Volume 1, Number 9, March 23, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We a gardening related poll today so I thought I would mention it here:
Have you ever used an online seed swap?
Post your answer:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45241875.tip.html
Also, if you have ever used ThriftyFun's Seed Swap, we would love to hear feedback about how we might improve it. You can post feedback in the feedback forum below the poll or send it to us here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contact.ldml
As always, we would love to see pictures of your gardening and hear your favorite gardening tips as we enter spring.
Submit Your Gardening Tips:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Submit Photos of Your Garden:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
And if you need some gardening advice, don't hesitate to ask :-)
Submit a Gardening Request:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml
Happy Gardening!
Susan
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips and Articles:
New Requests:
Growing Guides:
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Today's Tips and Articles
| Our Bird House is Too Popular
Q: This winter we decided that it would be nice to feed the birds. We purchased/made three nice birdhouses and have them placed throughout our yard. The smallest bird feeder holds 5 pounds of birdseed. The largest holds 10 pounds.
My challenge is that we have so MANY birds coming to the yard now. We want to feed the birds but didn't expect so many hungry birds. We expected to refill the birdseed once a week. At the rate they have been going, we need to refill it every day. We can't afford that much birdseed.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? How do we attract fewer birds or supplement the birdseed with something less expensive?
Thanks!
Tricia from Royal Oak, MI
A: Tricia,
There are a number of things you can do to lower the cost of feeding birds in your backyard. Start by measuring out a specific amount of seed for the feeders each day with the idea that once it's gone, it's gone. Most birds visit a number of feeders in the neighborhood every day. As long as you offer something everyday, they will keep up their daily visits, but a limited amount of seed will also encourage them to develop additional sources of food elsewhere. If you're seeing a lot of waste on the ground, you may be better off switching to tube feeders, each filled with a specific food. For example, cracked corn, black-oil sunflower seeds, safflower and Niger seed (thistle seed) will attract a wide variety of birds native to your area. These foods cost a little more initially, but you'll see much less waste. Buy your food in bulk from a feed store or grain elevator and store it in large plastic bins to keep it dry. You can also purchase lard or fat from a butcher or meat locker rather than buy the expensive suet cakes sold at stores. Save your crumbs, old bread, fruit, berries, non-sugar cereal, etc., to supplement seed. If your birds seem to enjoy these "carbs," check your local bakery. They may sell old, outdated bread very reasonably for pet food (6-8 loaves for $1).
Ellen
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| Protecting Knees While Gardening
To protect your knees when gardening, sew patch pockets on the knee area of your pants. Slip sponges or soft foam into the pocket. When you bend or kneel, these knee savers wont move or fall off. They're always ready and available when you want to use them. Have a safe, productive gardening season!
By Carol from Wyoming, PA
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| Caring for a Mini Christmas Tree
Q: My brother gave me a mini Christmas tree (I have never successfully raised a plant) and I wondered if anyone could give me tips about it, such as watering and repotting since it's in a milk jug bottom right now.
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Thanks,
Christi from Paducah, KY
A: Christi,
The care of your mini Christmas tree depends on what type of tree it is. Most traditional evergreens grown and sold as potted Christmas trees have about a 50/50 chance of surviving, and that is if they are transplanted outdoors after only 7-10 days spent indoors. The exception to this is the Norfolk Pine, which is often kept indoors as a houseplant after the holidays. For more information on caring for a Norfolk, take a look at this post www.thriftyfun.com/tf47893507.tip.html
If your mini Christmas tree is a traditional evergreen, plan on planting it outside as soon as temperatures warm up. In the meantime, try to keep the roots moist (not wet) to prevent them from drying out. Keep your tree in a bright, cool room out of the way of drafts. Before moving outside permanently, let it adjust to conditions outdoors by setting it outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the amount of time it spends outside. Make sure you plant it in well-drained soil. Evergreens don't generally like wet feet.
Ellen
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| Placement of Plants and Trees
When planting flower beds in your front yard, plant on a diagonal from your house. The yard will have more depth. Never plant trees in the center of the front yard as it shortens it but again plant them on a diagonal from your house. Drive down some streets and look at the difference. It is unbelievable!
By Bev Sobkowich from Chilliwack BC
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Surfing for Seeds
By Ellen BrownSeed Exchanges have planted themselves on the Internet, allowing gardeners to find, offer, and swap seeds. If you're in the pre-spring gardening mode-- thinking about, planning out, or dreaming of this season's horticultural challenges-- it's the perfect time to start hunting around for the seeds you desire, offering up those you have too many of, or doing both.
There are three basic types of seed swap groups-- free membership, paid membership, and seed saving organizations. There are close to 100 seed exchanges listed on Yahoo alone that were started by users. Some specialize in herbs, exotic seeds, or rain forest plants, while others are more generalized.
If you think you have some seeds to trade, it's important to make sure they're viable. A simple way to do this is to place a few seeds on one-half of a damp paper towel and then fold the other half over the seeds. Put the seed-laced towel in a plastic bag and place it in the proper environment to germinate. If you see sprouts within two weeks, you've got some seeds worth exchanging.
Read More Here: Click Here
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Three Simple Tricks For Extending Your Asparagus Harvest
By Ellen BrownAsparagus is a perennial vegetable, which means that a well-established bed can produce fresh spears for twenty years or more. Usually considered an early season crop, asparagus isn't just for spring anymore. By following a few simple planting and growing tricks, you can harvest asparagus all summer long.
Trick #1: Plant Beds at Different Levels
This first trick will prolong your asparagus harvest by a good three weeks or more. Starting a new asparagus bed can be a bit labor intensive, but the fact that you'll get fresh spears for the next twenty years or more will be well worth the effort.
Read More Here: Click Here
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| Getting Rid of Oxalis
Q: Our backyard is covered by oxalis, how can I get ride of them? Any homemade weed killer that would work?
Hardiness Zone: 9a
Thank you very much,
Bobby from San Francisco, CA
A: Bobby,
I don't know of any homemade weed killer designed specifically for Oxalis that won't kill the rest of your grass. There are several homemade recipes listed on this site if you want to experiment with some, however most are not discriminating and will kill everything they come into contact with.
Oxalis reproduces by bulblets and seeds that need light to germinate. You may have to employ a combination of strategies over several years in order to regain total control of your yard. The first would be to dig out some of the plants with their bulbs. You'll need to dig down at least 6 inches deep. Another is to whack off some of the plants at the surface to weaken the bulbs by keeping them from being fed and to keep the plants from forming seeds. A third is to cover some of the plants with thick mulch or layers of newspaper to prevent new growth from germinating. These are all pretty labor intensive, but they can be effective if you're diligent. Unless of course, your neighbor's yard is overrun and he has decided to surrender. You might also try a book called, "Golden Gate Gardening," by Jan Pierce for more strategies.
Ellen
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| Supporting Tomato Plants
When planting tomato plants in a garden - place hog panel 3 feet tall down the length of the row(s). Plant tomato plants in front of each side of the panel - as they begin grow start to tie them to the panel with cut up nylon hose. It holds the plant up and doesn't damage the plant if you tie it securely enough - but not too tight. Continue to tie it up as it grows.
Keep the row(s) weeded - whatever your preference is. You can walk through and pick off tomatoes, without having to pick up plants - for the tomato beneath, and you can see the worms easier!
By Chaingang from N Manchester, Indiana
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New Requests
| Something to Plant in Cracks in Pavement
I have just moved into a rental property which had grass growing in all the cracks in the pavement and drive way. I have pulled up all the grass and I would like to plant something in the cracks by seed preferably (large area) that will either look pretty, or smell good when you tread on it. This would also keep the grass from growing back. I need something very hardy as it will have foot traffic. Any suggestions? I was thinking mint or Johnny jump ups.
Hardiness Zone: 11
Sally from Sydney Australia
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| Growing a Mango Tree
I would like to grow a mango tree in my yard. If an apple tree can survive the cold, why not my mango tree? How hard would it be? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Susie from Celina, Ohio
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| Cats Getting My New Guinea Impatiens
I live in Canada but the weather would be close to Seattle's. I have a north facing brick planter on the front of the house that doesn't get much direct sun. I planted New Guinea Impatiens last year and some of it survived but some just disappeared and I think it was local cat that loves to dig in the garden year round. Is there anything that I can plant that the cat wouldn't go for or how do I keep it - the cat - out of the garden?
I replanted twice last year before I realized what was going on.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Thanks,
Jane from Richmond B.C. Canada
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| What Type of Plant Is This?
Does anyone know what the name of this plant is? It was from my neighbor about 3 years ago. I divided it and put part in the sunny part of the garden and part in the shade. It bloomed this year in the sun. The one in the shade has not. The leaves are strap like. The nasturtium are overgrowing it.
Hardiness Zone: 9b
Thanks,
Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA
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| Buying Creeping Zinnia Seeds
I saw the beautiful picture of the creeping zinnia and I would love them for my garden. The problem is I can't seem to find plants or seeds anywhere on the web. Does anyone know where I can get them?
Hardiness Zone: 5b
JILLSAVES from Shavertown, PA
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| Do hummingbird vines die out during the winter?
Do hummingbird vines die out during the winter? I have nothing on my vines.
Hardiness Zone: 9a
Thanks,
Otis from FL
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| Brown Boronia Information
Can any one tell me about "Brown Boronia"? And where to get them? My zone is 9-10 in Southern, CA. I'm told that they will grow here.
Hardiness Zone: 9b
Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA
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| After Hurricane Katrina, My Whole Lawn is Weeds
I need help with my lawn! What Hurricane Katrina didn't kill with salt water flooding, the heat and drought afterward did it in. All of my azaleas are dead so I'll have to replant those but my entire lawn is pretty much weeds now. I don't know what to do to get my grass back other than an expensive complete redo, or a sod job, neither of which I can afford.
Do I kill all the weeds and then overseed? Do I use a weed and feed product and hope the little bit of grass left takes over? Can my yard be salvaged?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
mef1957 from Ocean Springs, MS
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Growing Guides
Growing: Delphinium
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | Delphiniums thrive in areas with cooler summers. Start with bedding plants or sow seeds indoors in late winter. Seeds should be cold treated for two weeks before being moved to a warmer temperature for germination. Mulch plants in spring to keep the soil moist and cool. Fertilize in spring with a 5-10-5 fertilizer and repeat during flowering. Stake in late spring when plants reach a height of 12 inches. |
| Interesting Facts: | Delphiniums appreciate moist soil, but hate wet feet. To avoid crown rot, mound up soil around roots of each plant so soil slopes away from the stems, or plant in raised beds. |
More Growing Information: Click Here | Growing: Clock Vine (Thunbergia)
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost or transplant seedlings 6 inches apart after night temperatures have reached at least 50º. Seedlings grow slowly, reaching 5 to 6 feet high with good supports. Vines flower poorly during high heat and humidity, but come back after the peak of summer heat subsides. |
| Interesting Facts: | There are nearly 100 different species of Thunbergia-both shrubs and vines. Species are native to Africa and India, where flowers on some species grow to several feet in length. |
More Growing Information: Click Here | Growing: Cleome (Spider Flower)
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | Start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost or sow seeds directly in the ground after the danger of the last frost has passed. When planting, just press seeds lightly into the soil, as they need light to germinate. Seeds will germinate in approximately two weeks at temperatures of 70º. Pinching them back as they grow will help produce bushier plants. |
| Interesting Facts: | The nickname "Spider Flower" comes from the spidery-like flowers with long, waving stamen, which are held on tall, strong leafy stems. Cleome can have a strong, unpleasant musky odor, so should be planted away from widows and doors. They are a favorite of hummingbirds. |
More Growing Information: Click Here | Growing: Cosmos (Mexican Aster)
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | Scatter seed outdoors directly in desired location as soon as danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost date. Cold treat seeds for two weeks before moving to warm place for germination. |
| Interesting Facts: | When saving seeds, tie yarn around the stems of plants in your favorite color, or let them self-seed for a color surprise. Tall varieties may need to be staked for support. |
More Growing Information: Click Here | Growing: Coleus
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | When grown outdoors, Coleus plants will survive and grow in the sun, but foliage color is much more intense when grown in light shade or when grown under ultraviolet light indoors. Sow seeds in spring or purchase small seedlings and transplant to beds after temperatures reach 50ºF. Space plants 12 inches apart and pinch back when plants are 4 to 6 inches to encourage bushier growth. Apply fertilizer (10-10-10) once per month |
| Interesting Facts: | Seedlings are less brilliant in color when young, intensifying in color as they age. |
More Growing Information: Click Here | Growing: Clarkia
By Ellen Brown
| Growing Hints: | In western zones, sow seeds in fall during the rainy season. In eastern zones, sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Clarkia doesn't transplant well and should be sown in the location where you want it to grow. Clarkia will adapt to poor soil conditions. Soil that is too nutrient rich will produce lush foliage but inhibit flowering. |
| Interesting Facts: | Clarkia was named for Captain William Clark, the famous German botanist who explored the American frontier with Meriwether Lewis. Clarkia was one of the first flowers documented as they crossed the Louisiana Purchase. |
More Growing Information: Click Here |
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