Welcome!!!

If you stumbled among this site, "Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens" is a collection of journal entries that I have kept on my computer for years, and have now decided to post. The journal contains my successes and failures with my favorite selections of plants. I'm talking about more than 50 years of caring for and living with green things. Not everything is here. More of it is learned and store in my head. However, here I will share facts about each plants, my research, as well as my personal and gathered tips on their care. I was not planning to post my houseplant and backyard journals online, so editing them for errors was not a priority to me. This being the case, perhaps, one day I will correct all the spelling and grammar errors in both of them. We would not want people to think I did not know better, when I was only being lazy. Again, no apologizes. It is what it is for now.

Friday, July 10, 2026

This is Personal!

 

Hello, Darlings

Whether you’re gardening outdoors or indoors, you will have to battle the pests that love to sh-t on, to chew on, or to juice the life out of your heartfelt cared for plants. Be they be ornamental or edible, nature is not always on your side, and you’ll have to rescue your beloved plants, before they are no more.

Seriously, gardening and insects are fact of life. As I mentioned in a previous post, some of my hydroponic plants had become condominiums for white flies. I was getting upset about it because the store bought remedies appeared to act as a weekly shower. I mean, those flies were back within two to three days of me treating the plants against their invasion.

Well, tired and up to the point of despair, not quite, I did some research to find a more permanent solution for getting rid of the white flies. It had become personal. It was them or me, or all my beloved plants.

While it is not the nuclear incinerating, body smashing insect killing solution that I wanted, I found an old fashion remedy that is more effective than anything else I have tried.  All this being stated, below is the recipe for Cayenne Pepper Stray. This remedy was around long before my grandmother was born, but like most modern inventions, it has been nearly for gotten, however, I can tell you when used as directed it really works and doesn’t harm the plants.

😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

Cayenne Pepper Stray

Ingredients Needed

·         1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper powder

·         1 tablespoon garlic juice (optional)

·         1 quart of water

·         1 teaspoon of dish soap

·         A mixing bowl

·         A spray bottle

Mixing the Ingredients

·         Begin by adding the cayenne pepper to the water. Stir thoroughly until well combined. The pepper should dissolve as much as possible.

·         Next, incorporate the dish soap. This helps the mixture stick to the plants. Stir the mixture again to ensure even distribution.

Straining the Solution

·         Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Place it over a bowl or jug. Pour the cayenne solution slowly through it. This removes any solid particles. Solids can clog your spray bottle. Rinse the strainer afterward to remove residue.

·         Filling the Spray Bottle

·         Pour the strained liquid into a spray bottle. Use a funnel to avoid spills. Ensure the bottle is clean and free of any residues.

Proper Spraying Methods

·         When spraying, ensure that you cover both sides of the leaves. Pests often hide on the undersides, making it necessary to reach these areas

Frequency of Application

·         Consistency is important for pest control. Apply the spray every three days initially, and then once a week as a preventive measure.

Proper Storage Techniques

·         Store the solution in a cool, dark place. A cupboard or pantry is ideal. Exposure to sunlight reduces its potency. Always label the bottle with the date. This helps track the solution's freshness.

Check for Expiry

·         The cayenne spray is best used within a month. Discard any leftover after this period. Fresh solutions work best for plant protection

Reusing the Spray Bottle

Clean the spray bottle after use. Use warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry before refilling. This prevents mold and bacteria growth. Regular cleaning extends the life of your spray bottle.

To download this recipe click the link above  and log into your Gmail account. 

Until next time, 

     Keep Growing!!!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026