Northern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
Tool or Gardening Product
To keep your backyard from becoming a mosquito breeding area where getting bit is much more likely, drop a Mosquito Dunk into ponds, birdbaths or anywhere water collects. The active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks, a biological mosquito larvicide called B.t.i., kills mosquitoes before they can become flying, biting, disease-carrying adults. A six-pack of mosquito bits sells for about $11 at home centers, garden centers, hardware stores, mailorder catalogs and online at www.naturehills.com.
Clever Gardening Technique
Vacation Care for Indoor Plants
To help your indoor plants survive your vacation, water them well before leaving home. Close the curtains if you are planning to be away no longer than a week. The more light, the more water a plant will use. No fertilizer prior to vacationing either. Set hanging plants on the floor. For extended trips from home, lay an old bath towel or two in the bottom of the bathtub, then fill with one inch of water. Set the plants in the tub with the bottom of the pot in direct contact with the damp towel. Most indoor plants can be kept for two weeks using this method.