Earth-Friendly Garden Quiz-January Question #3 - Herbs

Here's the answer to Question #2 - What are some ways to reduce mosquitoes in the garden?

The green gardeners's first mosquito-reduction mission is to eliminate all unintentional reservoirs of standing water.  Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stll water.  Neglected birdbaths, crumpled plastic tarps, and rain-filled flowerpots ate common sources.

If you have a garden pond, try stocking it with mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) which eat mosquito larvae; or float a thin film of mineral oil on the pond to suffocate the larvae (just be sure it won't do the same to your fish).

Once the adult mosquitoes are airborne, bats are a great natural control.  One bat can catch hundreds of mosquitoes per hour.  Adding a bat box to your yard can attract these flying aces.

Finally fill your yard with mosquito-repelling plants which include basil, eucalyptus, citrosa geraniums, lavender, mint rosemary, sage and thyme.

Answer taken from the Sierra Club, Earth Friendly Garden Knowledge Cards.

Question #3

True or False and WHY
Herbs are great in an organic garden, but some are best grown in containers.

Remember to make your comment below. Best of luck !

The Garden Goddess
http://www.down2earthgardens,com/

Earth-Friendly Garden Quiz - Second Question - Soil

Earth-Friendly Garden Quiz - Second Question - Soil

First - here's the answer to last weeks question (the first question for December).


Question: True or False? Bats should be discouraged from the garden because of their high potential for carrying rabies.

Answer: False. Although many people consider them creepy, bats are the gardener’s friend. On its nightly excursion, a single bat can eat 1,000 insects, many of which might otherwise have chowed down on the garden (e.g., beetle and moths) or the gardener (mosquitoes). Bats also pollinate some fruit and nut trees.

Contrary to persistent misconception, bats are not prime carriers of rabies. Few cases of human rabies have been attributed to bat bites, and most of those occurred when the victim attempted to pick up a bat found lying on the ground.

The only flying mammals, bats reproduce slowly and are vulnerable to extinction. Although they’re found throughout the U.S., nearly half the country’s bat species are threatened or endangered.

You can attract bats to your garden by erecting a bat house. This simple structure resembles a birdhouse, except the opening is at the bottom and the inside is designed so bats can hang when they roost.

The above is from The Sierra Club Knowledge Cards – The Earth Friendly Garden

NOW – Question Two – True or False – “Soil” is just a fancy word for dirt. Why?

Remember you must answer here on the blog in the comments found at the bottom of the post and include WHY to be eligible for the prize. The person who responds to all questions in the month of December correctly will win a book on living more simply.

There will be ONE MORE question next week.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday!!

The Garden Goddess
http://www.down2earthgardens.com/