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Vol. 4, Num. 47, November 19, 2009 (Read It Online) Welcome Happy Gardeners! I apologize for getting the newsletter out a bit late this week. I am the new gardening newsletter moderator, my name is Stella. I have just moved into a new home that has no landscaping yet, so I am looking forward to getting lots of great ideas from all of you. This week we have two great articles from Ellen Brown on how to transform your garden into a bird haven and preparing trees for the winter. We also have a great tip on watering tomatoes. Thanks for reading, Stella
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By Jose from Collierville, TN
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Rate It: Link: Free Seeds At Wintersown.org Get free seeds and learn how to sow seeds in the winter!By Susan from Columbia, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94869206.tip.html
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Preparing Your Trees For Winter Fall is one of the most important times of the year to take care of your trees. By taking a little extra time now to prepare you trees for winter, you'll see the results of your efforts well into the next growing season. Watering
Watering is the number one key to good fall tree care. When your deciduous treed start to lose their leaves, make sure they are still getting plenty of water. It's important that nutrients continue to be delivered to the roots until the ground freezes. Unlike deciduous trees, conifers don't drop their leaves. They need to maintain their foliage throughout the winter. Extra water now will help offset moisture lost to winter winds and help them fend off "winter burn." Well-established trees should receive a slow deep watering (penetrating the soil 5-6 inches) every 7-10 days. Because young saplings have less developed root systems, they should be watered more frequently, but given less water each time. You want to penetrate the root system, but not overwhelm it so that the roots are constantly wet. If your area receives adequate rainfall (1 inch or more) during the week, your trees are probably fine. If not, you'll need to make up the difference. Soil conditions, slope, and nearby vegetation all affect how efficiently water soaks into the soil. For example, a lot of rain in a short period of time tends to run off rather than soak into the ground, so you may need to supplement a hard rainfall with additional water. When watering, don't apply water next to the trunk or you may increase the risk of disease. Start at the outer half under the canopy and extend your watering just beyond the drip line. Fertilizing
Fall (or early spring) is also a great time to give tree roots a boost of fertilizer. Most deciduous trees benefit from an application of fertilizer every two to three years-conifers typically need it less often. One indicator for the need to fertilize is the amount of shoot growth that occurred during the present year.
If you have reasonably fertile soil, fertilize your lawn regularly, or if your trees are located in a wooded area where they are blanketed with leaves every year, you can probably skip the fertilizer. If you're unsure, the best way to find out is with a soil test. There are several ways to calculate how much fertilizer to apply, each varying slightly based on the age and growth stage of your tree. Again, the most accurate way to determine how much you need is to get a soil test done on one or two of the trees. The results will tell you if you need fertilizer, and if so, what kind and how much to apply. Adding Mulch
Mulching is the final step to preparing trees for winter. A layer of mulch 4-6 inches deep starting 6 inches out from the trunk and extending out 1-2 feet will help hold moisture in and keep the ground from freezing early, which encourages the roots to remain active as long as possible. Chopped up leaves, wood chips, or other organic materials work best. Rodents love tender tree bark, especially when food supplies grow short in the winter. To prevent rodents from burrowing under the mulch to reach young trees, cover the base of the trunk in hardware cloth or wrap it with a plastic tree guard for the winter.
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Rate It: Watering Tomatoes Underground With PVC Pipe The best way I found to water tomatoes underground is some PVC pipe with holes drilled in it and then covered with one leg of panty hose and buried as deep or deeper than you bury the roots of your plants (by the time I set my tom's out they are usually buried at least 2 feet deep, I start from seed and constantly set them deeper and deeper so they develop huge roots). I also start the hole earlier and deeper than I am setting the plants and mix in some goat or rabbit manure, mix it with some of the soil (the plant roots will eventually find that food) and backfill. Don't drill any holes in the above ground part of the pipe, just cover the top opening with some foil or a PVC cap to keep bugs and dirt out. The pantyhose will prevent the soil from clogging up the holes below ground and allow free flowing water and manure tea. I also add 3 Tbsp of Epsom salts to help add magnesium and other trace minerals. (not more often than once every 3 months) If you are growing beefsteaks, then try adding one pipe on each side of the plant. To feed the tomato roots, you can cut a soda bottle in half and use it for a funnel, the opening will fit inside the pipe to make it easier to feed and water them. I also remove the suckers as I see them and if they are large enough, I root them in a small glass of water and plant them out too to add to my garden. My largest tomatoes this past season were 18 inches around! (quite meaty and there were tons of them) By Wolfbytez from Brownsville, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19058273.tip.html
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Rate It: How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Birds
In March 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States. The report, entitled "State of the Birds", showed that nearly 1/3 of the nation's 800 bird species are either endangered, threatened, or in significant decline. One reason is habitat loss. A backyard filled with singing birds is a pleasant and relaxing place to be. Here's how you can help birds by turning your backyard into a bird sanctuary. Plant Natives Different birds eat different types of food. Some prefer plants (seeds, berries, nectar, fruit, nuts, buds, etc.), while others dine on animals (worms, insects, larvae, eggs, mammals, fish, and even other birds). Planting natives species of grasses, shrubs, vines, and trees provides birds with food sources, nesting sites, and shelter from predators and the elements. Natives also attract animals such as insects and reptiles, that, in turn, attract more birds. Landscape In Layers Natural habitat for birds contains a diverse mix of plants that grow at different heights. A bird might sing from the tallest tree, but roost or build its nest in the shrubs below. Use tall trees, small trees (both deciduous and coniferous), shrubs, and annuals and perennials to create layers of growth, which birds can use for a multitude of purposes. Provide Supplemental Food And Water Along with native plants, offering supplemental sources of food will attract the largest variety of birds and help ensure that they have a safe and steady supply of food all year round. Refill feeders regularly with food desired by birds in your area. This may change during annual migrations (e.g. hummingbirds). To pick the best menu, consult your local wild bird store, nature center, or feed store. Here's a useful chart to help get you started. Splashing or dripping water is especially attractive to birds, both for drinking and bathing. Birdbaths should be scrubbed with a brush and refilled with clean water every 3-5 days. Keep Feeders Clean Feeders and feeding areas need to be cleaned monthly to help prevent the transmission of disease. Run the feeders through your dishwasher or wash them in soapy water and rinse them with a 10% solution of bleach and warm water. Rake up and dispose of excess seed hulls under feeders to prevent mold, and move feeders periodically to prevent the buildup of waste on the ground. Store bird food in an airtight container and discard food that smells musty, is wet, or looks moldy. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every three to five days (daily in warm weather). Eliminate Chemicals Many of the most toxic chemicals have been banned from use in the U.S., but according to the American Bird Conservancy, approximately 40 pesticides still used in the U.S. are documented to have caused bird die-offs (documented by the U.S. EPA). Not only are garden sprays (pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides) toxic to birds, but also to the animals (insects, retiles, fish) that they eat. Keep Cats Away Scientists estimate that cats kill millions of songbirds each year. Ironically, many people who enjoy feeding birds also love cats. If you own cats, the best way to protect neighborhood birds is to keep them indoors. Even cats that are well-fed, declawed, or wear belled collars can still kill birds. An alternative solution is to teach your cats to enjoy time outdoors while on a tether (all three of mine enjoy this). Tethers should be located well away from bird feeding areas. Note: Cats should not be left on tethers unattended for long periods of time and NEVER while you're away from home. If you don't have cats, install fences or other barriers to help keep stray cats from feeder areas. Prevent Window Strikes Collisions with glass windows are responsible for killing millions of wild birds every year. Some windows reflect the sky or surrounding vegetation, and birds are fooled into thinking they can fly through them. The types of windows that typically confuse birds are large, reflective windows (e.g. picture windows), those near the ground, or those that "look through" the house. Attaching decorative decals or other objects to the outside surface of the glass can help reduce reflections. Either move your feeders farther away (to interrupt the flight pattern), or move them to within three feet of the windows so if birds become startled they cannot pick up enough speed to hurt themselves. A final solution is to cover problem windows with a screen so that birds bounce off, rather than hit the glass. Participate In Conservation Citizen science plays a critical role in monitoring birds and helping scientists understand factors threatening their decline. For more information on things you can do to help birds, check out the following:
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I want to know if it is too late in the fall season to dig up my friends roses and replant them in my yard. She is going to throw them away and it is now Nov. 18th. Hardiness Zone: 9b By Tina from Merced, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31888878.tip.html
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Rate It: Geraniums Offer Great Cuttings Could you tell me how long it takes for a geranium to bloom from newly rooted slip? Hardiness Zone: 10b By Merryjean from AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf140651.tip.html
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Rate It: Why is my Calla lily blooming now? Hardiness Zone: 3a By Snayl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59341473.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing Flat Leaf Parsley Indoors How often should flat leaf parsley be fed in an indoor herb garden? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Sharon from Sand Lake, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78899832.tip.html
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Rate It: We recently bought our house, and a retaining wall separates our back yard from our neighbor's yard below. We had to replace our fence, because English Ivy had taken it over and was weighing it down. We had to take a chainsaw to the vine to cut it back. My question is what is the best way to get rid of it? The roots are growing into the retaining wall on our neighbor's side so I cannot pull it. I know a regular weed killer will not do and there is so much of it. I do not want it to come back and ruin our new fence. Any help is greatly appreciated. Hardiness Zone: 7b By Kristen from Bellingham, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31677249.tip.html
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Rate It: What kind of snake is this? By Red Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42735800.tip.html
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Rate It: What kind of tree is this? What is it's native habitat? Are the seeds poisonous? Hardiness Zone: 9a By Karin from Gilroy, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26397957.tip.html
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Rate It: Growing Bamboo Plants - Twisting Water Plant I searched the Q & A's and didn't find my answer so here goes. I have a small twisted bamboo that grows on stones in water. My question is can I trim the roots to promote growth or should I just leave them alone? I have had it for almost 2 years and change the water occasionally; it grows beautifully. So do I leave it alone or is there a benefit in trimming the roots? Like you would with fresh flowers put in a vase? Thank you for your time and I appreciate your insight in this matter. I will look for you response. Thanks again. Patti Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36462121.tip.html
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Rate It: Starting a Hibiscus from Seeds Can hibiscus plants be started from seeds? This is the first year that I have had a hibiscus. It is beautiful and had over 100 beautiful blooms. I brought it in the house and set it under a sky light in the bathroom. It finally stopped blooming. There are seed pods that fall from the plant. Can I start some seedlings from that? If so how do I do that? Should I prune the plant now? Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 5a By Carole from Port Huron, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28977980.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a large schefflera plant that needs to be cut back before I bring it back into the house. Does anyone know how do this? Hardiness Zone: 7a By Pam from Dallas, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16065516.tip.html
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Rate It: Can you please tell me where to find a picture of the life cycle of petunias? Please. By Flower power from Childers Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25481462.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you start a seed after just picking it off a tree? It is a large leaf Magnolia tree. Hardiness Zone: 6b By David from Liberty twp, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85762148.tip.html
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Rate It: I have 3 baby ducks, well they're getting pretty big. They are Peking ducks. They're starting to turn white. Right now I'm keeping them in the house. I put them out in the day as long as the weather is good. I baby them a lot. When I bathe them, they get an odd smell not a really bad odor. Do you think it's OK to bathe them? Also I feed them scrambled eggs with tomatoes and warm oatmeal and I started baking eggshells for them. I've tried scratch feed, but they don't like it. When they first hatched, I got some medicated scratch feed. I asked the saleslady 3 times if it was OK to feed them this food she told me yes. Well my biggest duck's neck was growing sideways, so I did some research, which I should of done at first. I found out not to give medicated food. I stopped the medicated food and now he's fine. So do you think I'm feeding them a good diet? Any suggestions would be highly appreciated? By Melissa from Cleveland, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71860390.tip.html
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Rate It: I dig up my elephant ear tubers each fall. Now I read about those that have a problem with their remaining tubers in the ground keep coming back each spring. Why dig them up each fall if they survive the winters in the ground? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Merrill Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57573289.tip.html
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