The Happy Garden Newsletter - January 30, 2006

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Q: Does anyone have any suggestions on getting rid of mold/fungus on mulch in the flower beds?

Judy

A: Judy,

One simple way to get rid of mold is to turn it over into the topsoil and wet it down with water. A second way is to loosen it up with a rake to allow air to circulate around it and help to dry it out. A third way is to remove the mulch and place it in a pile and soak the pile with water. When left to sit, the pile should generate enough heat to kill off the mold and fungus.

The most effective way to control the growth of mold is to change the environment in which it grows. Mold tends to grow best in warm, humid environments. And while you may not be able to control the weather, there are a few things you can do to minimize its ability to grow.

Mulch made from coarse wood products are less likely to have mold and fungus problems than fresh, finely ground woody products. Make sure to apply mulch no more than 2 inches deep (in warm weather) and follow every application by soaking it with water.

Ellen Brown

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Q: I want to replace a lot of my lawn with plants. Any advice would be helpful. Does anyone have suggestions of what is good to plant for low care and low water usage?

Della from Oregon

A: Della,

A great way to replace your yard with low maintenance, drought tolerant plants is to select from plants that are native to your area. In general, native plants will be more resistant to disease, more tolerant of the conditions associated with Oregon's dry summers, and more attractive and beneficial to area wildlife. You have a wide variety of ornamental shrubs and native perennials (for both sun and shade) to select from for your area. You should be able to find a list of trees, shrubs and plants that are native to your area by contacting the horticulture department or extension agency at Oregon State University. Plants originating from the Mediterranean, central Asia or the western U.S. are usually also suitable for conditions in your climate.

Ellen Brown

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Q: I am looking for a recipe for weed killer that is made with vinegar, Dawn dishwashing liquid and something else. If you have this recipe, or another recipe, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mary

A: Mary,

Here are two homemade recipes to try. Both should be used only on plants that you want to get rid of, taking care not to spray any on surrounding plants. These are most effective when used on emerging weeds.

• 1 tablespoon of gin
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap
• 1 quart of hot water

Alternate version:

• 1 gallon of distilled vinegar
• 1 cup of salt
• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap

Spray these directly on weeds in the garden or pour directly into cracks of walks and driveways.

Ellen Brown

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Q: I am looking for a homemade aphid repellant recipe. I know I have used one before but the recipe has escaped me.

Thanks,
Stan.

A: Stan,

Try this recipe for getting rid of aphids:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon of ivory dish soap
• 2 cups of water

Combine these ingredients into a blender or food processor on high. Strain the pulp from the liquid using cheesecloth, a nylon stocking or a fine-meshed colander. Pour the remaining liquid into a spray bottle and spray it directly on flowers or plants to control aphids. Another easy method is to use a strong spray from a garden hose every few days until the aphids are no longer visible.

Ellen Brown

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One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is being able to share your experiences with others. If you're interested in meeting others in your area with a passion for plants, consider joining a garden club, or better yet, starting one of your own.

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Mulch can be a gardener's best friend. When correctly applied, it can help you spend less time weeding, less time watering and less time fighting pests. It also improves the appearance of your garden, and depending on the color and texture, it can actually be a significant element in your overall garden design. Here's what to consider when choosing organic mulch for your garden.

What is "Organic" Mulch?

Organic mulches are made from living material (straw, bark, grass, leaves). In general, they offer greater benefits to your garden than their non-organic counterparts because as they decompose, they add nutrients to the soil and encourage earthworms-which aerate your soil and add additional nutrients.

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Q: Need Your help. Grasshoppers eating all my flowers in my garden, and i have alot of flowers. I have sprayed 4 times and they are still munching away. Please help. Thanks

Sharyl

A: Sharyl,

Grasshoppers are tough to control during all life-cycle stages, and unfortunately, the adults are nearly impossible to kill through the use of spraying traditional insecticides alone. Consider replacing chemical treatments with organic methods such as biological control. Nosema locustae (commonly sold as Nolo Bait, Grasshopper spore or Semaspore) is a protozoan disease of grasshoppers. It is considered an option for long-term control and you won't see results immediately. It will take about a year to noticeably affect grasshopper populations. If you're able to house them, small flocks of chickens can provide an immediate solution as well as providing you fresh eggs. If zoning laws (or preferences) prevent you from keeping chickens, consider making your backyard garden attractive to native birds-who in turn will help control your grasshoppers. At the end of the growing season, till soil under to expose grasshoppers eggs to killing temperatures.

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My husband is an avid gardener, and has come up with a great use for those empty plastic gallon milk jugs. Cut the milk jug in half underneath the handle, and when you plant your new tomato plants, (or any other vegetable plants), place the stem end through the spout opening in the milk jug and plant the opening in the ground. The milk spout not only functions as a feeder by directing the flow of water to the roots of the plant, but it will also keep the cutworms off your plants, as they will not want to travel up the plastic. Now you can use the bottom half of the milk jug by making some cuts in the bottom of the jug, filling the container with new potting soil, and start your seedlings out the right way, allowing proper drainage.

By Sandra from Floral City, FL

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Coffee Filter

When repotting plants, use a coffee filter in the bottom to keep the soil from coming out the drainage holes.

By Linda

Coffee Filter or Newspaper

When repotting plants, I always hated how the soil fell through the drainage holes. I then discovered placing a paper coffee filter or cut a circle of old newspaper the same size as the bottom of your pot.

By Sue Shamekh from St Cloud MN

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Has anyone planted Amaryllis outdoors? When and how should I plant mine? I've heard of them being put outside but don't know how deep to plant them and if they can be left outside permanently.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Vicky from Jacksonville, NC

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My newly adopted dogs have made a mockery of the lawn and garden in my back yard. Besides rocks, what can I use that is bug free and safe that will keep them from dragging mud in my house and deter them from digging up my flowers?

Jennieb from Pt. Pleasant, NJ

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I just had 6 acres clear cut and was paid several thousand for the timber. I plan on using some of that to cover the expense of cleaning up the brush. I plan to make this a field.Here's the problem. Do I leave the stumps to rot or do I pay quite a bit more to have them dug up? Rent a stump grinder? What next?
-Kevin

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Does anyone have organic gardening lawn maintenance listed by month using corn gluten meal, dry molasses, etc.?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Is it possible to water the garden with the water from your washer? Maybe just the rinse water? Mine goes into a holding tub before it goes to the drain, as my plumbing is old and the drains will not take the force of water from the washer. I could use a garden hose to drain the tub into the flower beds. Would this work or would the soap kill the plants? I would not use the water with the bleach! Got any ideas?

Hardiness Zone: 4b

Thanks!
PrairieLady from SD

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I have a pear, apple and plum tree on the property I am renting. They have a lot of moss all over them. is this common (we have wet winters) or should I look into spraying? Any ideas?

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Kelly from Willamina, OR

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It got so cood and the plants on my deck are not looking so good. I have Ferns and Palm trees. What can I do?

Hardiness Zone: 8b

Tina Long from Texas

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Do you know of any homemade weed killing formulas to get rid of small patches of grass growing up through my rock ground cover?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Sharon K. Palmer From Las Vegas, NV

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I do well growing mung beans in a jar and get good bean sprouts, but when I have tried to grow tiny alfafa and radish seeds in jars and trays I have problems! Either they are hard to rinse, or the radish seeds (in particular) develop a slight but noticeable white mould so they are inedible. Any ideas please?

Browser from UK

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