Happy Garden - October 8, 2009

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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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

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

Squirrel Feeder

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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Garden: Mushrooms

By Debra from Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Garden: Apples

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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Making A Bird House from a Shoe

Source: I saw one for sale on Etsy and made my own.

By Irisbird from Lillington, NC

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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

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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

1. Incorrect watering (Usually we give them too much, but sometimes too little.)

2. Over fertilizing

3. Poor soil quality (Anything from a lack of nutrients, to improper drainage.)

4. Pests (Insects, animals, and occasionally human feet.)

5. Improper zone (Go ahead and experiment, but be prepared for some losses.)

6. Incorrect planting depth

7. Transplant shock

8. Mother Nature (Wind, hail, fire, and floods are out of our control.)

9. It was sick when you got it (See? It's really not your fault!)

10. Neglect (It's okay. Sometimes other activities and obligations just take priority.)

First, Make Sure It's Really Dead

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

Learning By Doing

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Saving Zinnia Seeds

I would like to know how to collect zinnia seeds from the flower heads?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

By tjc47 from MN

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When are Huckleberries Ripe?

I would like to know how to tell when huckleberries are ripe.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

By cantrelljl from Arlington, WA

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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

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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

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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