Posted by (shirlgirl) on July 14, 2010

I had to quit laughing first before I could comment on your mosquito problem. I am one of those ladies of a certain age that must have the fan going at night and I am bothered by mosquito problems too. We have ditches in our area and ponds both of which breed the pests and since they can carry diseases it is something to really be concerned with. A friend of mine had a bug zapper and I asked them did it really work. They said that it did so we tried one and it really has cut down on the pests, enough to notice a difference. We also found round tablets to go into the standing water that doesn’t harm other life but does stop mosquito from hatching and drop those into the ditch and pond. Seems to be much better now.

Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on July 14, 2010

We’ve talked about a zapper. I’ve always wondered if they really work, though, or if they just attract more mosquitoes. Might be worth a try, as this seems to be the worst summer for mosquitoes so far (in our 5 years here).

I guess no matter what you do, one or two skeeters will occasionally get into the house. I’m surprised I can hear them over my husband’s snoring, but I do. Sometimes, I’ll move into the guest room and leave them buzzing together. (There’s a ceiling fan in there, too!)

Posted by (Janna) on July 14, 2010

Dang those skeeters, but your post cracked me up! It is pretty impossible to eliminate standing water from EVERYwhere, but I haven’t noticed the mosquitoes being too bad except at dusk. That’s when I have to take cover! Nice to know that the zappers help, Shirlgirl.

Maybe bats will come, Kim. I’m still waiting for hummingbirds. My sugar-water food keeps evaporating and still…nary a hummer.

Posted by (mangoman) on July 15, 2010

We’ve put up a bat house before with no luck either. Maybe most bat houses are too small? We have a lot of bats around here (you see them flying around at night) so lack of bats is not a problem. I don’t know. I wonder if there is a plant that repels mosquitos instead of attracts them. That would be nice.

Is anyone else attending the mango festival down in wimauama? I missed the big one down in miami so this is the closest I can get.

Posted by (Chip) on July 15, 2010

I know I have said this before; But we do not have a mosquito problem where we live. soap,veg. oil, mouth wash mixed up two table spoons per gallons of water [put the soap in after the bucket is filled] then pour into watering can and use it on bromides or any place that water will stand. I have a soap dispenser on my garden sprayer and I spray soap a lot I use a cheep bottle a week. a couple of years ago,  The head maintenance guy here in the park we live in watched me mix up a batch asked what it was for, I showed him and now they do this in the whole park with back pack sprayers. It is the bromides that are the biggest problem they are a natural mosquito habitat get them first! ..“Chip”

Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on July 15, 2010

I agree the mosquitos are bigger and more of them this year. When I go out at night I use mosquito spray, clip on my Off portable thing and I have a bug Zapper in my yard. Shirgirl and I passed a place today by Eureka Springs that is growing plants to keep down mosquitos. They better work quick because Eureka Springs had a big mosquito problem. By the way that you Kay for blogging about Eureka Springs. the park was just beautiful. Pumpkin

Posted by (Chip) on July 16, 2010

I just harvested one of my cantaloupes and had it for brunch! It was the size of a bowling ball and I ate the whole thing by myself. If we buy one from the store I might eat some but not all, this one I could not stop myself. The difference between vine ripening and letting it ripen on the shelf is like night and day. I have at least 3 more close to ripe and four sugar baby’s that the kids have there eye on. If we are lucky maybe Diane and I will be able to split one of those [there are 3 grandsons]. Both the cantaloupes and the sugar baby water melons are loaded with blooms and small fruit so I am hopeful I will get a lot more from them..“Chip”

Posted by (mangoman) on July 16, 2010

Chip, you make me jealous everytime. Enjoy your harvest!

I guess the bats do make a difference because we don’t have them very bad at all. I go to a friends house (the one that I’m raising chickens at) and their mosquitos are terrible!

I will definitaly send you a picture! Today I went to the plantcity farmers market (interesting place) and got 36 mangos for $5! I’m Über excited. Now I’ve just got to juice them before they go bad.

Also got 22lbs of peaches (why this many I don’t know…) for $11 so I’d say our trip was well worth it.

Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on July 16, 2010

You all make me envious with your fruit and veggie harvests. My lemons and oranges are a long way away from being ripe.

For now, it’s only fresh tomatoes for me.

Hey, has anybody ever espaliered a shrub with any success? I’m trying to espalier three powder puff bushes, and they don’t seem to be too happy with me right now.

I’m wondering if it’s just shock from being separated (they were pretty clingy, having been together for several months in one pot). The light conditions are just right, and they’re not too wet or dry.

The runt of the litter looks especially mopey.

Posted by (Chip) on July 16, 2010

Strawberry’s are coming soon; last year the first day they were available was the weekend of U.S.F.‘s fall garden sale. They are cheep, and easy to grow. If you all want I will give you all the whole low down on them. ..“Chip”

Posted by (shirlgirl) on July 18, 2010

I want to know about Mangomans Plant City FarmersMarket. What time do you have to be there to get these deals on produce? I also liked your idea of juicing the mango but how do you do that with a mango I would like to try it?

Posted by (mangoman) on July 19, 2010

Hi, we got there at about 10am and most of the people were still set up. We made the mistake of walking the whole place on foot. Definately drive your car around, takes way less time and energy.

The mango’s we got were older and had probably been for sale for a week. Half of them were very over ripe and the skin slipped off very easily (the other half was delicious though!). All I had to do was cut the stem off, slip my thumb under the skin and start peeling. For the juicing, make sure your hands are clean and you don’t mind some mango juice dripping down your arm.

please see next post.

Posted by (mangoman) on July 19, 2010

I just took a large bowl (for mixing cake batter, etc) and squeezed a mango for a few minutes. You kinda have to start at the top and slide your hand down so all the juice is forced to the bottom (make sure you hold one hand on top otherwise the mango may fly in the air, happened to me a few times). I like the pulp but if you don’t want the pulp I imagine you could just use a strainer.

I froze most of my mango juice in ziplocs. I found that 5 mangos fills a quart ziploc with a little left over.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions

Found out the mango festival is not until next saturday so I will have to wait a little longer.