Coffee grounds, squash bugs and zen.....Just Ask, Wyatt!

Wow! Lots of gardening questions this week! Turning on the Terrier Think Tank!

Frankie Furter asks about coffee grounds in the garden...

Dear Wyatt,
Now, I have a question... What are your feelings about spreading used Coffee Grounds in gardens and put around Acid Loving thingys like Azaleas and BLUEBERRIES? I don't know if you have White Castle hamburger places near you... butt all the ones here in OHIO will actually SAVE all their coffee grounds fur their customers. My MOM puts ALL of ours in a Bucket and then scatters them over the garden when the bucket gets full.  Frankie Furter


Frankie,
We use coffee grounds in the garden too! The Rhododendrons like Sumatra, the Blueberries like Columbian and the Azaleas like French Roast! Just pulling your tail..hee hee!
But, you are right! Acid loving plants, like coffee grounds and it's a wonderful way to recycle them. You can also mix the grounds into your compost pile! 
(I like lattes, myself!)

Pip asks about creating a small zen garden....

Dear Wyatt-
We have a gardening question for you - do you have suggestions for creating a small zen garden in our yard. What kinds of plants? We have seen some beautiful pictures of these gardens with sand, etc. but wondering if those work with lots of rain? No hurry on this! Your pal, Pip

Japanese Garden, Portland Oregon

Pip, 
You want to create a border and probably use really small crushed rock (not round rock or sand), or else the neighbor cats will think that it is a giant litter box! It is also easy to rake a pretty pattern into small crushed rock (we use speckled granite). You need a special wooden Zen rake. We found one online.

 We like to border the zen gardens with moss, ornamental grasses or containerized bamboo and small evergreens. Keep it simple, it's all about the Buddha stones! Have Fun!!

Ruthie has bugs eating up her cukes, melons and squash!

Dear Wyatt,


Hey we have a gardening question for you! We identified two (there are probably more we haven't seen) different bugs in our garden and they have just about killed the cucumber crop and are now sinking they're teeth into the watermelon and squash. 1. Squash bugs 2. stripped and spotted cucumber beetles. We have been spraying our plants with an oraginc soap spray (store bought) but it doesn't seem to work. They are attacking my grape plant too! So today out of desperation mommy mixed several jars of cayenne pepper, garlic powder and oil. The sprayer got plugged up and so mommy had to pat the stuff on leaf by leaf...which can get a little frustrating. Especially considering it will just wash off the next time she waters them. Do you have any advice? We definantly want to stay organic. Mommy is feeling a little discouraged... Licks, Ruthie


Ruthie,
Yucky Bugs! I found this information in the Organic Gardening Magazine..hope it helps! Also try floating row covers over your squash and cukes next time you plant. Good Luck, Ruthie! Dogs like squash...so tell those bugs to take a hike!!  Wyatt

Staple down the row cover fabric over newly planted crops.

Squash bugs feed on all members of the cucurbit family, which includes cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and summer and winter squash.
The adults overwinter in garden debris and begin laying eggs in early summer.

In the OG Test Garden, we reduce squash-bug numbers, and their damage, by killing their eggs before they have a chance to hatch.
Find the eggs
Squash bugs lay eggs on the undersides of leaves in evenly spaced groups.
Get in the habit of scouting your squash plants for the shiny, yellowish brown to reddish eggs.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for the small, light gray or green, wingless squash-bug nymphs, which suck on the plant's sap, causing the leaves to wilt, blacken, and die.

Squish the eggs
Kill the squasheggs by gently rubbing them back and forth with your fingers, making sure you don't damage the leaf.
Squash-bug nymphs are also often present near squash-bug eggs.
If you see any squash-bug nymphs, be sure to squish them, too.

Thanks for all your questions!

See you next Friday, with more answers to your gardening questions.

(Stanzie wants to answer any questions about vermin control or digging!)

Wyatt