[Eric Vinje]

Hi Verne –

Shredding will help the composting microbes break down the material and speed up the decomposition process. You can use a chipper for wood or a paper or leaf shredder for leaves, pine needles, or paper items. For food, some use a food processor or blender, or they’ll toss everything onto the lawn and run a power mower over it a few times. With that said, unless you’re trying to win the award for fastest compost ever, there’s little point in shredding this fine. Save the energy and let the pile do the work!

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Five gallon containers are ideal for pepper growth. Adding a bloom nutrient to your watering regime may also help speed the fruiting process along. We’ve had great success with Buddha Bloom in our store.

Happy Planting!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

We have a whole section on combatting fruit flies in the worm bin over at our COMPOSTERconnection website (scroll down to the bottom). Here’s the link https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/indoor-composting/vermicomposting/.

Bottom line: Buried food should not attract fruit flies. These flying pests indicates that food is exposed or rotting, which may mean that there is too much of it. Citrus fruit, especially, will attract flying insects. Try not to overload your worms with too much food and consider covering the bin with a plastic sheet or a piece of old carpet. You can also use our Fruit Fly Trap to get rid of the little buggers.

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

As mentioned previously, it can potentially be dangerous to add pet wastes to your pile, as human pathogens may persist in the end product. We would not recommend it. Check out our tips and tricks on vermicomposting here!

https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/vermicomposting/

Happy Composting!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi –

Used railway ties have been an old standard for garden walls and beds, but since they were often treated with creosote, they have gained a bad reputation. I think it is generally a good rule of thumb to avoid treated woods, especially if they are slick, sticky or oily. If you are already using ties, it might be a good idea to line the beds with a safe, impermeable material such as heavy-duty, food-grade plastic.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

If your compost pile stinks, something is wrong. Ordinarily composting will not create odors which seems odd as we usually think of decomposition as being a smelly business. If you do notice a smell chances are that there is not enough oxygen to support the aerobic microbes and the anaerobic ones have taken over. To fix this problem, simply stir and aerate the heap. Mixing the contents will discourage the anaerobic microbes while encouraging the less smelly aerobic microorganisms to grow and thrive. I’ve included a link to our page on composting problems. Hopefully it will help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/making/troubleshooting/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Sunflowers would work great along the north end of the garden. Choose a taller variety if you’d like a bit more privacy from the road. Check out our tips and tricks on how to grown sunflowers here!

https://www.planetnatural.com/growing-sunflowers/

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Here’s another response from our staff… Neem oil may be slightly toxic to the reptiles if they happen to consume leaves that have been treated with it. Try switching to a natural insecticide containing food-grade oils if you are still concerned. Sierra Natural Science creates some wonderful, essential oil based products, find them here! https://www.planetnatural.com/product_brand/sierra-natural-science/

Happy Summer!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

The best time to transplant a rose bush is in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant. Start by preparing the new location.

• Dig a large enough hole to accommodate the plant.
• Add a good amount of organic compost and some soil amendments to the hole. I recommend a mixture of kelp meal, greensand and rock dust.
• Mix the compost and amendments with the native soil.

Next, prune off some of the top growth to make it easier to handle and dig around the root system. Take care to protect the roots, trunk and branches from damage. Do your best to keep the root ball intact while moving the rose to its new home. Then back-fill the planting site with a mixture of compost and soil. Keep the grafted section of the stem above ground and water immediately. Do NOT add organic fertilizer until you notice signs of new growth.

https://www.planetnatural.com/rose-gardening-guru/planting/

Happy gardening!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Jon –

Incredibly destructive, Japanese beetles are found in almost every state east of the Mississippi. The young larvae often damage lawns by feeding on grass roots, while adults are a problem on trees, shrubs, fruits, gardens and most ornamentals plants. To keep them off plants and out of your garden consider the following control methods.

• Hand pick or shake adult Japanese beetles onto ground sheets in the early morning or late evening. Drop them into a pail of soapy water and discard.
• Pheromone lures and traps will catch large numbers of beetles, thus reducing their numbers. Do NOT place traps inside your garden. It is best to place them around the perimeter of your property.
• Beneficial Nematodes and Milky Spore Disease will kill the larvae/ grubs in the soil.
• Floating Row Covers create an effective barrier and prevent adults from attacking most plants, including strawberries.
• As a last resort, spot treat problem areas with a short-lived botanical insecticide. Safer® Yard & Garden Insect Killer will get the job done and breaks down quickly in the environment.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/japanese-beetle-control/

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Hyacinths, tulips and daffodils are all good choices for forcing bulbs indoors. However, many growers use different methods to do so. Here’s more information worth reading before getting started.

https://www.planetnatural.com/forcing-bulbs/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

As with any garden, soil preparation is what really counts and good seed starting mix is no exception. For best results, make sure it is lightweight and drains well, yet contains enough organic matter to hold moisture — you don’t want it drying out too quickly. I’ve included a link to an article of ours that includes several recipes for making your own potting soil.

https://www.planetnatural.com/potting-mix-recipes/

Happy growing!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Jen –

Black widow spiders are often found hiding in dark, undisturbed areas including window wells, cinder blocks, wood piles, garage corners and rodent holes. They are not aggressive, but care should be taken to avoid being bit. The following tips and techniques can be used to control them outside.

• Clean up and dispose of trash, debris, old equipment and other insect hiding places.
• Repair screens and weather-stripping around doors and windows.
• Apply Tanglefoot Pest Barrier to incoming pipes and door jambs to eliminate access inside your home.
• Insect Magnet Traps used indoors will capture many crawling pests.
• Apply diatomaceous earth and/ or Don’t Bug Me Spray to cracks, crevices and other hiding places.
• Use Doktor Doom Insect Foggers in larger areas like crawl spaces, garages, sheds or barns.

I’ve also included a link to our spider control page.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/household-pests/spider-control/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Just to be clear, your kitchen compost pale is not for composting. It is for storing food scraps that are intended for your composter. In most cases, they can hold several days worth of vegetable peels and food scraps, so there’s no need to run out to the backyard pile/ bin after each meal.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/composting/compost-pails/

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Elizabeth –

Powdery mildew is the most common and widespread of fungal diseases attacking plants. There are several techniques for treating it without resorting to toxic chemicals. I’ve listed many of them here.

• Stake plants to Improve air circulation
• Prune away leaves and stems as soon as you see signs of mildew. Make sure to disinfect pruning shears after each cut.
• Use a thick layer of mulch to prevent disease spores from splashing onto leaves.
• Keep leaves dry when watering. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses will help with this.
• If powdery mildew is present, treat with a least-toxic organic fungicide. We often recommend Green Cure, Bi-Carb or Actinovate for the job.

Please see the following link for more information.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/plant-disease/powdery-mildew/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

The best time to prune a rose bush is in early spring. Begin by removing any dead, diseased or winter damaged wood, cutting it back to where it’s healthy. Make cuts at a 45° angle to prevent water from setting on the pruned area and apply Tanglefoot Pruning Sealer to the exposed surface to accelerate the healing process and protect against insects and disease.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Also known as Bermudagrass, Wire Grass is a persistent perennial that spreads rapidly via creeping rhizomes. It is a tough plant that does well in poor soil, which makes it attractive as a turfgrass in certain parts of the country. However, it can quickly take over flower beds and other landscaped areas and may require some effort to get rid of it. I’ve included some tips and techniques for combatting this “weed” here.

• Pull or hand dig as much as you can, being careful to remove all root fragments
• If you’ve got dense patches, treat with an organic herbicide or cover with black plastic to solarize the area. During hot summer months, black plastic will kill most weeds in 2-3 weeks.
• Spot treat individual weeds in garden beds with AllDown Weed & Grass Killer. To minimize damage from drift to desired plants, cut off both ends of a soup can, place over the weed and spray liberally.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

While the crops in pots field is wide open, some vegetables are better suited to pots than others. Here are a few.

Bush Beans
Chard
Kale/ Spinach/ Lettuce
Peppers
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Beets
Carrots
Cabbage

I’ve also included a link to our Planting in Potst page.

https://www.planetnatural.com/container-gardening/

Hope it helps

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

There is a small (1/4″ – 1/2″), red bug with a voracious appetite known as the Lily Leaf Beetle. It attacks, as you might expect, lily leaves… but will also feed on the stems and flowers of the plant. I have suggested several least-toxic steps for controlling these little buggers below.

• Handpick beetles in the early morning and toss them in a bucket filled with soapy water
• Look for egg masses under leaves and crush them
• Apply neem oil to plants on a regular basis. It will kill immature stages and has been shown to repel the adults.
• Spinosad, the active ingredient in Monterey Garden Insect Spray, is effective against this pest.
• If all else fails, reach for a broad spectrum organic insecticidal spray. Safer® Yard & Garden Insect Killer kills on contact, yet is gentle on plants.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Sally –

To the best of my knowledge, white spots on tomatoes are caused by the following:

Stink Bugs – A serious problem for vegetable, fruit and other farm crops, stinkbugs feed by piercing fruit which result in blemishes or pale-yellow irregular patches.

Sunscald – This is essentially what it sounds like, a sun-burn, tomato style, and it occurs when fruit is too exposed during hot weather. To prevent this problem, be sure to leave adequate foliage on plants when pruning or use shade cloth.

I’ve attached a couple of links that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/stink-bugs/
https://www.planetnatural.com/tomato-gardening-guru/pests-disease/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi John –

Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide and degrades rapidly in the environment. While I cannot find any data supporting this, it should be safe for reptiles and amphibians. I know it can be moderately toxic to fish in large quantities, but just spraying it on plants should be fine. It is toxic to bees if exposed to direct treatment, but otherwise will NOT harm pollinators. Additionally, neem oil is used in soaps, toothpaste and cosmetics throughout the world.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello Joyous,

It sounds like it is time to start adding nutrients. Depending on the veggies, you probably need more supplementation that worm tea alone. Adding a liquid seaweed and fish emulsion can hep fill in the gaps.

As far as worm tea goes, you can find powders that can be mixed. One product called Xtreme Tea Brews has been good for me in the past. In the future, you can set up a composting system or a vermicompost to provide you with your own tea. I’ve included links that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/organic-fish-seaweed-fertilizer/
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/xtreme-tea-brews/
​https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/composting/worm-composting/​

Happy growing!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Jim –

We’ve done some research on how to control California Oakworm and feel that trichogramma wasps would be very helpful for this. Adult oak moths lay eggs — in small clusters — mostly on the undersides of leaves which trichogramma will aggressively seek out and lay their eggs in. The tiny parasites then hatch inside the moth egg, consume the contents, and emerge to seek out and destroy more moth eggs. Other predators/ parasites of the California Oakworm include lacewing, pirate bugs, birds and spiders. Use Bt sprays on any caterpillars that hatch to minimize damage to the “good bugs” in your trees.

When we kill off the natural enemies of a pest. We inherit their work!” – C.B Huffaker

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

So much sweeter, juicier and extra flavorful than a commercially-raised tomato, homegrown heirloom tomatoes restore one of summer’s greatest pleasures. We offer several unique varieties here.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/garden-seeds/heirloom-vegetables/tomato/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Earwigs are often considered beneficial in the garden, acting as scavengers. However, they will chew on seedlings, soft plant shoots, fruits and flowers. When their numbers are high they can cause considerable damage. I’ve included a link to an article we wrote that lists several organic methods of controlling them here.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/earwig-control/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Dogs, cats and other animals can cause considerable damage. Here’s some SAFE control strategies to keep animals out of your garden.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/animal-control/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Thank you for the great post! We too love Reel Mowers (http://ow.ly/6rJl301Guy9) and here’s a couple reasons why.

• Starts every time
• Requires NO gas or spark plugs
• A great form of exercise
• Does NOT pollute the environment with fumes or noise

Have a reel mower story? Please share it here.

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Heather –

There are several methods for harvesting worms or castings from your bin.

1.) Dump the bin’s contents out and then manually separate the worms from the compost.
2.) Move everything to one side and place some food on the other side. Replace the lid and come back in a week or so. During that time, the worms should migrate over to the new food.
3.) Bury a bag full of food inside your bin — the bag must have holes large enough for worms to enter — and leave it for a couple days. Pull the bag out and separate your worms.

I’ve included a link that should help. Scroll down to “Cleaning and Harvesting” for more information.

https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/indoor-composting/vermicomposting/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Getting rid of deer flies is tough. You can try traps, but we have noticed limited success using them. Repellents work well, but who wants to slather them on every time you walk out the door. Your best bet may be to dress appropriately and cover exposed parts to reduce bites. We’ve found that Deerfly Patches work great when attached to the back of your hat. Attacking flies become trapped on the sticky surface. Just chuck them out when full.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/deerfly-patches/

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Scotty –

Fly parasites are shipped still developing inside fly pupae and are mixed with wood shavings for protection. Depending on the temperature during shipment, they will start hatching upon arrival. (The tiny “ant like things” you saw when you first opened the bag were the first to hatch.) When you notice some hatching in the bag start releasing them as close as possible to the suspected fly breeding sites or where maggots are found (flies need some moisture to breed). Simply sprinkle the contents out of the bag out over the entire breeding site(s). Do NOT release all in one spot and make several releases throughout the entire fly season.

Note: The parasitized fly pupae will not change in appearance. The tiny parasites simply exit through a small hole and begin their search for more fly pupae. Keep in mind, that the parasites must find fly pupae to continue their life-cycle. This need provides a natural and strong incentive to seek out and destroy filth flies.

I’ve included a link — with a life-cycle diagram — that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/beneficial-insects-101/fly-predator/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Much has changed in the indoor grow world over the last 9 years. Please see the following link for the newest technology.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/growing-indoors/grow-lights/ballasts/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello Marvin –

I would think that you’d see ants around the hills in your yard. Try boric acid or diatomaceous earth around the spot. Both are terrific least-toxic alternatives to conventional poisons. Here’s a couple of links that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/terro-ant-baits/
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/ant-crawling-insect-killer-de/

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

How do you keep deer out of the garden? Well, many methods are available, but nothing is absolutely foolproof). Here are some suggestions:

• Fences are generally considered the best solution — build them tall!
• Netting and wire cages work too!
• Deer repellents, motion activated sprayers and ultrasonic devices have shown success.

I’ve included a couple of links that will help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/deer-control/
https://www.planetnatural.com/deer-repellent/

Go get them!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Redworms do well in temperatures between about 55°-77°F. If you are concerned about keeping them during the cold winter months consider putting them in the basement or use insulation around the bin — straw bales work great! I’ve attached a link to an article that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/composter-connection/indoor-composting/vermicomposting/

Good luck.

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Most boxelder damage is minor and won’t require treatment unless their number get out of control. Here are some things that you can do to get rid of them.

• Eliminate wood piles, garden debris, and other places boxelder bugs will over winter.
• Nearby trees can be sprayed with horticultural oil early as boxelder bugs begin to emerge.
• Swarms around your home can be treated with insecticidal soap — repeat applications may be necessary.
• Consider using a shop-vac to vacuum up large numbers.

Here’s a link to our control page.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/household-pests/boxelder-bug-control/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Yes, mint can produce quickly and will indeed spread. As a result, many backyard growers prefer to plant mint in containers. You can also keep mint from taking over by planting it in a bottomless container — think coffee can — sunk into the ground at least 10 inches deep. This will keep the plant’s network of rhizomes from spreading. To regain your garden without using toxic herbicides consider digging up the patch (make sure to get it all) or cover it with black plastic for several weeks. We also recommend AllDown Organic Herbicide. Made from horticultural vinegar and citric acid, it degrades rapidly and will not move through the soil to injure nearby plants. Here’s a link.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/vinegar-weed-killer/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

My favorite organic fertilizer is the Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed. It is a gentle and complete blend that smells a little fishy when first applied indoors, but dissipates in an hour or two — you’ll love it! I’ve included a link that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/growing-indoors/orchid-care/orchid-fertilizer/

Happy gardening!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Yes, it is OK to be concerned about pesticide spray drift from your neighbors. Just do a quick Google search and you’ll see that the web is filled up with these complaints. It’s noted that the EPA — the company in charge of protecting you from pesticide poisoning — gets thousands of calls per year from poisonous sprays drifting off target. How well do you know your neighbor? Can you talk to him about your concerns and ask that he take special care when applying pesticides? Does he apply them by aircraft? Pesticide applicators must follow certain practices, and you are protected. If you suspect chemical drift, call your state department of agriculture and have them run some tests. If your neighbor is negligent, he could be subject to fines by the state.

Good luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Bubba –

You can thank the EPA for the scary labeling. Bottom line, it costs the manufacturer a lot of money to do the additional testing that the EPA requires to approve a product for use on food crops. Rest assured that Semaspore Bait is non-toxic to people, pets and the environment. This naturally occurring protozoa is only toxic to grasshoppers and one species of cricket.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

The problem you are seeing with your garden beans could be fungal in nature or a reaction to the Sevin® pesticide that you used. Hopefully you followed the label instructions when applying. However, shriveled bean pods are often the result of uneven watering, or even a lack of moisture. Beans do well in moist — not wet — soils. Give them a good drink of water and consider using a mulch to prevent moisture loss between waterings. I’ve included a link to our Growing Beans article.

https://www.planetnatural.com/growing-beans/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Store in a cool, dry shaded area in original container or refrigerate. If refrigerated continuously at 40˚ F. add 30 days to expiration date. If frozen continuously at 15˚ F. add 60 days to expiration date.

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello –

Thinning plants is one of our least favorite things to do in the garden. However, the earlier you thin them, the faster they’ll grow — don’t wait! Also, tweezers can be handy for those particularly delicate jobs. Here’s a link to an article we wrote on the subject.

https://www.planetnatural.com/garden-thinning-seeding/

Hope it helps!

[Eric Vinje]

You bet your sweet compost they do! Plus, they’ll recycle meat, bones, dairy and food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. We love ours:

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/all-seasons-indoor-composter/

Have fun with it!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Mary –

It sounds to me like your pomegranate problems are a result of the wet springs you’ve been having. Fruit splitting and cracking are symptoms of fungal disease, and in some cases uneven watering. Leaf spots are also a symptom of disease fungi and are most active when there is plenty of moisture and warm temperatures.

A heavy layer of organic mulch (straw, bark, grass) around the base of the tree/ shrub can help conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, prevent extreme temperature fluctuations and reduce water evaporation. Use at least 3 inches for best results, and water as evenly as possible.

To nip disease problems in the proverbial bud consider the following steps:
• Keep the ground under your tree clean and rake up any fallen fruit.
• Prune or stake plants to improve air circulation. Make sure to disinfect your pruning shears after each cut.
• Apply organic fungicides weekly at first sign of disease to prevent its spread.

I’ve included a link to our leaf spot page that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/plant-disease/bacterial-leaf-spot/

Best of luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello Jennifer –

We wrote the company with your question and here is their response.

Thank you for contacting Dramm Customer Service. The Oscillating Sprinkler has brass spray heads on the arm. Brass has shown that it contains trace amounts of lead. Please let me know if you need additional information.

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/oscillating-sprinkler/

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Thanks Tricia!

It’s always great hearing from a satisfied customer. I have passed your comment on to my warehouse crew and they appreciate it. If you have the time, please consider writing a review on Yelp or Google Places. We don’t hear enough from our many satisfied customers.

Eric Vinje

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Linfel –

Pest insects are often fatally traumatized from the force of the Bug Blaster and do not return. In many cases, all stages of the pest are eliminated (egg, larva and adult). For heavy infestations use the Bug Blaster every 3-5 days.

Azamax and SNS217 are two other products that we often recommend for controlling spider mites. I’ve included several links below that should help.

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/houseplant-pests/spider-mite-control/
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/azamax-azadirachtin/
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/sns-217-spider-mite-control/
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/bug-blaster/

Best of luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hello,

When using spidex it can be helpful to spray down your plant with water to help the predatory mites to stick to the leaves. Then, gently tumble the container and shake out the mites onto the infested plant according to the following: 1-2 mites per infested leaf, 20-30 per medium sized plant, or 2,000 per 700 square feet.

More information can be found here:
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/predatory-mites-spidex/

Best of luck!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Ryan –

Insecticidal soap has a light soapy or lard-type smell to it when first applied that dissipates quickly as it dries. It does NOT have a toxic or strong pesticidal odor. Soaps work against soft-bodied pests via dehydration, as soon as the application dries it is ineffective — there is NO residual. I would be surprised if someone on a tour has sensitivity to the product, plus it works well on mealybugs!

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/safer-insecticidal-soap/

Hope this helps!

[Eric Vinje]

Hi Tiny –

Praying mantis eggs are collected in late fall/ early winter after the leaves have dropped, which makes them easier to find. We typically receive our shipments some time in January. As soon as we get them they go into a climate controlled cooler that is kept around 36˚F. They remain here until they are prepped for shipment and then sent out to our customers. Hope this helps!

[Author]

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