DIY Yards and Health

DIY Yards and Health
Helping the Do It Yourself home owner in making themselves and surroundings healthy

Monday, April 29, 2013

Fruit Tree Spray Schedule

This up and down weather is slowing some of the problems we saw last year in Fire Blight and insects but we are getting near time to be ready to spray your fruit trees or set out traps.

D&B is carrying the Codling Moth traps which I would suggest getting on your fruit trees if you are trying to go organic as possible. If you have had serious pest issues in the past you'll probably need to spray to get a-head of the problem.

 Codling Moth Traps on Amazon

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Here is a link for timing Fruit Tree Spray Timing

This is a link really for February Organic Copper and Lime Sulfur work but I like how it shows home owners spraying fruit trees and how simple it is Home Owners Back Yard Spraying

Link for products and timing Timing and Products

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This product I have used; it's inexpensive and is available at Crop Production Services on Hwy 20/26 just before Caldwell; ask for Tom Gritzmacher or at Amazon Gordons Fruit Tree at Amazon

  Fruit Tree Spray



Saturday, April 27, 2013

Box Elder Bugs

Box Elder bug facts

They do not bite or sting
there was a Box Elder tree in the area at some time
Love heated areas
Can get into your home through very small cracks
The Exterior Pest Control will take care of these pests along with earwigs, spiders, ants etc.

water-water-water

I have been in dozen yards the last few days in terrible shape for water.

Idaho has a bad habit of going from winter (skip spring) to the heat of summer.
Plants caught dehydrated as the heat hits often never recover.
Get that water on those trees and plants as soon as you can and keep it up.
Also keep in mind wind desiccates plants as fast as heat!

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Junipers out of control

This is a good time of year to get on top of those frankenshrubs

Hedge pruning followed by layering with hand pruners needs to be done every year. If you wait too long it may be time to remove them.

Folks are usually afraid to start over but once the old shrub is out they are always glad they did it.


Another option is to turn those tall ugly shrubs into a form of topiary design. It's a lot of work and time consuming but can be attractive. A job like this is usually around $235.

One of the tools I use to accomplish this is a less expensive $200 chainsaw with the new PowerSharp by Oregon attachment for $50 that allows you to sharpen the chain every few minutes (you will dull the chain every few minutes due to the dirt and debris that has turned organic inside the shrub over the years - the PowerSharp is the only way I've found to quickly get back into action plus it will cut directly into the Junipers and not catch and snag as badly. Be careful however in that the chain can bind and fly off and chainsaws inherently cut flesh as fast or faster than wood :)

Links to Hedge Pruning

STRONGLY suggest a Spider/Wasp control spray application before doing any work, the worse spider bites I have had have been doing this work, it's only $39 for the entire house so it's worth it. Email me if you have any questions tedasmith001@gmail.com

Monday, April 8, 2013

Fruit Tree Spray

Note the Fruit Tree Spray timing information and links folks have been asking for is now at the top of the page.

Timing Calendar




The Timing Calendar I give to local customers is a way to make sure you don't miss any applications that are time sensitive such as pre-emergent or pruning times

Simply fold it and stand it up on your counter - when you notice that the week you are in has a yellow highlight - open it  up and read that months notes on what should be done at this time of year.
 
If you are a local customer and have not received one let me know.