Member Ideas

Welcome to the Member Ideas area! This community feature is where our members can post their own ideas. These posts are unedited and not necessarily endorsed by the National Gardening Association.

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All About HollyAll About Holly
By Sharon on November 30, 2011

It was a mystery. All my friends could decorate their homes with holly for Christmas but I was never allowed to cut its branches. It was years before I could understand the magic of the holly tree.

(Full article38 comments)

Share Your Magazines and CatalogsShare Your Magazines and Catalogs
By CindiKS on November 29, 2011

Recycle your gardening catalogs and magazine at nursing homes and doctors' offices. The pretty pictures bring far more joy than outdated magazines.

(12 comments)

Honey as MedicineHoney as Medicine
By Mindy03 on November 28, 2011

Everyone is familiar with honey's value in easing the effects of a cold. It is added to hot tea or warm water with lemon to help soothe sore throats and to calm coughs. It has also been used to treat minor wounds and burns.

(Full article82 comments)

Give Your Houseplants a ShowerGive Your Houseplants a Shower
By Shelly on November 28, 2011

Indoor plants enjoy a shower every once in a while.

(25 comments)

Killing Slugs and SnailsKilling Slugs and Snails
By LabourofLove on November 27, 2011

COFFEE KILLS SLUGS & SNAILS. Make very strong caffeinated coffee, then mix it half and half with water and put into a trigger or compressed-air sprayer. Spray on plants and the ground that snails & slugs travel on. As they move over the treated areas, they take up the caffeine through their pseudopod (foot) and it gives them heart attacks in 72 hours. Cheap coffee works as well as the more expensive sort. I use espresso because it's more finely ground (works better in my machine). I also run the water through the grounds more than once to extract as much as possible. Cheers to the University of Hawaii for discovering an elegant and simple solution to nasty critters.

(68 comments)

Winter Flower ArrangingWinter Flower Arranging
By gardengus on November 26, 2011

When gathering seeds in the fall , save some seed heads; they make nice dried arrangements. If you need more color, consider some spray paint or glitter.

(10 comments)

All About Sweet PotatoesAll About Sweet Potatoes
By SongofJoy on November 25, 2011

Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses, but they enjoy less popularity in America than in most parts of the world. Here, the white spud is king. Apart from the color, the two do bear a strong resemblance, but some differences emerge when you dig a bit deeper.

(Full article101 comments)

Keep Animals out of Potted PlantsKeep Animals out of Potted Plants
By threegardeners on November 25, 2011

Place decorative stones on the top of the soil of potted plants to prevent cats or other animals from digging in them.

(3 comments)

Plant the Chaff TooPlant the Chaff Too
By gingin on November 24, 2011

When collecting seeds and separating them from the chaff, if I'm not sure I have gotten ALL the seeds I toss the chaff in a corner of the yard. If seeds were left and sprout, then I'm a happy camper and have unexpected flowers to cut.

(9 comments)

Letters to the EditorLetters to the Editor
By Sharon on November 24, 2011

A successful site is made by the interest and the strength of its members. From time to time I receive from our members letters that are worthy of sharing. Today's letter is from Brenda Savage and on this Thanksgiving Day I'd like to share it with you.

(Full article50 comments)

Measuring Fresh Herbs for CookingMeasuring Fresh Herbs for Cooking
By BookerC1 on November 23, 2011

When using fresh herbs in a recipe that calls for dried, the general rule of thumb is that 1 Tablespoon of fresh herbs equals about 1 tsp. of dried herbs. The herbs lose about 2/3 of their bulk when they are dried.

(one comment)

All About the Eastern Red CedarAll About the Eastern Red Cedar
By wildflowers on November 23, 2011

If I were asked what I love most about this tree, I probably couldn't give just one attribute, but the first thing that comes to mind is how much I enjoy the pleasant fragrance the tree emits, and how its handsome stature makes a perfect Christmas tree. But then maybe it's because it's so beneficial to songbirds and other wildlife, protecting and feeding so many over winter. Or maybe it's how much history the tree has, or how it provides medicine for many.

(Full article35 comments)

Baby Wipe Containers for Seed StorageBaby Wipe Containers for Seed Storage
By sassafrass on November 22, 2011

The plastic containers that baby wipes come in make a great way to separate & store seed bags/packets for easy finding.

(3 comments)

Thanks for Honey BeesThanks for Honey Bees
By Mindy03 on November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all the blessings we have received. Did you ever stop to wonder how much of your Thanksgiving dinner is possible because of honey bees?

(Full article19 comments)

Coffee Can Bird FeederCoffee Can Bird Feeder
By threegardeners on November 21, 2011

Cut out four sides of your plastic coffee cans to make great bird feeders! You can nail them to the top of a post, to a wall, or just about anywhere!!

(9 comments)

Keep Up with Your PlantsKeep Up with Your Plants
By mcash70 on November 20, 2011

To create a portable garden Rolodex, trim a plant tag at its base, place it photo side up on a shipping tag, and staple it near one end so you can easily read the flip side. Group the tags on key rings, and make notes about where you sited the plants in the garden or pots. I photographed the tag Rolodex from the magazine where I saw the tip.

(17 comments)

Thanksgiving Week -- What Are Your Plans and Menu?Thanksgiving Week -- What Are Your Plans and Menu?
By Trish on November 20, 2011

Here we are at week two of our ATP chat. Come tell us about what plans you have for the week!

(Full article111 comments)

Solve Your Mosquito ProblemsSolve Your Mosquito Problems
By flaflwrgrl on November 19, 2011

Don't worry that rain barrels will become mosquito breeders. Just toss a mosquito dunk in the barrel. EPA approved in 50 states, biological control of mosquito larvae.

(23 comments)

Garden Tours:  Ridesredmule, Charleen HarrellGarden Tours: Ridesredmule, Charleen Harrell
By Sharon on November 19, 2011

Let's go south to Georgia this week to take a look at Charleen's gardens. We already know she loves her animals; now we can see how she loves her plants. Be sure to click on her pictures to enlarge them.

(Full article55 comments)

An Interesting Washup IdeaAn Interesting Washup Idea
By threegardeners on November 18, 2011

Keep a rain barrel at each door to the house to dip your muddy feet in before coming back inside the house after gardening.

(7 comments)

Sprouting GrainsSprouting Grains
By SongofJoy on November 18, 2011

Sprouting seeds for eating is easy, interesting, and extremely nutritious.

(Full article88 comments)

Aluminum Foil for BirdbathsAluminum Foil for Birdbaths
By Aguane on November 17, 2011

You can save your metal foil, wad it up, and use it to clean up your birdbath as needed.

(16 comments)

Photo Boxes for Seed OrganizationPhoto Boxes for Seed Organization
By BookerC1 on November 16, 2011

The boxes intended for storage of photographs are a great size for organizing seed packets. Most even come with dividers marked with the letters of the alphabet. I use a green one for edibles, such as herbs and vegetables, and a pink one for ornamentals.

(6 comments)

Rooting Plants Artistically: Thinking Beyond the Jelly JarRooting Plants Artistically: Thinking Beyond the Jelly Jar
By Boopaints on November 16, 2011

Why use old jars and glassware for your water rooting when there is a rainbow of colors and unique shapes just waiting to be found!

(Full article84 comments)

What's Blooming in November:  A Call for Photos from Warm Climate GardenersWhat's Blooming in November: A Call for Photos from Warm Climate Gardeners
By LarryR on November 15, 2011

Here at Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens, our outdoor gardens are in their last-hurrah stage as frost creeps across the landscape. As you'll see, there are still a few hardy stragglers outdoors, but for the most part, our gardens have been put to bed for the coming winter. This time of year presents a perfect opportunity for gardeners in warmer climes to show us what's blooming in their gardens. Floridians, Californians, Aussies, Kiwis, gardeners anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere or the southern reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, show us your blossoms! I'll publish as many photos as time and space allow.

(Full article44 comments)

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