Happy Garden Newsletter - August 6, 2009

We would love to see some photos of your summer garden bounty. Tomatoes, zucchinis, peaches: what is growing where you live?

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

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Photos:

• Garden: Stroller As Decorative Planter
• Garden: Toilet Planter
• Garden: Spirea

Tips and Articles:

• Tips For Making Weeding Easier
• Produce Containers For Mini Hothouses
• Substitute Old Toothbrush for Nail Brush
• Garden Irrigation System With Recycled Materials
• Using Grey Water From Your Washer for The Garden

New Requests:

• Finding Free Flower Bulbs
• Getting Mulch Delivered for Free
• Trumpet Vine Losing Leaves
• Using Coffee Grounds on Blueberry Bushes
• What is This Shrub?
• Getting Rid of Gophers
• Looking for Osage Oranges
• What Variety is this Peony?
• What is this Plant?
• Growing Recommendations for Zone 6a
• Wasp Repellent
• Getting Rid of Flies and Ants in Compost Bin
• Getting Rid of Bats in the Attic
• Cantaloupe Foliage Dying
• Bell Pepper Plants Wilted
• Looking for an Easy to Use Edger
• Pruning Maple Trees
• Rerouting Downspout Water
• Voles in the Garden
• Is This a Hardy Hibiscus?
• Building Concrete Steps
• What is This Plant?
• Is It Too Late to Plant Vegetables and Flowers?
• Lucky Bamboo Leaves Are Turning Yellow
• Feeding Irises
• Dish Soap for Aphids
• Keeping Squirrels Out of the Garden
• Entwining Woody Hibiscus Stems
• How to Get Rid of Moles?
• Worms Killing My Zucchini

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Garden: Stroller As Decorative Planter

I think that this is a good way to use it. The Wandering Jew that is in the back pot came from cuttings that I took (with permission) from the yard of a bed and breakfast in Lula, Georgia.

By kflocey from Gladwin, MI

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Garden: Toilet Planter

By Laura from Sacramento, CA

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Garden: Spirea

By Judy from Grand Rapids, MI

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Tips For Making Weeding Easier
By Ellen Brown

For many gardeners, one of the most unpleasant (and seemingly endless) aspects of gardening is staying on top of the weeds. Here are some simple tips to make the job easier.

• Weed often, for short periods of time. Breaking down one large job into a series of small-sized tasks makes any unpleasant chore seem easier and less intimidating. For some of us, summer is short. Fifteen or twenty minutes a day or two a week is far preferable to giving up an entire Saturday once a month. Remember, it's not necessary to banish every weed in the garden all at once. (and probably not possible). Weed more often, but for shorter periods of time.

• Weed early in the season. If you focus most of your weeding efforts early in the season youíll find yourself having to weed less later on. After planting, remove weeds as soon as you see them. As your plants mature, their leaves will start to cast a shadow on the soil making it more difficult for emerging weeds to take hold.

• Remove the roots, reduce the work. If new weeds continue to emerge in the same exact spot you're weeding week after week, make sure you're not leaving the roots behind. Some weeds spread by roots and tubers underground. Remove them completely the first time, roots and all, and be done with it.

• Get them when they're small. Older weeds have more time to establish root systems and are harder to pull out. Get them when they're small and they'll be much easier to remove.

• Deadhead them. If you don't have time for a full on weeding session, at least pluck off any visible flower heads on weeds before they have time to go to seed. Make sure you toss flower heads in the trash and not the compost pile.

• Weed when it's wet. Weeds are much easier to pull when the ground is wet. Plan weeding sessions for right after you water or, if possible, take advantage of wet ground right after it rains. 

• Use both hands. This sounds silly, but it really works. You'll cut the time you spend weeding in half if you can learn to weed using both hands at the same time.

• Let mulch do the work. The more you mulch, the less you'll have to weed. A deep layer of mulch around plants will benefit your garden in several ways by discouraging weeds, conserving soil moisture, regulating soil temperature, and adding organic nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

• Give your back (hips, shoulders, and legs) a break. While weeding, change positions frequently to avoid placing strain on any one part of your body for extended periods of time. Stand up, sit on a bucket, kneel on a piece of foam, and use tools ergonomically designed to lessen the strain on your muscles and joints.

• Unwind as you weed. Weeding is necessary chore, so why not enjoy the time you spend doing it? Spending some quiet time in the garden, either alone or with family, can become a wonderful way to unwind after a long day at work, spend time with pets, or reconnect with members of your family. Weeding doesn't require much thinking, leaving you free to think about other things. If you have access to an MP3 player and headphones, try listening to your favorite music, listening to an audio book, or even learning a foreign language.

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Produce Containers For Mini Hothouses

Use empty produce containers (like the ones that hold strawberries) for miniature hothouses. It's very useful for a small hothouse, or to start seeds in a small area. When the plants are big enough, just keep the lid open. I did it for my bean plants, and now they're thriving on my small balcony!

By Davidicdancer from Spokane, WA

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Substitute Old Toothbrush for Nail Brush

I was planting some of my flowers and vegetable plants this afternoon, and after washing my hands, still had dirt caked under my nails. I realized that I don't have a nail brush, so I started glancing around the bathroom, and found a good substitute!

My son had an old toothbrush in the holder that is ready for replacing, so I put a dab of liquid soap on it and used that to scrub the dirt out from under my nails. It worked well, and I'm sure any old toothbrush would do, child's or adult's. Don't worry though; my son has a brand new toothbrush now! :)

By evan's"mama" from Kenosha, WI

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Garden Irrigation System With Recycled Materials

Want to feed your plants while you are away for the weekend? Well I have carried out a school project where each child has a grow bag growing vegetables and flowers. For weekends to save parents having to turn out to water, I designed an irrigation system using 2 litre coke bottles. First, I cleaned the bottles, took the lid off and stuffed the bottle with absorbent materials, such as old socks, towels and old sweaters. This absorbs the water and enables the flow to be slow and ensures water gets to the roots.

Then I pierced the bottle at the base, using a quick unpick or a pin. Be careful not to prick your finger! About four holes will do. Make a hole in the compost or planter so that the holes are beneath the soil level and pack around the base ensuring the bottle is standing secure. Take the lid off the bottle and fill with water. The key is to replace the lid which will cause a vacuum. Hey presto!

The bottle will drip feed your grow bag or planter whilst you are away. If you are feeding your tomatoes you could always add feed to the bottle and it will feed your plants too! Happy gardening.

Source: After a visit to The Edan Project UK

By beeky from Hertforshire UK

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Using Grey Water From Your Washer for The Garden

This one comes from my dad. When I was young, he maintained a very large garden and my mom canned most of the fruits and veggies that we ate. One year because of a water main break, all outdoor watering was banned. So he took a garden hose and attached it to the drain of the washer machine and placed out a window in such a way that the water would drain downhill once it left the house.

Every time my mom would do a load of laundry, she would move the hose end so that a new area of the garden could get watered. Because there were 6 in the family, we did a lot of laundry and our garden was able to stay watered all year.

Now I live in TX and we are having a drought. So next year when I start my garden, I am going to figure out exactly how to do this. I asked a plumber and he said buy the largest diameter garden hose you can fit in to your washer's drain hose. Take a rope of plumbers putty and slide the garden hose at lease 1 foot in to the drain hose and then wrap the plumbers putty around the garden hose to seal the drain hose.

To make sure that the putty stays in place, run some overlapping layers of duct tap from about 3 inches above the end of the drain hose, continuing down to the about 3 inches down the garden hose. This should form a water tight seal. Make sure that neither hose is kinked and test it.

Source: My Dad, Dennis and my local plumber

By Cleo1978 from Lubbock, TX

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Finding Free Flower Bulbs

Does anyone know where I can get free flower bulbs?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

By anntt from Kissimmee, FL

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Getting Mulch Delivered for Free

Can I get a load of mulch delivered for free?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

By anntt from Kissimmee, FL

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Trumpet Vine Losing Leaves

Is it an old wives tale or the truth, that urine on plants will deter nasty bugs? I have a 3 year old Trumpet vine that is dropping a lot of leaves. Looks like something is eating the new growth at the base. We also are experiencing forest fires; a lot of smoke. Can this affect it's growth? Thank you.

By maggie d from OYAMA, BC Canada

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Using Coffee Grounds on Blueberry Bushes

I have heard that coffee grounds were good to put on blueberry bushes. Does anyone know how much and how often I should use them? I got berries on this year for the first time and the bunny ate them. They know what's good. Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

By judie from Ypsilanti, MI

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What is This Shrub?

I have a large green bush that has white flowers in the spring and yellowish green leaves in the summer. Right now it is developing big fuzzy pods that will turn red. Does anyone know what kind of shrub this is?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By Marylumac from Detroit, MI

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Getting Rid of Gophers

Gophers are demolishing my yard. They are eating my roses, iris, and other plants and leaving mounds of dirt everywhere. I've been putting poison in the holes. I tried traps, but the gopher pushed dirt onto it which set it off.

Hardiness Zone: 10a

By abacal4 from Vista, CA

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Looking for Osage Oranges

Do any stores sell Osage oranges?

By echauri

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What Variety is this Peony?

Does anyone know the variety of this peony?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

By damaged05170 from Hamden, CT

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What is this Plant?

What is this plant? My mom has this growing out by her driveway. We don't know where it came from. She had thrown a packet of zinnia seeds out along the drive and they came up beautifully.

This plant must have been mixed in with them. We like how the stem comes out from the middle of the flower up to the next flower then out the middle again. Right now it stands 4 to 4-1/2 feet tall. Bees and butterflies love it.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

By Linda from E. TN

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Growing Recommendations for Zone 6a

Can you give me a few suggestions on what grows good in this area?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By kdupree1234 from Greensburg, PA

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Wasp Repellent

What are some recommended wasp repellents to buy?

By fabians from England

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Getting Rid of Flies and Ants in Compost Bin

I have lots of flies and ants in my compost bin. What can I do to stop these insects breeding in my compost bin (that's if they are harming the actual production of my compost, which I think they are doing).

I am looking for something which will not ruin the compost? Also, how do I attract beneficial earthworms into the compost pile? I live in a subtropical zone in Australia. With thanks in anticipation.

By killerdog from Caloundra, AU

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Getting Rid of Bats in the Attic

How do I chase away bats from the attic?

By abettere from NC

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Cantaloupe Foliage Dying

My cantaloupe stopped growing, but the foliage is looking terrible. Yellow and crisp, instead of green. I have several melons and hope to be able to harvest them before the raccoons get them. Any suggestions?

Kathy

Hardiness Zone: 9a

By kdowns from Sonoma, CA

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Bell Pepper Plants Wilted

My red pepper plants just decided to wilt this week. They have plenty of water, sun, and warmth. I have blight is on nearby tomato plants. Will the baking soda, 2 tablespoons to a quart of water take care of both?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

By loisv52 from Port Clinton, OH

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Looking for an Easy to Use Edger

I mow a very large lawn. By the time I am done I am having a hard time getting to the edging around fence, house, and driveway. I have an electric edger and it is a hassle to even get it to the far-off places that need edged.

Can anyone recommend an edger that is easy to use? I am willing to spend some money on this, because I don't want to hire someone else to take care of my lawn. What is a good brand of edger that isn't difficult to change the line on and can take on a large yard?

By SusannL from St. Cloud, FL

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Pruning Maple Trees

I just pruned my 4 year old maple trees that looked like bushes, because of the deer. I am halfway through, I'm wondering if this is the wrong time of year and did I prune off too many branches. Will these trees survive and do I need to give them any fertilizer, because I cut off a lot of branches?

Hardiness Zone: 3b

By flowerfreek from Brainerd, MN

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Rerouting Downspout Water

I'm tired of a puddle at the end of the downspouts. I am wondering how to remove the pipe that goes to the ground and attach something to the gutter that lets the rain out in sprinkler form or a mister would be great. It doesn't have to be perfect. I'm all about rigging stuff up to work.

Hardiness Zone: 9b

By texlish from Haslet, TX

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Voles in the Garden

How do I keep a voles out of the garden?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

By jywxld from Fremont, CA

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Is This a Hardy Hibiscus?

Please help me identify and care for this hibiscus plant. Is it tropical or hardy? How do I care for it in the winter? Thanks and God's Blessings.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

By Samtillman from Augusta ,GA

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Building Concrete Steps

I would like to use 1-2 inch rocks to make small steps up a bank, how would you combine the rocks with cement?

By ealshehri from Plainwell, MI

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What is This Plant?

Can anybody please tell me what kind of plant this is and how is best to care for them? I have had it for 4 years now and has always been ok but recently it has been looking very different in the color of the leaves and they seem very dry and hard. Thank you.

By colmurray72 from Aberdeen, Scotland

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Is It Too Late to Plant Vegetables and Flowers?

Can I plant veggies and flowers now?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By craftslady2008 from Medina, OH

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Lucky Bamboo Leaves Are Turning Yellow

I have twisted bamboo sticks that were gifted to me. For a few days they were greenish but now the leaves are turning yellow. There are no new leaves growing. One of the sticks has no leaves on it. Please tell me how can I save it.

By kuljeet from India

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Feeding Irises

What do I feed Irises? I've had these irises since we bought the house in 2002. I've divided them and replanted them in many locations. I was told to feed them Bone Meal in the fall (something I haven't done yet). Is this good for them and if so where do I get the bone meal? The color has faded over the years in the leaves. I think that's due to improper feeding, am I correct? I also want to re-do the flower bed where they are now. Can I dig them up now, fix the bed and replant them now?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

By tomarhoch from Tonopah, NV

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Dish Soap for Aphids

I have aphids on my roses and want to know the soap to water ratio for mix.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By herblady2 from IN

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Keeping Squirrels Out of the Garden

How do I keep squirrels out of the garden?

By ctierney from Washington, DC

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Entwining Woody Hibiscus Stems

I have a healthy hibiscus with 3 long stems and lots of leaves. I've seen them look like little trees with the stems woven together. How do I do this? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 8b

By nancyintx from Longview, TX

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How to Get Rid of Moles?

I am having a big problem with moles digging up my lawn. How can I get rid of them? Thank you.

By craftylady31 from Sicklerville, NJ

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Worms Killing My Zucchini

I have white worms eating my zucchini. The vegetable, not the leaves and rest of the plant. It is plain white about an inch long. No legs or any markings, turning vegetable "mushy". Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

By rhonda21 from Sparta, MI

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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