A couple of the tiny tomatoes were transplanted and still are very tiny, though they are getting to look more like tomato plants.
Birds - No occupants for my window bird house. It had started out looking so promising. I had two looks and then nothing. Ruth hasn't had any better luck with hers.
I have ordered a window mounted hummingbird feeder. I was quite surprised on Friday, when a hummer came to the window, looking in! I do want to try it and hope I can figure out a way to keep the various wasps from bugging it. Normally the hummers don't come until around the third week in April, but like the dogwood blossoms, they are coming sooner and sooner. Nobody can convince me that global warming isn't happening!
The cowbirds are out in full force, gobbling up the seed in the feeder like nobody's business. I shouldn't feel such dislike for them, the dirty rotten scum birds. Such parasites!
Anyone have one of those little electric pressure cookers? I have seen their commercials on TV and I think to myself about how many meals we had the next day because somebody forgot to thaw out the meat or we started too late and ended up eating sandwiches. So, I ordered one from the web site. I figured they would want me to buy this or that for it and didn't want to be hit with that over the phone. I was right! They say free extras but you are slammed with high shipping/handling. I just ordered the cooker and did end up paying for the liner - although I thought the liner should have been part of the package to begin with. The shipping/handling for the cooker must be where they make the money ... I hope it truly is as useful as they say. I know I enjoyed my Swivel Sweeper and considered it a bargain!
I didn't mean to write a book. Have a most lovely day and a wonderful week ahead!
Not being a gardener, I don't know anything about your lavender mites. But someone else will. Or do a search on how to combat them.... Wondering if a spray of dish liquid and water, would work, and not be harmful....?
ReplyDeleteI don't like big, noisy, bratty birds either. So there! ,-)
Don't know about little electric pressure cookers. We use a small crock pot, and a bigger one, for bigger amounts.
LOL. All I remember, is the early pressure cooker, my mother had. I was born in 1937, so it was a long time ago, when I was a kid. Anyway, I was scared to death of that thing!!!!!!!!! -grin- So I'd never want to even get a new/modern one! ,-)
But I do understand, about not taking something out of freezer, ahead of time!!!!!!!!
Luna Crone
My first MIL used one all the time and her food was always nice and tender. I was terrified of it though after she told me about the lid flying up into the ceiling and food everywhere ate one time. That steam jiggler made me very nervous!
DeleteI love hummingbirds ~ I so wish we had them here in the UK!
ReplyDeleteSorry :( They really are cute.
DeleteFound this on the net: sounds like no easy solution:
ReplyDeleteWhiteflies
Lavender is one of many host plants that attract whiteflies. Whiteflies feed on plant sap, and while their presence may not kill your lavender plant, they can cause damage that is unattractive. Whiteflies are small, powdery insects that often are found on the undersides of the leaves. If populations are heavy enough, your lavender may show signs of reduced vigor, and your plant’s foliage may become yellowed and mottled. The honeydew left by whiteflies can also lead to sooty mold.
Controlling Whiteflies
Controlling heavy populations of whiteflies can be difficult, because the pests are not effectively controlled with any available insecticides. Several natural enemies of whiteflies are commercially available. For example, Delphastus pusillus is a predatory lady bird beetle that feeds on all stages of whiteflies. This control method should supplement other biological controls. Hand-removal of whiteflies can also help to reduce populations, and spraying lavender with a strong stream of water can remove adult whiteflies from the foliage. Aluminum foil or reflective mulches applied to the base of your lavender plant can be effective in repelling whiteflies. Reflective mulches are available at most garden centers. They may also be effective in repelling other pests, such as aphids.
Thanks, Joe. I will try to do what I can. If nothing else, it will all have to go and I will begin over. (Sad, I really don't want to have to)
DeleteJoeh's post about the whiteflies is interesting. I've lavender in my yard and have not experienced those. Yet. I do have experience with mint and found it's much better to isolate them in pots. I used to use 12" drain tiles set at different heights to add some drama. Those roots will grow more plants that will send out more roots, and so one and so on.
ReplyDeleteCool! Looks like I am well on my way with the mint! (If the lavender doesn't 'infect' it)
DeleteI'm still waiting for Husband to put up the bird and bat box I had for my birthday and Christmas last year ...
ReplyDeleteI have an old-fashioned pressure cooker; I don't know if that's the same. I use it for soup, stew and vegetables. I'm not good at being prepared and planning ahead either.
I'd love a bat box!
DeleteSounds like my pressure cooker will be a good thing!
A few snow flakes been spitting, along as they don't stick to ground I will be fine. Not sure what on your lavender. Mine no green yet.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Snow? Oh, no!
DeleteDon't know about the bugs. Maybe baby aphids. Some white oil spray might help. I made my own. I put some olive oil in a spray bottle. Probably a good inch and then fill with water. Added just a squirt of dishwashing liquid and gave it a good shake
ReplyDeleteSprayed it over my fruit trees and the bugs were all dead the next day
My mum used a pressure cooker all the time they do cook very quickly Keeping my fingers crossed someone takes up residence in your bird box. Maybe put some black paper over the window so they can't see in and then you can peek once they have settled and babies are born
Unless they are right on top of the house, I don't think the birds see anything besides a reflection of the trees and sky. I have had them fly into the windows every now and then. I have thought of covering up the whole window though to see if that helps. I'll try your spray and suggestions from Joe, sigh. Maybe lavender doesn't need to be in the house ...
DeleteYour lavender is inside?? Further to my comment below, I've had lavender plants, they are tough, really hardy once established and mine were only ever chewed a bit by caterpillars each spring. Hardly noticeable damage.
DeleteYes, the lavender is in my bedroom planter.
DeleteHey there! Mites, you can get a bug spray for mites that you can put on the plant. If you are going to be using the plant around food then bug spray is not the way to go. Once you kill the mites a little rain will wash that away. I have not looked at mine as of yet after the freeze we had the other night. Hoping it is still doing well. Pressure cooker - I am afraid of those things! Never used one, don't want one. Hope I helped in a small way.
ReplyDeleteNo way I can put my planter out in the rain, it's cumbersome and heavy. I thought it was a good idea at the time. :/
DeleteNot much help from me, I'm afraid. I have decided that I'm not having a garden again. I just don't want to fight the groundsquirrels and even worse, the gophers. Instead, I will work on cleaning up my outside spaces this year. Wish me luck, at lot of stuff to deal with. And, of course, I know nothing about pressure cookers.
ReplyDeleteDon't work too hard on your outdoor space, it's one of those thankless jobs and you could hurt yourself.
DeleteGary bought a pressure cooker a couple of months ago. My thoughts= where are we going to put it?? Limited space and more stuff. ugh. His first couple of recipes included chocolate bread pudding and leaved a lot to be desired. But I must say he hit the jackpot the other day when he made a roast the other day with parsnips, potatoes and carrots. It was wonderful!! And so I am now glad to make a space for his new pressure cooker and hopeful that more delicious meals will follow. What have you made so far?
ReplyDeleteSounds like the real deal! I just ordered ours, it will probably take a while to get it. I already picked out a spot for ours - right where the crock pot sits! I think it's going into retirement. Can't wait to start using it!
DeleteA good week ahead to you too.
ReplyDelete:-)
ReplyDeleteI once had a pressure cooker but never got on with it. I could never work out the timings to fit in with other domestic things. I know others who swear by them, though.
ReplyDeleteI imagine there will some learning involved. :-)
DeleteI, too, wondered if they were white flies. They took over my geraniums-- created thin white filaments all over. Necessary to spray water under leaves repeatedly. They also went after other green leaf plants. I finally tired of trying to combat them and took out the geraniums. Letting some geraniums come back & will watch closely to combat the white flies if they return.
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to throw that lavender out before it infects everything :(
Deletein answer to joared above me here, and joeh further up, I don't think they are whiteflies. We get whiteflies here too, but they don't create the filaments seen in your photo. They cluster on the undersides of leaves and when disturbed fly around like mini maniacs then settle again. Sap sucking little horrors are hard to get rid of too.
ReplyDeleteBut yours are something else. At first I thought of mealy bugs, but don't recall them creating the filaments either.
I would suggest a white oil spray as others have said, or a soapy water spray if you don't have any white oil handy. Add some crushed garlic to the soapy water and let it steep a while before using.
Also I think you could look up any nurseries near you and email them with your problem and photo. They will know more than we do.
I manually cleaned them off last night and they are back this morning and the plant looks sick. This whatever is it must have come in on the plant from the nursery. :(
DeleteCould be spider mites. I've only ever seen red spider mites, but that doesn't mean white ones don't exist.
ReplyDeleteThe plant is not worth all the messing around. I'm getting frustrated!
DeleteProbably plant some marigolds next to it so if they are flies of some kind, the smell of marigold will get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteThis is in an indoor planter, no room for any more plants. :(
DeleteI just saw Angela's response. I use water and dish washing liquid. I'll have to try adding the oil.
ReplyDeleteMint is super invasive. We ended up with a huge amount in our yard.
I have heard that mint is invasive, and I've heard that ants don't like mint - so it would seem logical to plant mint - Everywhere, as we have ants everywhere. Am I right or barking up the wrong tree?
DeleteI didn't know about the ants, but if that's true, it's a great idea! Keep me posted on how that goes. If it works, I'll give it a go alongside the house. We no longer live where I had planted it before.
ReplyDelete:-)
Delete