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.
What are some tips or tricks that you have for protecting your garden during extreme heat spells? Spokane WA is supposed to hit the triple digits this weekend and I am a little worried about the last of my spring vegetables? I have hoop houses over my raised beds and will be covering them with burlap shade cloth before the heat strikes, any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
~JJ
While a cactus will thrive in extreme heat, some plants struggle. I’m so not looking forward to the heat, but there are a few measures I take to make sure my veggies don’t fry. First, I am extra vigilant about watering. In extreme heat, watering is the key. Sometimes people freak about the heat and over water, which is so harmful! Just make sure the soil stays moist, not soggy {soaker hoses are your best friend in the heat!}. Also, mist plants frequently in the afternoon. Next, the row or plant cover idea to help give some much needed shade is great. But you have to be careful not to trap heat in. Try using an old bed sheet to create a shade tent a few inches above the plants. Obviously, if you have movable container gardens, take them to a shady spot, but really the watering component is key!
I have had a wisteria vine in my yard for at least 5 years. It is growing on a sturdy trellis and has grown quite a bit since we first planted it. The only problem I have had is that it has never bloomed! I have seen a nearby neighbor with one growing in the midst of a tree and I could see the flowers in the leaves of the tree. I am disappointed about not having any flowers from mine. Any ideas as to what could be the cause???
~Cindy
Wisteria is super tricky. It can take over 6+ years of solid growth before you ever see a blossom. Wisteria loves the sun and if it is in a frequently shady space, you may never see blooms. You can try might want to mixing a couple cups of bone meal into the soil now and then add some rock phosphate in the fall. Also, how much do you prune? I know that pruning your wisteria is key to get it to bloom. If you aren’t already, hack away at it in winter, removing all but a few buds from about half of the previous year’s growth. And then do some summer pruning, too. Hope that helps!
Hi Mavis! I swear you were my inspiration in joining a CSA this year… I have a black thumb, but I can still eat local! But… I somehow ended up with dried black beans instead of the dried pintos listed for this week’s box. We were going to make refried beans for meatless Monday! Do you know if you can do the crock pot refried beans recipe with black beans? Many thanks!
~Claire
My Spicy Crock Pot Refried Beans recipe is so good! I’ve never tried subbing out black beans for pinto, but I know people do it all the time. I bet it would be delicious. Because you’re cooking it in the crock pot, I don’t even think you would need to adjust the cook time. Just follow the directions but sub out black for pinto. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out. Sounds yummy!
I just started a garden this season with my 6-year-old daughter and have been looking to your blog for inspiration. We got a blueberry bush, but it’s being eaten. I went out last night and found some beetles all over it. After some internet searching I think we have asiatic garden beetles. They seem to be ignoring our basil, sweet peas, tomatoes, and strawberries and only like to chomp our blueberries. Is there anything we can do? Thanks!
~ Annie
Those beetles are evil! And they like to travel in . Some people go out at night and hand pluck them off if there are just a few. It’s like beetle control. They are attracted to light, so place a light in the garden and watch them migrate. Moth traps work great, too, but won’t kill them. Insecticidal soap sprays work well. A mixture of castille soap and water works too. Boric acid is a natural pesticide that effectively gets rid of asian beetles. Dust it on areas of your garden where you know the beetles love to settle. Hope one of those methods work for you. Those beetles are little creeps!
On December 14, 2012, you posted an article on 4 methods of chest freezer organization. One of the methods was ‘customizable dividers.’ I have looked everywhere and cannot find them. Do you have any information that could lead me to that type of divider? Thanks!
~Jane
I get asked that question surprisingly often. The dividers came with the freezer and I have not been able to find them anywhere else. Your best bet if you’re wanting those exact ones are to contact a freezer manufacturer and see where they get them from. I suspect they’d cost more than you’d want to spend. My recommendation would be to go get some plastic baskets from the dollar store and use those. I think they would work just as well. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful!
Marg says
Took my wisteria 7 years to blossom. I thought it had powdery mildew this spring, but inst
Marg says
My wisteria took 8 years to finally bloom this spring. I thought it had powdery mildew all over it, but after running out under it I realized it was light lavender strings of buds all over it. Was awesome. Will it bloom every year now? Hope so.
Lana says
Japanese beetles have been munching down on my Rose of Sharon. Yesterday I could see a swarm of them around the top of the shrub. Early this AM I sprayed with a mixture of 8 ounces of water to 3 drops of orange essential oil. The beetles seem to have moved on and I did not have to use anything toxic! I find this to be a good squirrel repellent, too. I have sprayed it around on my deck and they have been leaving my flower pots alone.
Tracey says
Since it’s ask mavis, what kind of laptop do you use?
Mavis Butterfield says
An Acer. My husband has been trying to get me to use a mac for years.
Renay says
Wisteria…don’t water it (unless it is about to catch fire) and NEVER fertilize it. They are really weedy and will stop blooming if given care. Remember, a flower blooms because it is trying to reproduce – if you give it all the love and attention it wants, it won’t bloom or won’t bloom profusely. It is the reason you deadhead or cut back spent blooms.
Cecily says
Never water (mist) your plants in the afternoon. They may not dry out by dark and leaves left wet overnight invite disease.
Elaine says
This may not be the right blog, but here goes. I am interested in propagating my lavender plants. I have been looking on line to see what is the best way. There seems to be a couple of ideas. Mavis, have you tried to do this?