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 Gardening Help, Please
#126916
09/30/05 04:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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I have zero gardening ability and am in need of some gardening advice, please. I've planted basil and it's growing like mad. However, I'm finding that critters are nibbling on the leaves. What suggestions do you have for keeping critters from doing this?
Thanks!
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126917
09/30/05 04:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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My suggestion is to tear out the Basil plant. Then they can't eat it. :eek:
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126918
09/30/05 05:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Kathy, You're my kind of gardner! Only problem is that I want fresh basil for my homemade pasta sauce. Therefore, the basil will remain. I just need to have bugs/critters stay away from it. The basil is very tasty because the leaves are being nibbled on.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126919
09/30/05 05:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,271
MarnaLou
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Denise, can you see any sign of the creatures who are dining on your basil? Any residue or evidence of the insects themselves?
I would try spraying with Safers Insecticidal Soap if I thought it was insects (and not slugs for example). It's very safe for the environment (unless you are a bug) and you can still use the basil later. As far as I know it's okay on basil but you'd want to read the label carefully and maybe do a patch test before unloading a full sprayer bottle on your herbs.
I love Safers. We cut our own Christmas tree every year and it's always full of all kinds of insects. I spray it thoroughly with Safers and then rinse in the driveway before I bring it in. I used to be the laughingstock of the neighborhood but now people bring their trees by for a good sudsing. It makes a big difference. We have fewer uninvited guests and a clean tree is a pretty tree.
MarnaLou
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126920
09/30/05 05:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,369
Marc
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Denise, this site might help: http://herbs.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./QandA/Growing/Growing.html&cart_id=4898847.6547 This is from that site: I have been growing basil successfully for years and for the last two years in the same spot. I added compost this year and planted basil -- something is eating my basil! I have holes in the leaves – any suggestions?
Slugs and earwigs love basil. Since you added compost to your soil you not only provided better conditions for your basil, but also for those two pests! Put a 10 centimeter wide band of diatomaceous earth (fossil dust, Richters catalogue number T2140) around each plant and renew after heavy watering or heavy rain. This will discourage both pests. A 10 centimeter wide or high copper foil collar will stop slugs and snails and neem spray would discourage both pests, the earwigs more than the slugs. A slitted sticky strip collar on the stems would stop earwigs. Spraying the area with scanmask, or predatory nematodes(#T2600) would eventually control the earwigs as well as various beetles that might be the night-time culprits as well.
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126921
09/30/05 05:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,859
robert
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Basil is also prone to whitefies. Because you use it in cooking you do not want to use bug sprays. You can buy an application sprayer (glass/plastic jar with plastic top) and mix a mild solution (1 tsp) of dish soap and water, attach to your hose and spray. Look on the internet for chemical free insect control.
Robert
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126922
09/30/05 05:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,859
robert
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Safers is an excellent product. You can use with confidence.
Robert
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
-Thoreau
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126923
09/30/05 05:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Thanks. If I spray it with either solution, will it keep snails and slugs away?
Robert, is Safers OK to spray on edible herbs?
I don't see any residue from slugs/snails on the leaves. No detection of whiteflies. Just little holes/nibbles.
Maybe the best solution is to keep a pot of it on my countertop.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126924
09/30/05 08:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,799
Arlene
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for slugs leave a dish of beer near the plants. they go in to drink and die. Safers is what I'd recommend.
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126925
10/01/05 03:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,174
KarenS
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I agree with Arlene about the beer. Or you can also sprinkle table salt all around the plant. It gets on the slugs and dries them out.
You can also spray a mixture of hot sauce and water onto the basil, just make sure you wash it before you use it and you have to do it after every rain.
Another easy thing to do is to cover the basil with a net.
This advice is coming from the black thumb of gardening but I do do well with herbs and also shade loving plants :)
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126926
10/01/05 04:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Thanks so much! I knew I'd get some super advice from you guys!
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126927
10/01/05 06:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,637
Claudia
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I grow it in pots and it seems to do alright.. no critters attack it that way. But if it is growing in ground now, how about trying one of the tomato cages ( you know those metal thingies you let tomato plants grow up on)? perhaps by putting that around it , it will be protected. Maybe there is a bunny around ( or squirrel) who has a pesto diet.  Now what I need is a new lawn.. any landscaper recommendations? :p
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126928
10/01/05 07:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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Actually, Claudia - yes - I will look up in database from the office. A friend used this lady.
VOYAGER:
MC to FLL 11/07
MC/Dover 6/06
MARINER:
BCN / Ven 10/11
Alaska 2001|2006
Panama Canal 2003
NAV
Caribbean 11/06
Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04
PG 5/05
OCEANIA
Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07
Regatta|Baltics 6/08
Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126929
10/01/05 01:15 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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I'm sure the problem will be alleviated, thanks to great suggestions. I knew I could count on many of you to help me. Thanks!!
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126930
10/01/05 01:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Denise: Tony planted a bunch in yard so far so good but I have a plant in kitchen window box - usually I'm too lazy to go outside (plus allergic to bee stings so hate sticking my hand into a plant) so I just tear off pieces inside when I am making tomato and mozz salad -
Joanna
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126931
10/01/05 01:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,093
petlover
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I just planted some basil and rosemary just outside my kitchen. So far so good as far as insects but I like the idea of growing some inside for easy reach. Now if I could just find a way to rid of the ants that keep invading our home.
Marcie 
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126932
10/01/05 01:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Joanna, I may well plant some in a window box. I like that idea a lot.
I also have rosemary planted out in the front of our house. It seems to be doing well. I'm just leaving that alone.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126933
10/01/05 01:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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We have good luck with mint too - use it for Mojitos (spelling) but love the smell of rosemary too
Joanna
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126934
10/01/05 02:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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I make rosemary, garlic and onion roasted red potatoes drizzled with olive oil. Love it.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126935
10/01/05 02:15 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Originally posted by Denise:
I make rosemary, garlic and onion roasted red potatoes drizzled with olive oil. Love it. Now that sounds delicious - and so easy!!!
Joanna
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126936
10/01/05 02:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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It is!
8-10 small red potatoes, washed, unpeeled and quartered
LOTS of chopped, fresh garlic and onions, to taste
Emeril's Essence, to taste
Sprigs of fresh rosemary
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Spray Pam in a 9 x 13 roasting pan. Place potatoes, onion, and garlic in the pan. Drizzle liberally with extra virgin olive oil. Mix to coat evenly. Sprinkle Emeril's Essence and rosemary springs onto mixture. Roast in 350 degree oven, uncovered, for about 45 minutes to an hour, mixing the potatoes after about 20 minutes.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126937
10/01/05 02:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,093
petlover
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Oh Denise, that sounds out of this world!!!!!!
Marcie
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126938
10/01/05 03:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,407
Betty
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Yum. Will have to try that.
Betty
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126939
10/01/05 07:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Sounds good to me, too, only I don't grow my own herbs. The store kind will have to do. Still want to try the recipe.
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126940
10/02/05 04:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,174
KarenS
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Denise, what is Emeril's Essence? I assume it's a spice blend but I am curious about the flavor.
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126941
10/02/05 05:05 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Karen,
Emeril's Essence is a spice blend. He has a few varieties. The one I've used for this recipe is in a jar with a blue label. It's called Original Essence and contains salt, pepper, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder and other spices. I like this seasoning, as it's subtle and is not overly salty. In fact, if you like things more salty, you may need to add salt. I use this Essence for lots of things, including seasoning beef and chicken. I put a liberal amount of this seasoning on the potatoes. I like my food very flavorful.
I recently purchased another Emeril seasoning called Bayou Blast. I've yet to try it, but it sounds really good.
Donna, please try to use fresh herbs for this recipe. It really makes a difference.
Denise
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126942
10/02/05 10:30 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 503
Vickie
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Originally posted by petlover:
... Now if I could just find a way to rid of the ants that keep invading our home. Marcie, if you want a non-chemical fix, try chilli powder. Sprinkle it at door sills and windows and anyplace ants might come in. Also if you can find the ant holes outside, sprinkle it on & around them.
Vickie
08/02 Navigator - Alaska
Not everyone who wanders is lost - JRR Tolkein
He who dies with the most toys -- is still dead.
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126943
10/02/05 03:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,093
petlover
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Thanks Vickie! I would never thought of something like that! I'm so busy with my can of Raid but always afraid with our pets. I'll try chili powder!
Marcie
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Re: Gardening Help, Please
#126944
10/03/05 07:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,460
curiouscruiser
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I've used crushed red peppers with some success. Those potatoes are on my list to try this week - sound yummy! I need to start my winter herbs - I just let the plants in the garden die at the end of the summer and plant smaller pots - less for kittens to knock over!
Sue
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