Non-Toxic Pest Killer

From Nancy, our Fiske Terrace Association neighbor:

Our gardening season is now in 'full swing'! Everything is coming up.

Roses and Iris and Peonies and, and, and ... a few pests may be coming up too.

I've done a little research into insecticidal soaps and other de-bugging concoctions and have found an easy, non-toxic and cheap solution (play on words intended)!

Using a quart size spray bottle (clean reuse or inexpensive at Almac)  

mix:

1 tsp dish detergent

1 Cup Rubbing alcohol

1 quart water

shake and spray - this will kill mites and scale and should be sprayed on the areas you see any infestation.  There, you are ready to de-bug your plants - both indoor and outdoor!

Happy gardening!

Next Garden Day - TBD

Hi garden aficionados!
Our garden needs some shaping up. This is what needs to be done:

• sweeping leaves
• planting some bulbs that have been sitting in the garden under a bench for a long time
• transplanting some ground cover from one of the inside beds to bare areas outside
• hoisting the sun sail
• finishing the outside bed with stones on Avenue H/E18th
• trimming all the new bamboo shoots in bed #1. It's spreading too much and it needs to be kept in constant control.

We don't need to be all together to do any of the above, but what if met for a garden day this coming Saturday 5/28? Please reply with a comment to this post.

Good Garden Sale

It was a good sale day.
The weather tricked us into thinking it was going to be nice...it became winter cold and windy, instead. We all had to run upstairs to get jackets, scarves and hats. Yet, it didn't rain on us.
The toys sold quickly in the beginning of the morning. Everything else trickled down slowly, thanks to some quite shark-like lady, who kept roaming around bargaining things down...
We got rid of a lot of unwanted items and made $359. 
The garden thanks everybody's effort.

SALE flyers up

We need to put up flyers in the neighboring streets.
It's supposed to rain heavily this afternoon, so I suggest we do it tomorrow before the sale.

I know, it's a pain in the neck, but if we put them up today they'd be washed away.
Who's in?

New Mower!

The garden committee has purchased a new mower to replace our old noisy, gas guzzling, poorly cutting rotary model. As a bonus it will be easier to lift over the fence into our lawn beds. We also have a sharpening kit.


"This classic Scotts Push Reel Mower gives you the fuel savings of a manual mower and the wide cutting width of a power mower. Its unique rear wheel design helps reduce drag and improve maneuverability. Cutting Height in. 1-3, Blade Type 5-blade, 5-spider ball bearing reel, Rear Tire Size in. 6 tracking wheels, Cutting Width in. 20, Dimensions L x W x H in. 28 x 18 x 11, Front Tire Size in. 10 primary wheels. 20in. cutting width compares to a power mower 1in.-3in. height range and 9-position. QuickSnap height adjusters for easy-to-use cutting options. Easy to maneuver with 6in. rear tracking wheels. Durable 10in. composite wheels with radial tread tires for good traction 5-spider, 5-blade ball bearing reel has the optimal number of blades for ease of use and superior cutting. Durable heat-treated blades Welded reel hood protects overhanging plants and shrubs. Comfortable loop handle with foam grip."

Owner's Manual