Happy Garden - May 29, 2008

Ellen Brown answers more of your questions this week. We also have two articles by Ellen and more tips from readers.

Happy Gardening!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Photos:

• Garden: Tiger Lilies
• Dakota's Garden
• Garden: Spectacular Pink Rose
• Garden: Pansies

Tips and Articles:

• Tent Caterpillars
• Use Shredded Paper Under Tomato Plants
• Craft Project: Cookie Cutter Garden Stakes
• Bulbs Won't Bloom
• Using 'Kitchen Waste' To Fertilize Plants
• Avocado Plants in a Hot Climate
• Rockery Plant With White Flowers
• Green Roof Basics
• Water Plants With Leftover Ice
• Dandelion Blossoms

New Requests:

• Using Garlic To Keep Beetles Away
• Watering Marigold Seeds
• Tomato Plants with Yellow Leaves
• Transplanting Bulbs
• Using Water Crystals For Rooting Plants
• Curling Lucky Bamboo Plant
• Using Marigolds To Repel Mosquitoes
• Rooting Lilac Bushes
• How to Control Deer in Your Garden
• Do Marigolds Kill Other Flowers?
• Homemade Product Similar To "Garlic Barrier"
• Fruitless Pear Trees Not Budding
• Will Cutting Flowers Affect Next Year's Growth?
• When Should I Plant Garlic?

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Garden: Tiger Lilies

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Dakota's Garden

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Garden: Spectacular Pink Rose

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Garden: Pansies

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Tent Caterpillars

Question:

My crab apple tree has caterpillars in silk bags in the crotches of limbs. How do I rid the tree of these and prevent further issues?

Note: I sprayed Sevin on the trunk from the base to 2 ft high on 17 March, on 19 Mar I noticed the first silk bags forming. Most of the silk bags are 12-25 ft high.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Scott from Hollywood, MD

Answer:

Scott,

Eastern Tent caterpillar larvae feed on the leaves of most deciduous trees and shrubs, but especially crab apples, aspens and wild cherry trees. In the past few years, caterpillar numbers have been high in your area. Thankfully, these population explosions are cyclical, and native parasites will eventually bring numbers back under control.

One idea for getting rid of the sacks high up in your tree is to wind them onto a broomstick with nails projecting from it. This is best done in the morning when the caterpillars are inside their tents. Where you can reach, you can also prune and burn the infested branches. Another, (microbial) method of control is spraying Bacillus thuringiensis var.kurstaki, also known as (BTK). This is a bacterial insecticide that caterpillars ingest as they feed. It poisons them over the course of a few days and they drop to the ground. BTK should be applied while caterpillar larvae are still small and easy to control. It is applied in the evening or early morning when the caterpillars are in the nests.

One way to prevent future infestations is by attracting native parasitic flies and wasps. This can be done by growing small, flowering herbs like Queen Anne's lace, catnip, and wildflowers around your garden and near the base of your tree.

Here's a great link for more information specific to your area.

Good luck!

Ellen

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Use Shredded Paper Under Tomato Plants

While reading uses for newspaper, I thought I would share an idea given to me by a friend a couple of years ago. Putting shredded paper around your tomato plants helps keep tomatoes off the ground so they don't rot. Works really well and shredded paper just gets tilled into ground every year and decomposes in time.

By Lisa from Waynesville, NC

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Craft Project: Cookie Cutter Garden Stakes
By Ellen Brown

Garden art can be beautiful and functional at the same time. Here is an easy and inexpensive project that allows you to add a personalized touch to your garden and potted plants. With supervision, this project is an easy one for kids, and best of all, no 'crafty' skills are required.

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Bulbs Won't Bloom

Question:

Leaves yes, flowers no. Why don't my irises bloom? I have planted well over 35 bulbs in the last few years. Since we don't get a good freeze here, I stored the bulbs in the fridge for a few weeks before planting. They get plenty of water, and have a nice southern exposure. The oldest bulbs come up about February, grow slowly, then die with no flowering. I planted some daffodils this year, and they have spindly stalks and no flowers.

The irises that were planted decades ago in the backyard do blossom most years, but haven't flowered yet. Should I fertilize them in the winter? Why don't they bloom? We DID have a few days under 40 degrees over Christmas, and other places I've lived in L.A. have blossomed like mad! We're at 1800 feet here, with rather acidic soil and very alkaline water. Help?

Hardiness Zone: 10a

Brandy from Los Angeles, CA

Answer:

Hi Brandy,

Here are some ideas:

Soil Fertility

Because your daffodils are also failing to bloom, I suspect you may have a problem with your soil. You mentioned having slightly acidic soil and very alkaline water, but you didn't mentioned what type of irises you're growing. Although most irises are pH tolerant, some perform prefer slightly acidic soil, while others prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Just to be safe, I would recommend getting a soil test done. Your county extension agency can give you more information. Tests usually only cost around $15 and the results will tell you exactly what you need to add (if anything) to correct soil problems-including problems with pH and fertility. For example, test results may recommend adding sulfur to lower the pH of your soil, or recommend adding limestone to raise it.

Your soil may also lack sufficient organic nutrients. Irises can be heavy feeders, and they don't like to compete with nearby grass, weeds, or other iris rhizomes for nutrients. A light application of fertilizer in the spring and again 4 weeks after blooming is usually more than sufficient. It is also best to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen. Again, a soil test will provide you with specific recommendations.

Planting Depth and Spacing

Iris rhizomes prefer to sit near the top of the soil with only their roots buried below the surface. They also like to have some breathing room, and should be divided every 3-4 years when they become overcrowded. Here is a great bulletin from the UC Davis Extension Agency on growing all types of Irises.

• http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1808/11935.pdf

Good luck!

Ellen

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Using 'Kitchen Waste' To Fertilize Plants

Question:

I want to fertilize my plants with "kitchen waste" instead of chemicals. How do I use coffee grounds for hydrangeas if used grounds are not acidic enough?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Dorothy from Munford, TN

Answer:

Dorothy,

Used coffee grounds can be spread around your hydrangeas in small amounts and gently mixed into the topsoil, or composted along with other kitchen waste and added to your soil later.

Used coffee grounds are still beneficial to your hydrangeas. Here is why:

1. They contain about 2.0% nitrogen, 0.3% phosphorus, and 0.3% potassium. Just like any organic matter, as used coffee grounds break down they release their beneficial compounds into the soil.

2. When worked into the soil, they do provide a small amount of acidity. Some studies suggest that used coffee grounds lose their acidity when brewed (supposedly all of the acid goes into the coffee). Other studies now suggest that this is not true, and that used grounds do add a small amount of acidity to the soil. The key seems to be working them into the soil and not just spread them on top.

3. Coffee grounds contain allelopathic chemicals that may inhibit weed growth. It should be noted, however, that these same chemicals are not selective and can inhibit the growth of desirable plants as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that like any organic waste from the kitchen, as coffee grounds decompose, they are likely to tie up a small amount of nitrogen in the soil-making it inaccessible to your plants. How much that affects your hydrangeas depends on how much of the grounds you have incorporated into the soil. In general, a small amount of coffee grounds dug gently into the topsoil around your hydrangeas is probably just fine. Nevertheless, an even better way to utilize it would be to start a backyard compost pile for all of your kitchen waste.

Good luck!

Ellen

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Avocado Plants in a Hot Climate

Question:

I am currently working in the Kingdom of Saudi - American of course. I am raising Avocado Plants and need to know more about them. Do I trim them to make them grow out or what? The Temp here is 130 plus.

Norman from Saudi

Answer:

Hi Norman,

The closest North American growing zone comparable to where you are would probably be Arizona, so I'm going to base my advice to you on that. I'm assuming that you're growing your plants outdoors, so temperatures are definitely going to be a factor. If possible, you will probably want to offer them some protection from the sun (and wind) during the hottest part of your day. This is especially true for young plants. Temperatures in excess of 115ºF can be a problem for most North American varieties, so a lot of TLC is going to be necessary to see your plants to maturity.

I have no idea what your soil is like there, but avocados do not care for salty soil, which is often associated with deserts. In general, these plants are very sensitive to salt burn. Long deep watering will help flush excess salt if it build up becomes problematic. In terms of a watering schedule, I would recommend following something similar to a turf-watering schedule.

Avocado plants grow very slowly. As far as cutting them back goes, some growers recommend cutting back stems to three inches in length when plants reach six inches in height. The thought is that this will encourage them to produce more leaves. Others growers disagree. Either way, cutting them back isn't going to speed up their growth, but it may young plants sturdier in the long run.

Be careful with fertilizer to reduce the potential of excess salt build up. In fact, skip it altogether for the first year. After that, fertilizing once or twice throughout the year (depending on soil fertility) is probably plenty.

Here are some great links that should help:

• http://www.tropicamango.com/avocado.html
• http://www.avocado.org/about/growing-avocado

Stay cool!

Ellen

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Rockery Plant With White Flowers

Question:

I am a member to the website - all the way from the UK! I think it's great - nothing like this at home! I am looking for a rockery plant that reminds me of my family garden when a child. It was low growing, had tiny white flowers mid spring onwards - very prolific - and grey, almost furry leaves. I remember my (now sadly departed) parents saying it was a good ground cover as spread so fast. I have never seen it in garden centres in the UK - anyone have any ideas?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Louise from Essexx, United Kingdom

Answer:

Hi Louise,

Okay. I'm going to take a stab at this, too. Here are my two choices for low-growing ground covers with silvery, wooly leaves and white flowers. How about Cerastium Tomentosum, also commonly known as Snow-In-Summer, Mouse Ear, Chickweed, or Silver Carpet? This low-growing ground cover has fuzzy, silver-gray leaves and produces a carpet of delicate white flowers that bloom from early May through June. Snow-In-Summer has a mounding habit, so when in bloom it resembles a carpet of snow-hence the name. It's also very compact in form so it easily suppresses weeds.

Here is some more information, including a picture:

• http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/snowinsummer.htm

Here is a picture:

• http://www.waltersgardens.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=576

I can't think of a gardener who wouldn't love to talk about his or her plants with curious passerby. If you don't feel you can summon the courage to knock on his or her door, why not leave compliments and questions (and your email address) on the doorstep via some pretty stationary? You will probably make someone's day!

Good luck!

Ellen

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Green Roof Basics
By Ellen Brown

One of the fastest growing green building trends in the U.S. and Canada is the installation of green roofs. That is, systems that use living plant materials as roofing. The idea of green roofs isn't new. The earliest green roofs are thought to date back as far as 500 B.C. However, technological advances are now making the installation of green roof systems practical and affordable for both commercial builders and homeowners alike.

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Water Plants With Leftover Ice

Have extra ice cubes left in your glass? Use them to water your household plants.

By Gary from NJ

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Dandelion Blossoms

Dandelion Blossoms can be batter-dipped and deep-fried. They taste a lot like mushrooms when prepared in this fashion and are a delightful treat.

Ingredients

• 30 dandelion blossoms (pick blossoms that are open but fairly young)
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 eggs
• Deep fryer half filled with vegetable oil

Directions

Combine flour and whole milk. Mix thoroughly. Whip eggs in a separate bowl and then stir into flour mixture. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly. Add a little more milk if batter is too thick.

Heat oil in deep fryer to 325 degrees F. Roll blossoms into batter and drop into deep fryer. Fry 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Blossoms will float to the surface when done. Place on a paper towel to drain. These taste best when eaten hot.

Source: Found in "Soul Food Recipes" by Willie Crawford

I haven't tried this. No dandelion blossoms here in FL, that I know about.

By Mary in FL from Cocoa, FL

Editor's Note: What a thrifty idea! Just be sure to harvest weeds from areas that have not been treated with herbicides or any other chemicals. Dandelion greens are also edible. Here is a recipe for cooking them:

• Dandelion Greens

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Using Garlic To Keep Beetles Away

Can you please tell me how or if I can use regular garlic from the super market to keep beetles off of my roses?

Donna

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Watering Marigold Seeds

How much water do Marigold seeds require without over watering? I do not have a green thumb but want to get a garden going.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Ronald from Crystal Lake, IL

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Tomato Plants with Yellow Leaves

My problem is that our tomato leaves are turning yellowish brown around the edges. Also on some of them the tops have died out. They are not looking like they are going to survive. What is causing this and what can I do about it? We have them in a bed in our back yard close to the garage. We have had tomatoes in this spot for several years now but have never had this problem. The plants we bought from a local store. But am not sure where they are actually from. But we also have some plants that we got from friends and they started theirs from seed. They are doing the same thing. Can anyone help here. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Hardiness Zone: 6a Evelyn from St. Maries, Idaho

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Transplanting Bulbs

I have tulips that are blooming at my grandmother house. We are selling the house. Can I take the bulbs now? And how do I do this?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Lynette from Chelsea, Michigan

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Using Water Crystals For Rooting Plants

Has anyone ever used water crystals? Can it be used for rooting plant cuttings? I'd like to try it with rose cutting. Has anyone ever tried it, did it work?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Gina from Ozone Park, NY

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Curling Lucky Bamboo Plant

I read a post on this website concerning the process of "curling" the lucky bamboo plant. I have one now that I am trying to work with. In a small vase, the plant sits inside a cardboard box; I cut out one whole side of the box. About 3 or 4 feet from the box is my light source, which is actually a "plant bulb". I started this process only a few days ago, so there is no reason to see any development, but am I doing this right? Or should I just cut out a small portion of one side of a box?

Mark from Ocala, Florida

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Using Marigolds To Repel Mosquitoes

I have been hearing that marigolds help with mosquitoes but I have also seen at least 3 different kinds of them. Can you please let me know which kind you use? They are eating my little 3yr old up. I will try anything to get rid of them. Thanks hope to here from you soon.

Michelle

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Rooting Lilac Bushes

Please tell me how to root lilac bushes.

Connie

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How to Control Deer in Your Garden

How can you get rid of deer coming to your garden?

Sherrie from Greenville, KY

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Do Marigolds Kill Other Flowers?

If you put marigold flowers in a container with other flowers, will they kill the other flowers, or their blooms? I just planted some marigolds with purple daisies, and all the blooms wilted on the purple daisies. Is it from the aroma that the marigolds put off?

Barb from Charlottte, NC

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Homemade Product Similar To "Garlic Barrier"

Can someone please tell me how to make a spray for my gardening plants that is similar to Garlic Barrier? It is too expensive and I would like to make my own at home. It is a strong liquid garlic extract that mixes with water to keep insects off all vegetable garden plants as well as garden flowers. It is safe to use around pets and children. I would so appreciate your help on this as bugs are coming fast and I want to save my plants. Thank you ahead of time.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Kay from Clyde, TX

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Fruitless Pear Trees Not Budding

We planted two fruitless pear trees last fall. They have not started budding yet this spring. They are still alive as the limbs are still green. Is the not budding from it being too cold this spring and they haven't had a chance to bud? I would like to know if there is anything I can do to help them along or if they will most likely be a loss. Thank you.

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Mary from West Fargo, ND

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Will Cutting Flowers Affect Next Year's Growth?

If I use my tulips as cut flowers for a vase, will this affect the next year's flowering?

Sheila from Ontario, Canada

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When Should I Plant Garlic?

Last fall I planted some fall garlic and it just about all rotted in the ground. Is it too cold here, or is there something I didn't do? Is spring planting better for here?

Hardiness Zone: 2b

nbwilson from Hudson Hope, British Columbia

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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