Newly transplanted marshmallow plants at City Farm in Providence. The farm, at the corner of Dudley and West Clifford streets, is operated by the Southside Community Land Trust which is having their annual plant sale there Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

GARDEN

Time to grow the herbs

Warmer air and soil make this a great time to set out most kinds of herbs in beds or containers. While culinary herbs are typically grown by themselves or in vegetable gardens, they also work well in flower beds, provided they don’t get sprayed with pesticides.

Parsley, thyme, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm and chives are easy-to-grow herbs that also look attractive in the garden. Basil, which comes in many types, is one herb that should wait until it gets a little warmer.

Herbs require sun and space to develop. They are not water-grabbers, and once established will tolerate dry weather. Thyme makes a great edging plant for beds and produces attractive flowers. Parsley is valued not only for its use as a garnish but as a food source for the caterpillar stage of swallowtail butterflies.

Guide for young birders

Birder Bill Thompson III has written a field guide specifically for kids.

Thompson spent three years working with his daughter’s elementary-school class to create The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, part of the Peterson Field Guides series.

It’s aimed at readers ages 8 to 12, and it has a durable, flexible cover and a size that’s easy for smaller birders to carry and use.

The guide includes the usual bird-identification information, as well as tips, how-tos and “Wow! Bursts,” bubbles containing interesting bird facts.

The Young Birder’s Guide is published by Houghton Mifflin Co. and sells for $14.95.

HOME

Non-caustic cleaner comes to America

A non-caustic cleaner that promises to remove mold, moss and mildew from outdoor surfaces without scrubbing has crossed the Pacific to America.

Wet & Forget has been sold for more than 30 years in New Zealand and Australia, where it’s used to clean the Sydney Opera House. The cleaner is touted as gentle on the environment and safe to use around foliage.

It can be used on virtually any outdoor surface. It’s applied with a pump garden sprayer, and then wind and rain do the work over two weeks to six months.

Wet & Forget is highly concentrated and comes in three sizes: 68 ounces, or 1.32 gallons, for household use and 2.64 gallons for commercial and industrial use. Suggested prices range from $29.99 to $90.

The product is available at some Costco stores (call first to check supplies of product No. 207207) and can be ordered at Ace Hardware stores, the company said.

Does Rid-X help?

Q. Does Rid-X really help break down the stuff in your septic system faster?

A. No, said Brian Slater, an associate professor and extension soil scientist in Ohio State University’s School of Environmental and Natural Resources. Such additives are bacteria, but all the bacteria that are needed are already in the waste or the soil, which is where most of the treatment of the wastewater happens, he said.

He likened additives to putting a few drops of food coloring in the Atlantic Ocean. “There’s no need. It will make no difference,” he said.