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Vol. 3, Num. 39, October 2, 2008 (Read It Online) We have lots of great tips and feedback this week, including an article by Ellen Brown about Drying and Storing Herbs. Do you have any gardening photos or tips to share? Feel free to submit them on one of the contest pages. Thanks for reading, Susan
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Update: At first I thought this creature was a Praying Mantis, but after further research, I found out it is a "Chinese Mantid". Did you know after the female mates, she often eats him? Here is more on the subject. By Elaine from Iowa
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Question: I have beautiful hanging baskets of (mainly) petunias on my northeast facing porch. They are beginning to look rather ragged now (almost mid July). I faithfully water, use liquid fertilizer each week and have even added some high quality potting soil to the baskets. I believe I once read something about cutting back petunias around this time. Any suggestions? Hardiness Zone: 5b Bellanell from Pleasant Mount, PA Answer: Bellanell, I realize that by now you have solved your Petunia problem, but here is some advice that you and other Petunia growers might find useful for next year. Around mid-summer, Petunias usually start to look a bit scraggly and some of their flower production starts to diminish. To counteract this, shoots can be pruned back to about half of their length, even farther, providing you do not remove all of their leaves. To force new flowers, fertilize your Petunias with a liquid fertilizer and give them plenty of water. Removing spent flowers (deadheading) will also help improve their appearance and stimulate further blooming. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17855550.tip.html
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Rate It: Drying and Storing Herbs
Most herbs dry easily, and if properly preserved, will retain their flavor and aroma long enough to carry you into the next growing season. As with a lot of gardening, timing is everything. Here are some tips for gathering, drying and keeping them fresh while in storage.
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Rate It: Something Is Eating The Leaves On Weeping Cherry Question: I have a weeping cherry tree that was planted about 2 months ago. I put mulch around it, watered it regularly and put it in a spot where I thought it would be free of infestation. At present, the leaves are getting eaten. I don't have any idea what is eating them because there is not a trace of any bug. New branches are also appearing without leaves which is making it die. Is there an insecticide that can be used to alleviate this problem or does something else need to be done. Please help me. Thank you. Tom Answer: Tom, Weeping cherry trees fall prey to all types of pests and diseases. Before you can treat the problem effectively, you are going to have to figure out exactly who is doing the damage. Aphids, Japanese beetles, and Oriental fruit moths should all be on your short list of primary suspects. Tent caterpillars and spider mites can cause problems as well. All of these pests enjoy feasting on the leaves and branches. Japanese beetles are perhaps the easiest to spot. The adult beetles are 3/8 inch long, and metallic green with copper-brown wing covers. The leaves usually look like lace when they finish munching on them. Adult beetles can be shaken from plants onto drop cloths and drowned in soapy water. This is best done in the early morning when they are likely to be feeding. In their larvae form, Japanese beetles overwinter deep in the soil as grubs and pupate in the early summer. Applying milky spore or parasitic nematodes to your sod will help control populations in this stage. If new leaves appear twisted or curled and are covered with a sticky coating (honeydew), you're looking at an aphid infestation. Ants feed on honeydew and may be present in larger numbers than normal. Aphids usually leave my midsummer, so if an infestation isn't severe, you may just want to wait it out. Otherwise, use a strong spray of water from the garden hose to knock them off the tree. Natural predators like lacewing or lady beetles can also be introduced to help control aphid populations. If growing shoots wilt and die, you could be looking at an infestation of Oriental fruit moth larvae. Slit the stem below the wilted portion and look for a pinkish-white caterpillar. Horticultural oil can help smother eggs and larvae. Good luck!
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Rate It: Question: What are some household or homemade fertilizers? I've heard that you can use coffee grounds, tea bags and other things like that. What can I use for fertilizer? Thanks. Tammy from Fort McCoy, FL Answer: Tammy, Several useful household items (especially food waste) can be made into fertilizers or soil amendments. Ideally, anything you add to the soil around your plants should be composted first. This accomplishes two things. It prevents the waste from depleting nitrogen from the soil around your plants while it breaks down, and allows plenty of time for the nutrients contained in the waste to be converted into a form your plants can use. Digging through some of my own resources, here are three other common household items that are often recommended for use as fertilizers. I don't personally add any of these to my soil in their raw form, however invariably some do end up making it into our compost pile.
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Rate It: Have you ever tried cloning Rose Bushes? If you have with out success, here is a simple tip that will get you started on your way. I took a clipping from a rose bush and put it in some good potting soil mixed with some peat moss. New growth has worked best. This will be the thinner stems that have not developed the wood-like look and feel yet. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87053140.tip.html
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Rate It: Question: I am having trouble with my potted pepper plants. The leaves keep dropping off and look horrible. Attached is an image of what they look like. I can't tell if it is a disease or some bug eating them. Thank you in advance for any help or ideas! Hardiness Zone: 6b Angela from Painesville, OH Answer: Hi Angela, If you don't see signs of insects, my guess would be that it is some type of bacterial leaf spot. Incidentally, tomatoes are also susceptible to bacterial leaf spot and can act as hosts for this disease. Symptoms usually appear as small yellowish-green spots on the plant's leaves. As the spots mature, they become brown to black and sunken. Tissue in the center of the spots often dries and breaks away, giving the leaves a "bullet hole" appearance. The edges and tips of leaves may die, then dry and break away, causing leaves to appear ragged and eventually drop off. Bacterial leaf spot can also cause brown, scab-like spots on the peppers themselves. This pathogen usually starts with infested seeds (surviving up to 10 years on dried seeds). It can also lay waiting in the soil on dead plant debris (for up to 6 months) and spread from plant to plant by way of splashing water. The first line of defense in controlling bacterial leaf spot is to make sure you start with pathogen-free pepper seeds and transplants. Avoid watering plants from overhead to reduce splashing and practice crop rotation by rotating non-host crops like corn and beans every few years. Spray your pepper plants with copper as soon as symptoms appear to prevent further spread of the disease. Seeds can be pre-soaked in a 10% bleach solution. Discard severely infected plants, including all plant debris. Don't compost this material, toss it in the garbage. Good luck!
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Rate It: Planting Phlox in a Sunny Location Question: I transplanted some phlox 3 years ago to a northeasterly location. They get lots of hot afternoon sun from the south. They start out each year green and healthy and then start to turn brown at the ground level, eventually continuing up the entire stalk. The leaves turn yellow first, like they are being drained of life. Is this location too hot for them? Do they prefer shady spaces? Hardiness Zone: 4a Ginny from New London, MN Answer: Ginny, Yellowing and dieback on the lower leaves of tall garden phlox can usually be attributed to one of three things: drought stress, powdery mildew, plant density, or lack of soil nutrients. Drought stress typically causes lower leaf loss, but most of the state has experienced normal rainfall this year, so I doubt this is your problem. That is, unless your phlox are planted in a position (e.g. under eaves) where they are prevented from receiving adequate water from rainfall. Powdery mildew is prevalent on many varieties of garden phlox, especially during summers with ample rainfall. Symptoms are leaves that appear coated with white powdery spots. When these spots merge, they can nearly obliterate any remaining green tissue as well as the flowers. Maintaining good air circulation will help reduce powdery mildew problems. If your phlox are growing in dense clumps, it may be that the lower leaves are not receiving enough sunlight. You can divide the clump and see if this makes a difference. Some varieties seem more prone to lower leaf loss than others when they are planted close together. Your description of the plants being "drained of life" leads me to believe you may be looking at a pest problem. Check first for spider mites. These tend to be more of a problem during hot, dry summers. You may see tiny red or pink spider-looking mites buzzing around the undersides of leaves and on the stems. You should also see evidence of fine webbing. With their sucking mouthparts, these little guys literally drain the life right out of the plants they feed on. If caught in the early stages, insecticidal soaps, or citrus oils can be an effective treatment. Mild infestations can be controlled with a stiff spray of water from the garden hose. Plants watered and fertilized adequately will stand up to infestations the best. Good luck!
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Rate It: Question: Why are my rhubarb plants turning yellow and soft? I have 3 plants, two have done this. Hardiness Zone: 9a Jim from Santa Ynez, Ca Answer: Jim, Getting rhubarb to grow successfully in your zone may be a tall order. Rhubarb does best where it gets cold. In fact, it will be the most productive if it experiences occasional winter temperatures below 40 degrees F. One possibility is that your rhubarb is simply getting to much heat. You might want to consider erecting a cheap screen to give it some afternoon shade. A roll-up blind will work well for this because it will still provide your rhubarb with some filtered sunlight, while cutting down on the heat. Water is another problem in warmer zones. Due to their broad leaves, rhubarb needs a lot of it, especially in warmer zones. I would recommend watering at least every other day as well as giving it an occasional boost with a _ strength liquid fertilizer. Rhubarb needs soil with good drainage, especially when grown in areas that experience high levels of humidity. Yellowing and wilting leaves could simply be a lack of water at crucial times. Then again, the soft stalks may also point to a fungal disease. Check the base of the crown for white fungal growth or rot spots. Affected plants should be completely removed, disposed of in the garbage, and replaced with new plants. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60858126.tip.html
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Rate It: Burning Bush Changing Color Early Question: My burning bush is changing color too early in the season. What is wrong with it? Hardiness Zone: 5b Beth from Portland, Maine Answer: Beth, There is probably nothing wrong with your burning bushes-at least nothing that you should be worried about. In summers where temperatures have been above average, it isn't unusual for trees and shrubs to start turning color a bit earlier than normal. Higher temperatures can jump start their color cycle prematurely. Stress from too much or too little water can also do the same thing. In fact, any abnormal environmental stressors are capable of inducing this affect. In rare cases, insect or diseases can also throw off a shrub's color cycle, but it's far more likely that what you are seeing is due to some type of weather related stress. Keep an eye on your bush and try to alleviate any environmental stressors you can control (like too little water) for the remainder of the growing season. Because your burning bush started its color cycle early, you can expect it to end earlier than normal, too. Hopefully any premature leaf loss will be minimal and your bush will return to a "normal" cycle by next year. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13122395.tip.html
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Rate It: Many gardeners do not know that certain seeds can be started outside in the colder parts of the U.S. They are seeds that would fall off the plant themselves naturally that work. Here is a website that explains how this is done. And you can get free seeds to boot. It also gives us something to think about during our long winters. By Elaine from Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95113672.tip.html
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Rate It: Get Rid of Pests in Fall Arrangements If you wish to use pine cones, seed pods and the like in your fall arrangements, spread them on a foil covered cookie sheet and put them in the oven to about at hour at 200 degrees F. That will kill any critters that might be hiding inside. The last thing you want is a few critters to come out to join you for Thanksgiving dinner! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98980884.tip.html
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Rate It: Get Free Hedges and Plants By Propagating Your Own I live in an area where I need privacy but can't afford to buy all the plants I need to grow a hedge, so I decided to propagate my own plants for free! All you need to buy is a container of rooting hormone (under $5) and several bags of playground sand. Take a shallow box that's about 4 to 6 inches high then put the box inside of a plastic garbage bag, then poke holes for drainage. It's important to have good drainage. I prefer to use old soda-pop crates. The kind they use to deliver pop cans in, but wooden boxes will also work as well as cardboard ones in a pinch. You'll need to put your propagating sandbox in a shady place out of direct sun. This box will be heavy and hard to move, so find a place you'd like it to stay or put the box in an old wagon if you think you'd like to move it later. Now, all you have to do is to find the kind of plants you'd like to propagate. I chose English Laurel because it grows very fast at 1 - 2 feet per year and it's also evergreen, but you can propagate many types of plants for indoor or outdoor use. You can find plants that grow in the wild, and sometimes you can get cuttings off of plants at businesses (always ask first!) It helps to keep a jug of water and a pocket knife with you "just in case"! And of course, there's your friends and neighbors. They are usually very happy to let you take several cuttings. But what I do is to wait until I know someone is trimming their hedges or pruning them, I'll then ask if I can help them by taking away their mess and use this to take cuttings from. After you have your plants, put them into a vase of water overnight. I cut the tops off of 2 liter plastic pop bottles and use these as propagating "vases". Your propagated plants will not have roots to get their own water from for weeks, so you need to make sure they are well hydrated to start with. After your plants have sat for 1 or 2 days in the clean water, cut the bottoms off leaving 5 or so leaves so the plants can make chlorophyll and are no more than 8 inches high. Dip the bottom end of the plant into water to moisten it, then into rooting power and lastly, put the plant into the sand and into a hole you've just made with a stick. Try to keep as much rooting hormone power on to the small plant as you can as you are planting it. After you've planted as many cuttings as you'd like be sure to water them well. With some plants it's best to take cuttings in the spring, and with others it's best in the summer or fall. Here's links with more detailed information:
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Rate It: Craft Supplies Falling Into Your Yard
As the autumn months pass by, many of our yards are filling with free craft supplies. Be sure to take advantage of the plentiful offerings of nature. Your kids will thank you for it. You're Nuts! Acorns, walnuts, chestnuts-tree nuts are falling on the lawn begging to adorn children's craft projects. Care must be taken to preserve them for future projects. Seal them tightly in freezer bags or seal them in food preservation bags. They can also be dried for a longer lifespan. Ideas include gluing acorns around a picture frame. Another idea is to gather loose bark, sticks, dried hay, and acorns to make nature collages and photo frames. Take a paper towel tube and cover it with bark and add natural decorations to make a unique dried flower vase. Leave It To the Kids Don't miss the opportunities that autumn's leaves offer. Take the kids outside and gather the leaves for projects or enjoy the autumn weather and finish the projects outside. Leaf rubbings are always a favorite. Try to make pictures from the rubbings, adding limbs to the rubbings to draw leaf men. Glue children's photos to the leaves to create a family collage for the season. Grown-up crafts include filling a shallow basket or bowl with the leaves and adding natural potpourri to make a pleasant autumn arrangement. Pressed leaves, laying them in wax paper between the pages of a heavy book, can be saved for decoupaging or framing. Sticks While cleaning the yard, gather the smaller sticks, especially those with interesting shapes and turns, and save them for later. A few natural sticks add to flower arrangements throughout the year. For winter arrangements they can be spray-painted white or left natural. Poked into a Styrofoam base they can create Easter egg trees ornamented with miniature hanging eggs. Break some into smaller pieces and tie them together with a pretty bow for a natural cabin accessory. Science in Nature Turn your days outside into a learning experience. Create an outdoor scavenger hunt for autumn days. Practice the colors of the rainbow on the leaves and colors of the day. Discuss the occurrences of autumn and the science behind it. All this learning and the day outside in the beautiful weather, all for free.
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Is it ever possible to grow tomatoes inside your home? Has anyone done this? What were the results, problems, etc? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91515566.tip.html
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Rate It: Can I prune old myrtle tree flowers? Can I prune old myrtle tree flowers? Is it safe to prune anytime from August through May? The flower portion is dead already and breaks off readily. There is no life in the cambium. Will this encourage more flowers if done before the cold season arrives? Thanks a lot for your help! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55673056.tip.html
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Rate It: 16 HP Briggs and Stratton Engine Won't Start I have a 16 HP Briggs and Stratton engine that will not crank on a Craftsman riding mower. The engine model number is 310707-0136-E1 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76192949.tip.html
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Rate It: How would I go about getting seeds from a lantana? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47539773.tip.html
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Rate It: I have purchased herb seeds that I would like to plant inside in large containers, like basil, parsley, dill, etc. Is this possible? Has anyone ever did this and what were your results? Linda from Arvada, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf726242.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I get rid of scorpions? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46461097.tip.html
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Rate It: When Should You Weed And Feed The Lawn? When is the best time to weed and feed a yard with powdered products? Should you water it afterward? How long should I keep my pets off of the lawn after spreading the weed and feed? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46501308.tip.html
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Rate It: If I have perennial seeds left over from purchasing last Spring. Can I plant them now for a Spring garden? What is the best thing to do with these seeds? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11411053.tip.html
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Rate It: Tree Damaged During Transplanting I am transplanting a London Plane tree that is approx. 2-3 yrs. old. When digging it up part of the trunk was damaged including removal of some bark and some of the side roots. What can be done to help this tree survive? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42776650.tip.html
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Rate It: I am transplanting Montauk Daisies. Any ideas as to amending the soil naturally? Our area is grandular, stone, sand etc. Out of the 8 plants I've transplanted only 2 look healthy, the others are very droopy. Any help will be appreciated! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25718873.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you get rid of mildew on roses? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93270551.tip.html
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Rate It: Mushrooms Growing On Tree Roots How do I get rid of the mushroom fungi growing on all the ground roots of our fruitless pear tree? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80117961.tip.html
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Rate It: What can I use to kill the grass so I can put in rock? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf526572.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
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Happy Garden - October 9, 2008