Happy Garden - October 16, 2008

This week we have an article about Pruning Your Evergreens by Ellen Brown. We also have some more tips from readers and your tips.

Do you have any fall gardening photos to share? Feel free to post them here:

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Photos:

• Garden: Backyard Birds And Scenery
• Use Your Garden Gourds For Cute Craft People

Tips and Articles:

• Pruning Your Evergreens
• Don't Kill Caterpillars, They Are Pollinators
• Winter Your Patio Flowers Indoors
• Repairing Branch On "Rose of Sharron" Tree
• Use Beer to Prevent Slugs
• Getting Rid Of Insects In Locust Trees
• Basil Natural Fly Repellent
• Painting River Rocks
• Collect Shower Water For Plants
• Use a 2 Liter Bottle to Store Birdseed
• American Dagger Moths Can Be Toxic

New Requests:

• What Is Wintering Seeds?
• Preserving Seeds From Buttercup Squash
• Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Brown
• Gerbera Growing As A Perennial
• Collecting Sun Flower Seeds
• Transplanting A Chocolate Mimosa Tree
• Hibiscus Has Lots Of Light Green Leaves
• Making Compost With Pet Waste
• Trimming Amaryllis Leaves
• Collecting Seeds from a Thunbergia (Black-Eyed Susan)
• Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter
• Controlling Moss In Lawn
• Looking For A Buckeye Tree

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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.

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Garden: Backyard Birds And Scenery

By mepurplegee from Danvers, MA

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Use Your Garden Gourds For Cute Craft People

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Pruning Your Evergreens
By Ellen Brown

Most evergreens need little or no pruning to grow their best, but occasionally dead or damaged branches need to be removed, growth becomes excessive, or trees grow out of their natural form. In these cases, it pays to know when and how to prune your evergreens.

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Don't Kill Caterpillars, They Are Pollinators

Several days ago, I found five really weird caterpillars on one of my small Meyer's Lemon trees. They looked like truncated snakes with white and black stripes and patches that fell into a scale pattern and even false eyes. There was a kind of snake nosed hood that covered the actual caterpillar head and if you touched the hood gently with a grass blade, a red forked tongue feature would dart out. I tried to get the local extension agent to identify them for me, but they weren't familiar with them and advised me to kill them before they spread--especially since they were eating citrus. Late yesterday, the University of Florida Master Gardener got back to me and identified them as Orange Dog Caterpillars. They are the young of giant swallowtails that live on citrus. The interesting thing is that she said DON'T kill them.

Too late, since after more than 48 hours I put the jar of them in the freezer since I didn't want to keep stripping leaves off the citrus to feed them. What I thought would interest you though is WHY she said not to kill them. She said the reason that the fruit isn't setting on the citrus and citrus related trees is because the loss of the bees has left us without pollinators. In desperation, they are now saying that it is better to risk a little damage to the trees than to kill any insect that could help pollinate. They are saying DON'T KILL ANY CATERPILLARS ANY MORE! (I just heard back from the Master Gardener again--she said since the trees were so small I could kill some to protect them since it isn't an endangered species)

That has really struck home, though, and I won't kill any more if they show up. I AM trying to identify other local plants they might live on. There are a couple known ones besides citrus in South Florida though they say that the resulting butterflies are smaller, than the citrus fed ones. Unfortunately, I don't recognize either of them as living around here, though I will research that too.

By Jeanne from Daytona Beach, FL

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Winter Your Patio Flowers Indoors

I live in a townhome and have a porch and patio to display flowers. Each fall before it freezes I bring a bunch of my plants inside -- pots and hanging baskets of geraniums, especially. I place them around a window in a spare room that gets pretty good light. They drop a lot of leaves at first, but gradually get accustomed to the indoor conditions. In the spring I take them back out again. I save so much money by not having to replace these plants every year. This year I started nasturtium, zinnia and vinca from seed in several pots and they turned out so pretty - the cost of the seeds is small. Every year I have a super nice display of flowers and it costs me hardly anything!

By Holly from Denver, Colorado

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Repairing Branch On "Rose of Sharron" Tree

Question:

How do you repair the branch after bugs have made a home in it. The branch is still alive but it is falling, I've tied it up. Will it self mend or is there a glue out there?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Jennifer from Toronto

Answer:

Hi Jennifer,

There are glues and waxes available for repairing damaged tree branches, but since you already know that you have had an insect infestation, you are probably better off simply removing the diseased branch. Because the branch has suffered a deep enough split to start falling, tying it up is probably only prolonging the inevitable-the death of the branch. By removing it, you'll help prevent the spread of further insect damage as well as reduce the chance of fungal disease.

Depending on its circumference, you can probably get by with using a small hand saw to remove the branch. Make cuts both above and below on the damaged branch and gradually saw toward the center from each side until the cuts meet. This will help prevent further splitting. Cut the branch off at an angle. If it's a large branch, you may want to reduce the height of the top of the tree a bit to help the tree channel some of its energy into new shoots. You may also find that pruning things down helps balance out the look of the tree. Of course, that is something only you can decide.

The Rose of Sharon is a tough tree. Don't be afraid of losing a few branches here and there. They don't normally require too much pruning, but they certainly tolerate it well when necessary.

Ellen

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Use Beer to Prevent Slugs

If you are having problems with slugs, get a small saucer and pour a little beer in it. Late in the evening is best and then the next morning, you'll find some dead slugs.

By Sabrina from Council,N.C.

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Getting Rid Of Insects In Locust Trees

Question:

I have 2 locust trees around 20 years old in my yard. I have had them trimmed twice as they are quite large. I am noticing that there are a lot of dead branches now on both trees. I am assuming some insect or fungus is attacking them causing foliage to cease and limbs to dry out.

I found a systemic liquid by Ortho, which has to be diluted and sprayed and is toxic. The trees are too high for me to spray and I would prefer not to do this as I have lots of flowers and grass underneath them which could be damaged, along with pets who roam the yard.

Does anyone have any suggestions to handle this problem short of contacting a professional, who I am sure is going to want to spray. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hardiness Zone: 5a

mtm from Northeast PA

Answer:

MTM,

Before you can take any productive action, you really need to find out exactly what you are dealing with. In order to find out you may need to either call in a professional, or contact your local county extension agency to find out if a Master Gardener would be willing to look at a sample and help you with the diagnosis. Insect and fungus attacks are quite different and require very different strategies for treatment. The Ortho you found may prove to be ineffective depending on what the problem is. Once you find out exactly what you are dealing with, you can research some Organic treatment methods that may or may not involve some type of spraying.

What kind of Locust tree do you have? Do you see any evidence of sawdust? The Locust Borer is a common problem that affects Black Locust trees. Do you see sunken spots on the branches that are dying? Are the leaves turning brown but the twigs look fine? Dead branches here and there may indicate verticillium wilt. You can check for it by taking a sharp knife and slicing diagonally through a dead twig. Verticillium wilt shows up as brown streaks in the vascular system. Did you have a cold, wet spring and summer? If so, you could be looking at a fungal disease, root rot, canker, or leaf spot.

Good luck!
Ellen

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Basil Natural Fly Repellent

Flies here in south Alabama are terrible. A friend told about a natural fly repellent. I decided to try it. It's basil! It actually works. I planted seeds in two flower pots, thinned them out, (three or four plants to a pot), also after the plants are six to eight inches tall, be sure to "head" the plants - pinch off the heads before they produce flowers. This also encourages the plants to bush out. Place out on your patio / deck or back door.

Before sitting the plants by the back door flies were continually coming in as the door opened. Problem solved! I will definitely use basil again next year. Flies do not like the strong odor / scent of basil. Even as small plants they did a very good job.

By roadgypsygranny from Atmore, Al

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Painting River Rocks

My daughter loves to paint. So I put her to work! I bought a bag of larger river rocks at the Dollar Tree. She painted them in different designs. After they dried I sprayed them with a clear sealer spray. I put a few in all of my potted plants as decoration. I also used them in my flower garden as decorations. I got lots of compliments on them!

By Savings Assistant from Georgia

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Collect Shower Water For Plants

I use a 4 quart ice cream pail to catch the cool water while waiting for the water to get hot to take my shower. I usually have a full pail and use this water to water my plants.

By Mary from Badaxe, MI

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Use a 2 Liter Bottle to Store Birdseed

I have just discovered how easy it is to fill my outdoor bird feeder by pouring it out of a large plastic 2 liter soft drink bottle. I had a friend save me one and when I bought my bird seed this time, I used the top of a smaller plastic drink bottle, cut off to use as a funnel, and poured the birdseed into the large bottle. I have now collected enough large plastic bottles to put the whole bag of birdseed in. Now there is no mess and the birdseed is kept fresh.

By Barbara from Evington, VA

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American Dagger Moths Can Be Toxic

Beware of hairy yellow caterpillars with black spikes. They are American dagger moths that have have toxic properties when hairs are touched. One slight brush sent me to the ER with significant hives, elevated blood pressure, facial flushing, and chills.

I did some online research and learned that pets who innocently consume the caterpillars can also become ill enough to seek a vet's care. I am still afflicted with hives after three days and am dosing with Benedryl. One helpful hint is applying ice directly on hives and it has helped when topical cortisone and oral medications have fallen short relieving the itching.

You can Google search a photo and info about American Dagger moth and other toxic hairy caterpillars all over the US. I also found many other home remedies for hives.

• http://bugguide.net/node/view/505

By Kathy from Western PA

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What Is Wintering Seeds?

I am just a beginning gardener. What does wintering seeds mean? Thanks.

Mary from Hat Island, Washington

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Preserving Seeds From Buttercup Squash

I would like to use the seeds from a buttercup squash I grew this year for next years garden. How do I preserve these seeds?

Hardiness Zone: 8a


Mary from Hat Island, Washington

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Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Brown

I planted a crepe myrtle about 2 yrs ago. It is in full sun and has been doing well. Lately I have noticed the leaves are turning brown from the tips inward. I have looked for insects, but found none. What else could be causing this?

Jim from St. George, Utah

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Gerbera Growing As A Perennial

I have a Gerbera plant that is doing well and would like to propagate it. I went to the plant nursery to buy another perennial Gerbera and was told they're annuals. Mine doesn't know it is only supposed to last one year (that's why I'd like to have more of the same). Any suggestions? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 8a


Holly from Richardson, TX

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Collecting Sun Flower Seeds

Can you still use the seeds from a sun flower if you take the seeds out of the flower before they dry or change color?

Nanci

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Transplanting A Chocolate Mimosa Tree

I would like information available on transplanting a chocolate mimosa tree? I had to move one and am wanting to know the survival rate?

Hardiness Zone: 9b

Brenda from Turlock, CA

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Hibiscus Has Lots Of Light Green Leaves

My hibiscus plants have lots of light green leaves. Is that normal?

Hardiness Zone: 9a


Derek from Phoenix, AZ

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Making Compost With Pet Waste

How do you make compost from cat and dog manure?

John from Concho, AZ

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Trimming Amaryllis Leaves

When do you cut the leaves of amaryllis bulbs that stay outside year round? I know you cut the flower stalks about 2 in. above the base once they have bloomed, but what about the leaves?

Also, what is good for grasshoppers. I used seven dust but it has been raining too much for repeat applications. Also what is good for brownish spots and aphids? Thanks for any help.

Hardiness Zone: 7a


Martha from Ridgeway, SC

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Collecting Seeds from a Thunbergia (Black-Eyed Susan)

I would love to know how to collect seeds from my Thunbergia (black-eyed susan vine). Sorry about the picture, it doesn't do the plant justice!

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Ellen from St. Pauls, NC

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Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter

I have 2 big Boston ferns hanging outside that will need to be brought in for the winter. How can I keep the leaves from falling off and keep it alive through the winter?

Vickie from Earle, Arkansas

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Controlling Moss In Lawn

What's the best way to control moss in damp, not enough sun areas of the lawn? Thanks!

Ann from MA

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Looking For A Buckeye Tree

Where can I find a buckeye tree around here?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Linda from MD

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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