http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ gardening Q&A from A Way to Garden en-US Sun, 19 May 2013 20:42:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://awaytogarden.com/forum/search.php http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=728#post-2225 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:58:10 +0000 BethG 2225@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Please help to solve a mystery. Last year we had a garden full of young healthy pepper, tomato, and cucumber plants until we applied compost from our Compost Tumblers. We noticed the compost was filled with inch-long, tiny needle-like red worms. Within a few days of applying the compost the plants in the back of the beds began to fail, wither and die. Moving forward through the garden, row by row, all the plants began to wither and then die. We pulled one of the withering plants out, cut into the stem to look for bugs but found nothing eating the roots or stems. My husband says there will be no garden this year unless we can find out what killed last years plants. My guess is the worms but we thought the worms were a sign of healthy compost. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=727#post-2224 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:13:33 +0000 ugq 2224@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Ohio State extension and other sources say it's ok: </p> <p>"Walnut leaves can be composted because the toxin breaks down when exposed to air, water and bacteria."</p> <p>The full fact sheet on black walnut issues from the allelopathic of the chemicals in its roots, etc: </p> <p>http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1148.html </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=727#post-2223 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:59:15 +0000 sunnyf 2223@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>We have a large black walnut tree in our yard along with many other trees. We are mulching all of our leaves with a mower this fall and putting them in a bin to use in the garden later. Is this okay to do with the black walnut leaves? I am concerned about poisoning the garden with them, but if we don't use them for at least 6 months, should it be okay? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=652#post-2183 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:01:38 +0000 Margaret K. 2183@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>OK, so now that I was thinking about it I played around with adding a calendar to my blog. It was super easy with Google Calendar. They actually provide you with the code based on the settings you choose. I added a calendar tab/page to my blog and Voila...now everytime I update my google calendar it appears on my blog. Of course I will only use this calendar for my garden chores. Take a look...it's easy to set up. </p> <p>Go to Google Calendar. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=652#post-2182 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:52:14 +0000 Margaret K. 2182@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have always struggled with this too but I started a blog and I've actually been able to keep up with it pretty well. I use it to keep track of favorite web sites and garden blogs too. I've added a page for favorite garden quotes and poems that I was never able to save in one spot. I am currently working on adding a garden calendar. I can upload pictures directly from my iphone. I garden at my home and also at our vacation/future retirement cottage in Northern Wisconsin so I love being able to access it from anywhere...I can't ever lose it! I'm not quite ready to share it with the world but so far it's working great for me. I also have started using the website Pinterest, an online, virtual bulletin board. If you haven't heard of it yet it's definately worth a look. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=75#post-2181 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:18:20 +0000 Margaret K. 2181@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I'm a BOGs girl when it comes to boots. Living in Wisconsin, I need something to keep my feet warm and dry. I own the Classic High and the Classic Mid. They also have some garden shoes which I have my eye on...the Rue or Burnside styles look like they would be great in the garden. I need something that is going to keep the dirt out and are easy to slip on and off. This year I purchased the Sloggers Rainshoe...wore them all summer long. I found them for $19.99 on line, so for the price they were a great shoe. They cost a little more if you get them directly from Sloggers.</p> <p>http://www.bogsfootwear.com/shop/index.html?gclid=CJXxjoOF0qsCFULe4AodwwN8Yw</p> <p>http://www.sloggers.com/index.shtml </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=652#post-2180 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:06:49 +0000 kjbaker 2180@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I've never been able to find just one solution to keeping garden notes because sometimes I want to write two pages of information on one plant, and sometimes I just want to make a quick note about where and when I bought a plant. I have multiple spiral notebooks where I keep detailed notes. That works pretty well, but it's hard to look things up. I also use yearly calendars where I can record exact dates like when I put down the lawn fertilizer or the rose food. I recently bought a garden scribe plant organizer. My mom got one as a gift and liked it, so I decided to give it a try. So far I like it. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=459#post-2176 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:35:17 +0000 soo 2176@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Okay, so today I went out and started maniacally pruning a huge hedge of over grown lilacs. Today being Sept. 17, 2011. I know, not the right timing. But this is a summer house, I'm not always here at the optimum pruning time, and I'm willing to sacrifice next year's bloom for a fuller healthier hedge that doesn't block our view. I was planning to do it earlier but I have new neighbors and didn't want to freak them out by hacking down the privacy that the hedge provides. But now they're gone for the summer, so the crazed pruner strikes. Out of season, argh.<br /> This is Michigan, zone 4.<br /> I know lilacs are hardy, but have I pushed them too far? We won't get a hard frost for another month or two due to the "warmth" of Lake Huron.<br /> Also, I tried to leave the leafy sides of the hedge intact, but the inner parts of the hedge are just 10-12 foot long trunks, about 2" in diameter, with leaves at the top. I cut them down to about 5 feet, and they're pretty well hidden by the side shrubs, but do I need to take them down even shorter? I'm afraid if I do it will look really strange, like a trench with spindly lilacs on the side. But if I don't, next year's growth (assuming they'll grow) won't be very healthy.<br /> Can I leave them as they are, hope for the best, and then when they're sending up all their new growth next summer, cut some of the older ones down to the right height? Which is 2-3 feet?<br /> Feel like an idiot for doing this. I knew it was bad timing, but it was a gorgeous fall day and on impulse I just started lopping and sawing.<br /> Any advice, sympathy or condolences much appreciated. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=723#post-2175 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:47:47 +0000 Leslie 2175@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I've had moderate success with the geranium oil wrist bands against the tiger mosquitos in Brooklyn, NY. I have not tried them up here though. The mosquitos are so bad from tropical storm Irene that even my cat is covered in bites. He chews at them and ends up covered in scabs, so he looks like he has been in a fight...</p> <p>For the past few days my family (minus the cat) has been using the EcoSmart brand organic insect repellent. It is 1% geranium oil plus some other repellent oils. It seems to work OK- I definitely get less bites when I wear it versus nothing.</p> <p>The wrist bands work best for an activity like gardening when you are moving around a lot, otherwise they seem to just protect your hands and wrists. The mosquitos are so bad I think it would be worth trying to garden in a hat with mosquito netting. I think I will rig something like that up this weekend. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=723#post-2174 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:51:19 +0000 barbg 2174@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Help! Still cleaning up post-tropical storms in my zone 6 garden, I was literally eaten alive by what I thought were mosquitoes dive-bombing my face, the only exposed body part. They continued well into late morning (past normal mosquito feeding time) until I gave up and went indoors. Any tips on repellants that work without killing the wearer, netting? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=717#post-2173 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:46:50 +0000 Cleo13 2173@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Thanks, Leslie. I had read that source before, but somehow missed the part about thick mulch to keep the soil cool. I'll give it another go this winter and cross my fingers. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=721#post-2171 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:39:25 +0000 HousePlants 2171@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone, I have been a house plant fan for many years, but have always wondered which house plant does the best job at cleaning the air? I have looked through a number of house plant sites and have found little conclusion, so was just wondering what the thoughts on it are here. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=720#post-2170 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:43:47 +0000 Leslie 2170@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Sounds like your dogwood has some reversion. Variegated leaves are caused by a mutation that makes part of the leaf contain no chlorophyll (the green pigment in leaves and stems that enables photosynthesis). Occasionally a branch or two of a variegated plant will revert back to the original all green color. If these branches are not pruned out promptly, they can overtake the rest of the shrub. They are more vigorous because of the greater amount of chlorophyll and better ability to photosynthesize. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=717#post-2169 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:23:09 +0000 Leslie 2169@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/growsouth.htm">Here</a> is a great source of information about growing garlic in the south. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=720#post-2168 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:36:30 +0000 Tajackso 2168@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have 5 variegated red-twig dogwoods on a south-facing burm in our front yard in SW Michigan; all are doing well. However, in one of the bushes there are several large branches which have leaves with essentially no color. I trimmed one out one similarly affected branch last fall but this year, in addition to one peripheral branch there are 6-8 centrally located branches with the same appearance.<br /> Is anyone familiar with this observation?</p> <p>Thanks </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=713#post-2167 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:42:29 +0000 ugq 2167@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have this problem from chipmunks in particular throughout my raised beds some years. Can also be voles (but they tend to tunnel near the surface more than make holes like the chippies do). </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=719#post-2166 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:30:24 +0000 bbpgarden 2166@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>The bottom 3rd of my 12 foot concolor began turning brown this spring. I was slow to react. The local garden store said I had funfus in the needles. I have been spraying it and it does not appear to be spreading. Is there any chance these branches will ever be health again? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=718#post-2165 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:21:30 +0000 Daphne 2165@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Hi Margaret,</p> <p>Thanks so much for answering my question about dill weed. I did transplant it from a plant I got at the farmer's market. It grew really high, but never seemed to flower, it never grew thick, just long and leggy, and then started turning yellow. </p> <p>I think the problem may be that as you stated, it hates pots, being transplanted. I think next time I will try growing from seed and directly into the ground.</p> <p>I love your frog boys. They're really cute. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=717#post-2164 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:15:18 +0000 Cleo13 2164@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I've tried growing garlic 2 years now, and never get actual cloves, they just grow until they die back, and when I pull them out of the ground all I have is a scallion-looking thing.</p> <p>I live in Florida, zone 9, with a sandy soil. I've added compost, peat moss, vermiculite to amend the soil. I've fertilized with both fish emulsion and commercial granular all-purpose vegetable fertilizer.</p> <p>The first year I just used a garlic clove from the grocery store and got the above result, they were in the ground for almost a year. The second year I figured it was the garlic I planted and ordered seed garlic from a catalog, selecting a variety that should do better in a hot climate. Same result. This batch was planted in December, grew beautifully all winter and spring, died back substantially in the past month, and when I started to pull them up, nothing.</p> <p>Any ideas? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=714#post-2161 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:55:43 +0000 Leslie 2161@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I'm not sure from your description. Botrytis (gray mold) usually infects the fruit or flowers in wet weather. Take a look at the Cornell Cooperative Extension <a href="http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berrytool/index.htm">Berry Diagnostic Tool</a>. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=711#post-2160 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 22:46:34 +0000 Leslie 2160@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>It does sound like it could be <a href="http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F1/nThrips.htm">thrips bites</a>, but perhaps the source is not your tomato plants. Do your tomatoes show any signs of <a href="http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/DiagnosticKeys/TomFrt/Thrips_Tom.htm">thrips damage</a>? Thrips like a variety of plants and most bites on humans occur when you are downwind from a fragrant blooming plant (the smell blows onto your skin and the thrips confuse you with a plant.) What else is surrounding your vegetable garden? Are there many wild flowers or perhaps a flowering tree? Or maybe you are wearing something scented on your skin that is attracting them? Before I started gardening frequently I used to wear Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream. Several years ago I started working full-time in a public garden and I quickly found that the honey bees were confusing me for an Almond tree! Although I love the smell, I have not used that moisturizer since... </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=709#post-2159 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 22:16:23 +0000 Leslie 2159@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Because you say that even the small Astilbes have had poor bloom, I suspect that it is because of the cow manure, which is commonly heavy in nitrogen. Fertilizing with too much nitrogen will cause lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers. There is probably nothing to do this year about the bloom. To 'use-up' the excess nitrogen in the soil you can mulch with something like wood chips or straw; these mulches need a lot of nitrogen in order to break down. You might also want to add a little bone meal to encourage root and flower growth.</p> <p>In regards to dividing: Astilbe roots can become congested and old which will cause a decrease in bloom. This might happen every 4-5 years depending on the variety and growing conditions. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=714#post-2158 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:40:07 +0000 kk 2158@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>My raspberry canes were full of fruit - I harvested about half of it one weekend. A few days later all - or almost all of the fruit turned brown. The canes and leaves look fine. Could this be Botrytis - any other thoughts? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=713#post-2157 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:26:15 +0000 Kate in CT 2157@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have 5 1/2 raised beds and I've noticed round holes in two of them. In one bed, my broccoli has been uprooted and the stalk chewed. I've lost 3 of 6 plants!! Any ideas/suggestions regarding the culprit and how to get rid of it would be appreciated. Thanks!! </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=712#post-2156 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:07:22 +0000 habgardener 2156@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Hi, Like to explore a deep warm welcome and my thanks to all user of this forum. Like to share and gather everything about gardening. Hope I will learn so many things about gardens with you all. I like growing vegetables and definitely I am very found of eating vegetables, no doubt. Hope we all have a blast smiles. </p> <p>Thanks<br /> habgardener </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=711#post-2155 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:33:22 +0000 lauracowan 2155@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Lately I've been feeling tiny bites any time I'm outside near my small vegetable garden. When I look at my where I felt the bite, I see a tiny orange insect, about the size of a small freckle. It's too small to make out individual parts (i.e. legs or wings) without a magnifying glass, but it must be able to fly, since I usually find them on my arms. </p> <p>From what I read on the internet, I believe that they are thrips. I've been spraying my tomato plants with an organic repellent that claims that it's effective against thrips, but I don't notice any difference. Apparently, thrips can be a vector for several tomato diseases. </p> <p>Has anyone experienced these, and have you had any luck controlling them? I'm somewhat worried about my tomato plants, but honestly, I'm interested more in being able to enjoy my garden without all the little bites!</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=710#post-2154 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:22:12 +0000 Terri H. 2154@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I bought one of those canvas inserts with pockets that drapes over the lip of a standard 5-gallon bucket. It's not bad, as long as you load it evenly--if not, the bucket tips when you set it down. ;-) </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=710#post-2153 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:59:50 +0000 caroleferguson 2153@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I use a strong basket with handle. It has lasted for years and is easy to see/find. I am amazed someone actually makes a WHITE canvas bag for garden tools. Apparently there is a garden without soil. I myself look chocolate dipped by the end of the day. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=710#post-2152 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:05:55 +0000 ehb 2152@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have a standard garden tool bag that my tools flop out of and is not really useful. I wonder what other gardeners have found useful as they venture forth into their gardens. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=709#post-2151 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:36:56 +0000 caroleferguson 2151@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Lush growth astilbe this year but not great flowers. I put cow manure down in early May. Is it about dividing? Some are huge and can be divided but others are small and I don't want to divide them. Suggestions? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=708#post-2150 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:35:43 +0000 Leslie 2150@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Tea scale (Fiorinia theae) can be a pest of Camellias and Hollies (Ilex) in some of the Southern states in the US. It does not survive in colder temperatures. Are the Ilex shrubs located in Massachusetts? If so it can not be tea scale.</p> <p>Are the bugs located on the top suface of the leaves or just the bottom surface? Do they appear stationary or do they visibly move when disturbed?</p> <p>The black spotty residue is probably a mold that often grows on the sticky waste material that many insects produce. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=708#post-2149 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:24:00 +0000 Kit 2149@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>I have small white flaky bugs on all of my Ilex shrubs mostly on the leaves that are in the shade. Also, there is a black spotty residue under the leaves. I think it may be tea scale. Does that seem to be a logical guess?<br /> If so, the only remedies I can find online are nasty pesticides. Any ideas for a more natural way to control this problem? </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=707#post-2148 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:59:25 +0000 Leslie 2148@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>80-90 degrees sounds like a good temperature. To help with the humidity you should run a fan. I would guess that your basement would not be as good an environment for the curing as the garage because basements are usually cool and have little airflow. At 80 degrees with a breeze or fan going, the heads should take about two weeks to cure. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=707#post-2147 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:10:58 +0000 kaskins 2147@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>Have dug up my garlic bulbs, am now trying to cure them. After reading both Margaret's articles on the site about <a href="http://awaytogarden.com/onions-and-garlic-in-frugal-perpetuity">growing</a> and <a href="http://awaytogarden.com/garlic-harvest-and-curing-i-did-something-right">curing</a> garlic, am still not sure about the curing process: what is the ultimate goal--how will I know it is "cured"? Also, am not sure I have it in the ideal spot--currently it is on a screen in my garage, which is left open most days, but could get quite warm (80-90 degrees), and humid. Should I put it in my basement instead? I live in Southcentral PA. Help!--Kathy A. </p> http://awaytogarden.com/forum/topic.php?id=706#post-2146 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:59:22 +0000 celia 2146@http://awaytogarden.com/forum/ <p>The flower heads on my allium nectaroscordum shriveled up and did not produce a flower. Is this an indicaation that the bulbs need to be divided? </p>