Episode:#11 11/11/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus

Kim has some ideas on how to get your kids or grandchildren interested in gardening. The secret is to find things that give quick results, and nothing gets moving quicker than seeds.

Yates Grow your Own Herbs kits are amazingly easy to use. Each pack contains a pot, potting mix, seeds and even fertilizer. Fill the container with the mix; just leave a little for later. Lightly sow a small amount of the seeds then cover with the remaining mix and water in well. Place this in a sunny position and keep moist.

Once the seeds have germinated, you can then add the fertilizer to your watering and get the kids ready to harvest plenty of curly parsley.

Alternatively, you can buy something like the tomato and basil seedling starter pack. It is similar to the herb pack - having everything you need to begin - all in the one container.

Sow one half of the container with a one seed variety and the next half with the other seed variety. Gently water and place the cover on. The difference with this is that once these seeds have germinated, they need to be planted out either into the garden or a larger container to continue to grow and mature

While the kids are sure to enjoy the results, the packs are also great gift ideas for family and friends as well.

Just a reminder to include water storage crystals when preparing the ground for any new plants as these help to hold valuable moisture where your plants need it most, around the roots.

If you are finding holes in your veggie leaves then chances are they are being chewed by a hungry caterpillar. These creatures are nearly impossible to find and remove. So a better solution is to use a dedicated spray that specifically targets these little critters.

Success concentrate is an insect control that is derived from naturally occurring, beneficial soil bacteria. Simply measure, mix and spray. It is absorbed by the plant, taking it right through its system. The caterpillars are eliminated when they ingest the foliage that has been sprayed.

Don?t worry if you accidentally spray it on to the ground, it is non-residual, and is quickly and safely broken down by sunlight and soil microbes into carbon dioxide and water.

www.yates.com.au

Featured Products

Waterwise Water Storage Crystals

• When added to potting mix or garden soil, the crystals absorb up to 500 times their own weight in water.
• The water is released over a period of time as the plants require it.
• Reduce water usage and increase the times between watering.
• Effective for up to five years and biodegrade harmlessly.
• Prevents the soil from drying out, improves soil aeration and drainage.
• Potassium based.

Yates Success Naturalyte Insect Control

• Controls various caterpillars on fruit and vegetables
• Low toxic formulation.
• Contains spinosad, which is derived from naturally occurring beneficial soil bacteria.
• Controls a wide range of caterpillars plus pear and cherry slug.
• Controls insects that may have become resistant to other insecticides.
• Non-residual, broken down by sunlight and soil microbes into carbon dioxide and water.