Happy Garden - September 4, 2008

Ellen share Environmentally Friendly Lawn Mowers this week and also answers more of your questions. We also have great tips and photos from readers. If you have a gardening tip or photo to share, feel free to share on one of the contest pages.

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Photos:

• Radio City Spectacular Garden
• Use a Milk Jug for Trapping Yellow Jackets
• Recycled Gazebo

Tips and Articles:

• The Queen of Fall Flowers - the Magnificent Mum
• Bringing Houseplants Back Inside
• Keeping Fire Ants Out of Potted Plants
• Purple Flower on a Sage Plant
• Garden: Concerns About Morning Glories
• Flowers That Go With Hydrangeas
• Getting Rid of Wild Violets
• Make a Flower "Bed" Out of an Old Bed Frame
• Environmentally Friendly Lawn Mowers
• Air Purifiers That Run on Sunshine and Water

New Requests:

• What Is This Plant?
• Planting an Eastern Redbud Tree
• Apples Has No Leaves
• Planting A Calla Lily Outside
• Nikko Blue Hydrangea Not Blooming
• Getting Rid Of Spider Mites
• Pruning A Japanese Holly Bush
• Leveling A Sloped Yard
• Natural Slug Repellent
• Getting Larger Pumpkins
• Using Vinegar On Spider Plant
• Ants on a Trumpet Vine
• Raising Earthworms
• Moon Phase Calendar For Gardening
• Figs Are Not Ripening
• Replacements for a Willow Tree

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Radio City Spectacular Garden

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Use a Milk Jug for Trapping Yellow Jackets

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Recycled Gazebo

By Cathy from Stanwood, WA

Update: Here are some more photos to show the inside and detail of the gazebo.

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The Queen of Fall Flowers - the Magnificent Mum
By Ellen Brown

Chrysanthemums are the quintessential flowers of fall. From blazing golden yellows to rich shades of mahogany, when it comes to intense color, nothing in the fall garden can match their showy display. It is no wonder that mums are the most widely grown pot plant in the United States; compact varieties with long-lasting blooms are great for containers on balconies and decks. These magnificent jewels are easy to transplant and grow-no garden should be without them.

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Bringing Houseplants Back Inside

What should I spray on my houseplants before bringing them back inside?

Andrea from No. Turner, Maine

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Keeping Fire Ants Out of Potted Plants

Question:

What is the best way to keep fire ants from setting up shop in outdoor potted plants? After recently transplanting two ornamentals, I noticed ants in the newly placed potting soil. I utilized Sevin Dust water hose treatment, but this was without success.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Jo from Louisiana

Answer:

Hi Jo,

One of the best products I have found for keeping ants out of my flower pots (and my house) is diatomaceous earth (DE). Just sprinkle a tiny bit around the base of your pots or on the ants' "runs". It won't hurt your plants if you also want to spread a little on the topsoil.

I like DE because it is organic and it is safe. It contains nothing more than the powdered skeletal remains of tiny algae-like plants called diatoms (and maybe some water). DE is considered a mineral-based pesticide. It is made of up magnesium, silicon, calcium, sodium, iron, and several trace minerals. You can find it at garden centers, feed stores, and some health food stores, or order it online. DE is usually sold in 1-2 lb bags and has the look and feel of ground up chalk. I'm not exactly clear whether ants ingest it, or just perish as a result of coming into contact with it, but either way, it dries them up within about 30 minutes of exposure. The only caution about using diatomaceous earth is that you should not continuously breath any of the dust. Once you open the bag, you may want to store it in an additional bag to help contain the dust. I've used DE both indoors and out. I also have pets and have never had any problems, but like any pesticide, I restrict their contact with it. Always read and follow the label directions carefully.

Another organic method I've read about is scattering worm casings 1 inch thick across the topsoil of potted plants. Apparently, fire ants (and whiteflies) in particular don't care for this. I have not tried this method personally, but I like the sound of it. You are feeding your plants, while keeping troublesome bugs at bay. If you try it, let me know how it works. You can order worm casings online, get them from worm composters, or find them where organic garden products are sold.

Good luck!

Ellen

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Purple Flower on a Sage Plant

Question:

I planted a Sage plant last year in the ground. I cut it back and mulched it last year before freezing. Now this year when it came back -- it is doing great, but now it has a purple flower on top. Why is that I never seen this before? It is pretty.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Joyce from Wis

Answer:

Joyce,

The purple flowers are what you want to see-a great sign! It isn't unusual for the common varieties of sage plants to skip flowering the first year after being planted. There are also perennial species of sage, like Clary sage (S. sclarea) that don't bloom until the second year. More than likely, your sage was just focusing all of its energy on putting down healthy roots and becoming established. The fact that it has flowered this year indicates that it is healthy, happy, and right at home in its new environment.

To keep it that way, keep it watered consistently (but don't over water), provide it with good air circulation, and pinch it back several inches at least once during the growing season. Pinching it back will encourage young shoots and prevent your sage from getting tall and leggy.

You can use sage fresh or dried. To air-dry bundles of leaves and stems, hang them upside down or lay them out on racks. Chop up fresh leaves and place them in ice cube trays with water to freeze and use later. (This is a handy way to add sage to soups and stews).

Have fun!

Ellen

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Garden: Concerns About Morning Glories

Morning Glories are gorgeous. But boy, are they pesky and weedy! 3 years ago, I planted two varieties along a fence and to cover a trellis. They were simply stunning that year. They grew fast and covered the fence and trellis and caused much comment. But in the final analysis, it wasn't worth it and it's not even a close call. For the past two years, I have battled morning glories all over my yard. I didn't know that the seeds spread like crazy and they are persistent. The vines are tough and stringy and hard to pull. I have hoed morning glory seedlings all summer this year and still they are coming up. Everywhere. And driving me crazy. So unless you can deal with morning glories everywhere for years afterward, don't plant them! I wish someone had told me before I made all this work for myself.

Source: The best teacher ever, personal experience.

By Susan from Omaha, NE

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Flowers That Go With Hydrangeas

Question:

What kind of flowers can I plant in front of my Blue Endless Summer Hydrangea?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Regina from Kane, PA

Answer:

Regina,

I scoured the web and looked through several of my garden reference books to find some suggestions for flowers that pair well with Endless Summer hydrangeas. Their deep green foliage and shrub-like form combine well with a variety of different plants.

For an emphasis on contrasting foliage, pair your Endless Summer with these shade perennials:

• Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Raspberry splash'): This lungwort has an upright growth habit, raspberry-colored flowers, and green foliage with silver spots.

• Hosta: Look for varieties with variegated leaves.

• Brunneria 'Jack Frost'-Silver: Heart-shaped leaves that look they have been painted with crackle paint. The leaves are silver with light green veins. Tiny blue flowers bloom in the spring.

For pairings that emphasize a contrast in form, try these:

• Germaniums 'Rozanne': Known for its vigorous foliage and long blooming violet-blue flowers, this geranium was named the perennial plant of the year in 2000.

• Nepta 'Walkers Low': A catmint with lavender flowers, this plant was named the perennial plant of the year in 2007.

• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): This perennial has upright stalks with tubular flowers available in shades of rose, white, lavender, or cream.

• Hollyhock: A popular and reliable biennial that readily self-seeds, there are single and double varieties now available in a multitude of colors. Try heirloom varieties behind your hydrangeas.

Some low growing annuals to try include Lobelia 'Royal Jewels' or 'Waterfall Azure Mist', Petunia 'Plush Deep Pink' or 'Tidal Wave Silver', Begonia 'Baby Wings White' or "Braveheart Rose Bicolor', Calibrachoa 'Superbells Coral' or Cabaret White', and Diascia 'Diamonte Coral Rose'.

Azaleas, Bleeding Heart (Dicentra), Camellias, Hellebores, and ferns would also make wonderful companions.

Ellen

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Getting Rid of Wild Violets

Question:

How do I get rid of violets in my yard, they are taking over!

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Mary Jane from Milwaukee, WI

Answer:

Hi Mary Jane,

Wild Violets can be quite problematic to get rid of. The waxy coating on their leaves gives them extra resistance to many of the chemical controls (organic or otherwise) that work on other weeds. The best way to control them is to dig them up. Depending on how widespread they are, this may require several years to accomplish. For cool season lawns like yours, dig them up in the fall. You can reseed over any bare patches with a mixture of cool-season grass seed and compost. Make sure to water the new grass seed daily until it germinates.

In the meantime, it's worth noting that Wild Violets seem to show up and spread faster in acidic soils and in soils lacking in calcium. Adding lime can help correct pH problems and may slow down their spread, but you will need to have your soil tested to know how much (if any) you need to add.

Proper lawn care can help, too. Give your (cool-season) lawn a good feeding this fall with a slow release organic fertilizer or even better, by spreading one-inch of compost over it followed by a good watering.

Once established, Wild Violets are almost impossible to eradicate completely, so you may want to try to make peace with the fact that you're always likely to have a few around. Don't forget they are edible and lovely when added to salads or used as a garnish.

Ellen

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Make a Flower "Bed" Out of an Old Bed Frame

Sorry, no picture, but an old neighbor used an old metal bed frame to make a "flower bed" in her yard. She dug out the dirt a bit and put in an old metal bed. She left the side rails in, and mounded the dirt up in where the mattress usually lays. She planted colorful flowers. The effect of this FLOWER BED was the flowers looked like a quilt on the bed.

It was a cute idea and everyone loved it.

By Janet from Brant Rock, MA

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Environmentally Friendly Lawn Mowers
By Ellen Brown

Gone are the days when buying an environmentally-friendly lawn mower meant a trip to the local hardware store to pick out an old-fashioned reel-type mower. From cords to cordless, and from reel to robotic, today's carbon conscious lawnscapers have lots of eco-friendly choices.

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Air Purifiers That Run on Sunshine and Water
By by Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

As much of the country prepares to move indoors for the winter, air quality becomes a concern. Air purifiers are expensive to run not only due to electrical needs but also due to the cost of filters. However, there are cheaper air purifiers available. They're houseplants, and there are ways to add these beneficial friends to your home without paying florists' prices.

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What Is This Plant?

Can anyone tell me the name of this plant. It has 3-4 tiny lavender flower spikes on it once a year.

Vi from Moorpark, CA

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Planting an Eastern Redbud Tree

I have an Eastern Redbud which produces multiple seedlings in the summer. This year I decided to save a few of these trees, which are only a few inches tall. I put them in separate gallon sized pots with nice, fertile soil. They are doing very well and growing new leaves often. I live in Ohio and we tend to have crazy weather, so who knows what this year will bring!

How I should handle these trees through the winter and when should I put them in the ground? I am afraid to transplant them too soon because I don't want them to freeze and die this winter but I also don't want their roots to be confined to the pot!

Does anyone know how fast the roots grow or how long they might be able to withstand being potted? Would it be best to move them to larger pots and keep them in the garage by a window for winter or just put them in the ground?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Katie from Dayton, OH

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Apples Has No Leaves

I have an apple tree that I planted from the seed of an apple. It looks more like a small bush right now, it stands about a foot tall. It was doing fine then it got to be about 110 degrees and I couldn't get enough water in it. The leaves dried out so I took them off. Now the stems are about 12 inches high and bare but green. Do I cut the stems down. There are a few green leaves on it. What do I do?

Hardiness Zone: 6a


Jamish from Tribune, KS

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Planting A Calla Lily Outside

I would like to purchase a calla lily plant for outdoors. I live in zone 6 and do NOT want to have to bring the plant in during the winter. Is there a calla lily plant for my zone that can be left outdoors? How would I protect it from the elements? Thank you.

Jo

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Nikko Blue Hydrangea Not Blooming

I have three Nikko Blue Hydrangeas that used to bloom beautifully, but this year there are very little blooms, and most of them are near the bottom of the plants. The mop heads that bloomed are just as large as ever, but nowhere near the quantity of blooms we're used to seeing.

Any idea why this might have happened? We're wondering if the warm spell in the Spring and then a cool down (possibly even a freeze) might have contributed to the problem. We have other varieties of hydrangeas that performed well this year, but the Nikko Blue's were disappointing.

Hardiness Zone: 5b


Ruth

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Getting Rid Of Spider Mites

Does anyone have a great way to kill spider mites WITHOUT using harmful sprays or pesticides? This year for some reason my entire herb garden (as well as strawberries) developed spider mites from hell. I have tried soapy water but they keep coming back.

Desiree from Kent, WA

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Pruning A Japanese Holly Bush

When is it the best time to prune a Japanese Holly bush?

Sandra Lee

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Leveling A Sloped Yard

How can I level my sloped front yard? Right now it is unusable space.

Donna from Middletown, NY

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Natural Slug Repellent

I want a natural slug repellent that doesn't kill the slugs, but just deters them. I don't want the bad karma of killing them just because they're hungry.

Francie from Sandy Ridge, NC

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Getting Larger Pumpkins

When growing pumpkins, is it necessary to remove female blooms to get larger pumpkins. How many fruits should be allowed to grow on one vine?

Hardiness Zone: 6a


Wendi from Marysville, OH

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Using Vinegar On Spider Plant

Can I use vinegar on my Spider plant, to get rid of worms, and eggs?

Gaye from High Ridge, MO

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Ants on a Trumpet Vine

My yellow trumpet vine had a lot of black ants this summer. Is that normal? I never noticed this other summers. They were so many that a few came into the house. If ants are normal, can I spray something on the ants, or will I kill the plant? My plant is huge, about 15', it surrounds my deck for privacy. Hate to lose the plant, but want to lose the ants.

Marilyn

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Raising Earthworms

I have a balcony garden and would like to 'grow' earthworms. Does anyone have any tips?

Mavis from Johannesburg, South Africa

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Moon Phase Calendar For Gardening

I would like to find a calendar for Phases of the Moon for gardening.

Mavis from Johannesburg, South Africa

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Figs Are Not Ripening

I have a fig tree in my yard. It has many figs on it, however, summer is almost over and none of the figs have ripened. They are still medium-sized and hard, they would probably need to grow a bit larger, then ripen.

With the end of summer, the cooler weather will be coming in and I'm afraid I will not eat one fig at all! Any suggestions? Also, what do I do with the fig tree after the summer? Do I cut it all the way down and wrap it, or do I just prune it to, say, five feet tall, then wrap it to keep it warm? Thank you!

Hardiness Zone: 7a


Kelly from Long Island, New York

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Replacements for a Willow Tree

I had to chop down a beautiful 20 year old willow tree. It was a fast grower that started to drop huge heavy branches all over the ground and the alley. We wanted to stop the process before it attacked any of the neighbors or their cars in a high wind. What would you suggest as a replacement? We'd still like to shade that part of the lawn.

My requirements are minimum leaf drop in the fall, small to med. sized, and slow growing. Live oaks are too large for this yard unless they just developed a mini that the local nurseries don't know about. Magnolias are not OK because the leaves are so sturdy, they are difficult to rake up and become slippery when wet. We want to keep it a danger free zone.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Holly from Richardson, TX

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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.

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