Comments on: The Lawn and my quest not to kill the birds http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/ Gardening trials, tribulations and rewards in the Arabian desert Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:48:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Mahmood http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-102 Mahmood Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:27:18 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-102 Chap, first thing, I'm very sorry that your comment was held in moderation for so long, Mr. Stupid here didn't think to check the queue! Obviously I just did, several days after you entered it. This is the poke I needed to check more often. Thanks for your offer to find more organic methods to help out, I am in the learning process and certainly will continue to look for alternatives. If you do come across suggestions and solutions please do share! Chap, first thing, I’m very sorry that your comment was held in moderation for so long, Mr. Stupid here didn’t think to check the queue! Obviously I just did, several days after you entered it. This is the poke I needed to check more often.

Thanks for your offer to find more organic methods to help out, I am in the learning process and certainly will continue to look for alternatives. If you do come across suggestions and solutions please do share!

]]> By: Chap http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-101 Chap Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:57:34 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-101 I must admit a shudder or two on hearing your effort to import a foreign species. Many of the more destructive species in my country became that way because someone wanted to solve just such a problem without knowing the unintended consequences. Here are some examples: --Hawaii (and Australia) imported cane toads to counter beetle grubs. Turned out the poisonous big toads weren't interested in eating grubs, but instead reproduced wildly with no predators and are now everywhere. --Ornamental plant kudzu was brought into the American South, where it promptly took over everywhere. You can literally see kudzu growing. Flamethrowers only encourage it, it seems. --A Frenchman brought some of his favorite snails to California for eating...and those snails are now a significant destroyer of greenery in the state. I'm glad the scientist listened to you--and I'm also glad he thought carefully before saying yes to the lovable little aphid-eating ladybugs! I've just recently moved to California near many farms that try to stay organic. If you would like me to find some of the organic farming techniques and associations here, just drop an email and I'll be happy to help. I must admit a shudder or two on hearing your effort to import a foreign species. Many of the more destructive species in my country became that way because someone wanted to solve just such a problem without knowing the unintended consequences. Here are some examples:

–Hawaii (and Australia) imported cane toads to counter beetle grubs. Turned out the poisonous big toads weren’t interested in eating grubs, but instead reproduced wildly with no predators and are now everywhere.

–Ornamental plant kudzu was brought into the American South, where it promptly took over everywhere. You can literally see kudzu growing. Flamethrowers only encourage it, it seems.

–A Frenchman brought some of his favorite snails to California for eating…and those snails are now a significant destroyer of greenery in the state.

I’m glad the scientist listened to you–and I’m also glad he thought carefully before saying yes to the lovable little aphid-eating ladybugs!

I’ve just recently moved to California near many farms that try to stay organic. If you would like me to find some of the organic farming techniques and associations here, just drop an email and I’ll be happy to help.

]]> By: Mahmood http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-100 Mahmood Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:17:22 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-100 Thanks very much for your suggestions Liz. I'll have a look at the links you provide and investigate, hopefully the information will help me get a better lawn. Thanks very much for your suggestions Liz. I’ll have a look at the links you provide and investigate, hopefully the information will help me get a better lawn.

]]> By: Mahmood http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-99 Mahmood Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:16:13 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-99 I talked to the guy from Al-Khair and he said when I commented that it has sludge as a main component that "yes, there have been questions raised about them before" which suggested that there is an "if" which I didn't want to continue to risk. This conversation happened when I placed an order with them for cow manure and sand a few weeks ago. Those are excellent suggestions for the site Anwar, thank you, I shall implement them as soon as I can. About the bulbs, I just happened to plant mine today! I've done so in pots; however, and they are inside. I'll transport them when they come up a bit. I talked to the guy from Al-Khair and he said when I commented that it has sludge as a main component that “yes, there have been questions raised about them before” which suggested that there is an “if” which I didn’t want to continue to risk. This conversation happened when I placed an order with them for cow manure and sand a few weeks ago.

Those are excellent suggestions for the site Anwar, thank you, I shall implement them as soon as I can.

About the bulbs, I just happened to plant mine today! I’ve done so in pots; however, and they are inside. I’ll transport them when they come up a bit.

]]> By: liz http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-98 liz Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:06:14 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-98 http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0402/chafer.asp .. it's advice for UK gardeners and UK chafers, but they may be related .. http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0402/chafer.asp .. it’s advice for UK gardeners and UK chafers, but they may be related ..

]]> By: liz http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-97 liz Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:00:23 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-97 There's an anti-leatherjacket grubs trick promoted by organic gardeners that might work on chafer grubs: spread a black plastic sheet (eg bin bags) over lawn overnight, which will bring the grubs to the surface. Flip over in the morning and let the birds feast .. failing that, I vaguely remember Armillatox once being sold against lawn grubs .. + when I googled Armillatx/ lawns I saw this ... http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/provado-lawn-grub-killer-p-9571.html There’s an anti-leatherjacket grubs trick promoted by organic gardeners that might work on chafer grubs: spread a black plastic sheet (eg bin bags) over lawn overnight, which will bring the grubs to the surface. Flip over in the morning and let the birds feast ..

failing that, I vaguely remember Armillatox once being sold against lawn grubs ..

+ when I googled Armillatx/ lawns I saw this … http://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/v3/provado-lawn-grub-killer-p-9571.html

]]> By: Anwar Y Abdulrahman http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-96 Anwar Y Abdulrahman Sat, 27 Oct 2007 09:54:59 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-96 I really don't know which one to believe..I have come across, by chance, a confirmtion letter by Al-Bustan co. as of 22-Oct-07 on their letterhead and stamped for which they confirm that they only use animals waste and plants left overs in their products. The guy in Al-Khair nursery will gladly show you the contents of this confirmation letter. He also voluntarily made me a copy of it. On a second note, ash do indeed turn soil from acidity state to alkainity state, but I heard that the process for that change takes place in a two year time. The opposite is true, if you have alkaline soil and wants to have some acidity then available chemicals will turn the process within days. A good, easy to use and cheap instrument to test your soil ph state is found in the New Jassim. Remember, some plants need slightly more acid soil that others, like I guess roses (they also need iron and phosphate). On a third note, I believe that it would be a good idea to include some more subjects or sections in this site such as "anything that goes into the garden" : BBQ secrets, sauces marinades and experiments, garden hard and soft landscape ideas, may be even arranging group visits to readers gardens to enhane the overall experience. I gusee things look promising for your idea Mahmood. Finally, old Jassim store has just got "Dwarf citrus, I guess lemon" trees fm Lebanon, with fruits on them. Go and pick-up your plant they look lovely. Also this afternoon they will bring Gladioulus bulps, for anyone interested. For those who have never planted these bulps I would say take it fm me, they are very easy to grow, only 3 inches in the ground, nowadays, and water them. They grow up to 1 meter high and they are the queens of any garden. Plant the bulps on time intervals of 1-2 weeks so as to have a continous blooms in winter. Don't take the bulps fm the ground when finished, they will grow by themselves next year. Good luck I really don’t know which one to believe..I have come across, by chance, a confirmtion letter by Al-Bustan co. as of 22-Oct-07 on their letterhead and stamped for which they confirm that they only use animals waste and plants left overs in their products. The guy in Al-Khair nursery will gladly show you the contents of this confirmation letter. He also voluntarily made me a copy of it.

On a second note, ash do indeed turn soil from acidity state to alkainity state, but I heard that the process for that change takes place in a two year time. The opposite is true, if you have alkaline soil and wants to have some acidity then available chemicals will turn the process within days. A good, easy to use and cheap instrument to test your soil ph state is found in the New Jassim. Remember, some plants need slightly more acid soil that others, like I guess roses (they also need iron and phosphate).

On a third note, I believe that it would be a good idea to include some more subjects or sections in this site such as “anything that goes into the garden” : BBQ secrets, sauces marinades and experiments, garden hard and soft landscape ideas, may be even arranging group visits to readers gardens to enhane the overall experience. I gusee things look promising for your idea Mahmood.

Finally, old Jassim store has just got “Dwarf citrus, I guess lemon” trees fm Lebanon, with fruits on them. Go and pick-up your plant they look lovely.

Also this afternoon they will bring Gladioulus bulps, for anyone interested. For those who have never planted these bulps I would say take it fm me, they are very easy to grow, only 3 inches in the ground, nowadays, and water them. They grow up to 1 meter high and they are the queens of any garden. Plant the bulps on time intervals of 1-2 weeks so as to have a continous blooms in winter. Don’t take the bulps fm the ground when finished, they will grow by themselves next year.

Good luck

]]> By: Mahmood http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-95 Mahmood Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:55:52 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-95 <blockquote>that’s why I started to use “Al Bustan” fertilizer which is heat treated and clean from bugs eggs</blockquote> I wouldn't use Al-Bustan for anything Anwar; it is composted from human waste sludge and other less savoury things. I was warned about this by a good reader of <a href="http://mahmood.tv" rel="nofollow">my blog</a> some time ago and he thankfully also <a href="http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/2000-April/006610.html" rel="nofollow">provided a link with the information</a> as to why. Since I read about it I stopped using it in my garden completely: <blockquote> Al-Bustan organic Fertilizers Co. is A Saudi private Co. for Manufacturing organic fertilizers ( BIOSOLIDS COMPOST ) <b>utilizing sewage sludge</b>. </blockquote>

that’s why I started to use “Al Bustan” fertilizer which is heat treated and clean from bugs eggs

I wouldn’t use Al-Bustan for anything Anwar; it is composted from human waste sludge and other less savoury things. I was warned about this by a good reader of my blog some time ago and he thankfully also provided a link with the information as to why. Since I read about it I stopped using it in my garden completely:

Al-Bustan organic Fertilizers Co. is A Saudi private Co. for Manufacturing organic fertilizers ( BIOSOLIDS COMPOST ) utilizing sewage sludge.

]]> By: Mahmood http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-94 Mahmood Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:33:19 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-94 Anwar thanks again for the suggestions. It would gut me to remove bit patches of lawn to treat it in such a way as you suggest, but if this is the only way to do so then so be it. I'm going to do some more research into the nematodes though, as they seem to be supported not only in the UK from one source, but several as well as another couple of sites I shall go through from the States and will collate the information and present it to the quarantine section head in the hope that they will agree for me to get some nematodes even for a limited trial, especially that I have submitted to them already some larvae as well as adults. I'll get to the bottom of this. Anwar thanks again for the suggestions. It would gut me to remove bit patches of lawn to treat it in such a way as you suggest, but if this is the only way to do so then so be it.

I’m going to do some more research into the nematodes though, as they seem to be supported not only in the UK from one source, but several as well as another couple of sites I shall go through from the States and will collate the information and present it to the quarantine section head in the hope that they will agree for me to get some nematodes even for a limited trial, especially that I have submitted to them already some larvae as well as adults.

I’ll get to the bottom of this.

]]> By: m http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-93 m Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:36:21 +0000 http://mahmoodsgarden.com/2007/10/22/the-lawn-and-my-quest-not-to-kill-the-birds/#comment-93 Admittedly I don't know all that much about pest control, but I use boric acid and baking soda. Usually do it in two applications a month apart. It's suppose to be OK for the birds in terms of toxicity. Admittedly I don’t know all that much about pest control, but I use boric acid and baking soda. Usually do it in two applications a month apart. It’s suppose to be OK for the birds in terms of toxicity.

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