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Vol. 4, Num. 35, August 27, 2009 (Read It Online) We have more gardening tips and photos from readers. Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the contest winners. Do you have any fall gardening tips or advice? Post them on one of the contest pages. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
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By Babbie from Lemon Grove CA
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Rate It: Make Garden Stakes with Bamboo Skewers To remember what has been planted in your garden, you can make simple Garden Stakes made with skewers. You simply attach the label on front and secure it with tape. Quick and inexpensive.This helps you remember where and what type of herb has been planted. (If you prefer no label stakes in your garden make a sketch of the layout-you will be glad you did.) By Jeanette from Columbia, MO
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Rate It: We need to keep birds away from crops on our allotment, so I created Carolina (as she leans a bit!) and she is doing the job well. In her sleeves I've put empty plastic bottles so that the wind moves them easily. Her upright support is an old rotary washing pole. By Anigma from Shropshire, UK
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Rate It: My son does all the flower work. He brings joy to all who pass and see the yard. By Frank from Cudahy, Wi.
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Rate It: Garden: Place Fencing Between Tomatoes This year we put a hog panel vertically down the center of our garden and planted tomatoes along each side. As the plants grew we stretched out coat hangers and slipped them over and attached them to the fence - nice because they can be repositioned easily and you can add as needed.Now we have a wall of tomatoes which are easy to pick and hardly any blight because the rain doesn't hit right on the dirt since the tops of the plants make a kind of umbrella. We planted basil along the edges of the bed. This is very pretty to look at - seems like magic since the hog panel and coat hangers are completely covered. By Karen from Green Forest, Arkansas
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Rate It: This is my first year with cleomes and I am hooked! They are wonderful flowers and collecting the seeds is a breeze. By DonnaPr from Florida
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Rate It: We live in the high desert and did rock landscaping, put in some astro turf and 2 ponds with a river in between. (at a cost of $15,000 but we love it now!) Strangers driving by stop and tell us how great it looks! By Rev. Mrs. Lynn W. from Barstow, CA
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Annuals and Biennials Explained Some gardeners plant only annual flowers in their gardens, while others argue that planting only perennial plants is best. Throw some biennials into the mix and things start to get really confusing; especially if you're new to gardening. In the end, most gardeners find they enjoy planting a combination of all three. The subject of perennials is large enough to warrant its own discussion, but here is what you need to know about "annuals" and "biennials". What Exactly is an Annual? In the garden, annual plants are considered temporary. They complete their entire life cycle (germinate, mature, and die) in a single growing season. Annuals provide gardeners with nearly instant color, and because an entire life cycle fits into one season, many bloom all season long. Many annuals are good self-sowers, and under the right conditions will pop up in the garden year after year if left alone. Examples of annuals include marigolds, petunias, and zinnias. Two Types of Annuals Tender Annuals: These annuals are considered very delicate. They grow vigorously in warm weather, but are easily damaged or killed by frost. In colder climates, these annuals are usually started indoors and transplanted into the garden once danger of frost has passed. Hardy Annuals: These annuals have a higher tolerance for cold weather and frost. This means they can be sown earlier in areas with severe winters (and grown farther into the fall). They are also good candidates for winter sowing in some climates. Examples include love-lies-bleeding, sweet alyssum, and sweet peas. Pros and Cons of Growing Annuals Advantages:
What Exactly is a Biennial? The life cycle of biennial plants falls somewhere in the middle of the road between annuals and perennials. Technically, a biennial completes its life cycle in two growing seasons. The first year is spent building up foliage and establishing a strong, fleshy root system to store food over winter. In the second year they come back, bloom, and then set seed and die. Examples of biennials include many foxgloves, Canterbury bells, and hollyhock (also considered a short-lived perennial). Pros and Cons of Growing Biennials Advantages:
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Rate It: Rocking Horse And Cart Planter I saw this lovely planter as I was going down the road today. The person had taken a regular spring rocking horse, painted brown and white and it looked real, and had dismantled it from its rocking assembly, the springs and such were off of it. Then a pair of reins went back to the box which the horse was "pulling" In the wooden box, which was just about as tall as the whole horse and bigger had flowers planted in it. It was so adorable. I have seen donkeys and burros pulling carts but never a real looking stallion. By Robyn Fed from Hampton TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59771118.tip.html
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Rate It: Add Hair Clippings to Your Garden When you cut your hair put it all in your garden. Believe it or not, it really does help. By Meghan from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63988470.tip.html
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Rate It: To keep Rose Bores from burrowing into the pruned ends of Rose bushes, my mother always put a dab of white school glue, like Elmers, on the pruned end. I've been doing that for years and it works great. By Catedi from Mentor, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21873419.tip.html
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Rate It: Duct Tape to Keep Squirrels from Corn I am growing a vegetable garden for the 1st time this year. All of my plants are doing amazingly well, but I was absolutely devastated when a squirrel got into my sweet corn. The squirrel managed to break 1 stalk and nibble on another cob. I spoke with a local hardware store owner and searched the internet for remedies. The cheapest tip I found also turned out to be the one that worked for me: Duct tape! Wrap duct tape around the ear, about an inch above the stalk and an inch below the tip. I tried not to wrap it too tightly, and occasionally had to re-attach the tape after a rain storm. However, no more squirrel problems. I think that they encounter the tape and cannot get to the cob underneath. I have been enjoying my home-grown corn now for a couple weeks, and believe this is just the remedy I was seeking! Source: By NancyB from St. Paul, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20481251.tip.html
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Rate It: Use Rug Runners As A Weed Blocker Use old rug runners around where you don't want the weeds to grow through, and put mulch over it. It works great! No weeds grow through that. I use them around my house, where I just wanted certain plants to grow. Source: I thought of this myself, I was sick of all the tips I read that didn't work. By WATERLILLIES Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75410561.tip.html
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Rate It: We grow a lot of carrots and I like to keep some in long term storage as we live in central Canada where fresh produce is imported and expensive during the winter. When we dig the carrots in fall, we remove any excess soil and cut off the tops, leaving about one half inch of greens. I then toss them in the automatic washer on cold and they come out beautifully clean! Don't wash very large ones like this - the agitator will damage them, but carrots up to about 8 inches work in my washer. I don't know if this would work with a front loading machine or not. I then line the bottom of a plastic box (that has a tight fitting lid) with paper towels, and fill it with carrots, placing another towel on top before snapping the lid shut. Store in the fridge and they will keep for months. Change the paper towels now and then when they become very wet. By preserver from Winnipeg, MB Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70677613.tip.html
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Soap Solution for Flies on Grape Vines We have small flies on our grape leaves. We have about 1/3 of an acre and so far about 5 plants are infected. Can you recommend a soap mixture that would get rid of the flies and not hurt the grapes? Hardiness Zone: 9a By Rae Ann Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89400626.tip.html
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Rate It: I have land crabs in my front lawn. Who do I get rid of them? By Rosepeddel from Port Isabel, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87753005.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a wild dogwood tree in my yard. The leaves are turning a lovely red and there is what looks like a cluster of seed pods on some of the branches. I've never seen this before. What are they? Hardiness Zone: 8b By ziggysmommy from Yelm, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38768299.tip.html
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Rate It: What Causes Yellow Leaves On Squash Plants? Can you tell me why my Zucchini have yellow leaves? If I use the oil will that solve the problem? I have 1130 plants that produce 30 kg. Is that good for the plant? Please help me. Thank you very much. Mr. Nadeem A. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85639320.tip.html
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Rate It: I need to know how to get rid of bats under an umbrella. By cristin1 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf518514.tip.html
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Rate It: Can I sell my cut bamboo stalks? Who can I sell them to? How? Hardiness Zone: 7a By gloriabree from Tulsa, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43702142.tip.html
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Rate It: I didn't get around to planting my grass so far and I would like to know up to what month can one still plant grass? If still possible what is the name for "Carpet Grass"? I do have weeds growing, so do I need to kill all the weeds first before planting my grass? Thanks for your help, but please forgive me as you can tell I am not much of an experienced gardener. Linda Hardiness Zone: 8b By Montylyn from San Antonio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000291.tip.html
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Rate It: Starting a Hibiscus from a Cutting How do I get new start hibiscus plants from current plant that comes back every year? Hardiness Zone: 5a By becca03262 from IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82398766.tip.html
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Rate It: I live in Colorado and we are trying to xeriscape our backyard to cut down on water usage. I have several beds in progress with perennials and hand pull the weeds there, but I have laid down bark mulch as ground cover on the remaining yard areas. I have used Round-up (gasp!) in the past to control weeds, but hate the chemical idea so am looking for something natural to spray on yard area that won't seep into soil and hurt plants in my beds. By mkelly1 from Canon City, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf421485.tip.html
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Rate It: Digging a Trench Through Tree Roots I have a mature sweet gum tree that shades my sun room nicely, but I need to run a drain tube down the side of my house. However the roots of the tree cross the area where the drain tube has to go. How much of the roots can be cut without it killing the tree? I need as much information as I can get. Thanks. BCE770 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48531363.tip.html
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Rate It: Something Eating Tomato Leaves Something has eaten the tops (2 tiny leaves) off my tomato seedlings, on my screened-in patio. Will the bare stem continue to grow? Can I spray them with a repellent? Thanks. Linda Hardiness Zone: 9a By cindyluhu from Melbourne, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27379460.tip.html
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Rate It: I need advice on how to kill (get rid of) ice plant? Hardiness Zone: 8b By opa49 from Riverside, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48670268.tip.html
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Rate It: Using Rooting Hormone on Perennials Can I use rooting hormone on perennial plants? Hardiness Zone: 4a By whiskell from Lacrosse, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45234720.tip.html
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Rate It: For the first time, toadstools or mushrooms are growing in patches of the lawn. How do we get rid of them? By SunshineGal from Central WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99443728.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a small back yard, all you see is weeds. I want to kill the weeds and turn the yard and then plant new grass seed. What kind of home made weed killer should I use to kill the weeds before growing new grass? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Wting from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf970244.tip.html
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Rate It: Can someone please tell me why all my ficus plants are dropping all their leaves and drying up? Hardiness Zone: 2a By paiged from Trinidad, Caribbean Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78162799.tip.html
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Rate It: Have any of you seen or created some sort of sod cutter that straps in some way onto a shoe? Let me explain. I've read that one of the best ways to create a short pathway in the garden is by digging up small sections of sod and filling these in directly with concrete. Okay. But I'd like to improvise and maybe cut shapes. Imagine a largish cookie cutter strapped onto your shoe, to do the layout and initial cutting of a shape. Then you'd rock your foot back and forth to deepen the cut. Imperfect, but interesting. There is a product that's similar, but it's only a blade that cuts one line. It sells for $75 on the internet. Maybe this doesn't exist, or perhaps it won't work, but if you could offer me some feedback, I'd really appreciate it. Nica Hardiness Zone: 6a By bsvgs from Big Bend WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44849084.tip.html
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Rate It: How can I kill African violets in my lawn? Hardiness Zone: 6a By jonrob100 from Macomb, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf760205.tip.html
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Rate It: Can anyone tell me what this plant is? A neighbor gave it to me, and said it was dying. Now it has 3 new leaves. I don't know what I've done right but I would hate to lose it come winter. Help. Hardiness Zone: 6a By cntrygrlshari from Morgantwon, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49345893.tip.html
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