It’s not good to put cat litter in the garden

Q: We recently got a cat from a shelter. My husband and I are having a disagreement as to what to do with the used litter box clay. He says since it came from the earth, it should go back into the earth, working it into parts of the backyard soil. I can’t see that that’s a good thing. What should we do with the used clay litter? — L.A., Albuquerque

A: I’m with you wholeheartedly! Pitch it in the trash, period. Here are a couple of thoughts to cement your reasoning.

First, adding a bunch of clay to the ground will create an unhealthy atmosphere. Even turned in, there will be a layer, so to speak, where water and oxygen will have a very hard time percolating into the ground. The clay would probably become a gooey mess. If you ever decided to plant in the clay overdosed spots, any plant life would have a truly difficult time attempting to grow.

The second reason is other cats. They’ll smell your adoptee and just might start using your yard as their cat box. That wouldn’t be cool at all.

Also, if you are in an area where there could be roaming coyotes, they just might be attracted by the scent also. Not a good thing. It’s rather unnerving to step outside late at night to star-gaze and have a brilliant pair of yellow green eyes staring at you, trust me.

The most healthy way to dispose of the used litter is to place it in the trash bin — period.

Q: Mid-October last year I was shopping in a garden center, attracted by the sale on pots and containers, and found some packaged tulip bulbs on sale. So I got some. I went home and the next weekend went ahead and planted the bulbs, which I thought were all in the same bag. Well, this past weekend — while remembering the pots I purchased and had kept in the garage, planning on getting ready for the upcoming houseplant repotting I’ll do in late February — I found one of the bags of bulbs. Silly me! Anyway, if I plant the tulips now, will they be successful after not having had all this time in the ground to get ready to grow this coming spring? — N.W., Albuquerque

A: Considering there is still nearly nine weeks left of winter, I’d suggest that if you can work outside, then go for it. The tulips should settle, root in and be mostly ready. Well, on one condition … that the bulbs are still firm, and not in the least mushy or stinky. If they are sound, perhaps they’ll just bloom a wee bit later than the ones you’ve already planted.

You could also try “forcing” the bulbs that have been resting in the garage and enjoy their bloom indoors. Either of the standard forcing methods could be applied. Plant the bulbs in pots that drain using fresh potting soil. You’d want a pot deep enough so that the bulbs would be covered, but not so deep that they’d not feel warmth. The pots will need to be kept just dampened and grown in a brightly lit spot so they’d think it’s time to grow.

Or try the pebble/water method. Find a nondraining container and set in a layer of decorative pebbles at least an inch deep. Next, place the bulbs on the pebbles and gently sprinkle more of the pebbles over the bulbs so they are held in place. You’ll want to keep the top third (or a bit less) of the bulb exposed above the pebbles. Finally, pour in enough water so the bottom of the bulb is being touched by the water. Within days the bulbs should start to root out and very soon after that begin to grow actual tulip plants. Be sure to check the water level, keeping the bottom of the bulbs wet.

Depending on how bright and warm you keep the “forcings” will determine how quickly they grow for you. So either way, planting them out ASAP in the landscaping or forcing them indoors, you should still get quite a bit of enjoyment from your mislaid and refound treasures.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.