll give this a try. A killed about a dozen of them this morning but next week will probably just see a ton more hatching from eggs and decimating the mint further. This should be a better long-term solution.

 

[biometrics]

This should be a better long-term solution.

Poison or shade net.

 

[The_Mowgs]

I planted some trees on my lawn a while ago. I used these square clay "barriers" to plant the trees in but the lawn creeps underneath it to the trees and it starts to look messy.

Any way to stop the grass from creeping towards or reaching th e trees?

 

[Alan]

Could use some ground cover suggestions to help minimize the amount of sand being dumped in my house by the wind. Something similar to lawn so it's easy to sweep up leaves before they end up in the pool etc

 

[maumau]

Could use some ground cover suggestions to help minimize the amount of sand being dumped in my house by the wind. Something similar to lawn so it's easy to sweep up leaves before they end up in the pool etc

Wonderlawn is great, a bit slow but you could buy plugs from the nursery.

Please check that your location's good because it doesn't like certain soil types and doesn't tolerate too much foot traffic.

 

[longboy]

I have recently harvested a fine crop that includes but is not limited to thyme, coriander, sage and rocket. I shall ascertain the exact species and varieties whence I regain sobriety.

 

[registerforfree]

How did you grow your rocket? Mine died, then it came back to life and started flowering off the bat without making any leaves. It's weird.

 

[maumau]

@register if your mint is in a cold area it might be entering its dormant stage.

 

[longboy]

How did you grow your rocket? Mine died, then it came back to life and started flowering off the bat without making any leaves. It's weird.

I soaked the seeds overnight in warm water, then proceeded to mix some good black loamy soil in a large barrel. I planted the seeds into the barrel and trans-planted them when they sprouted. A good batch of seeds 'twas that.

 

[chrisdc]

I read somewhere that red pepper, mixed with water and then sprayed on the plant help to get rid of some plants.

Yes, I'd second that. You can also save your onion peels and offcuts - in fact anything with a strong pong and likely to burn, chilli, garlic etc. Same story, leave to soak for a few days, then spray. Works better if you strain the mixture first, otherwise the sprayer keeps blocking up. Try to avoid using poison. If the birdies eat the poisoned pests it could kill them too.

 

[Alan]

Wonderlawn is great, a bit slow but you could buy plugs from the nursery.

Please check that your location's good because it doesn't like certain soil types and doesn't tolerate too much foot traffic.

Thanks but not really what I'm looking for

 

[HeftyCrab]

How did you grow your rocket? Mine died, then it came back to life and started flowering off the bat without making any leaves. It's weird.

Ive got two types of Rocket. One like yours, and another one thats more like a creeper on the ground and grows year round.

Have you tried feeding it and cutting it back a bit/ harvesting some leaves? This should encourage it to grow some leaves.

Whats the location like? If some plants get too much sun their leaves become smaller to reduce water evaporation.

 

[Batista]

I use some chilli powder, garlic and water to make a mixture, strain and then bottle.Works wonders for any pest.

 

[CamiKaze]

What vegetables grow best in shaded areas?

 

[Nocturnity]

Asparagus, cucumbers, lettuce, even garlic!

 

[The_Mowgs]

I have a courtyard at home with paving which I want to remove and plant grass and trees. I want trees all along the sides of 3 walls (each wall about 4m long). What will be the best trees that grows nice and quick and roots will not knock over the walls?

I would want to basically plant 2 trees per wall. Then what will be the nicest grass to plant there. This would need to be soft green grass where we could sit on under the trees.

 

[bokdrol]

Most trees cause problems with root damage. What about nice indigenous shrubs like lemon thorn or "bloukappie"? They are fast-growing, waterwise, hardy and grow reasonably tall (2 m plus) and full with proper pruning.