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Vol. 3, Num. 8, February 21, 2008 (Read It Online) We had an incorrect link for the Starting Seeds Indoors article that we published last week. The correct link is here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33412885.tip.html Sorry for the confusion. This week we have two new articles. One article about Cleaning Your Garden Statuary and another about The 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. We also have answers to a few of your recent requests, including one about Growing a Tree from a Willow Cutting. Happy Gardening! Susan
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By OTACHE from Vegas
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Rate It: Using very dry branches, wire, glue and coco fiber mat, I made these two chairs for decorative effect. On the wall behind the one chair with orange flowers on it is a twig trellis on the wall. Twig art is fun as long as you remember to have dry wood to work with. By Carol from Aurora. IL
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Question:How do you get asparagus ferns to sprout fronds? I have one that has exactly four fronds. It's been this way for years.Hardiness Zone: 6a Marilyn from Indian Orchard, MA Answer:Marilyn, Asparagus ferns are pretty forgiving when placed in most environments. A lack of growth in any houseplant can usually be attributed to one of two things - either a lack of light or improper watering. Asparagus ferns are adaptable to lower light conditions, but you may end up sacrificing new growth because of their tolerance. The same can be said for dry soil conditions. When conditions are kept on the dry side, plants will usually remain status quo.To stimulate new growth, try placing plants in bright (not direct) sunlight. Water them regularly from spring until fall (sparingly in winter). If it has been a while since yours has been repotted, you may also want to move it to a new pot with some fresh soil. As we get closer to spring, start feeding a water-soluble organic liquid fertilizer once a month. Watch for leaves starting to yellow. This is usually a sign that either your fern is getting too much light, or too much water. Good luck! Ellen
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Rate It: Question:I need a source for whippoorwill pea seed.Segars from Buchanan, Georgia Answer:Segars, These old-fashioned cowpeas can be tricky to find, but they are wonderful. Searching for them is well worth the effort! In Georgia, you might try Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm for sourcing seeds. They don't officially offer them for sale on their website, but in the past, the owners of the farm, Andy and Hilda Byrd, have donated these seeds to The Southern Seed Legacy project. If they don't have any, they may be a good resource for finding some.Here is a picture of the whippoorwill pea seeds from the project's site: Here is the farm's contact information. It looks like a wonderful place to visit: Whippoorwill Hollow Farm
Another source is the South Carolina Foundation Seed Association. Their heirloom whippoorwill seeds originate from Tennessee and sell for $2 per packet of 25 seeds. South Carolina Foundation Seed Association Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59083304.tip.html
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Rate It: DIY Guide To Cleaning Your Garden Statuary
Whether the focal point in your garden is a Roman god, masterfully hand-crafted from Italian marble, or a pink flamingo lovingly manufactured from recycled plastic, years of exposure to weather and airborne particulates can leave them looking shabby and worn out. Here are some easy (and eco-friendly) ways to freshen up your garden statuary this season.
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Rate It: Growing a Tree from a Willow Cutting Question:Can someone please tell me how to take a cutting from a willow tree and how to get the cutting to grow? I live in CT. Thanks so muchHardiness Zone: GRAYCAT926 from Bolton, CT Answer:GRAYCAT926,Willow cuttings root easily because the tissues contain a natural root-promoting hormone. They can be started any time of the year in pots, or outside in late winter or early spring. To start a tree from a cutting, select a healthy branch that is approximately 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter, and about 10-15 inches long. If planting outside in the spring, pound the branch into moist soil with a rubber mallet, leaving two or three leaf nodes exposed above ground. The site should receive at least a small amount of shade during the day to allow the roots to develop properly. Roots will start to form within a few weeks, and by fall the cutting can be carefully transplanted to a permanent site-ideally as far away as possible from foundations, water pipes and sewer lines. To root a cutting indoors, simply stick the branch in a small pot of moist soil and transplant it outside as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Good luck! Ellen
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Rate It: Geranium 'Rozanne', The 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year
Recently, The Perennial Plant Association has announced that the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year is Geranium 'Rozanne' (Rozanne cranesbill geranium). I'm not the least bit surprised. I stumbled on 'Rozanne' only a few years ago (I'm rather a late bloomer) and found it to be a real gem. This lively geranium has large, jewel-toned violet-blue flowers set on deep green, lightly marbled foliage. With its versatility in the garden and vibrant, long-lasting blooms, it's no wonder 'Rozanne' has been labled "the geranium of the millennium."
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Rate It: Use Canning Jars to Start Cuttings Instead of buying a plant for a birthday or housewarming gift, grow one. I have a few old canning jars in my kitchen window, and I grow new plants in water from clippings of older plants. When it has new roots I plant it in dirt and give a homemade gift that will last. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59299749.tip.html
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Rate It: African Violet's Leaves are Turning Yellow Question:I recently repotted an African Violet from the small plastic container it was purchased in to a ceramic 'African Violet pot' (two pieces, the top is the pot which absorbs water by direct contact with water kept in the bottom).I used African violet soil and am keeping the water level high enough to touch the 'pot' part. The bottom row of leaves is turning yellow and then brown. Please advise on what I need to do to fix this yellowing leaf problem. E.W. from NC Answer:E.W.,There are several possible reasons for the yellowing leaves on your African violet. The most frequent causes are; dry air, too much sun, incorrect watering or overfeeding. From your description, it sounds to me like your violet may be getting too much water. Here are some general guidelines for watering African violets: WateringDon't try to rely on a regular watering schedule for African violets. It won't work. Light, humidity, soil makeup, and temperature all play a role in when to water them and how much water they need.Always use your finger to test the soil before watering. The goal is to keep the compost moist (not wet), but let the surface soil dry out in between watering. If you leave the top half of your pot standing immersed in the bottom half, you will saturate the soil. It's better to fill the bottom reservoir to the point of submersion, wait a few minutes and then pour off the excess. Avoid getting the leaves wet by watering from below. Splashing water can cause unsightly blemishes on the leaves and invite mold problems. Use tepid water-not too hot, not too cold. Also, avoid water that has been run through water softeners as well as distilled water, which lacks important trace minerals. You can make an easy self-watering system by inserting a water wick into one of the drainage holes of the top pot (a old pair of braided nylon stockings will also work). If using a self-watering system, periodically water your violet from the top pot (under the leaves) to flush accumulated minerals from the soil. Good luck! Ellen
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I have a garden mole destroying my lawn and garden. Is there any sure fire way to help me get rid of this varmint? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf883036.tip.html
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Rate It: I live in Maine and I recently bought about 150 bulbs at a really low price. Some of them are already starting to grow and I am asking what I have to do with them so they don't dry out and die. I'm thinking that I should put them all in a covered container in potting medium. Then once the ground is warm I wonder if I can plant them this spring. My zone is 5-6 but zone 4 plants are great here. So my question is, "Can I do all this and have them OK to plant this spring?" Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf761054.tip.html
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Rate It: Burying Kitchen Scraps Instead of Composting Can you bury kitchen scraps without necessarily 'composting'? For instance, when I have potato peals, can I bury them under the dirt? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13461191.tip.html
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Rate It: Where can I find soap nut seeds to grow my own tree or where can I find a tree to buy? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23054499.tip.html
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Rate It: Herbs and Flowers That Grow Well in Shade What herbs and flowers do well in shade? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60488387.tip.html
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Rate It: Is My Tomato Plant a Patio Plant? My daughter gave me this tomato plant and put it on my porch. This plant has gone wild. I have tied it up. It is full of tomatoes and blooms everywhere. The tomatoes just keep coming. Can you tell me if this is a patio plant? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92783629.tip.html
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Rate It: Lining a Basket to Hold Flowers I have a fairly large square wicker basket I want to put flowers in this spring. What can I line it with, to prevent water from damaging what ever I have it sitting on? Thanks for any help Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95446907.tip.html
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Rate It: Nikko Blue Hydrangea Not Blooming How do I get my Nikko Blue hydrangea to bloom? I planted it 3 years ago, and it has never bloomed. I planted one in full shade, and one in morning sun - partial shade. Hardiness Zone: 6a Nancy from Greenwood, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56133253.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing Ben Franklin Trees from Seeds I have a Ben Franklin tree which had several seed pods I just removed. The seeds are hard. What is the best way to try to grow my new trees? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42288323.tip.html
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Rate It: Starting Sweet Pea Seeds Inside I have Sweet Pea seed to be sown and I was wondering how soon should I plant them inside and how big they should be to transplant outside? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58562904.tip.html
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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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