1704 MOUNTAIN TOBACCO. (Tabaco de Montaña) Attenuata. A graceful and ornamental species with white inch long flowers flushed pink outside. It is a night blooming annual that grows to 4-5 ft. with pointed leaves. A very popular tobacco with the Navajo Indians. It is an all purpose plant. I recommend using it as an ornamental, filler and pesticide base. To make the perfect garden pesticide, mix 1 teaspoon of powdered dried leaves with one teaspoon of dish washing detergent into one gallon of water. Apply with sprayer. Garden Annual. 25 seeds $1.95
ON SALE! 1708 KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE. GYMNOCLADUS DIOICA. A large shade tree with long leaves that are pinkish in spring, green in summer and yellow in fall. The seeds can be roasted and eaten like nuts or made into a coffee substitute. The bruised foliage when sprinkled with sweetened water will attract and kill flies. Can be raised in containers. Zones 4-7. 3 seeds $1.00 - Normally $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1711 BLACK LOCUST, FALSE ACACIA. (Acacia Falsa) ROBINIA. Beautiful ornamental loaded with white fragrant flowers. An excellent shade tree with acacia type foliage. The fragrant flowers can be smelled for hundreds of ft. in spring. The bruised foliage mixed with sugar will attract and kill flies. Zones 4-8. 20 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1714 CHINABERRY TREE. (Jabonero de las Antillas, Acederaque) MELIA AZEDARACH. A handsome and dense tree. The profuse berries are used to make necklaces and insecticides. Also called Lilac Tree, Pride of India and Bead Tree. To make flea repellent for lawns, mix 1 tablespoon of dry, powdered berries with on teaspoon of dish washing detergent to a gallon of water and spray on lawns with a sprayer. This will also repel flying insects as well. Minimum 45°F. 4 seeds $1.95
1717 OSAGE ORANGE. (Maclura) MACLURA. A vigorous bushy annual to 2-5 ft. tall with sky-blue bell flowers a inch wide, followed by unusual, papery 5 wing pods that are excellent for dried arrangements. A beautiful ornamental that is raised around greenhouses for its possible fly repelling and killing properties. Said to attract and kill white flies. Can be raised in containers. Zones 5-9. 10 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1719 SHOO-FLY PLANT. NICANDA PHYSALODES. A vigorous bushy annual to 2-5 ft. tall with sky-blue bell flowers a inch wide, followed by unusual, papery 5 wing pods that are excellent for dried arrangements. A beautiful ornamental that is raised around greenhouses for its possible fly repelling and killing properties. Said to attract and kill white flies. Annual. 15 seeds $1.95
1721 BLAZING STAR. SPICATA. A beautiful plant often raised for its ornamental appeal. Has rosy purple spikes of flowers up to 15" long. The dried roots of the plant have a soft vanilla smell and will repel moths when placed among clothes. A hardy perennial that is easy to grow from seeds reaching 3-6 ft. tall. Zones 3-8. 20 seeds $1.95
1724 ROSEMARY. (Romero) ROSEMARINUS OFFICINALIS. Evergreen aromatic shrubs from the Mediterranean. Grows 2-6 ft. with pale blue 1/2" flowers and attractive foliage. Powdered Rosemary leaves are used as a flea and tick repellent. Simply dust the powder onto the pet or areas where the pet sleeps. A very effective and safe repellent. Zones 8-10. 20 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1729 PENNYROYAL. (Poleo) MENTHA PELUGIUM. A small leaved perennial herb that has spikes of lavender, fragrant flowers. Ground pennyroyal is one of the most effective tick deterrents available. Dust powder made from the leaves around areas where the pet sleeps and plays. Zones 4-10. 25 seeds $1.95
1735 LEMON BASIL. (Albahaca Limón) OCIMUM. An aromatic tender annual with small pretty flowers and lemony fragrance. An attractive plant that is easy to grow. When planted in the garden close to tomatoes, it not only improves the taste of the tomatoes but deters white flies as well. Annual. 20 seeds $1.95
1739 TRUE LAVENDER. (Alhucema) LAVANDULA. A beautiful aromatic perennial that is hardy to zone 5 and can be raised in tubs in colder climates. The most fragrant lavender. Beautiful lavender flowers on long stems and narrow green leaves. Sow in fall or spring. When planted in the garden, it will deter pests with its fragrance. When dried and placed in closets and drawers with clothes, it will deter moths and lend its wonderful fragrance to the clothes. Zones 5-10. 40 seeds $1.95
1746 CITRIODORA. EUCALYPTUS. Beautiful, shiny, round silvery-grey leaves. Makes excellent cut foliage. Can be container grown. Will stand cold to -17 degrees. Outside it will grow as a tree to 50 ft. Annual. 5 seeds $1.95
1745 SAGE. (Salvia) SALVIA OFFICINALIS. Every garden should have a little sage. Its use as a food season, and its medicinal values have been known for centuries. In the garden, it should be planted next to cabbage as it will improve the taste of the plant and repel cabbage worms and moths. Zones 3-9. 25 seeds $1.95 For Picture Click Here
1751 PYRETHRUM PLANT. A beautiful daisy that is hardy and blooms throughout the spring and summer. Its flower heads is used to make probably the best natural pesticide available. Zones 3-10. 40 seeds $1.95
1752 GOPHER SPURGE. EUPHORBIA LATYRUS. While we realize the gopher is not an insect, we have had many requests for these seeds. The plant is said to produce a acrid milky juice in its roots that gophers cannot stand. It is said one should plant several of these plants in the yard and garden to discourage the pests. Annual. 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here about 2/3 down the page
This is an old time remedy for deworming dogs and cats. Use full amount on dogs and 1/4 amount on cats.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dried, powdered Rosemary and 1 teaspoon of Wormwood with 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground garlic. Mix well and divide into 4 portions. Give pet a portion mixed in with food or treat pet 4 times a day. Repeat this for 3 days and pet should be completely dewormed.
The most effective insecticide that kills flying and crawling insects on contact but does no harm to mammals or birds is the dried and crushed flowers of the Pyrethrum Plant. This brown powder will kill or stun the insects the moment it touches them but does no harm to pets when sprinkled on their coats. This member of the daisy family is a beautiful ornamental and will compliment any garden or flower bed. While very effective, the dried powder only lasts for a few days. You can prolong its use throughout the year by freezing fresh flower heads in zip-lock bags and drying and crushing them as needed.
Mosquitoes are very sensitive to certain scents, Chamomile and Citriodora especially. Both are easy to grow and both are used in dry flower arrangements. Citriodora is also used in potpourri. To make The Great Mosquito Repellent, take 1 ounce of green leaves from both plants and boil in a gallon of water. Strain and place in the refrigerator. Before going outside, splash the mixture liberally over your face and exposed parts of your body. You will enjoy the fresh, citrus smell bit the mosquitoes will stay far away.
Tobacco Dust. This dust is ideal for making a great natural pesticide. Mix 1/8 ounce of tobacco dust with 1 tablespoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish washing detergent. Simply apply as you would a chemical pesticide. This dust is also very effective sprinkled around the base of plants.
Note about seed germination: Most species of seeds have hard casings to protect the seed "embryo". For most of these "hard" seeds, the outer shell must be scarred, scratched or softened in some way. Some species take up to a year to germinate and will need help in the beginning to get the shell softened. Most varieties of slow germinating seeds will turn black and rot if there is not sufficient heat in the soil (75 to 90 degrees F. for most species) or if the soil dries out or is allowed to remain too wet, which will encourage the growth of one or another of the varieties of fungus or mold. It is important to speed up germination and to get the plants growing as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems. Anyone who has soaked dried beans before cooking is familiar with the process of softening up the shell. When the outer shell is softened it allows the contents to expand. Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) can help in softening up these outer shells. It is available in many drug stores, but for those who have difficulty obtaining a small amount, we offer 1 teaspoon packets for $1.00. Soak the seeds in a solution of one teaspoon of the Saltpeter to one quart of warm water for at least 24 hours. Do not allow the seeds to dry out but sow them immediately using the remaining solution to water the soil or other growing medium. Soak several species of seeds at once in smaller containers of the same solution and have the containers of growing medium or soil ready for planting as soon as the soaking period is complete. SS100 Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) one teaspoon packet $1.00