The Backyard
Visit our Backyard nature activity website here.
Form for expense reimbursement
Helpful links
Garden Watchdog – vetting for online plant sellers
Connecticut Invasive Plants Working Group’s Invasive Plants List
Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
Fine Gardening guide to plant pronunciation
Below is a list of organic pest deterrents compiled by Nancy German
Bug Repellent (mosquitoes, etc.): Use equal parts distilled or boiled water and witch hazel to fill spray bottle almost to top Add ½ tsp vegetable glycerin Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent (clove, lavender, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass oil, etc.)
Deer Repellent: In a blender combine – 1 gallon water, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, 1-2 cloves of garlic. Then gently add and swirl to mix but not make suds 1 tbsp. dish soap. Pour through a fine strainer into a spray bottle. Spray on plants deer love to munch. Repeat after heavy rains or 3 weeks
Insect control: (roses, climbing hydrangeas, etc.) 1 gallon water, 1 tsp. detergent, 4 tsp. neem oil. On a sunny day spray soil and leaf surfaces
Insecticide for crops: crushed garlic, chopped onion, ground hot pepper, bucket of water. Soak all ingredients for 2-3 days. Add liquid detergent or horticultural oil. Strain and spray.
Mold Control: (roses, phlox, zinnias, etc.) 1 gallon water, 1 tbsp. baking soda. Spray weekly before spots appear.
Weed Control Mixture: 1 gallon vinegar, 2-3 tbsp. dish soap, warm water mixed with a bit of rock salt. Apply on sunny day. OR baking soda sprinkled on walks prior to rain
Rabbit repellents: Human hair, cat litter, dried blood meal grated Irish spring, ammonia soaked rags, Owl Products Shake Away, Rabbit Scram
Rodent repellent with diatomaceous earth and essential oils https://www.diatomaceousearth.com/blogs/learning-center/how-to-chase-away-rodents-with-diatomaceous-earth
Ant Bait (for use inside)
Mix:1 cup warm water, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon Borax (20 Mule Team in laundry aisle)
Soak cotton balls in mixture and put in a small container with access holes punched in it. A condiment container which can be modified with a paper punch or a baby food jar with holes punched in lid works well. This allows ants to get at bait, but prevents household animals access and also retards evaporation of bait too quickly) Then place container in area with ants. You will have to resist the urge to kill ants for a few days to allow them time to find and bring the bait back to their nest where it will kill the queen. Store unused bait in fridge and refresh cotton balls as needed.
Roxbury Bridgewater Garden Club 