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Vol. 3, Num. 28, July 17, 2008 (Read It Online) We have a nice article by Ellen Brown about Cleaning Rain Gutters and Downspouts, she also answers more of your questions. And we have lots of reader's photos and tips. If you have a photo of your garden or yard to share, feel free to submit it on the photo contest page. We have a new video this week. How to Fix a Leaky Gutter Happy Gardening! Thanks for reading, Susan
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The chains on each side allows him to raise the buckets as needed. By DeeJay from Delphos Ohio
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Rate It: Garden: Endless Summer Hydrangea Don't it make my brown eyes blue! I love this plant It blooms on old or new wood which is important for us in zone 5 or less. This is called an Endless Summer Hydrangea.By Elaine from Iowa
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Rate It: I've often had trouble finding a squash hidden under all the leaves until it was WAY too big, so this year I put a tomato cage over one squash plant just to see what would happen. It grew straight up into the cage, making it easy to see even the smallest one. It's been much easier to harvest them so far up off the ground. It was a surprising bonus that squash bugs didn't do much damage to this plant, while nearby 'ground grown' squash have wilted away one by one as squash bugs increased over the season, even after a variety of organic sprays and one desperate try with a regular garden spray. This caged plant is the only one still producing. Most squash bugs just don't seem as inclined to climb that far up off the ground. If sprays are needed, it is easier to see WHERE to spray and reach under all of the leaves, and it's been so easy to water in some organic fertilizer around the base. Next year, ALL my squash, both yellow and zucchini, will be in a neat row of cages. CrafterMary from Mountain Pine, AR
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Rate It: Here is my Beautiful Purple Clematis! It was one little stick last year, but I did not give up hope. Just have a little faith, hope and prayers. By Sally M from Buffalo, NY
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Rate It: How To Grow Healthy African Violets Want to keep your African violet healthy? Follow these tips.Keep the temperature in your home between 65 to 85 degrees. The east window is the best lighting for African Violets, they need lots of light but not direct sunlight. Do not over water! Always water from the bottom of the plant. If the plant is dry on the surface then water. I have a device that checks the moisture of the soil, I would suggest you get one of these. They can be purchased at a hardware store. Let water stand overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Fertilize with African violet fertilizer. To keep your African Violets healthy, they need to be repotted at the least on a year. This gives the plants new nutrients through having fresh soil, and helps get rid of fertilizer salts that may have built up. If one of your African Violets has developed a neck, a bare place where the leaves have been taken off, you should repot it as soon as possible so the neck is covered with soil and can grow new roots. Enjoy your beautiful African Violets! By Jean from Forest Lake MN
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Rate It: This is my garden that I started in late May. I purchased the plants, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant from a nearby farm. Some pumpkins are growing along the fence. They are from seed I had from my brother's garden a few years ago. The idea is for them to "climb the fence." I have the entire garden "animal proof" with extra wire at the top and bottom. Ground hogs can climb as well as burrow. One year, before the extra precaution, the ground hogs devastated my zucchini fruit. The green peppers are producing nicely and I have harvested a few. Tomatoes and eggplants are developing also. I made the rows wide enough so I could use the mower between them to keep the mud down. I should have a good crop, enough to give the family a taste of good home grown food. By Carl - Brodheadsville, PA
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Rate It: Pretty purple rhodie I found while taking a walk. By Sherry from Silverdale, WA
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Question: I have tulips that are blooming at my grandmother house. We are selling the house. Can I take the bulbs now? And how do I do this? Hardiness Zone: 6a Lynette from Chelsea, Michigan Answer: Lynnette, The best time to harvest tulip bulbs is after the foliage dies back in the spring and the bulbs have gone dormant. However, as long as you can still identify where the bulbs are located in the ground, you can also dig them up in the summer. The main thing is to make sure you don't slice into the bulbs and damage them with your trowel while digging them out. You also to want try to disturb the roots as little as possible. As you dig them up, take note on how deeply they are planted. You'll want to return them to this depth when you're ready to replant them again in the fall. After you dig them up, wash any excess dirt off the bulbs, and store them in a single layer in a cool, dry place with plenty of air circulation. Most tulip bulbs only last a few years before they start to lose their productivity, so depending on how old the bulbs are now, you may want to assess whether or not transplanting them is worth it, or if replacing them with a similar variety is a better option. Ellen
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Rate It: Question: How much water do Marigold seeds require without over watering? I do not have a green thumb but want to get a garden going. Hardiness Zone: 5b Ronald from Crystal Lake, IL Answer: Hi Ronald, You never know, you may have a greener thumb than you think! Marigolds are easy to start from seed. They sprout readily in pots or you can sow them directly into the soil. Here is all you need to know about growing them: If you are growing them in pots, start them indoors about six to eight weeks before your last frost date, otherwise plant them directly in the ground in a sunny location. They prefer to grow in rich, well-drained soil, but they are also quite tolerant of less-than-ideal soil conditions. When you go to sow your seeds, the seeds are not fussy about how they lay in the soil, but they do appreciate being covered with _ inch of soil. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, especially until the seeds have sprouted. "Moist but not wet" is a good rule to follow no matter what type of flower or vegetable seeds you are sprouting. For seeds sown indoors, misting the soil with a hand-held spray bottle can be helpful for keeping the soil moist without worrying about washing away the seeds. Once your marigolds emerge, thin them to 8-18 inches apart. Once established, adults marigolds generally continue to grow quite well even if neglected. Deadhead spent blooms to extend the flowering season. Toward the end of the season, let some of the blooms dry out on the stem and cut them off to save seeds for next year. Insect pests are generally not a problem with marigolds (they don't like them), but slugs do find them rather tasty and can decimate whole rows of them overnight. Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22899591.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Garlic To Keep Beetles Away Question: Can you please tell me how or if I can use regular garlic from the super market to keep beetles off of my roses? Donna Answer: Donna, When combined with mineral oil and pure soap, garlic is said to become both an effective insecticide and fungicide. Use it to help control the following:
To make your own, soak 3 ounces of minced garlic in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hours. Then mix it with 1 pint of water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. This mixture can be stored as your concentrate. When you are ready to use it, add 1-2 tablespoons of your concentrate to a pint of water to make your spray. Dish soap and oil can both cause damage to leaves and petals that may not show up until 2-3 days after you spray. For this reasons, test your mixture on a small, inconspicuous area before you cover your roses thoroughly. Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30500654.tip.html
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Rate It: Cleaning Rain Gutters and Downspouts
For many homeowners, cleaning out and inspecting gutters and downspouts is an unpleasant, yet unavoidable, chore that has to be done at least once or twice a year (even more if your house sits under a lot of trees). Clogged, overflowing gutters can damage your home's foundation, ruin your lawn and landscape, attract mold, and serve as a breeding ground for insects- including mosquitoes. Cleaning rain gutters year after year can be messy and dangerous, so here are some useful tips to make the job as safe and easy as possible.
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Rate It: Using Marigolds To Repel Mosquitoes Question: I have been hearing that marigolds help with mosquitoes but I have also seen at least 3 different kinds of them. Can you please let me know which kind you use? They are eating my little 3yr old up. I will try anything to get rid of them. Thanks hope to here from you soon. Michelle Answer: Michelle, At least in my part of the world, this seems to be a particularly bad summer for mosquitoes. Lots of different flowers and herbs are said to repel mosquitoes. Try planting some of the following:
Here are some other tips for keeping bites to a minimum:
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Rate It: Question: Can a split dogwood tree trunk be mended from tornado wind damage. It has a 2 inch trunk and is 6 feet tall. The trunk is split half way through. Can it be saved? Can it be bound in any way? Hardiness Zone: 8a Dianne G from Augusta, GA Answer: Dianne, With all of the terrible storms this spring and summer, this question has been coming up a lot. In my opinion (and I'm not a trained arborist) when a tree experiences severe damage like a trunk that is split halfway through, it has been severely weakened and the sap line compromised. Because this opens the door for future trouble, trees suffering this type of damage should be removed 99% of the time. However, you need to ask yourself whether the tree would still look attractive and be of value if you went ahead and tried to make the repairs. The tree's age (younger trees do tend to rebound better), its location, sentimental value, and growth rate (dogwood's have a medium growth rate) all need to be considered. When you take into account all of these additional factors, does it seem more desirable to replace the tree as soon as possible, or to try to repair it and hope for the best? Trees with split trunks may be salvaged if the split is not too extensive. Repairing this type of damage usually involves using braces and/or cables and is best left to trained professionals. My advice is to call a professional arborist or tree service in your area and request on on-site assessment of your situation. It's the only way you'll ever know for sure, and many offer free estimates on repair or removal costs. If you decide to go ahead and try to save your tree, here is some information on repairing split trunks. Good luck!
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Rate It: To acquire new and unusual plants, most city run parks will give you seeds if you ask. Just tell the gardeners (when you visit the park) what seeds you want. They will tell you when they will be collecting the seeds. Take some tiny zip lock bags with you to put the seeds in and masking tape to label the bags. Remember to get directions from the City Parks and Garden Staff for best time to plant, where to plant (sun, shade, etc.) Water and enjoy when they bloom. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66344859.tip.html
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Rate It: Planters, Vases And Funnels From Plastic Bottles I can't believe how many uses there are for used plastic bottles. We live in an area with impure water so we have to buy bottled water, sometimes we buy it in small bottles and sometimes in the large 2 liter pop-bottle size. When I'm done with the larger bottles I take a pair of old scissors and cut the top 1/3 off. What I'm left with is a bottom part that I use as a vase or a planter to start cuttings or seeds, and the top half is just the right size and shape to use as a funnel to add oil or tranny fluid to your car. You know, it seems we never have a funnel when we need one. But, now that I've figured this out I'll always have a large or a small funnel by just cutting the top off of a large or small water bottle! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43522345.tip.html
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Rate It: One day I was looking at a large empty can of tomatoes that I was ready to throw in the recycling bin then for one reason or another I decided to paint it. This led to me making a hanging planter for a friend who I was giving a plant to from cuttings. Here's how to do it! You'll need:
With a hammer and nail, poke three holes around the top ridge of the can, with each hole being the same distance apart as other holes or else the plant won't hang right. Cut three pieces of cord, all the same size (whatever length you choose). Tie one cord to each hole with a few knots so it's secured well. Bring the loose cords together and tie them together with a big knot. Then a bit higher close to the top, make another knot. Now you have a secured hole to hang the plant. Decorate with stickers,glitter or anything else you have on hand. Put a nice small plant in there (make sure it is already in it's own container, the hanging planter is just for decoration. This would be a great craft for kids/parents to do together! By Lisa from Halifax, NS
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Rate It: We found in Mother Earth News how to garden without having to till the soil. We are renting a home and really do not want to put too much work into garden spot. The magazine suggest buying potting soil bags, punching holes in the bottom of the bag; then cutting open the top. Plant straight into the bags. So far, the beans, peas, squash and okra are growing great. I have been fertilizing once a week and everything is growing without weeds! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62353566.tip.html
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Rate It: With grocery prices rising everyday, I try to find every possible way to save on our food budget. I had a few potatoes which were starting to sprout, so I cut them up according to where they were sprouting and planted several hills of potatoes from just a few potatoes that were soft and sprouting. To make it even more fulfilling, I asked my 7 year-old grandson to help me plant them. We had so much fun this afternoon as he dug and harvested some of the "crop" along with his sister, who is a toddler. They were both so excited at finding the buried "treasure" and I had to cook them right away so they could eat them. I plan to save a few and plant another crop. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16754589.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing a Hanging Upside Down Tomato On a Balcony I live in a second floor apartment with a balcony and not a very big one at that. I decided to plant tomatoes but there isn't much room to put containers in such a small space, then I looked up. I have a spider plant and it hangs down from the ceiling, why can't tomatoes? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58184898.tip.html
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Rate It: Test New Plants Before Transplanting If you have little experience with a newly-purchased plant, try it out in its new spot for a few days still in its nursery pot. Be careful to keep it watered as the label directs, and watch it for signs of stress. The spot you've planned for it may not be right for that type of plant. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12598487.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Hydrangea Blooms for Months of Enjoyment Keep hydrangea bloom colors bright for months of enjoyment. I have some wonderful hydrangeas that would bloom for several weeks then the blooms would dry on the branch and the colors would fade. But several years back I came up with an idea that prolongs my hydrangea blooms for months. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87102516.tip.html
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Can I Plant Different Colored Daylilies Close to Orange Ones? Question: I've always heard that you shouldn't plant different color daylilies close to the orange ones because it will cause them all to be orange.Is this true? Orange ones seem to grow wild here. Karen L. from West TN Answer: Hi Karen, I'm assuming that the orange daylilies you are talking about are common daylilies, (Hemerocallis fulva), also referred to as Tawny Daylilies, Orange Daylilies, or Roadside Ditch Lilies by some. Common daylilies are considered invasive plants in many parts of the United States. That's because they are usually willing to grow almost anywhere and in almost any type of environment-sun, shade, drought, monsoon, rich soil, or poor soil. Once orange daylilies establish themselves, they are hard to kill even with chemicals. Common Orange Daylilies do not set seed. Instead, they spread slowly by way of underground rhizomes. Mixing them in with other colors is not the primary concern. As Beth already stated below, these flowers are incredibly resistant to insects and disease so they have a tendency to grow into huge colonies and out-compete nearby species. Many gardeners have planted them only to be unable to get rid of them later. It's not recommended that you plant these in the midst of other perennials, or anywhere that you do not want them to spread. For information about daylilies, visit the American Hemerocallis Society at http://www.daylilies.org/ Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53589063.tip.html
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Rate It: 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! Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33938655.tip.html
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Rate It: My zucchini starts to grow but then turns yellow and brown. Am I watering too much? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75433381.tip.html
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Rate It: Trouble With Inverted Tomato Plant I am worried about my tomato plant. I decided to invert it upside down in the lower half of a milk jug. I put a hole in the middle to be able to place my tomato plant to be growing down. I have fertilized with miracle grow and watered everyday with water. My tomato plant is not doing well. What did I do wrong? What should I do to fix it and make it grow? Help! Thank you. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27800977.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid Of Insects In Locust Trees I have 2 locust trees around 20 years old in my yard. I have had them trimmed twice as they are quite large. I am noticing that there are a lot of dead branches now on both trees. I am assuming some insect or fungus is attacking them causing foliage to cease and limbs to dry out. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78997190.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone tell me what this bug is? It is on the tomato plants. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36363751.tip.html
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Rate It: Recipes Using Very Tart Tomatoes I need a good recipe for using very tart cherry tomatoes. I planted three yellow "Tumbling Tom" tomato plants which have loads of yellow one inch cherry tomatoes, but they are too acidic to eat out of hand. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79582200.tip.html
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Rate It: Apricots Splitting on the Tree I have an apricot tree that is 3 year old tree. The bottom of the fruit splits than rots, on at least 50% of the fruit. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90326849.tip.html
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Rate It: Transferring Sunflower Seedlings Outdoors My daughter and I have started sunflower seeds indoors. They are now about 5 in. or so and I was going to plant them outdoors. I have a few questions though. It is supposed to be raining on and off till next Thursday and I am not sure if the seedlings can handle that much rain. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32193295.tip.html
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Rate It: Something Is Eating The Leaves On Weeping Cherry 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. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33666450.tip.html
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Rate It: Burning Bush Changing Color Early My burning bush is changing color too early in the season. What is wrong with it? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13122395.tip.html
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Rate It: Strawberry Plant for an Aerogarden What type of strawberry plant is sweet, plentiful and easy to grow in an indoor Aerogarden which uses hydroponics technology? I live in NYC and keep the Aerogarden on my window sill. I don't have a balcony. Its company, Aerogrow chose/created the variety, "Sweet Rubies," for their Aerogarden but they were discontinued due to the difficulty in transporting them and I can't find a nursery that sells them. Would the small, "little French" variety, Woodlands be a good alternative? Any others? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22635704.tip.html
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Rate It: I found it in the greenhouse, now it is growing in a half a gallon container outside. Rosettes are about 2" in diameter. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16919936.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone help me with my poor plant? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27022952.tip.html
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Rate It: Repairing Branch On "Rose of Sharron" Tree How do you repair the branch after bugs have made a home in it. The branch is still alive but it is falling, I've tied it up. Will it self mend or is there a glue out there? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88478193.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a day lily that is growing like a weed. It is taking over my entire lily patch, including my beautiful lilies that I have had for over 20 years. I am currently trying to dig them out, they are about 5 feet tall. They are multiplying like crazy. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas on what to do? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53682647.tip.html
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Rate It: Planting Phlox In Sunny Location 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? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81032749.tip.html
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Rate It: Cutting Back Iris After They Bloom What will happen to my irises if I cut them way back, leaves and all now that they are done blooming? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76362236.tip.html
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Rate It: Why won't my hydrangea bloom? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28087837.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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