THE NATURAL WAY
Question: Can I leave caladium bulbs in the ground, cover them
with lots of mulch and have them grow successfully next spring?
J.M., Richardson
Answer: I wouldn't recommend it. Caladium bulbs left in the
ground will rot or freeze. Digging them and storing is also not
recommended. Better to plant new bulbs each summer.
Question: Do you have any information on natural herbicides?
D.E., Dallas
Answer: Strong vinegars used full strength work well as
nonselective contact killers for unwanted vegetation. Use 10 percent
(100 grain), which is usually sold as pickling vinegar, with an ounce of
orange oil and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap per gallon of mixture.
Corn gluten meal is a powerful natural weed-and-feed that must be
applied before weed seeds germinate. Balancing the chemistry in the soil
controls many noxious weeds. There's more information about this topic
on my Web site, www.dirtdoctor.com.
Question: I now live in Colorado. On a recent business trip to
Omaha, Neb., I saw horse apples, or Osage oranges, being sold for $1.50
apiece as insect repellents. The claim is that you can cut one in half and
stick it anywhere roaches or spiders congregate and, voilà! no more bugs.
Is there any truth to this? Is this a new addition to natural
techniques? Do I need to start gathering horse apples by the bushel on
every trip to Texas?
R.F., Colorado
Answer: I also have received several reports that bois d'arc
fruit (horse apples) repels roaches and other pests. We are trying some
at home now as a test. Most people use the entire fruit without cutting
it in half. I'm not sure what about it does the repelling.
It's interesting that squirrels aren't repelled by them. They apparently
love the taste.
It sounds like a business opportunity for those with lots of bois d'arc
trees. In addition, most homeowners with bois d'arcs probably wouldn't
mind entrepreneurs cleaning their yards.
Question: I would like to know whether all ginger roots are edible.
M.S., Dallas
Answer: Yes, especially if they have been grown organically.
However, some ornamental ginger may not taste very good or have
medicinal value.
Most ginger that is specifically grown to produce edible tubers is
tropical and freezes easily, so plan to dig up the roots carefully
before freezing weather starts.
Ginger not only adds flavor to food but also improves the immune system
and can relieve motion sickness.
Question: I have a row of cedars at the front of my property for
privacy and as a barrier from a dusty country road.
A couple of trees died after I transplanted them.
I am going to move more cedars from other places on my property and was
wondering when would be the best time to do this. I remember doing it in
early winter last time, but I've been thinking that because they are
evergreens, it may not matter.
M.T., Dallas
Answer: You were right; planting after the first freeze is the
ideal time.
Even though native cedars are tough and well adapted, they have a minor
flaw at transplanting time: They need more water than you would guess.
Don't overwater, but make sure the trees are thoroughly soaked after
planting.
Use natural planting techniques and add a light covering of
horticultural cornmeal to the surface of the backfill soil before
applying the top-dressing mulch.
HOWARD GARRETT RESOURCES
Online: www.dirtdoctor.com/home.php for free organic-program handouts
and to join the Dirt Doctor's Ground Crew.
Oregon & SW Washington
