The Silent Killer
It may be… lying in wait, just looking for the next opportunity to wreak havoc around your home. Or it could creep in slowly, inch by inch and week by week, resulting in certain destruction. Be on guard for this silent killer. It can result in a broken home, crumbling walkway and many dead plants with a cost to you of thousands of dollars. The silent killer is alkali. It can be a problem in almost any yard west of the Mississippi River. In the arid West, this is one of the most common problems in new yards and can even affect established landscapes. Alkali can rear its ugly head in the form of crusty white powder evident on the top of the soil after heavy rains or deep irrigation. Or it can be black, looking like an oil slick that will not go away, making it impenetrable to water. You will appreciate this if you need a natural pond, but it's a big problem if you expect any plants to grow. You will also see alkali as a brown heavy crust in which you may find only cactus will thrive. In any color or form, alkaline soil is high in sodium and other salts. It almost always has drainage problems, restricting the water supply to the plant roots. It binds the fertilizer so that the plant can not get proper nutrition even if you feed weekly. It often causes brown edged leaves or yellow veins that look unsightly and slows the plant's growth or, in severe cases, will cause death. Alkaline water is absorbed through the plant's roots and transported to the leaves where the water evaporates, leaving behind the salt. As the salt builds up on the plant tissue, the concentration becomes toxic, causing the tissue to die. This often results in a brown edged leaf that is green in the middle. Alkaline problems can go beyond your garden right to the foundation of your home. Concrete and stucco can be dissolved by the alkali menace, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. To keep this silent killer at bay, you need to take action. In the garden, it is important to prepare the soil. A combination of Gypsite, compost and beneficial soil bacteria can turn your dead dirt into rich, productive garden soil. Start by adding 150 pounds of Gypsite, 2 yards of compost and 50 lbs. of Gro Power for every 1000 sq. ft. Rototill this into the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. The Gypsite will combine with the sodium that constitutes most of the alkali problem and allow it to leach away. The compost will physically pull the soil particles apart allowing for better drainage and aeration to the root system. The Gro Power will provide the beneficial soil bacteria that will allow breakdown of the organic matter and conversion of the fertilizer you are applying into a form the plants can use. To save the house or sidewalk, you can neutralize the alkali that will cause the concrete to melt away. Start by adding 1 cup of WHITE VINEGAR to 1 gallon of water. Apply the diluted solution to the concrete surface with a broom or scrub brush. Let stand for 1 hour. The surface will bubble while neutralizing the alkaline menace. To prevent the problem almost permanently, simply dig a shallow 4” to 6” deep trench as close to the walk or wall as is practical. Apply a ¼” deep bead of SOIL SULPHUR to the bottom of the trench. Cover the trench and you are done. As the water brings in the alkali, the sulfur will neutralize the intrusion for many years to come. If left undisturbed, this cure can last for 10 years or more. Follow these easy instructions, and the case of the silent killer is solved.

Your Garden: Madame Galen Trumpet Creeper
Hardiness	Exposure	Soil	Water	Flowers	Height
USDA Zone 4 or -35 Deg F	Full Sun to Part Shade	Full Sun to Part Shade	Drought tolerant once established	Salmon-Red	20' to 30'
Madame Galen Trumpet Creeper's most significant attribute is that it grows FAST. I have seen this plant grow up to 1 foot in a week. This variety is a cross between Campsis radicans that is native to the Southwestern United States, and the Campsis grandiflora that is native to Japan. It is more restrained in growth of the Southwest native with the spectacular bloom of the Japanese variety. It's a great hardy vine that will self attach to most surfaces. The leaves are deeply cut giving a soft backdrop. The Salmon-Red flowers are abundant and very attractive. Humming birds are attracted to the flowers, usually turning out in droves. Be careful where you plant this beauty as it is quite aggressive and will dominate almost any area if not pruned and kept in check.

Thanks to our Newsletter partners