Gardening

Health and Wellness Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening

Safe and Non-Toxic Plants

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read2.6K views

In just a few days, the month of January will come to an end and a few more days after that, the month of February too, will come to past. We will then be in March. I don’t know about some of you, but I am very excited and looking forward to Spring (when Nature looks lively and plants start to grow). After purchasing and planting my Bulbs last November, I made my Garden to do list. I got new plants for my huge planters and as soon as the weather warms up, the Weed Eater and other gardening tools will receive a good tune-up.

Last month, I compiled a list of Toxic Plants and today I am sharing a list of Safe/Non-Toxic Plants (this is just a few). Please, do remember that even though most of this plants are safe to Humans, they can be dangerous to pets, some livestock and they can also cause skin irritations to some individuals. Be cautious.
Safe Plants.
Safe Plants.
Safe Plants.
Safe Plants.

Though Non-Toxic, the following plants can cause skin reaction (sharp leaves, spines, sharp edges, thorns, glochids, leaf hairs, and irritant fibers):
Plant-Related Skin Irritation.
Plant-Related Skin Irritation.

Image Source: ImageJuicy, EasyBloom, 123rf, Wikipedia, HowStuffWorks, BHG, National Park Service, Cambridge 2000

Click here and here for information on how to relieve Skin Irritation from Plants.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Plant Propagation Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Rabbits: Garden Menace

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.8K views

For the past couple of weeks, I noticed a reduction in the amount of leaves in my barrel planters. At first I placed the blame on the Grasshoppers, then early this week, we moved all the barrels in the garden storage shed after discovering that some of the plants in the barrels were completely gone and the others were half ways gone. The rabbits ate the early Daffodils sprouts, some of my Anigozanthos and a few of my Stella D’Oro Daylily. Though heartbreaking, I couldn’t do much about it then because of the freezing temperatures.

This morning, however, I was able to step out in the backyard all thanks to the warm weather. Since the barrels were gone, these little bunnies decided to eat all of my Aptenia Cordifolia (two out of four pots) and started working on my Brooms. We took a trip to Lowe’s and bought some Chicken Wire. Prior to that, I cut a few stems from my other two ‘untouched’ pots and I propagated them. This time, I placed the pots in my Vintage Planter Stands. Like most succulents, Aptenias are easy to propagate as they sprout new growth at their base when put into contact with moist soil. They are beautiful in rock gardens and make beautiful flowering ground cover.

Aptenia Cordifolia Propagation.

Steps to Propagate Aptenia Cordifolia

  • Using a pruning tool or a sharp knife, cut some stems.
  • Dig a few holes in the potting mix with your finger or with a weeder.
  • Plant the end of the cut stems in the holes and press the soil around their base to set them in place.
  • Place the pot in direct or indirect sunlight.
  • Water the soil (do not over water).

Rabbits are cute little creatures and some people enjoy petting them. To gardeners however, these adorable creatures are one of their worst nightmares. They are voracious eaters as they would eat pretty much everything tender and they have a very rapid reproductive rate. How can we keep them away from our gardens?

Rabbits (Bunnies) Repellents

  • Put up a Chicken Wire Fence, Mr. McGregor’s Fence
  • Traps (close to Rabbit feeding or resting areas)
  • Use raised Garden Beds
  • Buy Hot Pepper Spray and use it on plants or learn to make your own (click here or here)
  • You could hunt them down

Happy Gardening!

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Home Improvement Weather Gardening High Desert

Little Home Updates

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read651 views

We’ve had a very productive day today. The fruitless Mulberry Tree in the backyard has shed its last leaves and the Grasshoppers have somehow disappeared after nearly eating all of my Stella D’Oro Daylilies (surprisingly, these are the only plants they have been interested in). Most of bulbs I planted last month are sprouting including the Ice King Double Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth, Belladonna Amaryllis and the Pink Impression Tulips. I have also noticed a few sprouting from my Garden Huckleberry (Solanum scabrum). I am grateful for the warm weather.

Yesterday we went to Lowe’s and purchased a few Stainless Steel Cabinet Pulls/Handles, some electrical components as well as some wood for an upcoming project. We replaced the rest of the Switches and plates in the house as well as the cabinets pulls and the electrical outlets (using Pass & Seymour/Legrand 15-Amp Nickel Decorator Duplex Electrical Outlet).

Switches and Outlets.
Cabinet Pulls/Handles.

These are all little updates that will give your home a great lift.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Health and Wellness Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening

Deadly Beauty: Toxic Plants

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read5.1K views

Contrary to yesterday, today is a beautiful day (still a little windy, but manageable). I’ve been out watering some plants in the backyard when I stopped and took a good look at my Oleanders. What a terrific, yet toxic plant! The plants bloom beautifully in the Summer and they are appealing to the eyes. These deadly beauties were here long before we bought our home and we’ve talked about getting rid of them and/or replacing them. We are all very conscious of their presence and our kids will tell you that ‘Oleanders are deadly and they must not go close to them.’ Still, we always keep an eye on them whenever we are outdoors. Then I thought about my Daffodils.

What about Pheasant’s Eye, Lily of the Valley, Jimson Weed, Poison Ivy, Rhododendron, Jerusalem Cherry, Hydrangea, Mistletoe, Lantana, Mountain Laurel, Dumbcane, Wisteria, Chrysanthemum, Delphiniums, Belladonna, Foxglove, Ranunculus, and Spathiphyllum? These plants are poisonous. Some cause  delirium and hallucinations. Most of us gardeners love them for their beauty, bright colors and fragrance. We care for them without knowing exactly what we are dealing with. Still, we love them. Below is a list of toxic, deadly plants (just to name a few).

Image Source: BHG, io9, Wikipedia, MNN, F1online, Whatafy, Britannica, BCLiving, HorticultureWeek.

Click here, here and here for a list of poisonous plants.

Toxic Plants.

Aside from their poison and toxicity, some plants are dangerous. Take Poinsettia for instance. Though non-toxic, its latex can cause an allergic reaction to some individuals when coming in direct contact with the plant. What about Roses? Their thorns could cause serious injuries to anyone who come in contact with them. Some Cacti and Succulents are dangerous, even poisonous, click here for more information. What about those beautiful house plants/air purifying plants? Some are dangerous to kids and pets.

Some plants can cause discomfort, others can kill. The good news is that we can prevent it by being informed. Once you know what you are dealing with, you will be ready, aware and prepared.

I compiled a list of Safe/Non-Toxic Plants here .

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Health and Wellness Weather Gardening High Desert

Trimming The Mulberry Tree

EPEngineer By EPEngineer2 min read1.8K views

Today we decided to trim our fruitless Mulberry Tree.

The Fruitless Mulberry Tree as opposed to Fruit Bearing Mulberry Tree is fast growing and less messy as it does not produce fruits. Mulberry trees in general have large and dense leaves with a large spreading head that provide full shade over wide areas. They prefer full sun (though partial shade works fine too). Plant these trees away from sidewalks, driveways, septic tanks, swimming pool, sprinkler system pipes, foundations, etc! Their strong roots are invasive and will damage almost everything on their path in search for nutrients.

Trimming The Mulberry Tree.
Trimming The Mulberry Tree.

Every year, after the tree goes dormant, we trim the branches to maintain a desirable shape. We removed broken, dried and damaged branches from the tree to keep the tree healthy. We removed excess interior tree branches to help increase air flow throughout the tree and we pruned the top branches to train them into spreading. We are very careful as not to ruin the natural structure of the tree by severely cutting back its branches. These trees are great in providing shade and are heavily planted here in the High Desert.

Click here, here and here to learn about Pruning a Fruitless Mulberry Tree.
Click here and here to learn about Trimming a Fruitless Mulberry Tree.

In addition to their roots evasiveness, fruitless Mulberry Trees produce pollen and catkins, which will wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. Click here, here to read more on Tree allergies and how to fight back.

We also removed the sandbox and covered the hole with dirt.

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EPEngineer By EPEngineer