Organic alternatives to pesticides and Acidic soil

[Jennifer and Jack]

Hi,

I have been gardening like crazy, laying sod and planting tons of bushes and flowers…  I wanted to let you know, I am sure most of you who are experienced gardeners know already but I was shocked to find flies were attracted to my hydrangea plants.   I had no idea…. In my reading I found insecticides were not good for the hydrangea but the flies were eating my leaves right up.

I tried an organic approach and I am shocked to say it has worked, no more flies.  I hung whole cloves that I put in a mesh bag from the branches.  I put two to three bags on each bush.  I also planted Mint which grows like weeds here and repels flies.   It has been four days and no more flies.. They were eating my leaves daily. Now there is No evidence of flies…. 

My question is, all the bushes I have planted, and I have planted a ton all call for acidic soil.  How have you tested your soil to see if it is acidic?  I don't really want to buy stuff if I don't need it but I don't know how to tell.

Any advice?  I will be done re-sodding next weekend and I will take pictures of all the gardens we planted… 

THanks

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

In Virginia the Agricultural Extension Agent is the person to contact about soil testing. They send sample off for analysis and recommend what to do.
Some garden centers (not like Lowes/Home Depot) do soil sample testing.
Lime reduces the acidity of soil.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

You can also purchase a soil testing kit on line or from some garden centers and do it yourself.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks…. I am not overly concerned but every bush I bought said it thrives in an acidic soil so I thought I should investigate and make adjustments as needed.   I think I may buy food for them that is for acidic plants…..  

I see Lowes has a test, I also googled home made tests and one was adding vinegar to the soil and if it bubbles it means… one thing and then if it doesn't bubble you are supposed to get fresh soil and water then pour baking soda on it… that is an at home test… I tend to think I am sitting in an acidic yard because they say Dandelions LOVE acidic yards and before I tilled it all up… I was filled with them. 

I just can't afford to waste money even though Lowes has a one year return policy.

Thank you for your help… I am really getting into gardening and planting like crazy.. Next week when the last pallet of sod comes I will post pictures or maybe in the week when things settle down, My Hostas are growing like crazy and I broke down and planted annuals… Impatiences…. Which is what my friends call me because I can't wait for anything…. After my mom leaves I will post more pics.. You all have been so helpful…… I am a newbie for sure but enjoying reading up on things. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

The cloves sound like a great idea. I have never had insects on my hydrangeas. If you want blue flowers aluminum sulfate is good for acidyfying the soil and a bit could be used fo any shrubs that like acid. I don't test my soil nor do I acidify for most things. But I do occasionally add aluminum sulfate to the hydrangeas and I do occasionally add lime to clematis and lilacs.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I was reading about the lime…..   I can't believe how well the cloves are working… I  had no idea flied pollenated … I had to read that like four times to believe it but they love the leaves on the plants here….  They say even older hydrangea do not like or tolerate insecticide very well and since I took out my entire grass using weed and feed I want to go as natural as possible.

The other things they said are basil, mint, Eucalyptus oil on a rag near the plant, not on it.      

All my hydrangeas are pink and I would love for them to stay pink…. but they came pink so I can't tell what the soil will do for them.. I will have to wait and see or I can just add some more acid food to them and chance it.. They bag says it will turn them blue.. I will honestly be happy if I don't kill them but I would love for them to stay pink.   

 Thanks again for your help, it is nice to have a place to come and bounce ideas off of ……..  I made a really could bird bath with upside down flower pots stacked on top of each other .. painted and then I used a glass bowl as the bird bath part…….  

Its dreamy to be able to do these kind of things…a little nerve wracking to spend money on plants I could kill but I am trying to follow the instructions and each night i read a little about the plants I have in my yard.

Thanks F...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I use a PH tester that I purchased at Home Depot. My only advice would be, if you haven't already done so, is to put your mint in pots. As you've already noticed, it is prolific and will quickly take over the flower beds, yard, whatever. I've been fighting it for years here. :(

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh Ricki… I didn't do that, my mom told me to do that and I didn't listen to her….. she said hers is out of control and she finds it up to 6-7 feet from where she planted it… looks like I will be doing some transplant work later today when the sun goes down….

If the PH tester isn't too much money I may just go on and buy one before I start messing with the soil...

Thanks for the tip about the pots… I am going to let my mom who is visiting think I decided to listen to her and do it her way.. :)     SHHH   

Thanks so much  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Pulling out mint is easy and I often leave it where it self sows anyway. In the south it might be more troublesome.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

It is very invasive here in Virginia. It is perennial and spreads everywhere. : (

[Jennifer and Jack]

THats what my mom said with a look of horror when I came home with several mint plants determined to keep the flies off my leaves….. She said no matter how much she picks it, pulls it and now weeds it, it is taken over her gardens….. She is in Hilton Head SC, I am a few hours away.

I am not sure I mind it being all over especially if it keeps the flies off the leaves, I can't believe how many flies are attracted to it… 

My mom makes mint tea with hers but there is only so much mint tea I can drink… 

I may wait for it to get bigger and grow and spread since I need it to protect the plant…. I don't know which is working better the mint of the cloves since I did both…  at first I put a bucket of dawn soap out there and I caught so many flies I had to change the water out twice a day, now with the bucket out there it is just once ever day or so….   

I may plant the mint way in the back yard to fill space in my shade garden…..    

It has been a fun project one of my dear friends and I have been working on ……. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's perennial and spreads here too.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Be sure to keep an eye on Jack with the Hydrangea because they are poisonous to dogs.  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-t...    We have one but the girls don't seem to pay any attention to it.  I love them, they are probably my favorite flower.