Comments on: my december garden chores http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores Gardening information and inspiration from Margaret Roach Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:28:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Margaret http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores/comment-page-1#comment-13410 Margaret Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:09:07 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6888#comment-13410 Welcome, Arlene. Sorry about the oxalis. Here, too, always in the cracks in the paving stones especially. Ugh. Kitchen vinegar (5 percent acetic acid) will kill topgrowth but not roots as tough as those; you need a stronger concentration (probably 10 percent and they go into the 20-plus range). Warning: when you get into the industrial strength, it can be harmful to skin (or eyes) like any acid. So rather than waste time/money on homebrews I would buy an EPA-registered commercial formula at the garden center (EPA registration is required over 8 percent acetic acid concentration, and weaker than that you don't want to bother anyhow) and apply VERY carefully according to package directions, or keep digging. This means using proper gear and all; no casual use, please. Here's a good fact sheet on the topic of <a href="http://www.pesticide.org/pubs/alts/weeds/vinegarinherbicides.html" rel="nofollow">vinegar for weed control</a>. Welcome, Arlene. Sorry about the oxalis. Here, too, always in the cracks in the paving stones especially. Ugh. Kitchen vinegar (5 percent acetic acid) will kill topgrowth but not roots as tough as those; you need a stronger concentration (probably 10 percent and they go into the 20-plus range). Warning: when you get into the industrial strength, it can be harmful to skin (or eyes) like any acid.

So rather than waste time/money on homebrews I would buy an EPA-registered commercial formula at the garden center (EPA registration is required over 8 percent acetic acid concentration, and weaker than that you don’t want to bother anyhow) and apply VERY carefully according to package directions, or keep digging. This means using proper gear and all; no casual use, please. Here’s a good fact sheet on the topic of vinegar for weed control.

]]> By: arlene shechet http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores/comment-page-1#comment-13402 arlene shechet Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:12:48 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6888#comment-13402 2 years ago I finished building my dream studio that included 1000sq ft. of beautiful green roof. Planted with a variety of sedum, some ferns and a few spots of carex grass it was a joy and a wonder UNTIL the wood sorrel/oxalis plant/weed took hold mid-summer. I had to be away for a few weeks and when I returned it had embedded. I am a beginner gardener and did not understand..until now...the tenacity of that species. Through hyper vigilance and too many back breaking hours, I have managed to contain the weed to approx. 1/3 of the garden but need help figuring out if it is possible to get rid of this problem or should i just dig out and start over. Last week you could find me with a plumbers torch scalding the weeds...Lime has been suggested, vinegar too. Help...I'm desperate! 2 years ago I finished building my dream studio that included 1000sq ft. of beautiful green roof. Planted with a variety of sedum, some ferns and a few spots of carex grass it was a joy and a wonder UNTIL the wood sorrel/oxalis plant/weed took hold mid-summer. I had to be away for a few weeks and when I returned it had embedded. I am a beginner gardener and did not understand..until now…the tenacity of that species. Through hyper vigilance and too many back breaking hours, I have managed to contain the weed to approx. 1/3 of the garden but need help figuring out if it is
possible to get rid of this problem or should i just dig out and start over. Last week you could find me with a plumbers torch scalding the weeds…Lime has been suggested, vinegar too. Help…I’m desperate!

]]> By: lynn druskat http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores/comment-page-1#comment-13124 lynn druskat Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:35:40 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6888#comment-13124 Oh, the winter is coming and what shall we do with out our gardens? I have found some worthwhile winter activities, new recipes to try, bread to make, pottery to throw, mittens to knit, dare i say, get organized??? look through ALL those garden photos and decide what really worked? I guess just to have some time to reflect, reconnect with family and friends, and eat from the freezer, man, that is the best. Oh, and try to stay ahead of those nasty pounds that like to accumulate on my hips. ha L Oh, the winter is coming and what shall we do with out our gardens? I have found some worthwhile winter activities, new recipes to try, bread to make, pottery to throw, mittens to knit, dare i say, get organized??? look through ALL those garden photos and decide what really worked? I guess just to have some time to reflect, reconnect with family and friends, and eat from the freezer, man, that is the best. Oh, and try to stay ahead of those nasty pounds that like to accumulate on my hips. ha L

]]> By: Margaret http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores/comment-page-1#comment-12959 Margaret Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:25:56 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6888#comment-12959 Welcome, Paulette. <a href="http://www.good-earth.com/birkenstock-super-birki-clogs.html" rel="nofollow">This would be the shoe:</a> the Super Birki polyurethane clog. I think I have had them for more than a decade; can't really recall. I no longer wear them all the time, but keep them by the door for when I run in and out, especially in wet grass in the early morning and when it's bad weather -- to quickly pick something, for instance. Hope this helps, and hope to see you again soon. Welcome, Paulette. This would be the shoe: the Super Birki polyurethane clog. I think I have had them for more than a decade; can’t really recall. I no longer wear them all the time, but keep them by the door for when I run in and out, especially in wet grass in the early morning and when it’s bad weather — to quickly pick something, for instance. Hope this helps, and hope to see you again soon.

]]> By: Paulette http://awaytogarden.com/my-december-garden-chores/comment-page-1#comment-12954 Paulette Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:06:02 +0000 http://awaytogarden.com/?p=6888#comment-12954 Margaret, I have frequently seen the red garden shoes in many of your posts. Years ago, I had the same ones. They were faithful and served me well. However, last year we had to part ways as they finally split to the point of being unwearable. Where did you get your red garden shoes? I have Ladybugs, but they are NOT the same. Every time I see your red shoes, I remember the years mine were my most worn summer shoe. Here in the eastern panhandle of WV, there are still days that can be spent in the garden before it is time to curl up with seed catalogs. Most recently I (embarrassed) found a few unplanted alliums which I quickly got in the ground, as well as some saffron crocus that I put in a pot in the chilly unheated laundry room. Margaret, I have frequently seen the red garden shoes in many of your posts. Years ago, I had the same ones. They were faithful and served me well. However, last year we had to part ways as they finally split to the point of being unwearable. Where did you get your red garden shoes? I have Ladybugs, but they are NOT the same. Every time I see your red shoes, I remember the years mine were my most worn summer shoe.

Here in the eastern panhandle of WV, there are still days that can be spent in the garden before it is time to curl up with seed catalogs. Most recently I (embarrassed) found a few unplanted alliums which I quickly got in the ground, as well as some saffron crocus that I put in a pot in the chilly unheated laundry room.

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