It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:
Last evening when I was by an open window I noticed some big fat bumble bees buzzing around my bloomed azaleas and started wondering what a regular person can do to increase/invite honeybees to their yard. I’d love to have some hives but my mom is severely allergic to bee stings and I didn’t realize how “sensitive” they are until I read Thy Hand’s updates.
I don’t use any fertilizers or chemical sprays (other than termite which apparently is uber necessary where I live- I even dreamed about termites eating my window sills last night). Are there special flowers they love that I could plant, like butterfly garden seeds? Just a thought, might be an interesting blog post.
-Katie
Katie, there are TONS of plants that will attract bees and butterflies to your garden. Plus, good news: the same plants will attract other beneficial bugs to your yard. Check out my previous posts on Beneficial Flowers for a Vegetable Garden to Deter Pests and Attract Good Bugs and How to Create a Butterfly Garden. Both posts will give you planting ideas that will also attract bees. Using plants that attract them is like being the hostess with the mostest; it’s a very harmonious, Utopian plan, if you ask me.
Dear Mavis, I live in zone 9, where I can garden pretty much all year, if I can manage the rain levels and high heat. I just started last summer and my garden is all containers. I’m wondering how to I manage my soil in these conditions? I hate to pull out plants that are still healthy and green, so do I just add nutrients to the soil every once in awhile? I do compost, but haven’t figured out when or how to add this into the mix. Thank you!
~Nichole
First of all, I am jealous. Gardening all year long would be rad. Here’s how I would go about it in your case: I would add a layer {2″ to 4″} of compost to the top of your pots at least once a year. If it is home composted, make sure to allow it to cool a bit, by laying it out somewhere for 3 months or so before you add it to your pots. Otherwise, it might be too “hot” or nitrogen rich for your pots. I would also start a pretty strict crop rotation schedule in your pots. That way, the plants can do most of the work putting nutrients back into the soil, and you aren’t in a boat where you are pulling out healthy, producing plants.
Hi Mavis! I know you love the east coast so I thought you could help me. My son is going to Boy Scout camp in Rhode Island and so is my husband. I decided to take my 4 year old and go on our own road trip. We will start in Rhode Island we can visit surrounding areas but nothing too far of a drive, maybe 1.5 hours away. Any favorite towns you think I should visit? Fun destinations for a little guy? Thanks so much!
~ Lindsey
Lindsey, I wish I could help, but I have not stopped in Rhode Island {driven through, but that’s it}. I know I have readers that have been, though, so readers pipe up in the comments below…where should Lindsey take her 4 year old?
My husband and I both wear a lot of black t shirts. How do you keep yours from fading?
~ Anna
I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve {pun intended}. First, don’t over-wash or over-dry them. But when you do wash them, opt for cold water and skip the dryer. The dryer is hard on clothes {and the budget}, so hang them up, and the colors will last a lot longer. Finally, if I don’t wear out a black shirt before it fades, I occasionally will re-dye a batch of shirts using black Rit.
Mavis, I just want to thank you for posting that butternut squash/feta/cranberry recipe. I made it for my dinner tonight and it is a new favorite. Thought I’d let you know that 1) people do read your recipes, 2) and I appreciate your posts and all you do for us! I’ve never written to tell you how much I look forward to reading your blog — and it seems just good manners to let you know how much usefulness and sunshine you bring into my life.
Thanks again and best wishes, Sandy
Okay, so not a question, but a totally awesome part of my day. THANK YOU, Sandy! Seriously, I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe and really appreciate you sticking around to read about my silly life.
Have a question for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try to answer them.
~Mavis
Sherry says
I haven’t tried this product yet, but I keep seeing the Woolite Darks detergent. It is supposed to be gentle on your clothes and keep your dark colors from fading. Worth a try! I think I am going to get this the next time I need to buy laundry detergent. I also do not over wash my clothes and I only put some in the dryer. Many of my shirts I hang to dry, and I can make my clothes last a long time.
Anna G says
Sherry, Thank you for the addtional thoughts on keeping my dark clothers from fading. I will start hanging the black t shirts to dry. I am an avid Consumer Reports reader-another great way to save money. Consumer Reports tested the Woolite Darks detergent and unfortunately declared it not worth the additional expense. Anna
Sherry says
Thank you Anna, maybe I won’t try it out after all!
sandra says
This is for Lindsey. There are so many places to visit. The beaches are the most important for kids. Salty Brine Beach is very safe for kids – no big waves and lovely sand. You could spend happy days there. Rainy day activities would be the Children’s Museum in Providence. I’m sorry my kids are grown up and we don’t go there anymore. Another great day trip is to Mystic Aquarium. At Mystic Village there are great little shops. Also at Mystic is the Seaport that kids love to explore the ships and the activities. The Newport Mansions are great, but not so exciting for kids. There is a lovely ocean drive to take a nice picnic. You can go down on the rocks and explore but you must be extremely careful because of the waves and slippery rocks. Newport has lovely shops as well. All over the state there are great hiking trails. Have fun. I love showing off my state to visitors as much as I enjoy visiting other states.
Sandie says
Don’t forget the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence
Jillian says
For darks the very first wash I always add 1c of vinegar and 1c salt to the first load. I was told it helps set the dye even better. Other than that inside out in cold water and only was as absolutely needed
Ellen in Clackamas says
This is for Katie, please look into the “solitary bees” for your garden. There are many species and some kind are in almost every yard but you can cultivate them yourself. They are small and look kind of like flies but are very gentle (you can handle them and they rarely sting) plus they do a superior job of pollinating. A good place for information is CrownBees . They have a great web-site with lots of information and products. If you are in the NW note that they are located in Woodinville,WA
Katie P NC says
Thanks Mavis and everyone for your suggestions! I will look into all of these!! I’m in coastal NC so if anything works here I’ll probably investigate!
Kat says
For Katie – To also bring butterflies to your yard find out what butterflies are native/common to your area what their host plants are. For example, Pipevine Swallowtails host plants are in the Pipevine family, like dutchman’s pipe, Passionflower is the host for Gulf Fritillary etc. These are common to my area in North Georgia. I hope this helps you.
Mrs. C. says
Definitely see Newport, RI. It is famous for its mansions, which you can tour. The movie High Society was filmed in some of them. Gorgeous!
Lindsey says
Thanks to everyone for their ideas for my Rhode Island trip! I very much appreciate it!
Claudette says
I wanted to echo Sandy’s thoughts. I totally check into your site on a regular basis to brighten up my day. It’s such a nice break from work, the news, and other downers. Thanks for all the ongoing, upbeat, useful content! – Claudette
AlysonRR says
Regarding Rhode Island, I completely agree with the suggestions for the Providence Children’s Museum and the Mystic area – my kids enjoyed both while we lived in southern MA.
Sturbridge Village, an 1830s village recreation complete with water-powered mill and blacksmith shop plus lots of other sights, is about an hour from Providence.