The Sunday Gift of Lettuce for Grandma

I enjoy sharing from my garden with family & friends.  Grandma is 86 full of life, wisdom, great stories & info about the area I now call home.  Ellie deserves way more than lettuce thrown into an old Target bag. To do something a little unique took all of 5 minutes to walk to the ManCave gather the lettuce gift wrapping.  Happy I took a little extra time for a unique & exceptional Lady.

Walk Around Seminole Heights Sunday Market

9am - 2pm 2nd Sunday of the month. Market will run October - May. Hillsborough High School Fresh, Local & Lively for the Urban Corridor In an eclectic neighborhood known for its historic homes and support for small business and community events.

TGIF

TGIF TGIF TGIF

What's going on with the Weather?

 Who wants to go the Fair tonight?

I vote Centro Ybor

 Am I the only one working?

FunLand ?

I just gotta hang on till 5

Have a great weekend I, going to the Ybor City Market in the morning

need anything?

Do these Natural Insect Pest Controls Work?

Having never been a big fan of the word Pesticide & all it implies I much prefer the term Natural Insect Pest Control for my garden.  With so much information on the internet it is hard to separate what really works & old wife’s tales.  Please have a look at the NIPC’s below & please let me what has worked or not worked in Your garden.Thank You very much for your time.

Neem

Neem juice is the most powerful natural pesticide on the planet, holding over 50 natural insecticides. This extremely bitter tree leaf can be made in a spray form, or can be bought from a number  companies on line.  To make your own neem oil spray, simply add 1/2 an ounce of organic neem oil and ½ teaspoon of a mild organic liquid soap to two quarts of warm water. Stir slowly. Add to a spray bottle and use immediately.

Salt Spray
For treating plants infested with spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of Himalayan Crystal Salt into one gallon of warm water and spray on infected areas.

Mineral Oil
Mix10-30 ml of high-grade oil with one liter of water. Stir and add to spray bottle. This organic pesticide works well for dehydrating insects and their eggs.

Citrus Oil and/or Cayenne Pepper Mix
This is another organic pesticide that works well on ants. Simply, mix 10 drops of citrus essential oil with one teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 cup of warm water. Shake well and spray in the affected areas.

Soap, Orange Citrus Oil & Water
Simply mix 3 tablespoons of liquid Organic Castile soap with 1 ounce of Orange oil to one gallon of water. Shake well. This is an especially effective treatment against slugs and can be sprayed directly on ants and roaches.

Eucalyptus oil
A great natural pesticide for flies, bees and wasps. Simply sprinkle a few drops of eucalyptus oil where the insects are found. 

Onion and Garlic Spray
Mince one organic clove of garlic and one medium sized organic onion. Add to a quart of water. Wait one hour and then add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and one tablespoon of liquid soap to the mix. This organic spray will hold its potency for one week if stored in the refrigerator.

Chrysanthemum Flower Tea
These flowers hold a powerful plant chemical component called pyrethrum. This substance invades the nervous system of insects rendering them immobile. You can make your own spray by boiling 100 grams of dried flowers into 1 liter of water. Boil dried flowers in water for twenty minutes. Strain, cool and place in a spray bottle. Chrysanthemum Flower Tea can be stored for up to two months. You can also add some organic neem oil to enhance the effectiveness.

Tobacco Spray
Just as tobacco is not good us, bad for Them too, tobacco spray was once a commonly used pesticide for killing pests, caterpillars and aphids. To make, simply take one cup of organic tobacco (preferably a brand that is organic and all-natural) and mix it in one gallon of water. Allow the mixture to set overnight. After 24-hours if it is very dark, add more water. This mix can be used on most plants, with the exception of those in the solanaceous family (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc.)

Chile pepper & Diatomaceous Earth
Grind two handfuls of dry chiles into a fine powder and mix with 1 cup of Diatomaceous earth. Add to 2 liters of water and let set overnight.

No Big Box Store for Me

I think buying locally is a good idea and have done a bit of reading on the subject.  I decided to go by Manny’s Nursery which is 3 blocks from my house & talk to Manny about it.  I tried to call the Big Box store but they said they did not have anyone working there named Home.

 Here is what we came up with after sitting down & talking for about ½ hour.  

More of your money is used to make purchases from other local

 businesses & service providers in your local area continuing to 

strengthen the economic base of your community.

Local non-profit organizations receive more support from local small business

owners than they do from large national owned businesses.

Reduce environmental impact locally owned businesses can make more 

local purchases requiring less transportation and generally buy in  

town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe.

Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our

community, provide the most jobs to local residents. 

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less
 likely to relocate and are more invested in their community’s future. 

Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the local 

products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. 

Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure
 investment aka tax breaks and make more efficient use of public services 

as compared to nationally owned stores.

Small businesses are the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
 Small businesses, each selecting products & services based on their knowledge of local
customers needs & wants as opposed to a “National Plan”

These are just  our opnions what do you think?