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1/12/06 Update: Today Mike talked about the importance of winter watering and some of the devices to make it more effective. It is so dry right now we really need to water to insure the health of our lawns, trees, and shrubs. The key to getting the water to soak into our dry, hard soils is to water slowly. To help with that we will use small area sprinklers hooked up to our garden hoses. Pick a day that is 40 degrees and up. Water early in the day to allow maximum absorbtion before sunset. Allow for 20 to 30 minutes per section of lawn. For trees and shrubs soaker hoses looped around a tree or shrub will work very well with a time frame of 30 to 40 minutes. You can also use a simple hose end device called a "bubbler" or even a root irrigator needle to get water to the root zone. No matter what device you use just make sure you do water and water well this dry winter. If our dry weather persists water at least every 3-4 weeks. 12/8/05 Update: Today Mike talked about taking care of your cut Christmas tree. You can buy a retail tree preservative for a couple of bucks or you can make your own by using simple sugar water mixed at 4 parts water and 1 part sugar with a tablespoon of molasses to boot. These sugars help bring carbohydrates to the tree to prolong their ultimately short life! You can also use a spray on product called Wilt Pruf. This is known as an antitranspirant which seals the needles to prevent moisture loss, keeping the needles more supple and therefore more fire resistent. We also looked at a popular alternative to the regular Christmas lights that we've used for years. This new light is not a true light at all. Its an L.E.D. (light emitting diode) a brilliant bright bulb similar in size to a typical C-7 bulb. It is so reliable it virtually ends the struggle to keep a whole string lit and it uses 80% less electricity. The life expectancy is about 20 years and it runs so cool you can't even feel the heat at all. Just one other helpful tool in keeping your tree from drying out. We also talked briefly on how to keep your poinsettia alive. Watch the watering, these cactii types like to dry out between waterings. We also have a list of tips at the bottom of this page to help you keep your poinsettia alive year round and bring it back to color next year. Tricky but not impossible! 11/17/05 Update: Today Mike talked about the potential hazards of Chinese Elm trees that reside near building foundations or sewer lines. These trees grow like weeds here in Colorado. They sow billions of seeds all over our city every year resulting in thousands of young seedlings growing up anywhere they can find water. What appears innocent at first can cause a cracked foundation from their agressive root system or a clogged sewer line from more penetrating roots! So what can be done about these invaders? Cut them down as soon as you notice them and treat their stumps with a stump killer such as Green Light Cut Vine & Stump Killer, or for larger stumps drill serveral holes and apply Ferti-lome Brush and Stump Killer. These herbicides will be taken into the root system and kill it off before the damage begins. For more info visit these web sites: Green Light Fertilome 10/28/05 Update: Today Mike talked about protecting your trees from damaged bark. The choices have increased from the old time paper tree wrap which helped especially new trees from sunburn in the winter to a new entry on the market. This new rigid tree grid is a cylinder that slides over the trunk and stands 2-4 ft tall. It keeps deer from chewing or rubbing their antlers on your tree. This protector can be used in conjunction with standard wraps and can be left on year round unlike the paper wrap. Come check it out!! 9/05 Update: Mike tell us how to help prevent moles, voles, and gophers from tearing up your landscape. A new product called "Chase" is really making a difference. This castor oil coated granule is scattered around lawns, trees, and shrubs to keep voles from chewing on the bark or tunneling through your grass. It repels gophers that are chewing on roots and making mounds all over your property. Chase these critters away today! 7/1/05 Update: Today on KKTV Mike gave some tips to help the water gardener keep his pond clean from algae and to prevent mosquitos. PC Algae Fix puts a quick end to green water, and is safe for fish & wildlife. We also stock filters that utilize an ultra violet light to eliminate algae starting at $200 For easy mosquito control, use Healthy Pond's Mosquito Control. Each packet protects 300 gallons for up to one month. 3/3/05 Update: Today on KKTV Mike talked about an array of tools and garden aids to help anyone that loves gardening that has arthritis, a bad back, bad hip, or any disability that might keep them from gardening. Well here is a couple of websites that will help you rise above anything that might keep you from gardening. The first website being WOLF Garten. After that is a great website called Vertex Tools. Then, last but not least, Bionic Gloves. For any more information regarding gardening with disabilities, check back to ricksgarden.com or call us at (719)632-8491. 2/24/05 Update: Today on KKTV Mike discussed a chart with planting times for annual vegetables in the Colorado Springs region. You can come in and get a chart in person, or view it online by clicking here. 1/13/05 Update: Today on KKTV Mike talked about Fungus Gnats. The three products mentioned to treat the problem were: Bonide Sytemic Insect Control Granules, Diatect Organic Insect Control, and Summit Mosquito Bits with BTI. If you have any more questions about them, you can call us @719-632-8491 or use this link to visit this website that Ohio State created about those annoying gnats!!
Choose Today on KKTV Mike talked about Fungus Gnats. The three products mentioned to treat the problem were: Bonide Sytemic Insect Control Granules, Diatect Organic Insect Control, and Summit Mosquito Bits with BTI. If you have any more questions about them, you can call us @719-632-8491 or use this link to visit this website that Ohio State created about those annoying gnats!! |
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