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Vol. 4, Num. 22, June 4, 2009 (Read It Online) This week we have a great article by Ellen Brown about Drought Tolerant Vegetables. Hope you enjoy it. We also have more tips and photos from users. Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings help pick contest winners. Also, please share your gardening photos and tips on one of the contest pages. We have lots of new gardening requests this week, please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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By Deborah from Alabama
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Rate It: I created a border around flowers I had planted just by using rocks that I found in the ground around the house. Looks great and cost nothing! By Mrs. Waltman from Denver, PA
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Rate It: How I made a raised garden out of cardboard boxes, a tub from an old washer and some lumber on top of my driveway. I had to haul in a pick-up load of dirt. Then I build a 4x6 foot box. I have 12 tomatoes, 10 potatoes, strawberries, corn, squash, watermelons, sweet peas, onions and cucumbers. There is also one hanging tomato I wanted to try. The potatoes are in Eggo boxes lined with garbage bags. The white cylinder is an old window shade to encase the tomatoes. Trying to keep the birds and squirrels out. The silver metal tub is the inside of an old washing machine. By Leonard the Bull from Moorpark, CA
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Rate It: We now have a whole flock of Trillium on our back hill. We started with eight plants a few years ago and they just keep multiplying. They have even spread to several places a good distance from where they started out. By kflocey from Gladwin, MI
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Use Brown Yucca Leaves as Sturdy String I use the browned leaves on yucca plants to tie up things in the yard such as staking up iris plants or fastening together yard furniture to keep it from blowing away. They are very sturdy and freely available if you have yucca plants. They also look natural and are long enough to be wrapped around two or three times if necessary. By Donna P. from Fairfield, OH Contest Contender!
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Rate It: Raised Beds Deter Carrot Flies As carrot fly can only get to a height of about 1 to 2 feet. If you raise a bed to that level, and then plant your carrot seeds in, they cannot get to them and you will have perfect carrots every time. I did this last year and had no problems at all with my carrots. Source: Learned through trial and error By redjan1 from Liverpool, UK Contest Contender!
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Rate It: Drought Tolerant Vegetables
There is a growing movement among gardeners to be more water wise about what they plant. Here are some common edibles considered drought tolerant, and some tips that will help you conserve water when the weather turns dry. How Much Water is Ideal? Typically, edibles need somewhere in the range of 1-2 inches of water per week during the growing season, although this can vary according to their stage of growth. This amount of water is usually enough to soak the top 8-12 inches of soil. What Defines a Drought Tolerant Plant? Drought tolerant plants are not the same as drought resistant plants (true desert plants). Instead, they have been adapted (either through natural selection or engineered breeding) to survive for short periods of time with less water in arid climates. In most cases, the term drought tolerant applies to mature plants, not developing seedlings. Crops and Seeds From Arid Regions Like people, some fruits and vegetables are genetically designed to take the heat better than others. As a general rule, warm season crops (tomatoes, squash, melons) will usually fare better during a drought than cool season crops because they originate from parts of the world where periods of drought are part of the normal weather pattern. Many of these crops send their roots deep early, so by mid-summerís heat they are able to draw water from deeper in the soil. Heirloom varieties from warm, dry regions are also better adapted to drought conditions. If you live in a cooler climate and decide to grow them, make sure your can accommodate the length of their growing season. Many Southwestern seed companies offer special ìdrought-tolerantî collections of garden seeds that include beans, greens, tomatoes, melons, and even corn. A list of the edibles considered more drought-tolerant: Vegetables
Fruits
Herbs
Water Requirements By Stage Not every plant has the same needs at the same time. Most are tolerant to short periods of drought as long as they get water during crucial times. Instead of following a weekly watering schedule, focus on watering each plant according to its stage of development.
Tips for Conserving Water
By Ellen Brown
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Rate It: Use Styrofoam Peanuts in Bottom of Hanging Baskets When planting hanging baskets, put Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom instead of stones. The plants do not stand in water and the baskets will not be so heavy. By soochatty from Middletown, DE Contest Contender!
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Rate It: Use Post Hole Digger When Planting Lots of Tomato Plants I needed to plant 48 tomato plants. I knew if I bent over all that time, my knees would have a lot of stress. In the gardening shed, I spied the post hole digger. It makes the hole wider and as deep as you need for each plant. My husband wanted to know where I got the idea and I just told him that it just seemed logical. All my plants were in the ground in less than an hour. By Claudia Marie from Asheville, NC Contest Contender!
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Organic Solution for an Apple Tree What is a good natural pest control to save apples on my Apple trees? Last year all my apples had bug holes. By Angelwings98226 from Bellingham, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf715755.tip.html
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Rate It: Tomato Plants Not Producing Fruit I have a healthy tomato plant. It put on 4 tomatoes right at first and now it has loads of blooms, but the blooms are just drying up and there are no more tomatoes. Please help. Hardiness Zone: 6a By penny2009 from Camdenton, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48516325.tip.html
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Rate It: I have tomato plants that look very healthy. They put on blossoms, but they fall off and no fruit develops. Any solution? Hardiness Zone: 8b By anderds from Center Point, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36299395.tip.html
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Rate It: Tomato Plants With Yellow Leaves What would make my tomato plants leaves turn yellow? Hardiness Zone: 10b By bbarbara737 from Hollywood, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf482428.tip.html
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Rate It: My two Japenese Acuba's leaves are droopy and the new flowers that were coming on top are also gone. Do these plants get root rot and would cutting them down close to the ground help them out? Hardiness Zone: 8a By rardinjs1 from Flower Mound, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56644030.tip.html
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Rate It: My Oleander is not blooming. What can I do? Hardiness Zone: 8a By czckac from Denton, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50683499.tip.html
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Rate It: Peaches Falling Off Tree After Rainstorms We have a small "patio peach" planted and after every rain this year we lose a bunch of little baby peaches which seem to be growing fine otherwise. We have had a few nice rainstorms and some showers for the last three weeks. Why are we are losing so many little peaches. I've included a picture and if you look closely you can see the baby peaches on the ground. Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 7a By HICKCHIC3 from SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68632727.tip.html
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Rate It: I just bought some land in central Missouri. It has bamboo on it. I don't know what kinds but there are 3 kinds. I have no clue as to what to do with the bamboo. I would like to make money with it some how. Either by selling it all to someone, learn to make crafts or something else. The bamboo was planted about 4 or 5 years ago if that helps. If I can sell it all to someone how much is a fair price, if they dig it up themselves? Any advice is helpful. The picture is of just one kind. Hope you can tell from the picture what kind it is. Thanks. By freakydoodler from Versailles, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45990127.tip.html
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Rate It: This actually about hummingbirds, but I didn't see a wildlife section. I have had great success with my Hummingbird feeder and make my own nectar for them. While feeding my Parakeet it occurred to me that it might be good to add a couple of drops of vitamins to the nectar. Is this okay? By Michele from Whitinsville, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33591282.tip.html
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Rate It: My cantaloupe vines look horrible. They are brown and dry, yet they get watered a few times a week. I have them in a raised vegetable garden and I live in Florida. What could be wrong? Hardiness Zone: 8b By peereaux from Santa Rosa Beach, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89852084.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I grow Peonies without paying high prices? Hardiness Zone: 7a By pattitwins from Roanoke, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34666552.tip.html
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Rate It: What's causing my rhubarb to be stringy? What can I add to my rhubarb's soil to produce a more tender plant? Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 4a By countessj from Anchorage, AK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69095011.tip.html
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Rate It: Homemade Natural Pesticide for Vegetables Does anyone know a natural pesticide that can be used for vegetables? The bugs are starting to eat my pepper plants and tomato plants. I have heard of one with dish soap as part of the recipe, but don't know what the mixture is. Hardiness Zone: 7a By betswhite from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11207718.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone give me some easy tips for grafting roses? Hardiness Zone: 9a By chilipalmer from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74837898.tip.html
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Rate It: I know the potatoes should of been in already. Someone just gave me some sweet potatoes. Do you plant them just like the other potatoes, or is there a certain way of planting them. Hardiness Zone: 3b By Joyce wis from Janesville, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49769804.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone know how to make the PVC Watering Stakes, where you use 1 liter water bottles. I want to make my own home made water globes. By spongebobrenee from Elmendorf, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99018443.tip.html
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Rate It: Caring for a Burning Bush Plant My Burning Bush leaves are droopy, the soil is moist. Hardiness Zone: 5a By ngf_4 from Orleans, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf489731.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding a Sunbeam Mini LED Plant Light Where can I find a Sunbeam mini LED indoor plant light? By Angelfish from Memphis, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53250527.tip.html
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Rate It: Do ripe pea pods break off easily or do I need to cut them off to get the freshest peas? I'm seeing conflicting advice on-line. Hardiness Zone: 7a By Sashaburg from Atlanta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51016080.tip.html
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Rate It: I bought a Calla Lily plant a few weeks ago. It's getting yellow and drying up on me. I've kept it indoors, and have been watering it maybe every other day. Should I cut off the stems and leaves now and let the plant regrow on its own? Or should I replant the bulbs with new soil and fertilizer? Hardiness Zone: 9a By scissors from San Jose, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57095007.tip.html
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Rate It: Our well established Gardenia has begun to turn yellow and the buds are not opening. Any ideas as to what the problem is and how to remedy it? Hardiness Zone: 8b By mimiface from Paradise, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18170777.tip.html
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Rate It: I have yellow leaves and brown spots on my tomato plants. Hardiness Zone: 8a By jdc11153 from GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11308349.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Swimming Pool Water To Water Plants I was wondering what will happen to my two week old tomato plants now that my neighbor has emptied his swimming pool and flooded my new garden site. Will the chlorine kill or hurt them and is there anything I can do to save them? Hardiness Zone: 6b By GELMAN from Jamestown, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97612332.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid of Blackberry Bushes Does anyone know how to kill off wild blackberry vines? I'm getting overrun. This bush is growing out of a tree stump that we can't get to. We cut the tree down to the ground just 3 weeks ago and this is how fast the blackberries have grown back. It's spreading into the lawn. I tried a grass and weed killer, but it hasn't phased it. Hardiness Zone: 7b By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97433198.tip.html
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Rate It: I live in a garden apartment and my upstairs neighbor feeds the very large squirrel population. I love to grow flowers in planters on the stoop, but the squirrels uproot the flowers and I find them lying dead next to the planters. Does anyone know any "annual" flowers that they don't like or have any suggestions? I'm so tired of spending money on flowers and it also makes me so sad to see them destroyed. (Forget the neighbor, as no one can make him stop feeding them.) Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 7a By SBTulip115 from Queens, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68899660.tip.html
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Rate It: I live in southeastern Ohio. Is it too late to start Morning Glories outside? It is going to be in the 80's today. Not sure how the weather works up here (I'm from Florida), so I am slowing learning. I am having to dig out clay and replace it with compost. Should I start them in the shade or plant them in full sun in the morning sun? Thanks, have a great day. By seedlady from Caldwell, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf161688.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you prune an umbrella plant? By Bird watcher from Niagara Falls, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37412732.tip.html
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Rate It: Plums Small and Have Worm Holes We have several plum trees. They were here before we moved into our home, about seven years ago. The first two years were wonderful. We were able to pick and eat the fruit. Each year since, the plums have continued to grow, but they all have worm holes in them and they don't get quite as big. Help. Please give me any advice if you have had success with your plum trees. Hardiness Zone: 8a By lovingthe3 from Atlanta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98228623.tip.html
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Rate It: It was on here once and I forgot to save it. What kind of plant do you plant to get the Loofa and how do you take care of them? By Joyce wis from Janesville, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12692471.tip.html
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Rate It: What kills fleas on chickens and in their pens? By TinaS. from Juncton, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89747062.tip.html
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