The Happy Garden Newsletter - July 27, 2006

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I don't have any tip to share but I am so proud of my garden/patio this year... I just had to share this with you. I don't have much space so I'm a container gardener. Two days ago I woke up and found that my lilies were opening. Aren't they beautiful?

By Paula from Portugal

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Betty from Slate Hill, NY

Answer:

There are several factors that can affect tuber growth. The first is harvesting too early. Most potatoes take between 90 and 120 days to fully mature. Once they reach full size, the foliage naturally turns brown and starts to die back. You can harvest them before they mature, but you're going to get smaller potatoes.

Plants usually reach a height of 12 inches and then they go through an enlargement period. During this time, the soil needs to be kept moist (not wet) in order for the potatoes to reach their full size. Over watering can adversely affect their growth.

Another factor that affect their growth is planting non-organic seed using potatoes purchased from the grocery store. These potatoes are often treated with chemicals that inhibit sprouting so they may not grow properly.

In regards to using cow manure for fertilizer, it will work okay as long as it's well rotted. If you use fresh manure, make sure you work it into the soil at least 3 weeks before planting.

Ellen

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When I plant my roses, I always add a fresh whole unbroken egg to the planting hole. The roses love it!

By Karen from Pensacola, FL

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Question:

Thank you for your reply.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Ruby from Cave Junction, OR

Answer:

The self-watering system you're referring to is made by poking a couple of holes in the bottoms of milk jugs, filling them with water, and setting them near the plants you want to water. You can put a few rocks inside the jugs to keep them from blowing away in the wind. Two weeks is along time without water, so make sure to test this system out before you leave for your vacation. You may need to adjust the holes (make them larger or smaller) depending on how fast the water is seeping into the soil. Also, make sure you water well and start with moist soil before setting up your self-watering system. An alternative to the milk jugs would be to apply a thick layer of straw mulch over the entire garden, and then water it deeply (giving it 3 to 4 inches of water) either the night before or the morning you leave for your trip. The mulch will help the soil retain moisture, prevent weeds from growing and act as a natural fertilizer as it breaks down. Make sure you thoroughly weed the garden before you apply mulch.

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Mona123 from Bear Creek, NC

Answer:

When too much salt gets into the soil, whether it's Epsom salt or a build up of fertilizer salts, water is drawn out of a plant's roots instead of flowing into them. This is normally referred to as "burning", but actually the plant is becoming severely (or fatally) dehydrated. The plant's leaves and stems start to shrivel and turn brown and leaves may mutate from chloride toxicity. The best way to remedy soil containing excess salts is to remove the contaminated soil and amend it with healthy, nutrient-rich soil. For the amount of salt used by most gardeners in homemade tonics, the area can probably be considered "recovered" as soon as it's refreshed with some nutrient-rich soil.

Vinegar is a weak acid and when applied to the soil, it lowers the pH. Changing the pH too quickly can damage or even kill plants by altering their roots ability to absorb water and minerals. Fortunately, because vinegar is a weak acid, it degrades in water and doesn't bioaccumulate (stay in the environment). After flushing the soil with water, you can expect the pH to return to normal within 48-72 hours.

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Ray from Pittsburgh, PA

Answer:

Spraying an antibacterial soap isn't necessary until your seeing signs of disease. From what you wrote, it sounds like the leaves and vines on your zucchini are fine (no signs of disease or insect problems), and it's just the fruit rotting on the vine that is the problem. Since your getting fruits, you must be getting flowers. This tells me you're probably just having pollination problems. Is the zucchini rotting from the blossom ends? When young fruit on healthy plants begin to rot from the blossom end, they are usually not getting pollinated properly. This can be due to a lack of bees in the area, or in your case, as a result of adverse weather conditions that may be keeping the bees away. To get a successful zucchini crop, you're going to have to pollinate the fruit yourself. Pull off the male flower and pull the petals back to expose the pollen-laden stamen. Then carefully rub the male flower on the center stigma of the female flower making sure that the pollen makes good contact. The female flowers have a distinct enlargement directly behind their petals (this is actually the immature zucchini), while the male flowers are often smaller and attached to the vine by just a long, slender stem. Another method is to use a cotton swab to transfer the pollen between flowers. This way is more efficient because you can pollinate up to three female flowers with the pollen from one male. If the rot is starting on the underside of the fruit where it's coming into contact with wet soil, raise the zucchini off the ground with a sling made from pantyhose or prop them up using a tin can or small plastic container to keep them off the soil.

Good Luck!
Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 9a

CC from Texas

Answer:

Covering your fig tree with bird netting is the only way to guarantee birds won't fly off with your fig crop. Netting is widely available online and at garden centers and hardware stores. Depending on how high your fig tree is you could also try erecting a teepee over your tree made out of monofilament line. Some studies suggest erecting a pole near the center trunk of your tree and running monofilament line (fishing line) from the top down to stakes on the ground is enough to give birds the impression that there is an impenetrable barrier around the tree. The line is run down from the top of the pole at two-foot increments all around the tree to create a sort of teepee effect. Personally, I think throwing a net over the top of the whole thing seems easier.

I've also seen a garlic spray advertised (www.garlicbarrier.com) that is supposed to be effective at repelling birds, insects and various small critters from fruit and nut trees. I have not personally tried it, but I think it looks interesting. Let me know if you decide to try it and it ends up working. If you can figure out the ratio of garlic to water perhaps you could make or own. Mylar streamers, CDs, eye balloons and cats are other short term measures effective at warding off birds.

If you don't already feed them, I would suggest setting up some feeding and water stations for birds and squirrels in a part of your yard away from your tree-at least during the time your figs are ripening. This might be your best overall strategy. Animals and birds will almost always choose easy food and water over having to work for it, thereby leaving your trees alone.

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Maggie from Virginia

Answer:

Adult Japanese beetles are easy to identify. They are about _ inch long and have a metallic green/blue head and body and copper colored wing covers. They like to feed on foliage and flowers, and roses and crape myrtles are two of their favorite plants. From June through August the adult beetles enter the soil to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch into white, comma-shaped grubs that feed on grass roots. As the weather cools, the grubs move deeper into the soil, remaining there over winter. They pupate the following June and leave the soil as adult beetles to start the cycle over again.

There are chemical sprays available for controlling the adult beetles, but I don't recommend them. They harm beneficial bugs like butterflies, bees and ladybugs and are bad for the environment. Your goal should be to disrupt the beetles mating cycle, so for trees, a better method is to purchase a bag trap designed especially for Japanese beetles. These traps are placed about 50 feet away from your tree in June to mid-July and use pheromones to lure the beetles into an hourglass-shaped trap. Once they fly in, they can't fly back out and they die. These inexpensive traps last for 4-6 weeks and are designed to take replacement bags so you can reuse them.

Adult beetles can also be removed by handpicking. Milky spore, Bacillus popilliae, is a disease-causing bacterium that is somewhat effective against Japanese beetles while in the grub stage. Milky spore isn't noticeably effective until the second year of treatment and needs to be applied yearly to remain effective.

Ellen

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If you grow edibles long enough, you're bound to run into some problems. Many these problems can be avoided (or at least overcome) with proper cultivation techniques. Unfortunately, once in a while problems crop up that are difficult to diagnose and not easily remedied. Whether one plant is having a problem, or a whole crop, here's a list of some common problems in the vegetable garden and what causes them.

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 9a

CC from Texas

Answer:

As with your inquiry on how to prevent birds from stealing your figs, the best and most effective solution, at least in the short term, might be to set up some food and water stations for the squirrels during a period when your pecans are maturing. Peanuts and black-oil sunflower seeds can be bought inexpensively in bulk from a feed store and offered as a temporary distraction. It isn't legal to shoot squirrels in Texas for the purpose of removing them from the garden. Live trapping and relocation might work temporarily, but just like extermination, it won't solve the problem long term. Each squirrel occupies a specific niche in the food chain. When one animal is removed, an opening is created and more resources are temporarily available to the rest of the population. Sooner or later (usually sooner) another squirrel will simply come in and stake a new claim on the newly available resources.

In the same way netting will keep birds out of your fig tree, it should work on keeping squirrels out of your pecan tree. You might also consider wrapping your tree's trunk with a metal baffle and trimming any branches growing near neighboring trees, power lines or buildings, to make it harder for squirrels to access your tree. If you have a dog, give him some water and shelter and stake him near your tree during the day.

Good Luck!

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Kathy from Illinois

Answer:

To get the best yields next year, the best time to transplant strawberries is in the fall (late August and on). Transplanting in the spring is your second best option. You can transplant your strawberries now, providing you keep them well watered, but it will be much harder on the plants than if you wait until the fall.

When transplanting, relocate them to a sunny location (a southern exposure is ideal) with sandy/loamy soil, and a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Make sure the area is completely free of weeds before transplanting. Avoid low spots, poorly drained areas and sites where raspberries, tomatoes or potatoes have been grown recently.

Dig up as much of the plant's roots as possible and cover the roots with damp sphagnum moss to keep them moist while transplanting. Water each plant as you are transplanting them rather than watering them all at once from overhead when you're finished. Keep the transplants moist (not wet) throughout the season and until your first frost and then discontinue watering them.

Choose plants that are younger as well as rooted runners for transplanting. These plants are more likely to give you better yields next spring. Avoid relocating plants that appear unhealthy and remove any flower buds, runners or damaged leaves before transplanting. If your current beds are older than 3 years, it's likely that they are falling off in production naturally and you may want to consider just starting over with new plants next year.

Good Luck!
Ellen

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We are growing 16 corn plants in an earthbox. I don't know what to expect. Right now, the plants are at different heights 4-5 feet, but gangly and a pale green. Flower stalks have formed, but I am wondering when and if they will form corn with the silk tassels, and if I am giving it too much water. Today, I plan to give it a sea weed drink. What do you think?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Annie from Sacramento

Answer:

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Erika from Boulder, CO

Answer:

It depends on what you mean by "decent sun." How many hours of full sun does your patio get each day? It's largely recommended that most herbs receive at least 6 full hours of sun per day to fully develop their leaves and flowers, although many can grow successfully with less. The same is true to sun-loving flowers. When you read plant labels, full sun equals 8 hours and partial sun equals between 4-8 hours. Your northeast exposure probably has the advantage of some morning sun. This is better than afternoon sun because the sooner in the day a plant's biological processes get started, the more time they have to take advantage of existing light to produce food.

Herbs like Lemon Balm, Chives, Sweet Woodruff and Rosemary grow well in shade to partial sun. Some annuals that might do well for you include begonia, coleus, impatiens, forget-me-nots and pansy. Perennials you might try include astilbe, bugbane, coral bells, foxglove, Virginia blue bells, hosta and phlox. You actually have quite a few options and will probably need to experiment a little to see what grows best.

Again, it really depends on the number of hours of sun your patio receives each day. If eves or overhangs shade your patio there isn't much you can do to increase the amount of light you're patio receives. If nearby trees are shading your patio, however, thinning a bit of the canopy can open up the space and give you even more sun. If your planting in containers, consider putting them on stands with castors so you can easily roll your plants around the patio to capture available sunlight as needed.

Good Luck!
Ellen

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Question:

JONNIE from Owensboro, KY

Answer:

Those "old fashioned" reel mowers are quickly coming back into fashion. It's all I've used on my current lawn for the past 6 years. They don't create air, water or noise pollution (although some are noisier than others), they always start, and other than sharpening the reel now and then they need very little maintenance. There's no gas, oil, spark plugs or small moving parts to worry about and using one is good exercise because the pusher is the motor! Reel mowers are also compact enough that they are easy to store. Today's reel lawn mowers cut much better than the reel mowers of the past and they are much lighter in weight. They are cheap, too! I think I paid $70 for mine new 6 years ago. Many of the current models also come with do-it-yourself sharpening kits and grass catcher attachments. There are a few disadvantages to these mowers, but none that I would consider deal breakers. One is that they don't offer as many mowing heights as conventional lawn mowers and the mower deck isn't quite as wide. Due to their design, it's also more difficult to mow over certain weeds and tall grasses. When I run into this problem, I come back with an electric weed whacker and do a few touch ups if needed. As long as you don't let your lawn grow over 4-5 inches, mowing with a reel mower is a breeze. I say go for it!

Ellen

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Summer just wouldn't be the same without eating juicy, sweet, corn-on-the-cob. Selecting and growing a corn variety that gives you the sweet flavor you're looking for can be a bit confusing unless you're able to sort through some names and abbreviations. Here are the basics on understanding corn varieties and some tips on growing a sweet and successful crop.

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Brenda from South Bend, IN

Answer:

You're probably watering too little. Hydrangeas like a lot of water (the prefix hydro is Greek for water). Sometimes the tips or sides of a hydrangea's leaves will appear brown. This usually happens after it has suffered a dry spell or when it goes through a period where, for whatever reason, the roots were not absorbing moisture well and then the plant suddenly gets a good watering. When cells in the leave's tips suddenly take on water, they literally swell up and burst. What you're seeing with the brown tips is actually dead plant tissue where the cells burst. This kind of browning can also happen to plants when they are initially transplanted and are suddenly given a heavy dose of water. Keeping your hydrangea consistently watered will prevent this from happening. In general, over watering is usually followed by yellowing leaves that turn black at the edges. When under watered, leaves will droop and then turn brown.

Ellen

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Question:

Hardiness Zone: 7a

JC from Greensboro, NC

Answer:

A common problem that plagues concord grapes is uneven ripening. This is when some (or most) of the berries within a grape cluster ripen unevenly. Some of the berries remain sour, hard and green, while others continue to develop normally. The grapes that fail to ripen may grow to a full size, but they don't soften and they never see the increase in sugars and decrease in acid that occurs during the normal ripening process.

Uneven ripening can affect a small or large portion of the total grape crop and seems to happen to grape crops every few years. This problem is only associated with concord grapes and although the reasons are not completely understood, it's thought to be due to hot temperatures, overcropping (allowing the vine to produce more fruit than it is capable of bringing to maturity) or canopy shade. Concord grapes do not tolerate high temperatures, which is why commercial productions of this variety of grape is not common in your area.

Still, many people have success growing them in the backyard garden. Have you had some unusually warm weather this summer? For more information on diagnosing grape diseases, check out this bulletin from North Carolina State University: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Fruit/fdin012/fdin012.htm

Ellen

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I have swarms of flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects in my backyard. We have tried yard guard and other pesticides, as well as baggies with water, with no results at all. The flies seem to come from the grass. We have moved the covered trash to the back of the yard. I am at a loss, they have taken over our yard.

Vicki from Houston, TX

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I have brick around a pool. I have children that play around my pool. Grass and weeds are growing from the cracks. How do I kill the weeds? The children are bare foot and I also have a possible run off. I am afraid to use anything toxic as I might harm my children.

Any suggestions?

Jim from Churchville, PA

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Hi Ellen,

Thanks so much for all the great Tree ideas (A Good Tree to Give as a Gift). I actually found out a tree story about my brother and his new wife. I guess her grandparents got a tree for one of their wedding gifts and it was a Japanese Maple so wherever they moved to they would dig up the tree and take it with them. So, I thought that might be a good idea. Do you know the meaning of a Japanese Maple?

Thanks again,
Mandi from Erie

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I'm have nice healthy looking plants but most of the fruits turning yellow and rotting. I read somewhere this is from being calcium deficient. Do you agree and what would be the best way to add calcium?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Thanks
Tom from Long Island, NY

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I usually have great success growing peppers. This year the plants have not grown at all since I planted them (2 months ago). The leaves have black edges on them and are curled sideways. I do rotate my crops and do not understand what is going on.

Any suggestions?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Betty from Slate Hill, NY

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We recently had to cut down a 30 year old willow tree with a 4 foot stump radius that I had planted for shade. It has left a big "hole" in my front yard; as the other side is smaller and has 3 tall maples and a large blue spruce. It was on the northwest side so it blocked the sun until it went down. I need to do something before fall and don't know what to do. We are not allowed to burn the stump which we were originally going to do and replant something. We get very bad winds here and would like to plant something that will survive the winters and grow quickly. I don't have too much space with that huge stump.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Thanks,
Betty from Slate Hill, NY

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How do I stop japanese beetles from raiding my young plants? The constant rain washes everything I use away!

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Tooti from Plainville, CT

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I've read about new shoots coming up around the base of trees, (i.e. Dogwoods), but, what about the shoots that come up around the base/lower trunk of my Cherry tree and Crepe Myrtles? The bases of these trees are approximately 8-12" in diameter. Do I lope them off? Is it possible to transplant these "sprouts?" If so, how?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Bekkicat from Charlotte

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I would like to know if any members know how I can get rid of Blackbirds. I have 2 feeders and they caused all my Pretty Songbirds to leave. I do have 2 pair of Morning Doves that are not afraid of the Blackbirds. All these Blackbirds do is eat up the seed and fight amongst themselves. I have tried not to put seed out, but they still hang around.

Thanks for your help.
Sherry from Valdosta, GA

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I need help keeping birds from eating our tomato plants, we have tried the scarecrow and owls, also the pie tins. Robins are destroying our plants all day long, up to a dozen a day, mostly the ones close to the ground.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Bobbie from Monroe, MI

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I have Lichen on my apple tree branches. It's not removable with power spray. Can a copper spray be used? The lichen is a fine feathery type on slender growth.

Allan from New Zealand

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Does anyone have any soda bottle terrarium directions for me? I am not sure if I am in zone 5 or 6.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Dawn from Elmira, NY

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