Gardening Q and A
Lawn Zombies – Control
Q: I caught your radio advice to control zombies in a lawn by pitching them headfirst into a wood chipper. Is there an organic option for control? A: My radio staff members, Ashley Frasca and Scott Maxim, are crack zombie...
Japanese Maple – Growing a Vigorous Green Top
Q: My Japanese maple started growing in a different direction. It took me a while to actually go close and see that I think there is a graft and now it’s like I have two different trees. Should I cut...
Leyland Cypress – Seed Cones
Q: I have some young Leyland cypresses. One of them has clusters of what look like small green spiked balls. Is this a gall? A: Ah ha! They’re just the seed cones of Leyland cypress. If you carefully slice into...
Confederate Jasmine – Pruning
Q: I made the mistake a few years ago of underestimating the abundant growth of honeysuckle and star jasmine. I planted small plants of each on both sides of a swing. I have tried to trim and control the growth...
Snake – On Hummingbird Feeder
Q: I was surprised to find this unwelcome visitor on my hummingbird feeder. At least one hummer was, too, when it came face to face with the snake! What kind of snake is it? Was it after the birds? I...
Deer Damage vs Rabbit Damage to Stems
Q: I have two pots of Gerber daisies in my backyard. One is located right next to my wooden deck and the other is located 15 feet away. I can only enjoy the blooms on the pot that is located...
Black Cherry – Identification
Q: Can you tell from the pictures attached whether or not this a cherry tree ?? I looked at several pictures on line but the leaves of this tree don’t appear to be exactly like the pictures that I looked...
Dobsonfly (Hellgramite) – Identification
Q: We found this insect on our property in Dawsonville. Any idea what it could be? A: Nice photo!! It’s a male dobsonfly, an unusual insect found near mountain streams. I can see one in your photo background. I know...
‘Limelight’ Hydrangea – Container
Q: I have two Limelight hydrangea trees on my patio that were purchased in April. After a heavy rain, one is drooping severely, like it’s still soaking wet, while the other one looks to be straightening back up. Have the...
Aspirin – To Combat Plant Disease
Q: You say on your website that aspirin can prevent disease on tomato plants. Where can I find more information about the process? A: Scientists have known for several years that certain compounds can signal a plant to defend itself...
Catalpa Worm – Identification
Q: The ugly Catalpa tree at our Nearly Native Nursery has always had the fish bait worms. We have several customers who have purchased trees from us but still no worms for them. How do they attract them? A: Catalpa...
Bee Fly – Identification
Q: I found a bee-looking creature in my garden It has a fuzzy black body with yellow at the top, all indications of a bee, but with strange wings and a long snout! A: It’s one of the bee flies....
Woolly Beech Aphid – Identification
Q: My beech trees have a large bug infestation. You can see they completely cover a limb and leave a mess below. They do not fly away even if I remove a branch. What are they and what do I...
Root Knot Nematodes – On Melons
Q: I’ve seen these nodules on my cantaloupe and melon roots plus other plants I’ve pulled out of my raised beds. Is my garden infested with nematodes? My crop yield on the melons seems quite low. A: Yes, unfortunately you...
Japanese Climbing Fern – Identification
Q: I found an odd vine growing in the neglected landscape of a small office building in Buckhead. Is this Japanese climbing fern? A: You’re exactly right! This invasive vine, Lygodium japonicum, can smother nearby perennials. I suspect it is...
Eco-Lawn – Not for Atlanta
Q: Not sure if you are aware of a grass called Eco-Lawn. It is a blend of seven fescue grasses that is very drought tolerant. It sounds perfect for Atlanta. I seeded my back lawn with Eco-Lawn last fall and...
Lightning Damage – To Oak
Q: This past July 4th our beautiful white oak was sideswiped by a lighting bolt. It did not penetrate the bark and get to the bare wood, just striped about 30 feet of bark. Do we need an arborist? We...
Khaki weed (Khakiweed, Matt Chafflower) – Identification
Q: Our lawn in the country has been invaded by this plant. It is rapidly spreading and it produces these stickers that become imbedded in the bottom of our shoes. What is it and what can we do to get...
