Check the label before applying dormant oil
Q: You seem to be a “fan” of recommending spraying dormant oil as a pesticide. Is this product good to spray on most trees and shrubs that typically grow around here? — M.C., Albuquerque A: I don’t have any in my pharmacopoeia at the moment, so I can’t read a label to see what plants are listed as ones to NOT spray with a dormant oil, but I do think that applying a dormant oil spraying, this time of year, is one of the best ways to head into a growing season more pest free.
Most labels worth their salt will list plant life that it should not be sprayed on. Most of the oil sprays consist of paraffinic oil or mineral oil. Both are, in my opinion, very safe to use and have an extremely low toxicity level.
Just know you need to read the label to be sure your plants can benefit from an application of dormant oil. I know I have learned that it isn’t recommended to apply on blue spruce trees as it would sometimes affect the blue color of the tree. Yes, I’m a fan of dormant oil as one of the early, safe to use pesticides you can apply.
Q: My daughter-in-law is extremely excited about landscaping at the new home. I’m thinking she’s going to be the type to, in your words, “dress inappropriately,” when it comes to the challenges she’s facing. How can I gently guide her so she stays safer when she’s out in what will become her gardens? —A.S., Rio Rancho
A: Gently is the word I most admire when you say you want to guide her.
I suggest that you take her shopping for the perfect broad brimmed straw hat. Also, look for a long sleeved white men’s dress shirt. It should be big enough to wear as an overshirt, and I say white because if it’s colored or brightly-patterned, sometimes buzzing insects will be curious as to what they are seeing.
Remind her that the sun in these parts can inflict skin damage so very quickly, so it’s best to stay covered when she’ll be working outdoors. Oh, and a pair of close-toed sneakers too.
Then, create a basket that contains a couple of bandanas to keep the sun off her neck and her hair tucked safely away. Add a pair of leather or plastic-coated gloves too. Keeping her hands safe is a very good thing. Also add a fresh bottle of sunscreen.
Teach her that she should postpone applying any floral scents, be it lotion or perfume, before heading outdoors. Again, sometimes the powerful floral scents some tend to apply will attract insects galore and you don’t want her put-off by having to dodge bees or whatnot while she’s aiming to transform her land.
This will be a hard sell for some but maybe get some unscented laundry soap that can be used to keep the dedicated gardening clothes clean and in no way attractive to bugs. Gardening in flip-flops, shorts and tank tops is not a safe way to be outdoors tending the land, especially if she’ll be wielding a sharp spade or needing to spray anything. If you can gently guide her to a safer way to get outdoors, do.
Good luck and good on you for aiming to keep her safe while she’s out there Diggin’ In!