|
|
|
Vol. 4, Num. 33, August 13, 2009 (Read It Online) We have more tips and photos this week from readers and an interesting article by Ellen Brown about Preventative Medicine For Your Vegetable Garden. Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
Photos: Tips and Articles:
New Requests:
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:
I got sheet moss at the Hobby Lobby for $5 for a huge bag. I hot glued the moss into the "candle holders" (sockets) and on the top and some of the other curvy areas of the chandelier. My husband had some Velcro tabs, so I used those to attach the pink roses. I figured that with the velcro, I could switch out the flowers seasonally, or when they start to look faded. I had some old crystals in a drawer in the dining room, so I attached those to the bottom of the chandelier. Finally, I wrapped floral tape around the bottoms of 5 tapers so that they would fit into the light sockets. I'm thrilled with how it turned out. I spent $15 to create a light fixture that looks like it cost much more! By RebeccaVC from Appleton, WI
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59392921.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: This is a picture my 12 year old son took using the macro mode on my camera. It's amazing the pictures you can get when you get up close and personal. By lindybell from Unionbridge, MD
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55251859.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: We have a small 25x25 foot garden space that is very productive. What we freeze or can keeps us in fresh, healthy meals for a year. We grow carrots, beets, radishes and mixed lettuce, green and yellow beans, green pepper, over 60 broccoli plants, and some assorted herbs. Our tomatoes are grown separately in another part of our yard, to keep them away from the thornless blackberries growing along the back fence. For example, just 2 thick rows of beans gives us over 60 meals to enjoy. By Steve Sweet from Weyauwega, WI
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35865987.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: We had a garden beside the kids playground that had to be moved because the wild blackberries were killing the plants. My 10 year old son came up with this plan. We worked hard for 5 days digging the pond and transplanting the garden. Now this is our Family's favourite place to sit and talk. Hope you like it. By Justin and Mom from Lawrencetown Nova Scotia
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19982831.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It:
I have been able to make what seems to be squirrel proof suet cage covers that work beautifully from a clean 1 gallon Bleach Bottle, a metal wire coat hanger and a twisty tie. I cut the top 'funnel' portion off the bleach bottle which I discard or recycle. Then I make a U shaped cut on one side of the remaining bleach bottle a little smaller than the width of the Suet Cage. also leaving about 2 inches at the top of the U. This portion of the bottom of the bleach bottle now becomes the top of the Suet Cage Cover. The now upside down U that is cut out leaves space for the birds to access the suet block/cage. I poke a hole in the top (bottom of the bleach bottle) to run a length of straightened metal coat hanger through making a small hook on the inside of the bottle and a large hook on the other end for the over the branch. I hook the suet cage on the small hook inside the bottle and use a twisty tie to hold the back of the suet cage stable through a hole poked through the back of the bleach bottle. I usually make the large 'hook' that goes over the branch to have a second hook that 'locks' around the length of the metal coat hanger where it attaches to the branch so the squirrels cannot lift it off the branch and drop it. I have 4 of these feeder covers around my yard and enjoy watching the wood peckers, titmice and chickadees feeding from them without the squirrels being able to hold on to the rounded edges of the bleach bottle to access the suet blocks. They only cost you a little time and effort as all the components are things that we would normally discard. Watching the frustration of the squirrels is a bonus :) Source: My own idea. I'm recently retired and now have the time to try to foil the squirrels from stealing my bird food. I can't afford to feed all the tree rats on my retirement! By marycrane from Orange Park, Fl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51894815.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Preventative Medicine For Your Vegetable Garden
The expression "prevention is the best medicine" certainly applies to gardening, especially to vegetable gardening, where a few minor problems can quickly grow large enough to ruin your entire crop. Once your garden is in and growing, performing the following maintenance tasks will keep garden problems to a minimum. Patrol for Signs of Trouble In gardening, what you don't know can hurt you. Get in the habit of taking daily walks around your garden. Not only will you learn to notice and appreciate the subtle changes occurring in your plants as they grow, but you'll learn to spot signs of trouble early, before they escalate into major problems. Keep Plants Watered When and how much to water and how much your garden needs depends on a lot of factors: local weather, the type of crops you're growing, each crop's stage of development, soil drainage, etc. As a general rule, crops growing in early to mid summer should receive at least 1 inch of water per week. This can come from rainfall, irrigation systems, or a combination of both. From mid to late summer, as temperature rise and plants grow larger in size, you may find that those same crops need even more water. Keep Plants Fed If you start your plants in nutrient-rich soil (amended with lots of compost), your crops will probably not need additional feeding during the growing season. Too much fertilizer can be as detrimental to vegetables as not enough. Crops that can usually get by with less fertilizer include beans, peas, radishes, watermelons, and turnips. Crops that tend to be heavy feeders, which may need supplemental nutrients in poorer soil include members of the cabbage family, tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, carrots, onions, celery, and potatoes. A pre-season soil test is really the only way to know for sure if you're coping with nutrient deficiencies. If your plants need a quick boost, consider top dressing the soil with compost or using compost tea. Here are some basic signs to watch for:
Stay Ahead of Weeds Remove weeds while they are small. This prevents them from establishing deep root systems and keeps them from going to seed. Small frequent weeding sessions make will make the task seem more manageable. Mulch as Needed Over time, any mulch added near the start of the season will naturally start to decompose and release nutrients back into the soil. Add new mulch as needed to suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, help retain moisture, and keep your garden looking attractive. Prune, Stake, and Train As garden crops grow and start to bear fruit, make sure to provide them with adequate support. Redirect stems while they're still small to keep them inside cages and on trellises. Use coffee cans, nylon slings, or wood scraps to elevate squash and melons off the ground. This will keep them clean and dry (help prevent rotting), protect them from animals, and allow them to develop a uniform shape. Thin Your Crops Crops sown from seed should be thinned as soon as seedlings are big enough to handle. Some crops, especially root crops like carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips, may need thinning more than once depending on their stage of development. Look on the back of your seed packets to find out the recommended spacing for each crop. Hill Up Your Soil If you planted potatoes, you need to continue hilling up soil around your plants as they grow. This encourages them to produce long stems and more potatoes. It also keeps developing potatoes from being exposed to light. Use soil or mulch to keep hills mounded up at least 12 inches high. Battle Birds And Bugs If birds and bugs have been a problem in the past, use netting or row covers over your crops to prevent further damage. If you see insects or spot early signs of insect damage, use a garden insect guide to correctly diagnose the bug and the problem before you take action. This is important for two reasons:
Stay on Top of Harvests There are no absolute rules when it comes to harvesting your vegetables, but in general, the best flavor is usually captured when crops are harvested just prior to reaching maturity. If you're going to be away from home when some of your crops near maturity, arrange for a friend or neighbor to do the harvesting for you in exchange for a portion of the crop. Take Notes Don't forget to record what is happening in your garden throughout the season. Write down planting, germination, flowering, and harvest dates; the type of bugs you see, weather conditions, crop yields, etc. Jotting down a sentence or two each day will help you repeat successes and avoid failures again next year.
Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60998708.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Use Junk Mail for Garden Mulch I take all the junk mail and newspapers that come to our home and shred it and use it for mulch in my garden. It is very colorful and works great. I will run it through the shredder or let my grandkids cut the paper up. They have a really good time cutting and spreading. The paper helps keep the grass down, but be sure to water well so the mulch will stay in place. By Mariyn from Lewisburg, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17431152.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Citronella Lights to Deter Unwanted Cats If you are having trouble with unwanted cats in your garden or around the perimeter of your house it can be fixed. I bought a bag of citronella T-lights and put them around in the yard and the cats don't like the smell. I also had a huge problem with carpenter bees in my Gazebo and did the same thing there and we didn't have any this year. By ylvasteve from Waterloo, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19016874.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Use Plastic Bakery Cake Covers for Paving Stones Molds I save the plastic tops to store bought cakes; both the round ones and rectangular ones. They make great reusable molds for making paving stones. I also save broken jewelry, cheap beads, marbles, pretty beach glass, broken tiles and such. Pour quick crete into the mold. Mix in water and stir well. Add water slowly so you don't get it too soupy. Then add the pretties on top. Kids can add a hand print if they wish. Let sit several days to set. It will pop out of the mold and you can reuse it numerous times. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52254821.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Use Dryer Sheets For Garden Clean Up Save all used fabric softener dryer sheets to clean dirty hands and fingernails after gardening or other dirty jobs. Simply wet the sheet and gently scrub your hands. Not only does the slight abrasiveness really clean the gunk off your hands, cuticles, and fingernails; there is usually a bit of fabric softener left in the sheet to soften your hands and leave them smelling good. I have used them also to scrub muddy bare feet. Then after these uses, rinse and re-use to scrub flower pots or small garden tools. By MamaJ from Amarillo, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23354901.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Purchase one bunch of green onions, remove the bottoms with the root (about an inch of each stem). Use a pencil to poke the soil making a nice opening, and plant each green onion end. One package of 5 green onions will give you 5 hardy green onion plants. Use scissors to clip off the top green part when you need the green onions to add to a recipe. This requires little care, just be careful not to trim it too close to the root. You will have a never-ending supply of green onions. Source: Preston Cumberbatch from South America By Twilightgift Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39266524.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It:
Some time ago, someone posted pictures of bird houses made from gourds. I would like instructions. For example, do I cut the hole and clean out the insides, or do I just hang them and let the birds do it all? Also, I would like creative ways to suspend them. By catastrofy from Winnipeg, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44773890.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Keeping Chickens Out of Flower Beds How do you keep chickens out of flower beds? By Zoe2 from Dallas, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf546277.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Diamondback Rattlesnake in the House I live in Texas in a canyon area and a diamond back rattle snake entered the kitchen. Is this unusual that this type of snake would enter a home? By Georgia one from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38682716.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Keeping Bees Away from a Hummingbird Feeder I am looking for a solution to keep bees and yellow jackets away from my Humming Bird feeders.I had an Thrifty tip about a brown paper bag, but lost it. Please help. Thanks. Bevvie By bevvie from Placerville, Ca Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11973966.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: How can I grow Black Eyed Susans in my yard, from my dad's flowering plants in his yard? Do the flowers make seeds? By spoostad Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22869710.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Transplanting a Rose of Sharon When is the best time to dig up and replant a Rose of Sharon tree? Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 5a By Bbgone from Chicago, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39666183.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Germinating Frozen Cherry Pits Is it still possible to germinate cherry pits after they have been frozen, not refrigerated, for about 10 weeks? Hardiness Zone: 9b By Mauritius from South TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61167600.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: My zucchini plant is rotting. As soon as I get a zucchini on the plant it rots on the vine. Any suggestions? Hardiness Zone: 6a By CUTIE PIE from Hegins, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40740300.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Does anyone have any ideas on making your own peat pots? I have decided to experiment, but would like to know if someone already has the solution. Hardiness Zone: 7a By Lavenda from Jackson, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55140498.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: My Autumn Blaze maple leaves are light green with dark veins. I understand this is iron chlorosis and needs chelated iron or sulfur. Can't find chelated iron, but used a regular iron fertilizer (has some sulfur). Any further info would be appreciated. Don't want to lose 3-year-old tree. Hardiness Zone: 5b By boborr from Lapeer, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76520796.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: We live in an apartment complex and there are always surprises in the communal trash bins. My son knows I plant everything, so he just came in the door with 2 fuchsia plants that had been thrown away. It looks like they were kept in the little 4 inch pots they were bought in. They look pretty scrawny, have some dead branches, and no blossoms. I looked them up on several gardening sites and see that they need bigger pots, watering every day, shade, and fertilizer about every 2 weeks. I've cut off the dead branches and had a friendly talk with them to make them welcome. Is there anything else I should do to revive my little orphan plants? I've always wanted a fuchsia plant, but never bought one, so other than what I read on the internet, I'm not sure what to do. Hardiness Zone: 8a By DiJones from Wilsonville, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16699090.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Pruning Apple Tree Results in Very Little Fruit We have an apple tree that every year sends out long thin branches from the end of each limb. We tried pruning them, but then had very few apples. What's the problem? Hardiness Zone: 2a By preserver from Winnipeg Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19540902.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Keeping Insects Out of Bird Food Bags How do moths and or worms get in big bags of bird food? By lauralclark from Iowa Park, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22686292.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: I am new to gardening and my tomato plants are looking sick. The top, not the bottom leaves look like they are drying up. The bottom leaves are large, flat, and have slightly rounded edges. The top leaves are small, curled, and have sharp edges. No discoloration, no holes in the leaves. The ground here is pretty solid and can flood in very heavy rainfall. The weather has been mostly dry and around 80 degrees. I have plants in two separate areas, Big Boys and Better Boys. All of the tomatoes are having this problem. Also the tomatoes are still green, but look more yellow at the bottom and green at the top. I never know if I am watering them too much or not. I usually water them with a hose spray for about 10 min. each, every 2-3 days depending on the rainfall. Please help. They were beautiful and very large and were doing so well. Can they die if I don't do something? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Courtney from Glenview, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13923239.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: I have Crepe Myrtles on both sides of my front porch entrance. During the summer, these are normally plagued by Japanese beetles feasting on their leaves. This year, however, there are almost no beetles. My blessing turned to dismay when literally hordes of common houseflies are all over my Myrtles. They appear to be not only stripping the flowered buds, but the flowers are very pale pink, when normally vivid pink. Anyone experiencing problems with Crepe Myrtles this year? Any advice for the hordes of flies? I've been swatting relatively few, compared to the vast numbers of them (flies). Hardiness Zone: 7a By ck384 from Huntingtown,MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26774890.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Ground Cover for Shady Pet Play Yard I can't get grass to grow in my very shady yard where my dog plays. What else can I put there so I won't have mud? Hardiness Zone: 5a By gardenmom from Westminster, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93771441.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Every bit of my leaf lettuce and basil in my container garden is holey. I lay the blame on Japanese beetles. Can I still eat any of my holey produce? I know it sounds gross, but I'm angry. I had surgery and could not do a real garden. By cussinwolf from NC Mountains Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28736684.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: How do I plant a Hosta seed? Hardiness Zone: 4a By deeeeeee from Lambertville, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25739804.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: I have grown some sun flowers. The first one was huge. Now it's hanging down towards the ground. When and how do I cut it so the others will grow better? By diegelman from Buffalo, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30650123.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: My tomato is still green, is this normal or there is something wrong with mine? Hardiness Zone: 5a By hananay from Osage, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86744161.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: I have a climbing rose bush that I have had for 4 years and it is doing wonderful at growing, but it doesn't flower. I have never seen a bloom on it, does anyone have any suggestions how to get the bush to flower? Hardiness Zone: 4a By whiskell Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28443965.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Determining Sex of Guinea Fowl Does anyone know how to tell which of my guinea fowl is male and which is female? By bsmoreland from Mammoth Cave, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70483095.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Cleaning Siding with Plant Safe Soap I need to wash my house. I got the sprayer to put soap in. My question is what kind of soap do I use that won't hurt my plants? Thanks. Judie By Judie from Ypsilanti, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20486418.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Looking for information on treating a fish pond for fungi. By jkong from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78600767.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Pear Tree Leaves Turning Black, Fruit Wormy My pear tree has black leaves which fall off and the fruit is mostly rotten or wormy. Some of the bark is cracked and it has a few dead branches. What can I do? Hardiness Zone: 7a By edporter Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53603744.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Copper Colored Bug with White "Flowers" All Over I do not have a picture of it, but at work I came across a beautiful bug, went to lots of identify a bug sites, but there are zillions. Wondered if I describe it maybe someone will know, or maybe saw one before. It is the size and shape of a Box Elder bug, it is light orange almost copper colored and looks like it has hand painted white flowers all over it`s body. By freedombelle2001 from Bellevue, N.E Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31003838.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: I have two Burning Bushes in the front of my house. One is glorious and the other only had one branch that bloomed all year. There is a lot of new growth at the base of the bush. Should I cut it back and only leave one branch or should I yank it out? Hardiness Zone: 6a By Marylumac from Detroit, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50861422.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: We think at least one or more chipmunks have found their way into our house. We have seen tracks that look like mouse tracks so we put out D-Con. It has gone untouched, so someone said maybe it is chipmunks. Does any one know any way to get rid of them? By ame8736 from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf542341.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
Rate It: Use Epsom Salts on Your Tomatoes and Peppers How much do Epsom salt do you use? Hardiness Zone: 3b By CindyMuegg from Lake Mills, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41602181.tip.html
Email to a Friend
|
Get Responses
|
Bookmark
|
Link
|
Print
|
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:
|
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
