Happy Garden - Sept. 3, 2009

Vol. 4, Num. 36, September 3, 2009 (Read It Online) This week, we have a very informative article from Ellen on harvesting those veggies you have been growing all summer. Now that the summer is winding down in the US, what tips and photos do you have for the fall and harvest season. Post them on the contest page. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team Send to a Friend! Submit Your Gardening Tips Submit Photos of Your Garden Submit a Gardening Request Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Photos: Garden: Naked Lady Lilies Garden: Roses Painted Pots Garden: Florida Avocados Garden: Sunflowers Be Careful Not To Damage Spiderwebs Garden: Wild Cherries in the Rain Overwintering Pentas Garden: Head Planter Tips and Articles: Hints For Harvesting Common Garden Vegetables Plants That Can Survive Near a Black Walnut Tree Bonanza in Town Compost Pile Perennial Plants Explained Create a Colorful Garden Keeping Squirrels Out Of Fruit Trees Reuse Medical Scrubs for Gardening New Requests: Brown Spots on Tomato Leaves Growing a Rainier Cherry Tree Snakes in House Growing House Plants in Water Getting Rid of Raspberry Plants Growing Hydrangeas in Containers Black Spots on Tomatoes What Is This Plant? What is This Plant? Homemade Squirrel Repellent Squash Vine Borers Getting Rid of Weeds in Grass Sparrows Damaging Burning Bushes Top of Ripe Red Tomato Still Green Black and White Snake in Georgia Overwintering Miniature Iris Tubers Rooting a Crepe Myrtle Today's Sponsor: 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. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Photos: Garden: Naked Lady Lilies This is picture of my Naked Lady lily I have 2 plants and they have over 20 stems of flowers each and a Blackeyed Susan vine. Also my petunias. They look much better since we had some rain. My town is Springfield, MN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62599956.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Roses This picture was taken just a couple weeks ago at a place here in Columbus Ohio called the "Rose Garden" By hisfee from Columbus Ohio Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68085081.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painted Pots Tired of those orange clay pots? Buy some acrylic paints and give them some color. Add a plant, and you can use them in-doors or out, plus have the enjoyment of a hobby. I did not take classes, just start experimenting, its fun and creative. By Gardener10 from Santa Barbara, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65881401.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Florida Avocados My sister has a grove of Avocados in Homestead, Florida, (just south of Miami) and she brought me some beautiful Butter Avocados and just could not resist sharing this picture. These are smaller than normal if you can believe that! By whiitewolf from Fort Pierce Florida Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44446875.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Sunflowers Some of my beautiful sunflowers from my garden. By sandyb125 from Bluff City TN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45681194.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Be Careful Not To Damage Spiderwebs We are very careful not to destroy spider webs. The spider spends day and night catching mosquitoes and other flying insects. We don't have enough mosquitoes to feed many spiders because they have been working hard over the past three or four years. With the bats, spiders, back yard chickens and geese in the water, we find it difficult to even see a mosquito here in the swamps. Source: This spider lives right next to the back door. She is a good neighbor. By Dr Robert E McGinnis from USA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78999736.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Wild Cherries in the Rain Yesterday morning my daughter came running in and asked to use my camera. Among the pictures she took was this pretty, water-soaked wild cherry branch. By thursday_next from northern Indiana Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97842277.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Overwintering Pentas Do you have a plant in the yard that is just beautiful but will die when the frost and snow come? I have 2 Pentas plant, Google it, they are pretty! Hummingbirds love them. Last fall, I dug them out, went to the Goodwill and bought 2 large containers, drilled drainage holes and put a big saucer underneath. I used a grow light all winter. They bloomed all winter! In the spring, I just took the containers outside, the plants stayed in bloom all season, and grew! Now when fall comes, I just need to transport them back into the house. Now I have no broken heart over them dying, and saved $ from not replacing! By freedombelle2001 from Bellevue, N.E Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98473535.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Garden: Head Planter Our daughter made this "head" in pottery class. Our garden needed a little whimsey and he made the perfect addition. He is the "Head" gardener. We call him Big Al after my dad who was the real head gardener in our family. Source: Our daughter, Amanda By lavenda from Jackson, NJ Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38512160.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tips and Articles: Hints For Harvesting Common Garden Vegetables By Ellen Brown Ideally, you want to pick your vegetable crops when they at the peak of freshness. For some crops this means keeping almost a daily vigil to ensure you catch them at their peak. Here are some hints for when to harvest some common garden vegetables. Asparagus: Harvest asparagus spears from established beds when they are 4 to 10 inches long. To prevent spears from becoming fibrous, harvest them at least every other day. Spears with loosely formed heads have passed their prime. Beans: Frequent harvesting will keep bush and pole beans producing longer. Beets: Harvest beets when they reach the size of a golf ball up to a tennis ball. Smaller beets will give you less overall quantity, but better quality. Broccoli: Harvest them when the buds on the head are firm and tight (approx. 4-5 inches across). Cut the heads 5 to 10 inches down the stalk to promote an abundance of tender side shoots that can be harvested later. Brussels Sprouts: You'll get the best flavor after a light frost. Pick individual heads as needed or harvest the entire plant (place the roots of whole plants in a pail of water to keep them fresh). Cabbage: Cabbage tastes best after a frost or two. Harvest them when firm, glossy heads have formed (they may look small). When left too long the heads will split. If too many are maturing at once, try giving a few heads a gentle twist while still in the ground. This will break some of the roots and temporarily prevent splitting. Carrots: Carrots can be pulled every few days as soon as they are big enough to eat. They are easier to pull out of the soil on a day when the ground is slightly moist. In cool weather they can be left in the ground for several weeks. Cauliflower: Harvest when the heads are solid, before the curds roughen and start to separate. Celery: Use a knife to harvest single stalks from the outside or dig up whole heads using a spade. Corn: Check for readiness when the silks have turned brown but are not completely dry. Pull back the husk and poke a kernel with your thumbnail. If the liquid is milky, pick the corn. If clear liquid comes out, it's not ready. If no liquid comes out, it's past its prime. Cucumbers: Clip them from the vine as soon as the cucumbers are large enough. Harvest pickling types daily to keep the vines productive. Eggplants: Pick when the fruits are big enough to eat. The skin should be glossy not dull. Pick often to keep plants productive. Lettuce: Harvest leaves early in the morning to preserve crispness. Once lettuce start to bolt, it gets bitter. Shear rows or patches of leaf lettuce with scissors. They will resprout for additional harvests. Onion: Pull green onions as needed. If storing bulb onions, allow the bulbs to mature before harvesting. When tops start to yellow, the bulbs are maturing. This process can be sped up by bending the tops over. Peas: Pick garden peas when the pods are plump and the peas are just touching. Wait too long and they'll get starchy. Snow peas should be harvested when they're 3 to 4 inches long, but before the seeds start to swell. Harvest dry peas when the pods are brown and dry and the seeds rattle when you shake them. Peppers: For maximum flavor, harvest peppers after they have completely changed to their mature color. Potatoes: You can start harvesting potatoes shortly after they flower. At this early stage, they are called "new" potatoes. Once the foliage starts to turn brown they have reached their full size. Pumpkins: Wait to harvest pumpkins until the vines have died back. (usually 90 - 130 days after planting). If you can't break or dent the skin easily with your thumbnail, the pumpkin is ready. Rhubarb: Don't harvest the first year after planting. The second year after planting, harvest for two weeks. The third year after planting, harvest for one or two months. From then on, harvest as often as you like. Squash: Summer squash are best if harvested while they are still small - about 3 to 4 inches across or 4 to 6 inches long. Winter squash should be allowed to ripen fully on the vine before picking. It's ready when you can't pierce the skin with your fingernail. Sweet Potatoes: Start checking sweet potatoes about 70 days after planting and harvest them when they reach the desired size. The crop should be fully harvested after the first frost or when the vines turn yellow. Tomatoes: Pick them when they develop their mature color. Check them daily because they can pass their prime quickly. Turnips: Pick them for their greens anytime they are large enough to use. The roots taste best when they are 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43981722.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Plants That Can Survive Near a Black Walnut Tree At least two productive herbs grow under a black walnut tree; caraway seed and tarragon, where others will not. Also I have found red beets, black beets, and red lettuce will grow well. By Mr. Noel W. from Elmira, NY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84842224.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Bonanza in Town Compost Pile For a penny pinching gardener, the town compost pile is it is like finding the lost city of gold with nary an Inca nor Mayan civilization destroyed in the process. What people dig out and toss from their gardens is nothing short of amazing. Here is a glimpse at what seven trips brought in. This is from a few years ago, when I first started keeping a garden journal and recording my hauls. July 10 - Silver King Artemesia (small), Lupine seeds (lots) July 13 - Huge clump of iris (divided into five clumps around the yard),2 spirea bushes,allium seeds columbine seeds,1 fuchsia plant, very dry. July 15 - 10 ferns, 3 stalks of white phlox (may not root), and 2 lily of the valley July 17 - 4 big clumps of day lily (fine leaves so hopefully not the common orange ones), 1 big clump hardy geranium, 1 big clump spider wart July 18 - Nada July 19 - Some yarrow August 13 - 27 Huge iris rhizomes, 17 small iris, 2 small bags of ferns and lily of the valley, 1 small hosta (white flower) I now have over an acre of gardens (the first picture in this post is the view from my bedroom balcony) with over 30 large individual gardens, filled to the brim. It is fun now to look back at my garden journal and see how many of these plants subsequently multiplied and were further divided. If your town has something like this (most do for grass clippings and then people bring in lots of other stuff from their yards) it is well worth checking out. Will you be embarrassed? Yes. I've tried going all different times in the hopes of having the place to myself, from early in the morning to almost dark, when I needed my headlights on and worried about grabbing something slimy. My best system is to bring a few things from my own yard as "cover". I make a big show of unloading whatever branches or weeds I've collected while quickly scanning the place. Then, I loiter and sometimes, the other cars leave and I feel like it's Christmas as I load up my mini-van with plant castoffs. But sometimes, I've just had to blush and deal with it. I had some strange looks, and by the time my son is old enough to be in organized sports in this town, I'm not sure how he'll feel to have his mom known as stalking the town dump, but for now, I wear nondescript clothes, drive my nondescript beige mini-van and treasure hunt at will;-). Happy garden treasure seeking. Source: http://thefrugalmillionairess.blogspot.com/ By Eileen from Wisconsin Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29713434.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Perennial Plants Explained By Ellen Brown For beginning gardeners, the plant world can seem fraught with confusing, and often hard to pronounce, terminology. Fortunately, and I think most plants would agree with me, it isn't necessary to commit a large number of gardening terms to memory in order to successfully grow something. That said, your chances of growing plants successfully increase when you know a little something about their life cycle. Here's what you need to understand about ìperennials.î What Exactly Is A Perennial? Perennials are those plants that spring up in the garden faithfully year after year by way of roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. They live for at least three or more growing seasons. This means that trees and shrubs are technically perennials. Growing perennials requires a bit of patience, because when grown from seed they take about three years to really get going in the garden. As the saying goes, the first year they sleep (put their energy into becoming established), the second they creep (this is usually when they flower for the first time), and the third they leap (really take off and grow large enough to divide). Examples of perennials include bleeding heart, purple coneflower (echinacea), aster, irises, tulips, peonies, and hosta. Types of Perennials Tender perennials: This term is refers to perennials that do not normally survive severe winters. In colder climates, these perennials are usually classified with annuals as bedding plants because they need to be replanted every year or taken indoors. Examples include lantana, coleus, and geranium. Woody perennials: Plants that form a persistent woody stem, including shrubs, trees, and some vines. Woody perennials usually stop growing during winter and drought. Herbaceous Perennials: Perennials that don't form a persistent woody stem. These perennials die back to the ground each year in winter and return again in the spring. Examples include hostas, delphiniums, and irises. Evergreen Perennials: Perennials that keep their leaves over winter, or still appear green once the snow melts. Short-lived perennials: Some perennials seem to do well only for a few years before they start to decline. New plants need to be purchased every few years or started from seed to prevent gaps. Examples include some types of lupines and columbine. The Low Maintenance Myth Many gardeners dream of a maintenance-free garden filled with nothing but masses and waves of colorful perennial flowers. Unfortunately, most will never realize this dream, because having a maintenance-free perennial garden is a myth. A garden filled with perennials can require just as much maintenance, sometimes more, than a garden of annuals. To look their best, plants in perennial gardens need to be protected from insects and disease, fed and watered, weeded and sometimes deadheaded, and many need to be divided every 3-5 years to prevent over-crowding. Pros and Cons of Growing Advantages Of Growing Perennials: Come back every season, getting bigger and better each year, and can be divided and transplanted once firmly established. Unlike annuals, perennials only have to be planted once so they are considered a one time investment. In the long run, this saves both time and money. As some gardeners put it, perennials are a long-term investment whereas annuals are a yearly expense. Perennials provide a succession of color throughout the growing season. Instead of the single burst of color you get with annuals, perennials bloom and die back at different times and provide an ever-changing landscape. As a whole, there are probably more different types of perennial species to choose from than different types of annuals. Disadvantages of Growing Perennials: With perennials, the soil preparation is more extensive and there is a higher initial cost than with annuals. Perennials usuallay only flower for 1-2 weeks. This requires more planning on the part of the gardener if they want to see a continuous show of color all season long. Most perennials need to be divided every 3-5 years to prevent them from getting crowded. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48542284.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Create a Colorful Garden Remove old worn out evergreen shrubs from your garden beds. Plant a few variegated shrubs, hostas, a few zebra grasses and add a few interesting rocks to create a brand new colorful garden bed. By Grayce from Toronto, Canada Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73826786.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Keeping Squirrels Out Of Fruit Trees I have tried owls, snakes, moth balls and spray. None worked for more than a day. Tried the plastic cone around the trunk and they jumped to the top edge and crawled up anyway. This year I put 'tangle foot', a product that is very sticky and used to keep pigeons off areas. Worked great. As soon as they jumped to the cone edge and got the adhesive on the front feet, they dropped off the cone and did not come back. Not hurt in any way, but did not like the adhesive. By rn4005 from omaha, NE Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf194846.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Reuse Medical Scrubs for Gardening When I go out to work in my garden, I wear a pair of old scrubs. Besides, being very comfortable, they have many pockets. I put gloves, shears, rags, my phone or mp3 player in them. I find this very handy and easy to carry and locate items. By Bonnie from Harrisburg, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56490397.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Contest! Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners, 2 photo winners (1 photo and 1 pet photo) and 1 recipe winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! New Requests: Brown Spots on Tomato Leaves Why are my tomato plants getting brown spots on them? By queenb4ever from Forsyth, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11308349.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Growing a Rainier Cherry Tree If I buy a Rainier cherry tree, do I have to buy 2 of them? Hardiness Zone: 3b By bjuicy22 from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57547512.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Snakes in House I have found information on keeping snakes away, but now I need to know how to remove them from your home. My son found a snake skin in my closet last night and now I am afraid to find the snake in the house. By MotherT65 from Woodstock, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf477232.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Growing House Plants in Water Can I grow indoor plants in water only? What do I do with indoor plants in water when the water begins to smell bad? Other than replacing all the water. Hardiness Zone: 6a By marianjn from Provo, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60312495.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Raspberry Plants What do you use to get rid of pesky raspberry plants that are old and sprouting up all over the yard? How do you remove old roots after cutting them back? Hardiness Zone: 1 By leftthesanebehind from St Paul, AB Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78351270.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Growing Hydrangeas in Containers The leaves on the hydrangea potted plant outdoors are turning yellow. Is the cause of this under watering? Will it flower next year? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80804129.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Black Spots on Tomatoes Can anyone tell me why my tomatoes are showing black spots and bottom rot? Is there a fungus in my soil? Is there too much moisture? Should I have my soil tested? Hardiness Zone: 5a By Bosherbob from Colonie, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10012181.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Is This Plant? What is the name of this vine? Hardiness Zone: 9a By pjbanshee_47 from Refugio, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65562838.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What is This Plant? Can you tell me what kind of house plant this is an how to care for it? By twilightdreams from Edmonton, Alberta Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10798905.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Squirrel Repellent A squirrel is eating my treated lumber steps. I need a recipe for a repellent. By jchenry from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76080492.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Squash Vine Borers Squash vine borers have destroyed our whole squash crop. We have tried aluminum foil, pantyhose, waiting until after the borer "season" nothing is working. We will try the covered technique next year, however, the pollinators are unable to get to the squash that way. So that will also be hit or miss. Self pollinating is one answer, however, it is labor intensive, and not always accurate. Do any of you have an answer? I am willing to try anything at this point. Thanks for your help. Hardiness Zone: 7b By marymary22 from middle GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19432110.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Weeds in Grass Is there any quick home remedy to get rid of weeds from the grass? Hardiness Zone: 10b By firene from AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20518785.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Sparrows Damaging Burning Bushes How can I get rid of sparrows that are ruining my burning bushes? Hardiness Zone: 6a By Lady T from Columbus, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47090025.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Top of Ripe Red Tomato Still Green Why do some of my tomatoes stay green on top, when the bottom of the tomato is red and ripe? By Vinnie2112 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60046583.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Black and White Snake in Georgia What kind of snake is black and white? By kimyetta from Valdosta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89042068.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Overwintering Miniature Iris Tubers Can bare root miniature iris tubers be held in a cool place over winter and replanted in spring? Hardiness Zone: 5a By jowanee from Madison, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33529479.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Rooting a Crepe Myrtle How do I root a crape myrtle? Hardiness Zone: 8a By oldyardman from Augusta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47432848.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here Today's Sponsor: 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. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Stuff Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users. Submit a Request... Frugal solutions to everyday problems.