Gardening Q and A
Stumps – Preventing resprouting
Q: How do I kill very large stumps that have been cut down to ground level? A: If you need to keep the stumps from resprouting, chop into the edge of the stump with a hatchet and spray glyphosate (Roundup,...
Magnolia – Cracks on Trunk
Q: I have a mature magnolia tree that has cracking bark along many limbs. Is this a cause for worry? A: I saw the same thing a few years ago: a huge magnolia with longitudinal cracks along the trunk and...
Ornamental Grass – Cutting Back
Q: On one of your Georgia Public Broadcasting “Gardening in Georgia” TV shows you demonstrated a good way to cut back pampas grass. Can you refresh my memory? A: I demonstrated cutting the grass with a carpenter’s saw but I’ve...
Mexican Heather – Alternatives
Q: A couple of years ago I bought some Mexican heather and planted it in front of some shrubs. Although the tag said it was perennial, it died over the winter and never came back. I loved the shape and...
Holly – Using soil amendment
Q: I recently planted several hollies. When I dug the holes I removed the old red clay dirt and backfilled the plants with cow manure and enriched garden soil. Now the plants are withering. I remember you saying some original...
Fly – Control
Q: I was visiting my daughter and she pointed out that the west side of her house was covered with flies. She said it happens every year around this time. Is there a way to get rid of them? A:...
Asparagus – Found In Wild, Edible?
Q: My husband and I noticed asparagus ferns growing along a fence row on our property. Is it safe to eat? Is there such a thing as wild asparagus A: My parents made a hobby of transplanting wild asparagus seedlings,...
Tomato Plants – Plastic Mulch to Increase Yield
Q: Is it true that putting red plastic under tomato plants will increase yields by twenty percent? A: A great deal of research has been done on different color plastic mulches in the last decade. Scientists have tried red, blue,...
Hydrangea – Damage Nearby Pipes
Q: I recently planted a hydrangea bush next to my house. When I was digging the hole I found a gas pipe and an irrigation pipe directly underneath. Do I need to worry about the roots damaging these lines as...
Mushrooms – Growing
Q: I want to grow edible mushrooms but I don’t know where to buy the logs and supplies. Can you help? A: Mushrooms seem more mysterious than most garden plants but, in fact, raising them is not very hard. Different...
Insecticide – Homemade Recipe
Q: Is it possible to make your own insecticidal soap spray? Can you provide a recipe? A: I once tried to make soap from lye and lard. The results ruined a boiler pot, melted the hair on my arm and...
Beech Tree – Leaves in Winter
Q: What is the small tree that has light brown leaves in winter? I can see several of them clearly in the woods near my house. A: I’ll bet you’re seeing American beech, Fagus grandifolia, trees. They are well-known to...
Rose – Hips
Q: A friend was on a trip recently and saw these on the side of the road. We are at a loss as to what they are. A: Your friend saw the seedpods (hips) of a particular kind of rose:...
Hairy Angelica
Q: Could you please tell me what this plant is? A: It looks like hairy angelica to me. See Hairy...
Puffball Mushroom – Identification
Q: I have found in my yard something which resembles a potato, but I think is some type of mushroom. It is embedded in the ground, round, light tan in color, and when crushed it has a black core. Do...
Mowing – Mulching vs. Bagging
Q: Which is best – mulching or bagging? I used to be a firm believer in bagging but my son convinced me that mulching was the way to go. My main concern with mulching is the cutting and broadcasting of...
Landscaper – Finding
Q: I am looking at doing a stone patio and wall in my backyard. Is there anyone you know that does quality work? A: The best way to find a good landscape construction company is to ask friends, and friends...
Pampas Grass – Plumes with Disease
Q: My pampas has a fungal look on it that is keeping the plumes from opening up. I have had the same problem for a couple of years. I have drenched it with fungicide early in the growing season and...
