Happy Garden - May 8, 2008

Vol. 3, Num. 19, May 8, 2008 (Read It Online) This week, Ellen answers more of you questions. We also have tips and articles to share. I hope everyone is having a wonderful spring in their gardens. Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Submit Your Gardening Tips Submit Photos of Your Garden Submit a Gardening Request Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Photos: Pretty Primroses Make Your Own Garden Paths Thrifty Cutworm Collars Craft Project: Recycled Flower Pot with Coffee Filter Flowers Fall In Ontario Tips and Articles: The Seasonal "Locavore": Guidelines for Healthy Eating When You Can't Eat Local The Best Houseplants for Low Light Zoysia Grass Is Not Good For Gardens Planting Blueberry Bushes Starting Cactus From Seeds Growing Gourds In 5 Gallon Buckets Transplanting "Lucky Bamboo" Outside Planting Lilacs In Sandy Soil Where Can I Plant A Weeping Willow? Buy Garden Seeds On Ebay Recycling Ideas For Drainage Fill In Containers Use Vaseline On Birdfeeder To Keep Ants Away Using Newspaper Under Mulch Use Milk Jugs For Garden Water Reservoirs New Requests: Riding Lawnmower Won't Stay Running How Does Salt Effect Plants? Transplanting A Peony Plant White Flowers That Bloom In June Starting A Bulb Garden Fast Growing Evergreen Trees Growing Hibiscus Trees In Tennessee Growing Morning Glories Looking For Peacevine Tomato Plants Pruning a Jasmine Plant Getting Rid Of Weeds In Flower Beds Mosquito Repellent Recipes Growing Aloe Vera Holly Tree With Yellow Leaves and Black Spots Can a Spider Plant Survive Winter Outdoors? Ridding My Yard of Moles Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! 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: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Photos: Pretty Primroses The first flowers of spring here, pretty primroses. It's been a cold wet spring and the flowers are just starting to bloom By Mythi from Silverdale WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97477886.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Your Own Garden Paths After my home site was cleared, I was left with a large area in the back which was filled with mud after every rain. Before I installed zoysia sod, I decided to make paths leading to several areas I plan to landscape with shrubs, flowers, and vegetables. The paths would be rather long (150 feet) and it would be very expensive to finish them with cement. I installed landscape edging making the paths about 4 feet wide. I then purchased 5 yards of crush and run ($181.00) and had it delivered. I made a tamper with a flat piece of wood and a pole. I completed 4 foot areas at a time by placing the crush and run, sprinkling it well with water, and tamping it down. The finished path looks like it was poured with concrete - only it was done at a fraction of the cost of cement. Anyone can do this - I'm a 62 year old lady and I did it myself! By Miss Daisy from Waverly Hall, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43473676.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Thrifty Cutworm Collars If you garden in an area where you have to protect your tomato and pepper plants from cutworms, my husband has come up with a simple and free method. We buy our plants in 6 packs like the one in the photo. After removing the plants for planting, separate the sections, cut the bottom 1/2 inch or so off, Cut up the side on one corner, Slip this around the stem of your plant, and hold it in place by pushing a little soil against it. You can leave them in place for the season, or after the plant is well established, you may remove the collars. By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32547630.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Recycled Flower Pot with Coffee Filter Flowers This bright, pretty flower pot is easy enough for kids to make and perfect for holding coffee filter flowers. Or, you could plant a real flower in the pot by adding some potting soil and some seeds. Approximate Time 30 minutes Supplies: 16 oz. styrofoam cup small piece of floral foam colorful buttons craft glue yellow acrylic paint paintbrush scissors coffee filters water color paints water chenille stems, one for each flower Instructions: To make the flower pot, paint cup yellow using acrylic paint, and allow to dry completely. Glue buttons around the rim of the cup and let dry. Place small piece of floral foam inside the cup to insert the flowers. To make flowers, place newspaper on your work surface to protect it. Flatter each coffee filter, and paint with watercolors. Use whatever combination of colors you like. I used two colors for each flower. Allow filters to dry completely or use a hair dryer to speed up the drying time. Cut about 2 inches off the end of each chenille and set both pieces aside. There are several different ways to make your flowers. You can fringe the ends by cutting thin strips around the filter edge. You can cut thicker strips to make larger petals, or don't cut the filter at all to make it resemble a rose. Insert the large piece of chenille stem into the center of the coffee filter about 1 1/2 inches. Hold onto the small end and turn the flower upside down so that the long end of the chenille is sticking up. Grasp the center of the coffee filter and gather it around the small end of the chenille stem. Twist the smaller piece of chenille around the gathered filter to secure the flower in place. Turn the flower back over and fluff the petals out, as desired. Insert the stems into the floral foam. You could cover the foam with moss or shredded green paper to resemble grass. By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22220686.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Fall In Ontario This picture was taken at my work in Ontario Canada. Fall is such a pretty time of year with the changing colours. I can not identify the bush, but thought you would like to see one of my favorite photos. By Sheila from Ont Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75252919.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips and Articles: The Seasonal "Locavore": Guidelines for Healthy Eating When You Can't Eat Local By Ellen Brown Few of us would argue the health and environmental benefits of locally produced food. It is usually the freshest, best tasting and most nutritious food we can give our bodies, and growing, harvesting, and transporting it locally leaves the smallest carbon footprint and does the least amount of damage to the environment. Unfortunately, not all natural resources are allocated equally. In other words, bananas don't grow in the snow. Here is how to make healthy food choices for you and the environment when shopping locally just isn't an option. View This Article: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45492063.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print The Best Houseplants for Low Light By Ellen Brown If you find that you have a brown thumb when it comes to growing houseplants, existing light conditions may be the biggest factor standing in the way of you and success. Selecting plants to grow indoors is similar to selecting plants to grow outdoors. But instead of selecting the right plant for the right site, you need to choose your houseplants based on your available light. View This Article: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99696553.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Zoysia Grass Is Not Good For Gardens Don't plant Zoysia grass in your yard unless you have no flowers, patios or places you do not want it to go. It is hard to stop wants it takes root. It is growing between my bricks in my sidewalk, in my patio everywhere. It is only good for fields where sports are played. By Gary from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18940658.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planting Blueberry Bushes Question: We are getting ready to plant blueberry bushes. I have read online that we need to cut off the top 3rd of the plants when we plant them and then not let them produce for the 1st 2 years. Does anyone out there have experience with blueberries? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks and God bless! Becki from Seymour, Missouri Answer: Hi Becki, Yum! I can taste them already! I'm going to guess that you're growing blueberries of the Highbush variety. These are the blueberries people are most familiar with-the kind most often sold in grocery stores. FYI: There are also Half-High, Lowbush, and Rabbiteye blueberries. Highbush blueberries generally start producing around age three. They may produce small clusters of berries before this age, but if not pruned back or "trained" during the first few years of growth, overall productivity can be somewhat delayed. Producing fruit takes a lot of energy, so it is always better to let a plant expend energy on becoming established during its first few years of life, rather then split its energy between growing and producing fruit. This isn't required, of course, but if you have the patience to train them for a few years before allowing them to swing into full production, you will be glad you did. The payoff is better fruit production down the road. Blueberries are pruned during "training" (1-4 years old), and as needed throughout their life to maintain their shape. They may also be pruned to "renew" their vigor once they reach 8-10 years of age. The Missouri State Extension Agency has a nice publication on growing blueberries in Missouri. http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/Publications/GrowingBlueberries.pdf They also advise removing the flower buds for the first two growing seasons in order to allow the plant to become established. Here is an additional resource from the North Caroline State University Extension Agency on the principle of pruning Highbush blueberries. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-201-b.html Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51211345.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Starting Cactus From Seeds Question: I have recently purchased some seeds for cactus. I have seen them growing here in KS, so I know it's possible. My question is, how to start cactus? How about soil, or should I just use rock to plant them in? I love cactus, but this is my first attempt to grow some. Any help would be great! Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 6a kandomom from Leavenworth, KS Answer: Kandomom, I remember seeing some pictures of wild cacti growing outdoors in Kansas. They were a type of native Prickly Pear cactus, which are native to the United States (east of the Rocky Mountains) and can still be found growing in the wild in parts of the Midwest and Eastern U.S. Here is an interesting link with more information on native Prickly Pear cactus. http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/opu.hum.htm Depending on what kind of cacti you're trying to grow, the biggest obstacle you are likely to face when starting them from seed is patience. Some types of cacti can take up to a year to germinate, while others sprout in as little as a few days. Once you get them started, cacti are fun and relatively easy to grow. Just don't be in a hurry to see them reach maturity. At times, the rate at which they grow can seem impossibly slow. Then once you coax them into flowering, you'll be hooked for sure! Most cacti grow best in full sun (to light shade) and prefer sandy soil. If your seeds are rated to grow outdoors in your zone, you'll want to start them now (April/May) so they have chance to grow and become established before winter. I would recommend starting them indoors where you can control germination conditions. Start them in shallow dishes filled with a moist, commercial cactus mix. Sprinkle the seeds on top, but don't cover them. Most succulents need light to germinate. Press them lightly into the soil with the bottom of a jar, just enough so they make contact with the soil. Some cactus seeds are fine-almost like dust. If you feel you need to, you can always sprinkle a tiny bit of sand over the top of the seeds to help anchor them. Cover the dish with a plastic bag to help keep the soil mix humid. Here is a link I found to the Central Kansas Cactus and Succulent Study Group. I'm not sure how long it has been since the site was updated, but it still contains some valuable information on how to start a cactus from seed, how to care for them, helpful links, and some photos of cacti grown by the group's members. These folks may also be a good resource for specific advice on growing cactus outdoors in your area. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/1602/ Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44217759.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Gourds In 5 Gallon Buckets Question: Can I grow gourds in 5 gallon buckets? I'd like to grow some of those little gourds that look like hens eggs. I have the seeds, and am ready to plant. But we don't have enough space for sprawling vines in the yard. Could I plant these seeds in a 5 gallon plastic bucket? Perhaps if I drilled holes for drainage, put some gravel in the bottom and used very good potting soil in the bucket? Then when they started growing, I could place a trellis for the vines to grow on? Any ideas would be great! Hardiness Zone: 6b Barbara from East Tennessee Answer: Barbara, I'm with Cheryl (see feedback forum). Why not try it? Not only will you save space, but by growing them vertically, each gourd will receive more light and the vines will be less susceptible to borers and other pests diseases. I once read about a man who planted pumpkins in 5-gallon buckets that he nailed along the roof of his garage. As I recall, his intention was to grow a mass of vines that would eventually cover his roof and provide shade for his garage. I'm not sure he produced many pumpkins, but he got his shady roof for sure. Light-colored buckets (maybe 2-3 seeds in each) or large terra cotta pots will probably work best for this project. Gourds climb like monkeys so they will also need supports. Make sure to put a sturdy trellis of some kind in each pail. After the seedlings emerge, cover the top of the soil with some course mulch. This will help keep the soil cool while helping retain moisture. If the plants start to decline and you suspect the roots are getting too hot, you might try deflecting some of the heat away from the bucket by wrapping the outside of the bucket with something shiny like aluminum foil. Just like anything grown in containers, watch moisture levels carefully. Gourds like a lot of water to begin with, so plan to check them everyday. How much (if any) fertilizer gourds need depends on whom you ask. Some growers claim they need a little bit, others say they need none at all. I don't normally fertilize gourds when growing them in the ground, but if I was growing them in containers I would consider giving them a balanced (10-10-10) liquid house plant fertilizer (diluted to half strength) early in the season, and then again about mid-way through. Better yet, you might periodically top the soil off with a little compost. Keep your gourds well away from pumpkins, squash, and other cucurbits in the garden to avoid the possibility of cross pollination. Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21774425.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Transplanting "Lucky Bamboo" Outside Question: I have bamboo curly stalks growing in a vase of water with glass stones. Can it be transplanted outdoors in the Ohio area? Thank you. ridgewayyvonne Answer: Hi Yvonne, It sounds like you're asking about "Lucky Bamboo", which is really not bamboo at all, but a tropical plant from the lily (Liliaceae) family called Dracaena sanderiana, common name, Sander's Dracaena or Ribbon Dracaena. This Dracaena has recently enjoyed a surged in popularity, after successfully being marketed as an aquatic bamboo plant. They are usually sold in vases of water filled with colorful rocks or stones, and advertised and as the perfect merging of the elements of water and wood in the ancient Eastern practice of Feng Shui. This species of Dracaena is native to the rain forests of West Africa-places like Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Although it can live in water for long periods, it is not an aquatic plant. Given the proper conditions, it actually grows better in soil-as nature intended. In its native habitat, "Lucky Bamboo" settles in the loose, fast-draining soils of the rain forest, where temperatures are hot and the humidity is high. Unfortunately, the growing conditions in Ohio do not provide the heat or the humidity that these plants need in order to thrive outdoors year round. That said, I suppose you could try growing your Dracaena outdoors in a container over the summer, as long as you bring it back indoors when temperatures cool down-and by cool down, I mean drop below 65ºF-70ºF. If you try it, make sure you use a soil that drains well. You will need to keep the roots moist, but not soggy, and keep the plant in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. If you're not up for the babysitting this would require, you are probably better off growing your plant indoors. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64577857.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planting Lilacs In Sandy Soil Question: I live in Wyoming and have very sandy soil. I would like to plant lilacs and need to know the best time to plant and how to care for them. Hardiness Zone: 5a Phyllis from Ft. Laramie, WY Answer: Phyllis, You are in luck. Lilacs do very well in sandy, well-drained soil. Spring is the ideal time for planting bare-root lilacs, because this gives the shrubs plenty of time to develop new roots and store sufficient nutrients before winter. Container-grown lilacs (the way most people now buy them) can be planted all summer long, even as late as mid-October, as long as the ground has not frozen. Personally, I think it is still beneficial to plant them in the spring so they have a bit of time to settle in before winter. Lilacs will grow in part shade, but they need full sun to flower. For the best show of flowers, they need to receive a minimum of 6-8 hours of sun each day. The more sun the better. When planting, place them in the ground at the same level they were growing in the nursery container. If you are planting more than one plant, space them far enough apart to account for their height and spread as they grow (this will vary somewhat according to the type your planting). Water them in well and provide them with a 2 or 3-inch layer of mulch, keeping the mulch about 6 inches away from the trunk of each plant. Here is a link to a nursery in Casper that specializes in landscape plants suitable to Wyoming's climate. Under the category of Small Trees and Shrubs, they list some varieties and photos of lilacs-including the Cheyenne Early Lilac, which has been popular since the 1930s. This information might be helpful to you when you go to shop for lilacs locally. http://www.wyomingplantcompany.com/smalltrees.html Here is another excellent link to a bulletin put out some years ago by the USDA. The information is still relevant and explains in more detail how to plant and care for lilacs. http://agnic.msu.edu/hgpubs/modus/morefile/hg199_73.pdf Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51304355.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where Can I Plant A Weeping Willow? Question: I decided I wanted a weeping willow and so we planted one in the front yard about 20 ft from the house and 15 feet from the street but now I am worried about the septic system and foundation. I keep reading that they should not be planted near any septic or water lines (our septic is in the backyard). I want to know what a safe distance is to plant a willow from septic or water lines? Could anyone help me with this? Natalie from Sigurd, UT Answer: Natalie, Willow trees are fast growing, graceful, and dramatic, which is why they tend to be popular choices among homeowners. Unfortunately, their growing habits are not very well suited to an urban landscape. The answer to your question on a safe planting distance depends on how far away the roots need to grow to access water. Weeping willows are water lovers, and therefore their roots are experts at seeking out reservoirs of water. This tree actually likes to stand in water, which is why in the wild, they are commonly found growing along the banks of rivers and streams, and near wetlands. Weeping willows grow to a height of 35 to 50 feet, but their roots are capable of venturing out much farther than the spread of their branches in order to find water. Most tree experts (and I am not a tree expert) agree that trees known for roots that seek out water, such as poplar, maple, willow, and elm, should be planted at least 50 feet from septic mounds. To confirm this, I checked with my county extension agency and they agreed with that recommendation. From your description, it sounds as though your weeping willow is separated from your septic tank and drain field by your house. That is a good thing. A bigger concern for you is your foundation, and where in relation to the location of your tree, your water and sewer pipes enter and exit your home. The nutrient-rich water from leaky sewer pipes or cracked water lines can act like a magnet for wandering roots. On the bright side, as long as the roots have enough room to spread out, a solid structure like your foundation should divert the direction of their growth, providing that that nearby water or sewer pipes are in good repair, and you don't have problems with moisture pooling around your foundation. Help keep the tree's roots away from your foundation by keeping water away from it. Build up the soil around your foundation so that it slopes away from your house, and use rain gutters to divert the flow of water away from your foundation. Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60151686.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buy Garden Seeds On Ebay This year for my garden I decided to save some money buying seeds. What I did was go to E-bay, find a seller that had a large supply of seeds, and who offered free shipping on every order after the first is placed. I then searched for my seeds of choice, paid using pay pal, and now I just have to wait for my order to arrive. Oh what fun. The best part of all is I have found seeds that I could not find in the stores here. I am so anxious to start my garden this year. My theme will be daisies. I have found about 8 different types of daisies ranging in sizes. They also make wonderful cut flowers too. By Karyn from Ottawa, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99864266.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recycling Ideas For Drainage Fill In Containers I came up with a no cost idea for lightweight fill to use in the bottom of over sized pots or planters. I have used broken terra cotta pots and packing peanuts in the past. Problem was the terra cotta was heavy and I did not usually have packing peanuts. This year I simply used a plastic gallon size pot that one of the plants came in and turned it upside down over the drainage hole in the bottom of the large pot. Then I needed more filler that would let water through, so I raided my recycling bin. I used plastic soda bottles and cans to fill in up to where I wanted to start the layer of planting soil. To even off the pile of bottles and cans, I took the empty plastic flat the flowers came in and turned it upside down over the bottles and cans. Then I was able to add the soil without it falling between all the gaps left by the bottles and cans. The end result was the right amount of dirt for my plants, plenty of drainage and minimal weight from the fill. Source: My own idea. By cosmicmoret from Dallas TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90941380.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Vaseline On Birdfeeder To Keep Ants Away If you have ants climbing down the cord to your hummingbird feeder, put Vaseline on it. It keeps them away for up to a year! By Rae from Templeton ,CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18644021.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Newspaper Under Mulch Mulching is a pain, so if you're going to put all that work into making your beds look nice, why not make it LAST longer? I've found that putting several layers of newspaper down BEFORE laying a layer of mulch helps to keep the weeds out for at least one whole season! The newspaper is porous, so water and nutrients can still pass through and reach the plants, but it blocks the light so that weeds can't germinate. As an added bonus, earthworms LOVE to eat newspaper, and will slowly "compost" it to enrich your soil. So, collect those newspapers and save those junk ads, and put them to good use! I recommend that the newspaper layer be only 2 to 3 sheets thick, and then add a 1.5-2 inch layer of mulch on top. It's best not to use colored newsprint or "shiny" ad papers. Happy mulching! Source: A wise lady at church passed this knowledge on to me many years ago. By Katy from Nashville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50415922.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Milk Jugs For Garden Water Reservoirs I have found a very cheap way to water plants and vegetables. I cut off the bottoms of all plastic bottles, dig a hole next to the plant and set the bottle (neck side down) into the hole. Now when watering or it rains it will fill up with water and water the roots at the same time. Thought this might save on water bills. Also we are not filling up the landfills at the same time. By Jodi from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77685606.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contest! Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! New Requests: Riding Lawnmower Won't Stay Running I have a John Deere STX38 that won't stay running. It sat all winter long, and when I go to start it, some times it will turn over. Other times I will turn the key, and nothing happens. Also when I did have it running, it wanted to die right away. The longest we had it running was 2 minutes tops. While that was happening, it would make this "POP" noise from engine. So it goes "vroom, vroom, POP, vroom vroom, POP". I need help please! Brittany from Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30516059.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Does Salt Effect Plants? How does salt affect plants? And why? A long explanation would be very helpful. Do you know any websites concerning this problem? Thank you for your help! Johanna from Sweden Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97447543.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Transplanting A Peony Plant I have a beautiful peony plant in the front of my house. The problem is I am never out there and seldom get a chance to enjoy its beautiful blooms. Can I replant it to my backyard? Do peonies do well with a move? Is it o.k. to replant now? (May) Hardiness Zone: 6a Lynn from Toronto, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37946188.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print White Flowers That Bloom In June I am throwing a graduation for my granddaughter in June. The theme is black and white so I want to know what White flowers are in bloom in June. Can I plant seeds this late to bloom in June, which will be hot about 80. I will need a lot. Hardiness Zone: 10a firewater from Napa, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44082254.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Starting A Bulb Garden I would like to start a bulb garden. I live in New York, I believe it is in zone 7a. I really want to do as little work as possible because I have to help maintain 4 separate gardens. I would love to plant them and forget them. I would prefer hardy bulbs that I do not have to dig up to replant later on. It doesn't have to be just bulbs, any flowering plant that I will never have to replant will do. Hardiness Zone: 7a Gina from Ozone Park, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46391281.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Fast Growing Evergreen Trees I am looking for suggestions for fast growing evergreen trees. However, I am not interested in the cylinder shaped "privacy" trees that I see everywhere. Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 8-9 Laurel from Port Orchard, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92964562.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Hibiscus Trees In Tennessee I have moved from Florida to Tennessee and found they are selling Hibiscus trees. Can I plant them here? I was told at the nursery that I bought them that they are a perennial and I wouldn't have to bring them in for winter. True or false? I live 40 miles north of Chattanooga. Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 7b Jan from Madisonville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76435321.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Morning Glories I purchased two Heavenly blue morning glories and was wondering what the temperature needed to be so I can plant them outside? I live in New Jersey and we haven't had consistent temperatures yet. Anita Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf161688.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Peacevine Tomato Plants I'm looking for Peacevine tomato plants and I can't seem to find any gardening site or nursery catalog that carries the plants. Not even the company "Seeds Of Change" that developed it. Can anyone tell me a source or maybe have plants I can buy or trade for. All I can seem to find are the seeds and that's not an option where I live. Hardiness Zone: 5b Anna from Northern Indiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58320144.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pruning a Jasmine Plant I have never pruned my jasmine. The bottom third is bare. Leaves and blooms are only on the top 2/3, which is trailing. What is the best way to prune in this situation? Hardiness Zone: 7b C.H. from Corinth, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78368654.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Rid Of Weeds In Flower Beds How can I safely get rid of weeds in my flower beds? Wilda Scott Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31150399.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Mosquito Repellent Recipes Recipe to keep away mosquitoes? Maybe plants or some kind of home remedy? Thanks for any information. Tammy from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf115181.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Growing Aloe Vera I want to grow and process aloe vera by planting aloe vera plants. For this purpose, kindly guide me accordingly. Naveed Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf755244.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Holly Tree With Yellow Leaves and Black Spots HELP! I have a beautiful 10 foot tall American Holly tree that has been extremely healthy until the beginning of April. The holly is at least 20 years old. Now it has lots of yellow leaves some with black spots. I am afraid it is dying. What can I do to save it? Hardiness Zone: 7a Hilda C. from Alexandria, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53805981.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Can a Spider Plant Survive Winter Outdoors? Will a spider plant survive outside in a flower garden in the winter and come back in the summer? Hardiness Zone: 5b Fred from Akron, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43389780.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Ridding My Yard of Moles Does anyone know how to eliminate ground moles and woodchucks from taking residence in an and around our home. They can make horrendous holes. They have already made their presence know here in Charlotte, MI Thanks, Grammamare from Charlotte, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31527522.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! 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: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Stuff Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users. Submit a Request... Frugal solutions to everyday problems.