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Vol. 4, Num. 16, April 23, 2009 (Read It Online) We have lots of new gardening requests this week. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to share. We would also love to see pictures of what you are growing. Feel free to share a photo of your garden on the Photo Contest page. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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Don't be afraid to divide these beauties. I've done it with a shovel in the fall or early spring. It might sound harsh, but I just put the shovel where I want to divide, leaving at least 6 sprouts, and shove the shovel straight down. Then dig around the perimeter, about 8 inches deep. Loosen from the existing plant and transplant to another sunny location. They won't put on a great display the 1st year, but your patience will be rewarded! By Deb H. from East Brunswick, NJ
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Rate It: These squirrels have just made themselves at home. They like to eat and chase each other up the tree. By mjcook65 from Indiana
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Rate It: Scared the heck out of me, too! This is a Black and Yellow Garden spider, a common spider found in gardens, I've been told. I have been gardening for 25 years and never came across this amazing spider. Of course when I first spotted it I had no idea if it was poisonous, so I was indeed scared. But that didn't stop me from getting my camera! Afterward, I browsed the internet and found out they are not poisonous (few are). They help with pest control, they lay thousands of eggs in early fall and then die! I certainly admired this specimen, but I was not looking forward to a thousand more in my garden come next Spring. I like getting down and dirty in my garden, and I just pictured me screaming out every time one might run across my hand! They never did return. It was a sight to see, though. The web was a woven masterpiece! By Deb H. from East Brunswick, NJ
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The Basics of Square Foot Gardening
Square foot gardening is a concept so easy, yet so overlooked in lieu of more traditional row or mound gardens. It is less time consuming, less physically demanding, and uses less space and water. About the only tools required are a pencil or small piece of dowel (for making seed holes), and a lightweight, inexpensive trowel. It's also the one gardening technique that allows those physically challenged and wheelchair bound the opportunity to garden independently - without help from others. Good for Small Spaces & Bad Backs With square foot gardening there is no need to till the garden spot before planting. Gone are the days of back breaking labor in the hot sun hoeing and weeding. Compact and versatile, a square foot garden is even possible for those living in a high-rise apartment, as long as they have an uncovered patio or balcony. The average square foot garden for a family of four uses only 160 square feet. They are perfect for the physically challenged or infirm, and great as a class project - whether public, private, or home school. For persons with limited time, stamina, or space, a square foot garden can't be beat! Constructing a Square Foot Garden First, select an easy to access site for your garden. Edibles should receive at least 6 to 7 hours full sunlight each day. Your square foot garden can be located in the yard, beside the house or work shed, or even on an uncovered balcony or patio. It's best to keep it as close to your house as possible for ease and convenience. Using untreated lumber, build a frame; use deck screws to secure the sides together. If your garden will be located in your yard, start out with a 4 X 4 foot. This will give you a total of sixteen 1 X 1 foot squares of gardening space. Your garden frame will need no bottom if it is placed directly on the ground. If you opt for a patio or balcony garden, a smaller, 2 X 2 foot frame may work best. This still offers 4 squares of gardening space. If you need more space, build two small frames instead of one large one so the garden(s) will be easy to maneuver around. Add a bottom to your frame if necessary. Use 1/2 inch thick plywood and securely attach it to the frame from the bottom using deck screws. Important: Drill a 1/4 inch drainage hole in the center of each square foot; add an extra drainage hole in the corners of each square. Frames for the Physically Challenged A good size garden for wheelchair bound persons or those otherwise physically challenged is 3 X 4, or 3 X 5 foot frame. It will be easier to span across when reaching, and provides a manageable 12 or 15 squares of gardening space. Again, using 1/2" thick plywood, secure a bottom to the frame and drill drainage holes using the same directions as those for a patio garden. Place the frame on a table that will bring the garden up to a convenient height so that bending is not necessary. To complete the garden frame, place a grid made from twine on across the top of each frame that divides the box into 1-foot squares. If you prefer, small, foot square cardboard boxes can be inserted into the frame instead, or pieces of cardboard can be used to section off the inside of the frame. Planting Your Garden Now you are ready to fill your garden frame with soil. If you have your own soil that's great, but there are some advantages to using commercially prepared potting soil. Regular garden soil can contain insects, larva, weed seeds, diseases, or too much clay or sand. Using a quality commercial potting soil mix means the soil will stay loose and friable. Not only will plant roots breathe better, but the soil will stay workable so you will be able to plant seeds or transplant seedlings without effort or tools other than an inexpensive trowel and pencil (for making seed holes). Larger plants, such as cabbage and cauliflower, should be planted one plant to a garden square. Grow plants such as lettuce 3 or 4 to a square; beets 8 or 9 to a square; carrots and radishes up to 16 to a square. Make a slight saucer shaped indention at each plant site; use a pencil or dowel to make a hole in the center for the seed; follow depth directions on the seed package for each plant. When transplanting seedlings, make a saucer-shaped indention for the plant; dig a hole for the plant in the center using a trowel. The saucer-shaped indention around each plant will keep water at the plant itself when watering, instead of running off to the sides of the square. This helps conserve water and insures that the roots of plants get enough water. Caring for Your Garden Water your square foot garden in the same way you would water a conventional garden. Use a hose or watering can to give plants at least 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. As plants mature, harvest them. Work the old soil under with the trowel, and then top with new soil. Replant each season with a different type of crop. Because the beds are raised, you can expect the soil to warm up more quickly each spring. Mix things up by growing vegetables in some squares, and herbs or flowers in others.
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Rate It: The Eco-Scoop On Dog Poop
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the current U.S. dog population tops out somewhere near 80 million. When you consider that a musher with an average-sized kennel of 20 sled dogs generates more than 2 tons of dog feces annually*, the waste generated by 80 million dogs must equal a Mount Everest-sized pile of manure. Doggie dung is harmless, even useful, if disposed of properly. If not, it creates health-related risks for humans and problems for the environment. How Doggie Doo Can be Bad for You (and the Planet, too)
The Risks to Human Health Most dog lovers are in denial about their dog's poo. They tend to think of it as just another natural fertilizer. It's not. Dog feces contain the same bacteria as human waste, as well as any number of disease causing organisms like:
These pathogens are directly transferable to humans (especially children) when we touch an object that has been contaminated with feces (like touching contaminated chew toys, or when cleaning poo off of our shoes) and then we inadvertently touch our mouths with our hands. How Waste Affects Water Quality The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study of Kansas City area streams and creeks recently, and found that bacteria associated with pet waste was the source of approximately 25% of the bacteria in samples collected from local waterways. Eeek! When it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste (and the bacteria and pathogens they contain) wash down storm drains and into city sewer systems. The water in these sewer systems don't go through a wastewater treatment plant, instead, it runs directly into local waterways. Once in the waterway, fecal matter decomposes, using up oxygen and releasing pollutants. Ammonia levels can kill off fish and other aquatic organisms. The nitrogen and phosphorus released causes excessive growth of aquatic weeds and algae, which turns the water a murky green color and blocks out light to the plants below. What to do with Fido's Poo
Bag It Bags are the easiest and most obvious solution to cleaning up your dog's waste. Keep a stash of bags in your car, your coat pocket, and clip a small coin purse full of them to your dog's collar. Out for a walk and forget your bags? No problem. You can find pet valets stocked full of plastic bags in nearly every park and trail head in the world. Using biodegradable plastic bags is best, because they are designed to break down from prolonged exposure to oxygen or water once they reach the landfill. Once there they may still take months to deteriorate, but public health, and the health of local streams and waterways are still better off. Flush It Dog feces can be collected and flushed down the toilet. The problem used to be that dumping doggie doo doo into the toilet from plastic bags was messy. Now there are flushable bags made of polyvinyl alcohol film designed to dissolve in water, leaving only the contents of the bag (your dog's poo) behind. Digest It Let waste break down using a pet waste composting system like the "Doggie Dooley". These systems work just like miniature septic systems, using enzymes full of live organisms to break down waste. Once the system is dug into the ground, a foot-operated lid makes it easy to drop in pet waste. Add water and digester powder and before you know it, your dog's waste is reduced to a harmless, ground absorbing liquid. There's no need to spend big bucks on a store-bought system. Follow this link for photo instruction on how to make your own. Add chopped yard waste (green and brown) to speed up the process. The finished compost can then be used on ornamentals, just not on food crops. Hire a Poo Crew Believe it or not, some folks are willing to pick up where your dog "left off." For a small fee, poo crews will come to your home once a week and pick up your dog's doody (some offer litter box services, too). With names like Poopfairies, DoodyCalls, and Dr. Poolittle, who can resist? To find a service in your area, call local breeders, veterinarians, or animal shelters. The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists also has a website where you can search by state, but the results may not list all of the service providers available in your area. http://www.apaws.org/ Turn It Into Fuel? If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, you may be able to turn your poochie's poo into power. San Francisco is home to more than 120,000 dogs (more dogs live there than children) and a lot of dog poo. Known for being a leader in green innovation, the city decided not to let its dog waste go to waste. Instead, it launched a test program to study the feasibility of turning the city's dog poop into biofuel. So far, the program is limited to collecting waste from doggie daycare facilities around the city. The program hopes to expand to city parks in the near future. For more information contact Norcal Waste System, Inc., at http://www.norcalwaste.com/ *USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Rate It: Get a free pack of tomato seeds when you enter info located on the bottom of any Campbell's Soup can. Your request will also help Campbell's donate seeds to communities and schools through the National FFA organization. Expires 6/21/09. By Lynda (crabby) from Kearny, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94153727.tip.html
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Rate It: Finding Extra Plants in Pony Packs I'm frugal, but do afford myself the "luxury" of buying the small plants for my backyard raised garden and flower beds. Today I decided to get started with the planting and stopped to by a few plants from a mom and pop's roadside stand not far from home. Upon examining the little four-packs, which they sell for $1.25, I realized that many of the packs had two or more plants growing in each of the four cups. By spending a little extra time looking, I was able to buy packs with as many as 9 plants in them rather than the 4 which are usually in the ones which come from the big box garden centers who get them from huge greenhouse operations. I saved money; I kept the profit to the merchant in our community; and I got very healthy plants that hadn't gone through several days of shipping and stocking. By Sandy from Elon, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54110696.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Egg Cartons to Prop Vegetables in the Garden Use egg cartons to prop your vegetables up out of the dirt in your garden when they get too heavy. I had a squash laying in the dirt and was trying to think what to use to prop it up as it continued to grow. I cut 2 egg cups from an egg carton and placed it under the squash - outside up. Now it is high and dry. You could stake the egg carton in place with a skewer if needed. By TraceyI from Jacksonville, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25351555.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Plastic Garden Trays for Transporting Baked Goods Each year, I come home from the local garden center with several large trays. The plastic ones with raised sides that they give you to carry your flats of plants in the car. I wash them and then use them to bring cookies, muffins, etc. to pot luck dinners and bake sales. Sometimes I cover the trays with foil or even pretty wrapping paper for a seasonal party. They're easy to carry, the baked goods don't get crushed, and I'm happy to leave them behind since the host can simply place them in a recycling bin, or better yet, use them again! By NatashaLee from New England Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22306691.tip.html
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Rate It: Our chihuahuas kept digging the dirt up around their pen (a chain link fence). We found that sprinkling chili pepper around the edges of the fence stopped them from doing it. Reapply after it rains for best results. By Joanne from Lugoff, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23303706.tip.html
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Growing Recommendations for Zone 10b I am looking for suggestions for plants for my garden in Florida. I do not reside there and need something that requires little care and attention, such as watering, pruning, etc. Hardiness Zone: 10b By rvgranny from Ocala, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65688445.tip.html
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Rate It: Question: I live in North Dakota. We bought a new home and have terrible sand burrs. The yard is mostly weeds and a few areas of actual grass, but lots of sand burrs. We planted grass last spring and per advice from a tree guy, put grass seed down before the snow fell last winter. I feel like now is the time to spray something. We are thinking some sort of weed and feed. What about corn gluten meal, will it keep my grass seed from sprouting too? Hardiness Zone: 4a By Cephur7895 Answer:
Adding lime is an effective way to change your soil's pH (making it more alkaline) and it can also help with calcium and magnesium if these elements are lacking in your soil. However, it isn't a good solution for sand burrs. Used improperly, lime can have lasting negative effects on your lawn and garden so I wouldn't recommend using it for anything without first getting your soil tested. The key to keeping sand burrs at bay is to cultivate a healthy lawn. Sand burrs are what you would call a "pioneer plant." When soil is disturbed, these hardy plants are among the first to show up and take hold. When soil in established areas starts to lose its fertility and its ability to support other vegetation, sand burrs are only too happy to move in and take over. Because this plant is an annual weed that reproduces by seed, one of the best solutions to controlling it is to apply a pre-emergent product like corn meal gluten (dry molasses will work, too). Corn meal gluten (available at feed stores) contains humic acid, which will prevent the germination of annual weeds while it builds up organic nutrients in the soil. Apply this in the spring when the SOIL temperature reaches about 52ºF (late March/mid-April) and continue every 6 weeks through September. If you reseed your lawn in the spring, keep in mind that corn meal gluten will also prevent new grass seed from germinating. When used in combination with some old-fashioned elbow grease (pulling adult plants by hand), in 1 or 2 years you should see a noticeable difference in sand burr numbers. Spot spraying vinegar on young sand burr plants (at the 2-4 leaf stage) is also effective, but it isn't selective. Vinegar will damage anything it comes into contact with, including your healthy turf. Good luck! Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45726711.tip.html
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Rate It: I have an azalea in a pot that is just coming into flower. What can I use to feed it other than buying an ericaceous feed? By Daisychain from Home Counties, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14558667.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing Vegetables in Upside Down Gardens What success have you had with using the upside down garden method with vegetables other then tomatoes and peppers? Also what type of container did you use and what amount of soil is needed? Hardiness Zone: 4b By dduff from Plattsburgh, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20123373.tip.html
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Rate It: What is Coir? It is a substitute for peat moss, but what is it? Hardiness Zone: 7b By Linda from Hot Springs, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38060230.tip.html
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Rate It: My chili plant's top leaves are getting smaller. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76839849.tip.html
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Rate It: I think I have an Africa palm, which I re-potted after 3 or 4 years (about 3 or 4 years ago). I keep it on my front porch where it gets no direct sunlight and in the winter I keep it in a spare shower, also diffused light. How did it get scale and how do I get rid of the scale? It's on several fronds including new ones, so I don't want to cut them. Someone told me to spray it with Neem Oil which I have in "Garden Safe" fungicide. It says it's safe for house plants, but since I've nursed this huge palm for all these years, I'm afraid it will kill my palm. Do you know what to do? Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 9b By Liz from Salinas, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70510767.tip.html
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Rate It: What can be done to clean moss and algae off of terra cotta pots? What preventative measures would you recommend once the pots are clean that could help in eliminating this problem again? Thank you. By Jemstone from Tacoma, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73439769.tip.html
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Rate It: Are Dogwood Trees Harmful to Dogs? Are dogwood trees harmful to dogs? Roxanna Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66854586.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing Plants in Gravelly Soil I hardly have any topsoil on my property. It is mostly gravel underneath. What can I grow? By Vguy from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54310480.tip.html
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Rate It: Easy Chicken Breast Stew Recipe Does anyone have an easy recipe for chicken stew made from chicken breasts? Thanks! By DottieRN from Tonawanda, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85719496.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I get rid of brambles? I have tried shop bought sprays but they don't seem to do much. Any ideas? By Bejay1066 from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98460037.tip.html
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Rate It: I have already started seeds in little jiffy pellets. My question is about starting seeds and rooting cut offs in Perlite. I am re-using plastic tubs that fresh spinach comes in at the supermarkets. How much Perlite should I put into the bottom? They are about 6-7 in. deep. How much water do you use and how do you achieve that? Also, how much do you water the Perlite? Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 7a By Extremefrugalist from Baltimore, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43982565.tip.html
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Rate It: I bought potted tulips for Easter which are now in full bloom. How do I save them to plant in flower beds for spring blooming? Hardiness Zone: 8a By Peggy from Little Rock, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60337713.tip.html
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Rate It: A rabbit ate my Burning Bush down to nothing. Will it grow again? By Aliciadiane from Buffalo, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25737126.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Cut Roses from Losing Their Petals What's the best way to keep roses from dropping their petals after they're cut? By Vguy from Earle, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63854927.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I root a Camellia? Hardiness Zone: 8a By rvgranny from Columbia, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf770288.tip.html
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Rate It: House Sparrows Taking Over Bluebird Houses Does anyone have some suggestions on how to keep sparrows from taking over bluebird houses, after the bluebirds have nested? By garden nut from Richland County, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55994177.tip.html
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Rate It: Keeping Snow Peas Off the Ground Does anyone have any ideas on how I can keep my snow peas off the ground in my garden? By Sharon49 from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87601470.tip.html
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Rate It: I have planted some Canna Lilies bulbs on a partly shaded hill in my backyard next to some Norwegian spruce. There is some evening sun there though. I planted them March 15th and planted them 6 inches deep. Do you think they will make it? Thanks. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63722959.tip.html
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Rate It: Pests Eating Squash Plant Roots Something is chewing through the roots of my squash plants, just below the surface. The only bugs I've seen are ants and pill bugs. Could one of these be the culprit? What can I do to stop this before all of my plants are gone? Thanks so much. Hardiness Zone: 9b By Demandy from Brevard County, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98395593.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:
Growing Blueberries
Unlike most of the other berries grown in the North America, blueberries are natives. Gardeners in zones 2-9 can enjoy growing their own. Although there are cultivars that require cross-pollinations, most blueberries are self-fertile, but seem to grow bigger, more robust crops if planted near one or two other companion plants-specifically other varieties of blueberries. Planting a variety of cultivars with different ripening seasons will also extend your harvest. Try Earliblue, Bluecrop and Coville for respectively early, mid-season and late-season crops. Select virus-free plants in one of 4 types, depending on which is most suitable to your region: highbush (zones 4-7), lowbush (zones 2-6); midbush (a combination of the highbush and lowbush varieties) and rabbiteye, or southern highbush (zones 7-9).
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Rate It: Select quality, bare-root, dormant trees that are at least 1 to 2 years old and cultivated for your specific zone. Disease resistant varieties are available that will minimize common problems such as apple scab. Avoid buying whatever is available at local discount garden centers. These trees are unusually common commercial cultivars selected for their ability to stand up to shipping, and may not be suited to local growing conditions. Dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties will bear 1 to 2 bushels per of fruit per year in 3 to 4 years, while standard varieties will start to bear fruit in 4 to 8 years, producing 4 to 5 bushels per year. Apple trees do not self fertilize and need at least one other variety in bloom at the same time in order to produce fruit.
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