Q and A Tuesday

Spring has definitely sprung in Augusta and those sticky little aphids are munching on my coral honeysuckle vine that covers the garden arbor.  First I noticed the coral blooms were distorted then on inspection, clumps of fleshy aphids macking down on one of my favorite vines! I am out video taping the vine for you, but I asked Jenny Addie, local garden expert, her advice on the aphid problem and she opts for blasting them with the garden hose! She also suggested a drop or two of Ivory soap to help get rid of the pesky critters. I found a “recipe” at DIYlife that I am going to try. First, though, I am going to clip off the really heavy infestations from sections of the vine.

Soap Spray
In a spray bottle, mix the following:

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 drops of liquid dish soap
4 cups warm water

Shake well, and spray the leaves and steams of infected plants and surrounding plants to get rid of a current aphid problem. Spray weekly to keep new ones away.

Safety tip: The first time I made this solution I used way too much dish soap and it burned the leaves of my flowers. You really only need a couple of drops.

We will have Q and A Tuesday each week during the summer, so drop a comment here any time and we will do our best to answer…Gardening, food, you name it!

xo

ML