The Bountiful Kitchen: Guide to Canning Fig Preserves

I was thrilled to find a FIG TREE on a recent trip to Southport, NC, and even more excited to learn just how easy these trees can be to maintain in this region.  My 1st thought was to find an excellent recipe for fig preserves so I could stop paying for the gourmet version at the grocery.  This one seems to fit the bill.

The Bountiful Kitchen: Cooking Inn Style with Local, Sustainable Foods - Guide to Canning Fig Preserves

Fruit Flies

The fruit flies are increasing immensely in our house and I am determined to get them out, fast!  I placed a  bowl of apple cider vinegar with 2 drops of detergent on the counter this morning, and I am finding more than I realized we had.  I think we have more than usual due to all of the fresh produce coming in and staying on the counter, as well as the compost bin out back.  Even though there is no smell, when we open the bin, there are many fruit flies in there.....

Good info on this site:  How to get rid of Fruit Flies

GARDEN: Tomato Growing Tips

Found this link to be quite helpful regarding tomato pruning...
Tomato Tips

GARDEN: Ants in Garden - Harmful or not?

We have always had a serious problem with fire ants here, but I can't decide if the ants in the vegetable garden are fire ants or not.  I am trying to figure out whether or not these pests are harmful to the garden.  It seems that where you see ants, there are aphids and that aphids are a much bigger threat.  This is what I have found so far...

ants & ahises image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com

Most ants are harmless and pose no threat to the health of your vegetable garden, typically using it as a path on the way to somewhere else. Some types of ants can actually harm your vegetable plants, however; for these pests there are safe pesticide alternatives to rid your garden of them. Fortunately, many solutions are household items: You may already have the materials necessary to get rid of ants in your vegetable plants.

1. Use cinnamon to rid your garden of ants. Ants do not like cinnamon or cayenne pepper. Ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper can either be sprinkled in a thin line, forming a perimeter "fence" around the particular plant that is being attacked, or sprinkled around the entire vegetable garden. Ants will not cross the spice line.
2. Soapy lemon water will repel ants, but use caution around plant leaves and stems. A simple combination of soap and water can also deter ants and will not harm your vegetable plants or the people eating them. Have a spray bottle ready with soapy water near the site of the ant infestation; you can spray them as you see them. Adding a bit of lemon juice to the mixture is even better for repellent purposes, but be careful spraying anything acidic onto your plants, as it can burn delicate leaves and stems.
3. Ants are attracted to aphid-infested plants.
   
   
   reed aphids image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com 
   Companion planting is a safer way to control pests in your garden. Mint, for instance, is great at repelling insects. If fresh mint isn't available or isn't working well enough, dried and crushed mint leaves can be sprinkled in areas where the ants are infesting. Ants are also sometimes attracted to a vegetable plant because they're eating aphids and aphid byproducts that have also infected the plant. Chives, basil and calendula are good aphid deterrents. If the plant is heavily infested, though, it may be too late to save the plant.
4. A mixture of grits and sugar sprinkled near the ants can elicit positive results. The ants are attracted to sugar, and they will eat the grits more readily when they're sweetened. When the ants hydrate themselves, the grits will expand and kill them.
5. Citrus oil is a safe alternative to ant pesticides or chemical repellants.
   
   citrus image by John Keith from Fotolia.com 
   Ants detest citrus of any kind. Citrus oil is the most concentrated, long-lasting and weatherproof citrus extract you can use. This method works best by dipping a cloth or piece of string into citrus oil and encircling the vegetable plants that are affected by the ants.

GARDEN: SQUASH BORERS BE GONE!

We just returned from an extended holiday to find these nasty beasts taking over our yellow crookneck squash plants!  Our neighbors have zucchini plants that have also been destroyed! Right or wrong, I have removed the leaves from the plants with eggs and disposed of them (NOT IN COMPOST), and picked all of the squash bugs and destroyed them by "the squashing method" - with gloves - gross!  I have also sprayed with Neem Oil 2 days in a row (after bees are out to encourage pollination) - helping but not solving problem completely.  It may be too late!  Saw another on my cucumber plant this morning! Have also read about them infecting tomatoes and cucs...  Any advice greatly appreciated!

More info on this dreadful pest: Squash Borer

GARDEN: Just found tiny mushroom sprouts popping up garden box

I just found tiny mushroom sprouts popping up in one of of my garden beds this morning.  I was concerned about these being harmful, but apparently they enrich the soil.  They are NOT EDIBLE!! Mushrooms flourish in extra moist soil and new gardeners tend to over water a bit (that would be me).  If you do want to get rid of them, just letting the top half inch of soil dry out between waterings will stop the mushrooms, and will benefit the vegetable plants that cannot get enough oxygen in waterlogged soil.  Another option is to use organic means such as baking soda.  Follow link for details http://en.allexperts.com/q/Lawns-725/mushrooms-1.htm