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Volume 2, Number 6, February 8, 2007 Hello, We have some interesting articles this week, including some Tips for Saving Seeds. Hope you enjoy them. We would love to see pictures of what you have grown in the past or are growing. Submit Pictures of Your Garden Thanks for reading, Susan Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. 
Today's Tips and Articles:
New Requests:
Growing Guides:
Try growing your cucumbers in hanging baskets hanging on a fence. If it's a wooden fence, all you need to do is stretch a wire or some string along it so as the cucumber has something to grow along. I have found that you have to water daily. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23648508.tip.html Creating Raised Beds
If you're short on space or the soil in your area is riddled by sand or clay, building raised beds may be the best solution to your gardening woes. You'll trade the time, money and effort required amending poor quality soil for maximum yields in a minimum amount of space. Read This Article: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf498265.tip.html Questions:What should I do with avocado trees damaged by frost. Will they grow back?Richard from Arroyo Grande, CA Answer:Richard,I'm afraid only time will tell for sure, but unless you're talking about severe, prolonged frost damage, most mature avocado trees will bounce back just fine. Fruit and foliage damage is likely to be unsightly, but not fatal. The leaves will either slowly regain their vigor or dry up and remain on the tree. As long as the twigs and branches are not seriously damaged, you can expect the trees to shed any collapsed leaves fairly quickly. This is actually a good sign and means you can look forward to a new flush of leaves. About the only protective measure you can take after trees have suffered frost damage is to coat them with a whitewash. This is done because twigs and branches can be more susceptible to sunburn after the trees shed their leaves. Whatever you do, avoid pruning dead and damaged branches until the tree has finished recovering. Premature pruning can delay its recovery, and if done prematurely, you'll probably end up doing it again anyway. Also be careful not to over water. Less leaves mean less evaporation and therefore the need for less water. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen until the trees have regained some balance. Keep your eyes open for minor nutrient deficiencies (zinc, manganese, copper and iron) that can develop as a result of frost damage. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53474511.tip.html A Valentine's Day Guide to Fresh Cut Roses
When it comes to flowers and holidays, Poinsettias have Christmas and lilies own Easter. On Valentine's Day, however, few people would argue with the fact that long-stemmed roses reign supreme. Women adore getting them and men enjoy giving them. That probably explains why an estimated 189 million roses are produced for Valentine's Day in 2006. If you're planning to give your sweetheart (friend, relative, boss, etc.) fresh cut roses this Valentine's Day, here's what need to know about buying them and keeping them fresh. Read This Article: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63832894.tip.html Flower Seeds For Valentine's Day Instead of paper valentines, buy some flower seeds at the dollar store (usually 6-10/$1) and give them to your friends with a note that says something like - "MY LOVE FOR YOU GROWS AND GROWS!" Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf946472.tip.html Keeping Small Wildlife Out Flower Beds I have aggressive and destructive squirrels, raccoons and possums that are ruining the flower garden. I need to deter these garden pests this spring, summer and fall. The squirrels are the worst! Any Ideas? ML Dubose from Chicago, IL Answer:ML,Keeping small animals out of the vegetable garden is easy. Just erect a fence around the perimeter. Since no one wants to erect a 6 ft. high mesh fence around his or her flowerbeds, you're going to have to do a bit of experimenting to see what works best. Deterring raccoons and possum (especially raccoons) is a bit trickier than keeping squirrels out because they are so good at getting in and out of places that seem to be secure. First of all, I would suggest laying some human or animal hair around your plants. You might contact a local barber or grooming salon for their excess trimmings. Any type of predatory scent (available at garden centers) should help temporarily, but expect to reapply them after it rains. Both of these animals are quite skittish, so installing a motion detector or setting a radio in the garden at night may also work to scare them off. Above all, keep your garbage tightly sealed and bring any pet food and water dishes in at night. Live trapping and relocation may also be viable options, but be sure to check with you local state conservation department about live trapping laws before attempting to do so. You options are similar with squirrels-scare tactics or repellants. Bulbs can be covered with a wire mesh to keep squirrels and other rodents from digging them up. I feed my squirrels black sunflower seeds at a feeder located well away from my flowers. It's not always a popular response among gardeners, but I can tell you that I've never had a squirrel attack my flowerbeds. Ellen Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95479896.tip.html Tips for Saving Seeds
Collecting and saving your own seeds is easy and rewarding. It's a great way to save money, preserve and perpetuate scarce varieties and cultivate the best plants suited to your particular growing conditions. Read This Article: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf965500.tip.html
African Violets Damaged By Cold I finally succeeded in getting one of my 2 African Violet plants to bloom several weeks ago. Before going out of town for several days, I rigged up a thermostatically controlled heater to prevent the sun-room from dropping below 60 deg or so, since I knew these plants are not cold tolerant. My thermostat malfunctioned, and I returned home to 2 pathetic looking African Violets, although the blooms on the one looks good as new. I need to know if I should trim off the cold damaged leaves. It looks like new leaves are coming in at the center of the plants, and after almost 2 weeks after the damage occurred, the blooms on the one still look great! Any helpful advice would be appreciated. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45584958.tip.html Tree Roots Invading My Vegetable Garden I have a raised veggie patch that is being invaded by nearby tree roots. Would digging it out and lining it with weed mat solve the problem? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I live on the south coast of NSW, Australia. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55373146.tip.html Aloe Plant With a Yellow Stripe on Its Leaves I have an aloe plant that is really big and has a yellow strip on the leaves. What type of aloe plan is that? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87012842.tip.html Are coffee grounds safe for succulents? Are coffee grounds safe for succulents? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92201378.tip.html Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
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