Leaves, leaves everywhere!

What to do with all those leaves? Don't just blow them away.  They are the main ingredient in a natural,  quality compost that will provide you with fantastic soil in the Spring!

All organic material eventually decompose; how quickly depends on the amount of moisture, air circulation, size of material and temperature. A warm, sunny location is best for speeding things along, but it works in shade, just much slower.

Here was my formula for filling a 4' wide by 2' deep and 20' long 'low dip' that I wanted to even up:
1) collect 6" of mulched leaves (go over them with your lawn mower) or just the whole leaf - definitely ok if they are dry.
2) add light sprinkling of water (use the shower setting, very briefly)
3) throw in your lawn clippings and one bag of soil
4) cover with leaves a few inches thick

Keep a pile of leaves and any lawn clippings collected in another area and repeat above one to two times over the winter as each layer decomposes. I was able to fill almost the entire area with 'created' soil between October and March. That's a lot of free, quality soil!

Cooking in the garden,
Lyn

Christmas Cactus Update

One week later...I think I will rename this the Thanksgiving Cactus!

Growing things,
Lyn

Other ways to be green

As the holidays approach, we tend to find ourselves replacing or recharging our batteries more frequently, whether for gifts, cameras, or everyday tools. This year, make a greener choice... use rechargables. If you have avoided these because you don't know what to do with them when they wear out, here is a very easy resource for recycling:

                         http://www.call2recycle.org/

I found 3 locations within less than a mile of my house in Woodstock, GA. They also take used cell phones.

Another green advantage - they save you money in the long run!

Lyn

Watch for hitchhikers when bringing plants indoors!

I received a question on my Facebook account from a gardener bringing in her Mandevilla vine for overwintering. Great idea, as these are expensive tropicals that can survive indoors during winter to rebloom next summer, though they get a later start than the ones off the truck from Florida...

About those hitchhikers - the question was, "What are these tiny green creatures climbing up my plant in large numbers?"

Without a photo I had to guess at either the green stink bug or aphids. She believes it is aphids. Here is what I recommended:

To be sure, identify if they have the 'exhaust pipes' on their back end. Also, they will secrete a sticky substance you would feel on the leaves.  I would take it outside and shake/wash off as many as possible first. Then Spray with an insecticidal soap (many on the market with low or no pesticide content). Be sure to get UNDER the leaves as well.  Ants generally follow aphids (for the sticky stuff), so be sure there are none in the area where you move it to. A respraying may be necessary a few days later if you are still seeing them.

In the sunshine today,
Lyn