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soil


Question
QUESTION: Last fall I put cayenne pepper on my flower bed to keep the squirels from digging my crocus  bulbs..  Now I have lost 2 seperate plantings of impatients in that bed.  What can I do to make sure this does not again?

ANSWER: Hi Joan, There is a product called Repels-All, made by Bonide, that I've had excellent results with on squirrels and chipmunks that were digging up my impatiens.  It's made from all natural (but stinky) products like dried blood, rotten eggs, garlic, vinegar, onions, etc.  It comes in both a granular and liquid form.  Treat the area AND a 3'- 5' perimeter outside the flower beds.
It can last up to 2 months per treatment, but I'd treat once a month for best results.  Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!! But my question concerns, how to purify the soil, from using the cayene pepper?  Joan

Answer
Sorry I misunderstood your question.  Normally cayenne pepper is not toxic to plants but in high amounts it can be.  I would till the area and blend in 20-30% organic matter and horticultural activated charcoal per label instructions.  Once complete, turn the sprinkler on low and flood the area for 6-8 hours.  This should dilute or remove enough to prevent your plants from dying.
But before replanting the whole area, plant a few test plants throughout the area and see how they do.  You may need to flood the area another time or two.  Jim

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