Happy Garden - October 8, 2009

Vol. 4, Num. 41, October 8, 2009 (Read It Online) The leaves are slowing changing here in the Pacific Northwest. This week, Ellen has an article about preparing for the first frost. Tell us how the season is changing where you live and how you are preparing for the winter. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team Send to a Friend! Submit Your Gardening Tips Submit Photos of Your Garden Submit a Gardening Request Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Photos: Squirrel Feeder Garden: Mushrooms Garden: Apples Making A Bird House from a Shoe Tips and Articles: Preparing For The First Frost New Gardeners Should Adopt a Guilt-Free Philosophy New Requests: Lucky Bamboo Leaves Are Turning Yellow Do Grow Lights Require a Special Fixture? Starting a Walking Stick Tree Getting Rid of Ants in Potted Plants Saving Zinnia Seeds When are Huckleberries Ripe? Growing Bee Balm from Seed Buying Bear's Britches Seeds Today's Sponsor: 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. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Photos: Squirrel Feeder Here's a picture of a squirrel feeder I built. I didn't like the commercial model, and I'm a carpenter, so I did what comes naturally. This one is "Feeder version 2.0". The first one ended up too near the fence it was mounted on. The squirrels could grab the fence with hind feet and stretch to reach the cobs. A 'design flaw'. I just finished the re-design and it goes back on the fence tomorrow. Chuck from Canton Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70196499.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Mushrooms Wild mushroom or Toadstool I can just imagine a little Fairy sticking her head out to peek at me! By Debra from Colorado Springs, Colorado Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94232120.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Apples Here is a picture of my apple tree this year. I have a tree with several varieties all grafted together, so it can self pollinate. We always call it our "Frankenapple". It was pretty loaded with apples but we should have thinned them at some point and probably need to do more research on getting rid of the pests. I picked as many as I could reach last night and I got maybe two bushels of good apples with some spots. The worst ones went right back into the compost bin. We lost a lot on the ground too, and some had definitely been feeding some happy birds. They aren't the most lovely apples, but they will make some wonderful applesauce, and maybe some apple butter if I feel ambitious. I'll try to get out and get the ones that are high up this weekend. By jess Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22891455.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making A Bird House from a Shoe An easy to make and easy to clean out birdhouse. Just undo the laces to clean it out. The boot was thrown in the trash and I rescued it. Screwed the board to the sole, added the roof made of flashing and a raffia shoelace. I love it and so did a Carolina Chickadee family this year. Source: I saw one for sale on Etsy and made my own. By Irisbird from Lillington, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75275192.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips and Articles: Preparing For The First Frost For gardeners in most zones, the end of the growing season is signaled by the onset of the first frost. No matter when it arrives, it always seems painfully early. To avoid damage to your plants, it helps to understand the conditions under which it forms, how it affects different plants, and what actions you need to take when the first frost is in the forecast. How Frost Damages Plants Species, age, overall health, and location are all factors that affect frost damage. The primary factor, however, is the internal temperature within the plant's tissues. When internal temperatures become too cold, fluids within the plant's cells freeze and rupture, damaging surrounding tissues. Cool weather before frost (like falling afternoon temperatures) is more likely to result in damage, because the plant's internal tissues are already lower to begin with. Conditions that Favor Frost Frost occurs when air temperatures fall below 32F To form, conditions have to be just right. Clear skies. After sunset, heat absorbed by the earth radiates upward, which causes temperature near the ground to drop. Without clouds to trap heat near the earth's surface, heat radiates freely upward and temperatures near the ground continue to drop. The temperature reaches its coolest point right before the sun rises (sometime between 4-6 am). Calm air. A lack of wind keeps air layers from mixing and allows cooler air to sink and settle near the ground. Dry air. When the air is dry, soil moisture evaporates. In the process, heat is taken from the soil and the air temperature around your plants becomes cooler. Plants Most at Risk New growth, succulents, non-woody plants, fruits, and flowers. Plants with large, smooth, or light-colored leaves. Plants with smooth or light-colored leaves absorb less heat so they at greater risk for frost damage. The same is true for plants with large leaves where heat is lost to a larger surface area. Plantings where individual plants are spaced far apart. They don't have the protection of each other and are more susceptible to frost. Garden Locations Most Susceptible Higher elevations: The temperature drops approximately 3-5 feet for every 1,000 feet you increase in altitude. So if your garden is on a hilltop, the average temperature is likely to be colder and your plants more susceptible to frost. Low lying areas: Cold air is heavier than warm air and tends to sink to the lowest point. Frost pockets often form in valleys and low-lying areas where cool air becomes trapped. Areas with poor soil: Light soil (sandy), and nutrient-poor soil release less moisture into the air surrounding plants. The less humid the air is, the lower the dew point will be, and the greater the risk of frost damage. Effective Means of Protection If frost is predicted, you can protect your plants in a number of ways. Cover them. Use sheets, buckets, or cardboard boxes. These will help trap heat and moisture from the surrounding soil, protect them from drying (cooling) winds, and prevent frost from settling directly on the plant. Newspapers, baskets, straw, and tarps also work well, as do ready-made devices like hot caps, "water towers", and row covers. Relocate them. Pots and container plants can be moved indoors. Give them water. If frost is predicted, it's a good idea to water your plants (along with covering them). As water freezes, it will release heat and protect your plants, even if their foliage is covered with frost. Sprinkling water on affected plants the next morning can also help minimize damage. Dealing with Frost Damaged Plants Wait to prune. It's tempting to prune damaged stems and branches right away. Instead, wait awhile and watch for signs of recovery. Reduce water and fertilizer. Damage from frost throws a plant's root-to-foliage ratio out of balance, because the same number of roots is suddenly supplying a smaller amount of foliage with nutrients. Excess fertilizer and water only add to the overabundance of nutrients. Harvest damaged fruit. When fruits are affected, remove them from the tree as soon as possible. This lightens the existing stress load on the tree and gives you a chance to use the fruit before it goes to waste. Click here to find the average first frost date in your area: http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/a/average_frost_dates Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84489983.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | New Gardeners Should Adopt a Guilt-Free Philosophy Gardening should be a relaxing and pleasurable pastime, not a guilt trip. If you're new to gardening, losing plants can seem especially devastating. Adopting a guilt-free gardening philosophy can help you keep some perspective. After all, a dead plant isn't the end of the world, it's just a dead plant. Yank it out, replace it, and move on. Why Plants Die Plants (never weeds) die. They do. Even when we have sentimental attachments to them. Sometimes it's our fault and sometimes it's not. Here are 10 common reasons: Incorrect watering (Usually we give them too much, but sometimes too little.) Over fertilizing Poor soil quality (Anything from a lack of nutrients, to improper drainage.) Pests (Insects, animals, and occasionally human feet.) Improper zone (Go ahead and experiment, but be prepared for some losses.) Incorrect planting depth Transplant shock Mother Nature (Wind, hail, fire, and floods are out of our control.) It was sick when you got it (See? It's really not your fault!) Neglect (It's okay. Sometimes other activities and obligations just take priority.) First, Make Sure It's Really Dead Sometimes plants appear to be dead, but are in fact just dormant. This is especially true in the spring, when many plants are painfully slow to emerge from a deep winter sleep. Before yanking anything out of the ground, it's always best to remove a bit of soil around the base and search for signs of life. If you see any greenery or swelling white buds on the roots, the plant isn't dead. It's just a late sleeper taking its sweet time to get growing. Poppies are a good example of a plant that seems to keel over "dead" immediately after they finish blooming. They're not really dead in mid-July, they're just taking a much deserved break. Don't give up on them just yet. Give them some time and their foliage may even green up again before fall. The Silver Lining Take heart, beginning gardeners, even experienced gardeners lose plants. But like them, eventually you will have more successes than failures, too. Look at the death of one plant as both a learning experience and an opportunity to try something new. As any gardener with a well established garden will tell you, eventually the amount of space you have for plants diminishes, but the desire for more never does. Occasionally plants will die and you'll be grateful for the open space. Learning By Doing With gardening, the best way to learn is by doing. Expect plants to die. Some will. And most likely, it will be your fault. Sometimes you will know what you did wrong, and other times it will forever remain a mystery. All you can do is try to identify the problem, learn a better way, and move on avoiding similar mistakes in the future. Thank goodness garden plants are basically inexpensive and easy to replace. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57332956.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Contest! Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners, 2 photo winners (1 photo and 1 pet photo) and 1 recipe winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! New Requests: Lucky Bamboo Leaves Are Turning Yellow What is causing the tips of my inside bamboo plant to turn yellow? By Jessie M. from Durham, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72574651.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Do Grow Lights Require a Special Fixture? I have plant light bulbs, but do I need a special fixture to put them in to be safely turned on 24x7 for indoor light for the winter months? If so, how do I make this fixture. I can do amateur wiring. Thank you kindly. Hardiness Zone: 6b By WagnerDame from Newville, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40374173.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Starting a Walking Stick Tree Does anyone know how to start a walking stick tree from it's acorn? Thanks a bunch! Hardiness Zone: 6a By knobknob from Johnstown, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50832227.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Ants in Potted Plants I have ants in my house plants that I keep outside during the summer months. Is there a safe way (no chemicals) that I can use or make up to get rid of them before bring the plants in for the winter? Hardiness Zone: 7a By Tamij from Colonial Beach, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21078452.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Saving Zinnia Seeds I would like to know how to collect zinnia seeds from the flower heads? Hardiness Zone: 4a By tjc47 from MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64222862.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | When are Huckleberries Ripe? I would like to know how to tell when huckleberries are ripe. Hardiness Zone: 7a By cantrelljl from Arlington, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22988894.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Growing Bee Balm from Seed Are there seed pods on a bee balm plant and can I start a new plant from them? Thanks. Hardiness Zone: 6b By Warren from Halifax, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68295400.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buying Bear's Britches Seeds I have been trying to find "Bear Britches" seeds. Has anyone seen any places to buy them? Hardiness Zone: 6a By Sassier299 from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39396410.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 Today's Sponsor: 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. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Stuff Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users. Submit a Request... Frugal solutions to everyday problems.