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Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech

Friday, April 1st, 2022

Deploy Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech for season-long mosquito control!

Deploy Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech for season-long mosquito control! These non-toxic mosquito baits are safe for pets and humans. Take back your outdoor space with the Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech. This organic solution is an attractive toxic sugar bait slow-release device that kills mosquitoes using our active ingredient, boric acid. It also doesn’t require batteries or electricity! Simply add water to the tube and hang 90 feet from where you play and live.

You should plan to deploy the Spartan Mosquito tube(s) as soon as the weather begins to warm up. This product creates a barrier to “catch” mosquitoes by emitting an attractant. Once mosquitoes feed on the water solution, they will perish before they can breed again.

The Spartan Mosquito system is a uniquely effective, long-lasting, continuous mosquito control system. They last for up to 90 days. No need for batteries or electricity, just add water! The mosquito population will suffer dramatically in the first 15 days and will be up to 95% controlled for up to 90 days.

Help protect yourself and your pets from mosquito bites. Grab the Spartan Mosquito product a J&N Feed and Seed in Graham, Texas.

Learn how to use Pro Tech with this illustrated guide.

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Spring Garden Hazards

Friday, April 1st, 2022

As spring arrives and the first buds appear, gardening can be a relaxing and healthy way to pass the time. But it can also pose some potential risks to our cat and dog friends. With care and some knowledge, these risks can be avoided. Here is a list of potential spring garden hazards.

FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES:

Fertilizers containing blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, or iron can be tasty for dogs and particularly dangerous. Ingestion of large amounts of meal-containing products can form concretions in the stomach resulting in obstruction and severe pancreatitis. Likewise, those containing iron can lead to iron poisoning causing vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, shock, tremors, and potential cardiac and liver effects. Consider using natural fertilizers available in many garden supply stores or local farms. Ingestion of pesticides or insecticides containing organophosphates can be life-threatening even in small amounts.

MULCH:

Cocoa mulch is made from the discarded shells and hulls of the cocoa bean. Its chocolate-like smell can be particularly attractive to dogs. Similarly, like chocolate, this mulch contains theobromine and caffeine. The amount of toxin present can vary from product to product. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and in extreme cases, death. Keep pets safe by closely supervising them or using safer alternatives to cocoa mulch. They include rubber mulch, cedar mulch, leaves, pine needles, or untreated wood chips. While these are safer alternatives, please remember that these can still be ingested and cause an obstruction.

COMPOST:

Gardeners love compost for its nutrient value and many have their own pile. Compost can be toxic to pets and wildlife and should always be fenced off. As organic matter decomposes in the compost pile, molds can grow. Consequently, these molds can produce tremorgenic mycotoxins. As a result, when ingested symptoms can occur within 30 minutes and include agitation, panting, drooling, vomiting, tremors, and seizures. However, with supportive care the prognosis is good.

SNAIL AND SLUG BATES:

These are available in pellets, granules, powder, or liquid. Most contain metaldehyde which is very dangerous to dogs and cats. As a result, symptoms can occur within 1-2 hours of ingestion and include salivation, restlessness, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and increase body temperature. Without veterinary care, the symptoms can last for days and be fatal, for instance. Gopher, mole, and other vermin bates contain strychnine and are highly toxic.

FLOWERS AND PLANTS:

Many plants can be toxic to pets. Some can have only mild symptoms of gastrointestinal upset to severe liver or kidney failure and death. For example, the following is an incomplete list of common plants.

Severe toxicity: Sego palm, Azalea/Rhododendron, Caster bean, Cyclamen, Oleander, and Yew.
Moderate Toxicity: Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, Begonia, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Hosta, Morning glory, and Poinsettia.
Mild toxicity: Baby’s breath, Carnation, Gladiola, and Tomato plant.

CITRONELLA CANDLES:

Ingestion of citronella candles, used to deter mosquitos, can cause gastrointestinal inflammation including vomiting and diarrhea.

Above all, if you think your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian for advice and treatment. Additionally, you can contact the ASPCA Hotline at 1-888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Hotline at 1-800-213-6680. Both charge a fee for their service. Several pet poison apps are available, as well.

Article provided by Nutrena.

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Fire Ant Control Starts Now!

Friday, April 1st, 2022

Spring marks the beginning of fire ant season, when warm weather and frequent rains brings the ants above ground where they build dirt mounds that dot the Texas landscape like a terrestrial pox. For us here in the Lone Star State, fire ant season can stretch well into fall. These little red pests may look harmless, but their bites can be devastating, as they sometimes overwhelm and kill newborn livestock, wildlife and can even cause anaphylactic shock to some humans.

Fire ants can re-infest from long distances and the reproductive potential is great, so it is important to treat not only the mound, but also the surrounding areas in your yard to stay ahead of them! At J&N Feed, we’ve got two options for fire ant control. Treating early and often is the key to controlling these pests.

Over’N Out! Advanced – Stop the fire ants early with Over’N Out! Advanced fire ant killer from GardenTech. The deep-penetrating and odorless formula kills the pesky pest and their queen. Treat the mounds to kill fire ants fast, then apply the ready to use granules to your yard Fire Ant Control to prevent new mounds for 6 months. The 11.5 lb. bag covers up to 5000 sq. ft.

Hi-Yield Fire Ant Control may be used in a variety of exterior settings include fields, pastures, recreational, residential and landscaped turf, for excellent control of fire ants. To get the best results, apply the product around dawn or dusk, because that is when the ants are most active.

Tags: Ants
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Sandbur Control With Prowl H20 & ECGrow

Monday, February 28th, 2022

It’s time to map out your sandbur control plan for your pasture and lawn. Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow: if you had a sandbur problem last year and were unable to control it, there is a good probability it will be back this year. The way to control sandbur that is already established is to use pre-emergent herbicides. This must be done in early spring before the soil temperature reaches 52 degrees Fahrenheit and seeds germinate. A second application should be put down in June. At J&N Feed and Seed, we recommend Prowl H20 pre-emergent and ECGrow for the control and prevention of sandbur.

Like all pre-emergents, Prowl H20 must be applied before the sandbur emerges. In southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, the most common application time is February or early March before the grasses break dormancy. Rainfall must occur within two weeks of application or efficacy will be reduced dramatically. Please note, there is a 60-day haying restriction and a 45-day grazing restriction when using Prowl H2O.

If you miss your window for applying the pre-emergent for sandbur control, come see us for post-emergent solutions to your sandbur problem. Let our educated experts help map out your pasture-management plan today.

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Pruning Crape Myrtle Trees

Monday, January 31st, 2022

Never cap your crape myrtle trees. Above – the wrong way. Below – leave them as trees.

A touchy topic is pruning crape myrtle trees. Do you prune them? When and how much?

The best time to prune is late winter, February – March. The goal is to enhance the trees natural form, don’t force it to grow in a small space or prune it into an artificial shape. Crape myrtles naturally grow as small upright or vase shaped trees with multiple trunks. A well pruned crape myrtle will have the trunks grow upward and outward. Additionally, the branches should fan out rather than growing inward into the center of the tree.

Remove crossing and inward growing branches.

To determine if your crape myrtle needs to be pruned, examine the direction in which the trunks and branches grow. Starting at ground level, follow the trunks upward to where they begin to branch. Focus on the interior of the tree rather than the outer edges. Branches that grow into the center of the tree, crossing over other branches or trunks, should be removed.

To remove a branch, follow it back to where it joins a larger branch or trunk. Take a close look at the point where the branch joins the trunk. You will notice at the point where the two join the branch is swollen or enlarged. This area is known as the branch collar. Using a pruning saw, remove the branch by cutting just above the branch collar rather than flush with the trunk. If the branch was removed at the correct place the branch collar left behind will extend out a centimeter or two from the trunk.

The wrong way to prune.

A misconception that crape myrtles need to be severely cut back in late winter or early spring in order to flower well in summer has led to the unhealthy practice of topping these plants. If necessary, crape myrtles can be reduced in height without being topped.

Topping (buck horning or de-horning) or “crape murder” involves cutting stems back at an arbitrarily chosen height rather than pruning back to a bud, side branch, or main stem. Topping trees and shrubs is harmful in many ways and regarded as an unacceptable practice by trained horticulturists and arborists. Research shows that stem decay significantly increases when topping cuts are made, and that more dead branches also occur within the canopy. The trees are more prone to disease as well with topping.

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Tree Pruning Tips

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

It’s pruning season, right? That depends on what we are talking about. Read our Tree Pruning Tips and find out what and when to prune!

It IS the season to prune hardwood trees such as black walnut, red oak, and white oak. If you are ready to get out there and prune, but all means, get at it! Here are some pruning tips:

Start at the top and work down. Assist the central leader by assuring its tip or apical bud is taller (higher) than any other leaders or branches that are competing for dominance. Totally remove or at least tip-prune any competitive leaders.
Remove no more than one-third of the tree canopy in any single year season. The key to a healthy root system is a healthy crown. If you remove too much of the tree’s ability to make food, root growth will suffer and set the stage for reduced crown growth the following year, which will lead to reduced root growth.
Do not prune flat to the stem. Instead, make an angled cut just outside of the branch collar (the donut-shaped growth surrounding the branches’ attachment to the tree) so that the wound is about the same diameter as the branch. Do not leave stubs.

Crape Myrtle Trees – don’t murder them!

The best time to prune Crape Myrtle trees is late winter, February – March. The goal is to enhance the tree’s natural form, don’t force it to grow in a small space or prune it into an artificial shape. Crape myrtles naturally grow as small upright or vase-shaped trees with multiple trunks. A well-pruned crape myrtle will have the trunks grow upward and outward, with branches fanning out rather than growing inward into the center of the tree.

The wrong way to prune. A misconception that Crape Myrtles need to be severely cut back in late winter or early spring in order to flower well in summer has led to the unhealthy practice of topping these plants. If necessary, Crape Myrtles can be reduced in height without being topped.

Topping (buck horning or dehorning) or “crape murder” involves cutting stems back at an arbitrarily chosen height rather than pruning back to a bud, side branch, or main stem. Topping trees and shrubs are harmful in many ways and regarded as an unacceptable practice by trained horticulturists and arborists. Research shows that stem decay significantly increases when topping cuts are made and that more dead branches also occur within the canopy. The trees are more prone to disease as well with topping.

Fruit Trees – NOT YET!

WAIT…until the last hard freeze. We need to wait until winter is almost over and spring is fast approaching. Since our average first frost-free day in Texas is around March 15, this month can be thought of as our early spring month. The best time to prune is late January through February.

Plants that bloom in early spring with the appearance of new leaves should be pruned after they flower. Those that bloom later in the spring or summer should be pruned during the dormant season in January or February.

Have any questions about our tree pruning tips? Let us know. We are here to help.

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January Garden Tips

Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

January Garden Tips

It may be chilly outside at this time of the year, but winter is a perfect time for a number of outdoor chores. Just consider how much better outdoor chores like soil preparation, planting, transplanting, and pruning can be done without toiling in hot summer temperatures.

January Garden If you need to move a plant to a different spot in the landscape, this is the month to accomplish this job. Most plants move best when they are fully dormant as a result of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Remove some of the top growth to compensate for the inevitable loss of some of the roots. Once the plant is moved, water thoroughly, apply root stimulator, and a few inches of mulch over the root area.

January is a great month to accomplish pruning of fruit trees. Annual pruning keeps the harvest within reach, thins crowded branches, allowing more light to penetrate developing fruit and stimulates new growth for next year’s crop. Shade trees can also be pruned at this time.

Fruit trees and vines can be planted at this time as the ground usually does not freeze here in north Texas. You can also prepare the soil for new flower, rose or shrub beds by mixing plenty of organic material like compost or a flower or shrub mix. This way the soil is ready for immediate planting when temperatures get a little warmer.

Fertilize pansies to keep them actively growing. Houseplants can be fertilized with reduced rates of water-soluble fertilizer this month. Do not over-water your houseplants.

Birds of all kinds appreciate a constant source of seed, suet and water during the winter and you will enjoy the activity they create in your backyard. Just remember once you start feeding, you should keep it up through the winter.

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Railroad Ties Back In-Stock

Monday, July 6th, 2020

Looking for railroad ties for your next outdoor project? Look no further than J&N Feed and Seed. We’ve got them in-stock at J&N Feed. Railroad ties lend a raw, natural beauty to any landscaping project. Ties can be used as functional elements or for decorative accents. Construct beautiful fences, corrals, chutes, steps, retaining walls, flower boxes, borders, and walkways with ties. Use ties for construction applications instead of brick, cinder block, or synthetic materials. Ties can also be used in combination with other materials to create a variety of attractive textures and designs. # 1-grade rail road ties are the best-used ties you can buy, with three good, solid sides and moderate imperfection. Come see us for all your landscaping needs.

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Why Stake Tomatoes?

Sunday, May 17th, 2020

Your tomato plants are in the ground, the weather is warming up and the plants are growing! What’s next? While not all tomato plants need to be supported, most will benefit from it unless you are growing dwarf or short bush varieties of plants. For tomatoes that will grow to taller heights, we recommend that you take the time to stake them. While it does take some extra work there are many benefits:

It saves space in your garden. You can grow more plants in the surrounding area.
It helps keep them clean, avoid rot and disease.
You’ll get an earlier harvest with larger tomatoes.
It’s easier to pick the tomatoes and work around staked plants.

How to Stake

When you stake a tomato plant, try to put the stake on the prevailing downwind side so the plant will lean against it when the wind is blowing hard.

Six-to eight-foot-high stakes are good for most tomatoes, although you can make do with shorter four- to five-foot stakes, if necessary. Put the stakes in the ground right after you’ve set out the plants. Drive them about a foot into the soil, three to five inches away from the plant. Remember not to put the stake on the root side of trench-planted tomatoes. As the plant grows, tie a strip of cloth, nylon stocking or coated wire tightly to the stake and loosely around the plant in a figure-eight fashion. Leave at least an inch or two of slack. Add more ties as needed as the plant grows up the stake.

Stop by our store for your gardening supplies. We options available for your plants including stakes, circular cages or trellises. We also have fertilizer, hoses and everything you need to keep your garden growing!

Tags: Gardening
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Beekeeping Supplies From Little Giants

Friday, May 1st, 2020

Beekeeping Supplies from Little Giants are available at select J&N Feed and Seed.

If you can start a garden, you can raise bees and we can help! Considering all the buzz about beekeeping right now, you might be thinking of jumping in and starting your own hive. As you would when with bringing a new animal to your farm or home, it can be tough to know whether you’ll eventually regret your decision addition or celebrate it. So with this mind, what does it take to keep bees? Before you jump into beekeeping, here are a few points to consider: the right questions to ask, the equipment you’ll need, and, finally, how to choose the right bees.

Should you keep bees?

Check your local ordinances for keeping bees to make sure there are no restrictions in your area for beekeeping. Obviously, bees should be kept away from outdoor areas frequented for outdoor activity or recreation. Also, make sure you and your family members or anyone who would be living near the bees does not have any known allergic reactions to bee stings. This issue alone is probably the deal breaker if you or a family member have any reactions to insect stings.

Why Keep Bees?

Of course, collecting honey the bees produce is the obvious goal, but there’s a little more to beekeeping than producing honey. Beekeeping is good for your garden and crops, too. They help pollinate vegetables and flowers and may help your yields.

Honey, honeybees, beeswax, and other bee-related products like propolis tincture and beeswax-based beauty products can be a great supplement to a homestead or farm income and can even form the basis of your farm’s business. Many small farmers find bees to be a rewarding and productive means of income. Beekeeping may qualify for an agricultural exemption on property taxes under Texas law. To learn more about beekeeping in Texas, go to the Texas Beekeepers Association website here.

Little Giant Beekeeping Supplies are available at J&N Feed and Seed in Graham, Texas.

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Archive for the ‘Garden’ Category

Deploy Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech for season-long mosquito control!

FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES:

MULCH:

COMPOST:

SNAIL AND SLUG BATES:

FLOWERS AND PLANTS:

CITRONELLA CANDLES:

Remove crossing and inward growing branches.

The wrong way to prune.

January Garden Tips

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