alpine flowers at Grey Rock

Monday, July 11, 2011

Stirrup Hoe

I am loving my new stirrup hoe.  The u-shaped metal blade undercuts the roots of weeds as quickly as you can sweep it along on the ground. I like the smaller circle hoe for between things, but when you are trying to make progress on larger areas of weeds, this tool "gets 'er dun".

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Diatomaceous Earth


The powdered silica of old sea basin critters contains their fossils which are pokie when viewed under a microscope.  When plants are lightly dusted or D.E. is applied with a wetting solution, the bodies of most insects are punctured.  Other than not breathing the dust, it is safe and effective for many insects.  Here on these Napa cabbages,(a little heavy on the dusting) I am dealing with earwigs.  On the strawberries, it was slugs.