Question:
I have a vegetable garden that I maintain organically year round. However, the small field of weeds nearby is a big headache. I’d like to wipe out the weeds before I till the soil later his month with some sort of natural herbicide. What would I apply?Answer:
Bonide Burn Out is a natural, non-selective herbicide available for grassy and broadleaf weeds.It uses a blend of citric acid and cloves to kills undesirable vegetation in eight hours or less.- For best results, apply it on a clear sunny day and you should see wilting within twenty minutes with the seasonal weeds. The deeper rooted perennial weeds take longer and a second application may be necessary within a couple of days. Burn Out can also be applied under the canopy of plants as long as the spray doesn’t touch the bark, branches or foliage. I’d make my first application in about ten days before your ready to till, or sooner if the weeds are going to seed.
- Cultivating and mulching are the best methods of controlling the unwanted vegetation in your vegetable garden. In addition, there is an organic pre-emergent herbicide, Concern Weed Stopper Plus, that you may consider applying to control the weed seeds. It's not recommended if you're starting your vegetable garden from seeds as pre-emergent herbicide can't tell the difference between desirable and non-desirable seeds. No problem around rooted transplants or seedlings.
Question:
We’ve moved to a new Condo and the landscaping leaves a lot to be desired. Plants are trimmed into little balls on top and rocks are placed up against the base of trees. Ugh! There is lots of work ahead correcting things. What are the best trees to plant in a small area with less invasive roots? In addition, when a tree is removed is it true that there is a one-year waiting period before planting another?Answer:
It’s not unusual for rock of any size to be used as a ground cover instead of an organic or vegetative option.- With rock, it’s easy to remove the landscape debris and it doesn’t decompose over time. That being said, it’s truly a taste and preference decision. So, I'd remove it once you decide on its replacement.
- The waiting period after you remove a tree or shrub is a gardening myth. You can replant immediately. The new planting hole should be twice as wide as the container and six to eight inches deeper. The native soil is amended with organic matter ( compost, soil amendments, planting or potting soil ) at a fifty/fifty ratio with a starter fertilizer placed at the bottom of the hole. The new plant is planted high out of the ground to allow for sinkage.
- Since this is a small area, you don't want a large tree. So, how small of a tree would you like? Maybe the answer is a large shrub that has been trimmed to a single stem. Once you have an idea, the nursery professional at your favorite garden center is the resource for your answer