Spring plantings can often develop summer blues. Many of your summer garden woes can be prevented NOW without using toxic chemicals and with very little effort. Preventative medicine is generally easier, safer and more effective than any kind of control once a problem has gotten started. It is no longer just a small group of die-hard organic vegetable gardeners interested in safer, organic treatments. It is everyone who wants to lead a greener life. Think green, think prevention!

For those of you who love to entertain outdoors in the summer or just enjoy relaxing in the garden on a warm sunny day, you know how painful and frightening marauding yellow jackets can be. NOW is your best time to prevent them from building a nest in the vicinity of your garden. At this time, young queens fly out looking for a new nesting spot to build their large aggressive family. Putting out Rescue Yellow Jacket traps NOW will keep the queens from founding a new nest. Fewer nests mean fewer pests!  Enjoy your backyard this summer without these nasty visitors. For best protection, convince your neighbors to set traps too.

If you have a tree or shrub that consistently gets aphids or whiteflies every summer, start checking regularly for any sign of reappearance. Early infestations can be hosed off effectively using a Bug Blaster. This handy tool fits on the end of your hose and creates a 360° circle of spray fine enough to blast pests and their debris without damaging your plant. Regular periodic blasting of plants will keep any sucking insects from getting out of control. Monterey Whitefly Traps work well to keep populations down when set out early in spring. A further green, safe treatment is to spray Lilly Miller Vegol, an oil spray made from highly refined canola oil. 

Weeds steal water and nutrients from your valuable garden plants. They also love to move into newly cultivated and planted areas.  One of the best ways to prevent their takeover is to apply a 2”– 3” layer of mulch around your plants. Mulch is truly multi-purpose as it will also add to the fertility of your soil, save water  (reducing your bill!) and keep your plants’ roots cooler, preventing scorch. We offer many mulches from which to choose, including The Original Mulch Block. They are the cleanest, most compact and convenient way for a homeowner to bring mulch home. The Original Mulch Block is a compressed block of coconut fiber (a renewable resource) that lasts longer than bark products and keeps its color longer too. Each clean 9lb block expands to 2 cubic feet of mulch! You have to see it to believe it!

These three timely tips can save you money, time and labor while maintaining a greener life. Trust Yamagami’s Nursery to help make your gardening experience as green as possible. We are here to help you succeed…the first time!