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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
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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
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Rate It: 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
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Rate It: 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
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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
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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 PlantsSpecies, 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 FrostFrost occurs when air temperatures fall below 32F To form, conditions have to be just right.
Plants Most at Risk
Garden Locations Most Susceptible
Effective Means of ProtectionIf frost is predicted, you can protect your plants in a number of ways.
Dealing with Frost Damaged Plants
Click here to find the average first frost date in your area: http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/a/average_frost_dates
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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 DiePlants (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:
First, Make Sure It's Really DeadSometimes 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 LiningTake 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 DoingWith 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.
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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
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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.
Hardiness Zone: 6b By WagnerDame from Newville, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40374173.tip.html
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Rate It: 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
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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
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Rate It: 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
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Rate It: 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
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Rate It: 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
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Rate It: 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
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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:
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