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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:34 am
The Home Builders Association has learned from a contact at Louisiana State University the following: “If you use mulch around your house, be very careful about buying mulch this year. After the hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over and they have been turned into mulch. The State is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any State or company who will come and haul it away. This mulch will be showing up everywhere at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem: Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country where the Formosan Termite has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them.” If you want to read more, the website is: www.agctr.lsu.edu/termites/
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:52 am
Claim: E-mail warns that buying mulch from major home improvement stores will spread the Formosan subterranean termite. Status: False. Origins: We've long realized that transporting people and goods (particularly plants and food crops) from one region to another can result in our also inadvertently carrying unseen little critters into areas where they are not normally found, and that unleashing bugs and other animals into new environments can have disastrous consequences. Free from predation, natural defenses, and other factors that may ordinarily keep them in check, these creatures can wreak havoc by preying on (or crowding out) other plants and animals. One such accidental transplantation occurred around the time of World War II, when the Formosan subterranean termite was introduced into the United States by ships that carried the species from China to U.S. coastal towns. This species of termite has since established itself throughout the southern United States (including Hawaii and southern California), where it poses a threat to trees and the timber industry, as well as just about anything — utility poles, homes, buildings, ships — constructed wholly or partially from wood. Back in October 2005, Louisiana State University's (LSU) Agricultural Center (AgCenter) issued a warning about the potential spread of Formosan subterranean termites into new areas from southern Lousiana through the re-use of wooden building materials taken from homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina and installed in new structures elsewhere. As the LSU AgCenter notes, termites can be spread through the movement of many different kinds of wood products, including mulch: This termite hitches a ride to new areas in infested cellulose. At the time of this writing, the number one method of spreading the Formosan subterranean termite is infested railroad ties. The second most important method of spreading the Formosan subterranean termite is infested utility poles. Other methods of spreading the termite include: wood from structures, lumber, pallets, landscape timbers, wood used in the oil industry, firewood, trees, woody plants, sawdust, mulch, wood in boats, potted plants, mobile homes, homes and paper. However, although the particular scenario described in the warning quoted at the head of this page might be possible, it isn't as likely as that message makes it out to be, because the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry imposed a quarantine on several parishes back in October 2005 specifically to prevent the accidental movement of Formosan subterranean termite to other areas. According to that agency's Assistant Commissioner, the disposal of wood-based debris within those parishes is being monitored to ensure that the end results are not transported outside the quarantined area: All woody debris in the quarantined areas is going to an approved landfill within the designated quarantine area. There are a multitude of government (state and federal) agencies that are looking at this debris every day as it is deposited into these landfills. The contractors mulching and hauling the debris know the regulations and are abiding by them according to the quarantine requirements. If there is anyone with knowledge of debris moving out of a quarantine area, they should contact our 24-hour hotline at 225-925-3763. And the LSU AgCenter has since noted on their web site efforts that are underway "to prevent spread of Formosan subterranean termites in mulch from Louisiana following hurricanes Katrina and Rita": Efforts are under way to prevent the spread of Formosan subterranean termites in mulch from New Orleans and Louisiana following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is true that there is a lot of cellulose debris (wood, paper and their products) in Louisiana following these two hurricanes. Yes, Formosan subterranean termites are found in the parishes affected by the hurricanes and will get in mulch. However, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) in Louisiana imposed a quarantine for the Formosan subterranean termite on October 3, 2005, in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes (the parishes affected by the hurricanes). Provisions of the quarantine imposed by the LDAF include: Movement of wood or cellulose material is prohibited unless either (1) it is fumigated or treated for Formosan subterranean termites and is approved for movement by the commissioner or his designee(s) or (2) written authorization is given by the commissioner or his designee(s) for the movement of untreated wood or cellulose material from the quarantined parishes. Temporary housing cannot be moved from the named parishes until written authorization is given by the commissioner or his designee(s). All architectural components (beams, doors and salvaged wood) cannot be sold or placed in any structure in any parish until the architectural components are fumigated or treated for Formosan subterranean termites. Additionally, it is strongly recommended and urged that all new construction and reconstruction of structures in the quarantined parishes use termite-resistant materials. Termite-resistant materials include pressure-treated wood (borates, ammonical copper quat or copper azole) or non-cellulose materials. The quarantine is in effect until it is rescinded by the commissioner of agriculture. If a waiver of a requirement or an authorization to carry out one of the prohibited acts is granted, it does not rescind or modify the quarantine. Entomologists we've contacted also generally have said they doubt that termites could survive the mulch shredding, packaging, and transportation (in shrink-wrapped bags that expose them to high temperatures with a limited air supply and limited moisture) process in the first place, although others maintain that they've encountered examples of these termites successfully traveling in packaged mulch. (In any case, there are a number of mitigating factors that could halt the spread of Formosan subterranean termites transported to other areas, such as the fact that they are rarely found above 35° N latitude because the colder temperatures typical of higher latitudes prevent their eggs from hatching). Whatever the actual risk of termites turning up in mulch might be, however, the fact remains (and is the key to the "False" rating here) that — contrary to the warning expressed above — major home improvement chains such as Home Depot and Lowes are just about the safest outlets from which to buy mulch. Major retailers are generally much more aware and observent of quarantines, and they typically sell mulch in packages that identify their point of origin. Additionally, a representative of the Home Depot chain of home improvement stores informed us that they don't sell mulch from suppliers in the New Orleans area: The Home Depot does not use any mulch suppliers from the New Orleans area. We have very strict policies and procedures in place to ensure the integrity of the mulch products sold in our stores. In fact, all our mulch suppliers are required to be certified by the Mulch and Soil Council (MSC), who created the industry standards and criteria for mulch and soil certification and inspection. You can find the MSC certification on the back of every bag. Of course, no quarantine can be absolutely 100% effective, and there is always some chance, however small, that termites (and other pests) could turn up in mulch produced just about anywhere at any time, so consumers are always advised to be careful. Inspect every bag of mulch you purchase, and if you find insects in any of them, return them to the point of purchase. For those homeowners who find themselves dealing with termite infestations (whatever the cause), there are are number of good sites on the web that provide information about termite control methods, some of which are linked in the "Additional information" section below. Additional information: Termite Baits: A Guide for Homeowners (University of Kentucky Entomology) Termite Baits (University of Florida) http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/termites.asp
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Ddr
Member
08-19-2001
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 1:00 pm
Thanks Annie for posting that. I just heard today that the Lowe's near me had the affected mulch.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Monday, April 03, 2006 - 3:45 pm
So does anybody have flowers popping up in their flower beds yet. I looked Saturday and noticed a few things popping through. It's way too early because I know we are going to still get some pretty cold evenings, I just hope everything survives.
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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Monday, April 03, 2006 - 4:08 pm
Crocuses are up, as is some other bulb I put in last fall. Daylilies are showing some green, the creeping veronica has new growth, and the chives are doing great.
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Wink
Member
10-06-2000
| Monday, April 03, 2006 - 6:29 pm
Snowdrops are blooming. Tulips, and daylilies are up about 3 inches.
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Appletalk
Member
03-27-2003
| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 1:06 pm
How can I get rid of creeping charlie - Please Thank You So Much
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 2:50 pm
It's not easy Appletalk. They do make some of the sprays and stuff designed to kill it off, but that doesn't always work. You can also use a product called Borax, it is a cleaning solution, but you also won't be able to grow anything else in that area. What I have found that seemed to work and it was totally by accident was to drastically over feed the area with lawn fertilizer. I had a bunch of it left in the bottom of my spreader and I dumped it out in an area that was filled with Creeping Charlie, it ended up killing it because it was too over fertilized. Grass eventually came back but not the Charlie.
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Appletalk
Member
03-27-2003
| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 3:15 pm
thank you I will try.
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Peapod
Member
01-31-2004
| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 5:45 pm
I've got a fairy ring on my front lawn. does anybody have any experience with getting rid of it or any suggestions that might be of some help?
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Kristylovesbb
Member
09-14-2000
| Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 4:03 pm
I purchased a composter last year. The first several batches came out great. Now all of a sudden I open the door and all I have is millions of black balls. What in the crap is that! You just can't imagine how many balls are in there. We keep turning it every day and have done so for a couple of months and still we have balls. Anyone ever heard of this. If I didn't know better I would swear there is a bunch of dung beetles in the composter.LOL
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Yankee_in_ca
Member
08-01-2000
| Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 8:56 pm
Started my container gardening this week. Since I planted dwarf boxwoods and a few other winter-hardy evergreens last year, the $$ and amount of planting I need to do has been very much reduced. Not as "flowery" and pretty, but it's nice. Got a bunch of herbs today and a strawberry jar, and will plant tomorrow.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 7:34 pm
Even though we have had another year of mostly drought September brought us some rain and fresh blossoms. My 'butterfly bush' (some new kind of lilac) has attracted hummingbirds, bumble bees, honey bees, wasps, and tonight a wonderful moth. (Thanks to Jujuhelpfulsoul I found it online.) I think it's a White-lined Sphinx with a very long, curved tongue and wings that flutter as fast as a hummingbird. The moth never stopped fluttering or sat still and hovered like a hummingbird, too.

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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Friday, September 29, 2006 - 2:15 pm
Peapod, I looked up fairy ring because I didn't know what it was and they say it just requires a little extra lawn maintenance and time. Try these sites for better and more qualified information: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/lawntalk/lawntalk29.html http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/fairyring/fairyring.htm
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Tera
Member
08-10-2000
| Friday, September 29, 2006 - 3:36 pm
Great pictures Grace! I love looking at other people's outdoor prettys. I have been wanting to post pics of my own backyard. Last June I moved into my brand new dream house on a beautiful acre of mostly untouched wilderness. I have some interesting trees.
This is a very old Crepe Myrtle tree that is about 40 ft tall. It is absolutely amazing. Too bad it is on the far back edge of our property. My neighbors enjoy it more than I do.
This is an old tree that (to me) looks like an old man trying to make a muscle with his arm.
This is a couple of trees that grew up very close. It looks like they are kissing.
This is the trunk of an old oak that is eating a rock.
This is kind of a creepy area. Years and years ago there was an old farm house near my land (the old dirt road runs through part of my property). This is what looks like a planting of Iris'. They started sprouting in March while my house was being built, but they never bloomed. The weird thing is that the leaves never wilted. These should have turned brown months ago. But they are very green and perky. I just wonder if someone planted these here on purpose. I'm a little scared of what might be under them. Needless to say we will not be building our pool here! hehe. There is plenty of more weirdness out here but I will not bore you with it. Thanks for looking.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Friday, September 29, 2006 - 3:49 pm
Very cool pictures and comments, Tera! Your trees and their quirks are terrific. I have some Iris that never bloom too, so they must all be male! LOL Your crepe myrtle is fabulous. I have two young ones but they are both way too close to the house. They aren't supposed to be pruned, but I have to prune them because of their locale.
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Peapod
Member
01-31-2004
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 8:25 am
Thanks Urgrace, I will check out those sites. The fairy ring is doing quite well with all the rain lately and is full of plump mushrooms. (We have decided to embrace our fairy ring and learn to live with.)
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Friday, October 13, 2006 - 12:04 pm
Hi all. My daughter and I are going to put in a garden. What are some good winter herbs and veggies to plant that will thrive this winter?
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Tera
Member
08-10-2000
| Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 9:32 am
I was at Lowe's yesterday and they had several bare root veggies ready to plant this season. They had onions, lettuce, brussel sprouts, and several others. Herbs you can grow year round indoors. I have never had a fall/winter veggie garden, but I would love to some day. Good luck!
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Nightcrawler
Member
02-12-2002
| Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 4:29 pm
Apple Gourds I planted 5 hills of apple gourds and ended up with about 60-70 gourds some small some normal and alot of them VERY large. I'v never seen them this large befor I'v tryed apple gourds befor (never with this many gourds befor) and by spring all most all of them ended up in a pile of goo I was told when I was selling at local farmers market to leave them out on the vine untill are 1st hard freezes we have had 2 hard freezes here now I have been told lots of way to get them ready to dry so most of them will make it till spring. I was wanting to know if any one has grown apple gourdes be for and what to do with them now?
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Nightcrawler
Member
02-12-2002
| Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 1:22 pm
I found my anser Q: I grew some apple and swan gourds for the first time this year and I love them. I picked them and they have been curing for three weeks but I couldn't wait to paint some. I painted them and coated them with polyurethane. How long will they last? (E-mail reference) A: If you drilled a small hole in the blossom end to allow for air to enter and dry them from the inside, they should last an average human life span.
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