The Solaris Group's Toll-Free Gardening Helpline

The Solaris Group markets Ortho products; its nationwide helpline for gardeners (800-225-2883) is operated between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Monday through Friday from October through March and from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Monday through Saturday during the rest of the year.

A free brochure containing answers to the most frequently asked questions received on the helpline is available from Ortho MFAQ, The Solaris Group, P. O. Box 5008, San Ramon, CA 94583.

"Blumat Plant Savers"

These little devices consist of probes (to be stuck into the soil in houseplants' pots) connected to flexible tubing (to be inserted in plain water or water containing soluble fertilizer). They automatically provide just the right amount of moisture needed by the plants. The exclusive U.S. importer of Blumat Plant Savers is Jade Mountain, Inc., P. O. Box 4616, Boulder, CO 80306, phone 303-449-6601. Contact Jade Mountain for additional information.

Compost Booklet

You can obtain a free compost booklet from our office by sending a SASE with 32 cents postage to Compost Booklet, CES, 5106 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL., 60609.

Free Outdoor Power Equipment "Safety Tips Handbook"

Homelite, Inc., a manufacturer of lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, tillers, chain saws, leaf blowers, pressure washers and other outdoor power equipment, is offering a free brochure containing 75 safety tips. (Some examples: "While in a tree or on a ladder, don't cut above shoulder height with a chain saw." "Before attempting to remove an obstruction caught or jammed in the blades of your hedge trimmer, be sure to turn the "off-on" switch to the "off" position and remove the spark plug." "Never attempt to make a wheel height adjustment on your lawn mower while the engine is running.") To request a copy of the brochure, call toll-free 800-252-8772.

Reprinted Victorian Bulb Catalogs (and New Old Bulbs)

Scott Kunst at Old House Gardens (536 Third St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, phone 313-995-1486, catalog $2) specializes in old (antique; especially Victorian-era) bulbs, and his 1996 catalog has plenty of new offerings. (A tip from Scott: his best solution for preventing animal damage to bulbs is to spray the ground where the bulbs are planted with bitter-tasting "Ro-pel;" dipping bulbs in Ro-pel prior to planting is another option; look for Ro-pel at garden and hardware stores.)

For the first time this year, Scott is offering a reprint of the 28-page Vaughn's bulb and autumn plants catalog from 1897, with lots of illustrations. It costs $5.00 postpaid. Also still available is a reprint of the 32-page Vick's catalog of hardy bulbs form 1872 ($4.50 potspaid).

1997 Youth Garden Grant Application

The National Gardening Assn., in concert with leading companies from the lawn and garden industry will award its 14th Annual Youth Garden Grants to 300 schools, neighborhood groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities and multigenerational settings throughout the United States. Each grant consists of tools, seeds and garden products valued at an average of $500. To get a copy of the application (deadline, November 15, 1996) just call our office at 312-737-1178 and we will be happy to send you a copy.

Free Samples of Squirrel Away(TM) Now Available

This bird seed "supplement," consisting of powdered hot pepper, was originally marketed for preventing squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons from eating bird seed. But now the marketer (Scryton Systems Inc., P. O. Box 404, Annapolis, MD 21404, phone 800-229-5454) is claiming that the product "is good for more than protecting your bird feeder! Landscapers and gardeners now have an effective, environmentally safe and inexpensive way to protect bulbs, seedlings and special plantings form digging dogs, pesky squirrels and hungry rabbits...Marauding mammals will think twice about biting into bulbs sprinkled with Squirrel Away!. Experienced and novice gardenscapers can dig and plant their gardens without fear of finding that their expensive bulbs have disappeared, their seedlings (have been) chewed to the ground or their tender plants (have been) uprooted!"

You can try it yourself by calling or writing Scrypton Systems and requesting a free sample of Squirrel Away.

Who Turned Out The Lights?

As you walk through your existing garden beds, you may realize that as time has passed, some plants are not performing as well as they used to. Although this could occur for numerous reasons, one thing to consider is how light in your landscape has changed over time. Plants that were originally planted in full sun, may now be growing in the shade of a tree that has grown several feet taller or was added to the landscape after other plants.

Consider moving sun-loving plants to another area of the garden and finding new shade tolerant plants to replace them. For annuals, begonias, impatiens, browalia and other shade tolerant plants can give a bright show of color where petunias no longer perform well. Perennials such as astilbe, hostas, ferns and others will enjoy the shady areas where Redbeckia is ailing.

If you're uncertain how well a plant will perform in a problem area, plant just one or two of the types you would like there and test them for a season. Next year, plant more of those that did well and try some new ones for future plantings. The National Garden Bureau provided this information.

Raised Beds - Frame Alternatives

Still worried about using pressure treated wood for framing the raised bed for your vegetable garden? Here are some great, safe options.

Stone frames will last forever and you can easily rebuild the beds into any shape you want at any time.

Cement blocks or concrete is another option. If you lay the blocks in place so that the holes are facing up, you can plant flowers and small vegetables in these pockets. You can also make a wooden form and pour permanent raised beds of concrete.

If wood is what you want, consider rot-resistant types such as cedar or redwood. Other types to consider are: hemlock, oak, black locust, red mulberry and catalpa. (Apparently boards cut from the heartwood instead of the sapwood layer will have much less decay).

Still another idea is to use logs, lumber and boards made of recycled plastic. For a list of sources see: Organic Gardening, the March 1995 issue.

Recycle Spice Jars For Seed Sowing

In Taunton's Fine Gardening magazine, the March/April 1996 issue, No. 48, a reader writes that she saves empty spice jars because they make handy containers for storing and sprinkling seeds. Use the kind that have a divided lid - one side for sifting and one side to spoon from. Use the small opening for pouring out the fine seeds and the spoon side for the larger seeds. If you often lack a steady hand when sowing seeds, here's a solution.

Easy Organic Matter

If you take an environmentally sound approach to gardening, you are probably removing spent vegetable and flowering plants from their beds and placing them in the compost pile. The finished compost is then returned to the garden to increase the organic matter content of your soil.

However, one approach to take is to simply cut the old plants off at the soil line, leaving the roots, rather than pulling the plants up roots and all. The roots will decompose in the ground adding organic matter and leaving tiny air channels that help keep the soil aerated and allow for good water drainage. Roots of leguminous plants such as garden peas and beans, or sweet peas have nitrogen-fixing nodules that add extra nitrogen to the soil.

Late Summer 1996
Cover Crops | Tomato Problems | Annual White Grub Homeowner Control Options | Phalaenopsis: "No Better Orchid for Beginners" | Bug Bites | Lawn Care Calendar | To A Violet | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | OTC Hearburn Drug | Food Safety Checklist |Healthy Cooking: Cabbage | Nutrition Facts: Meal Planning 101 (Part 3 of 3) | Health and Household Tips | Did You Know?

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