Gardening Q and A
Lily of the Valley – Invasive?
Q: I got some Lily of the Valley plants from a coworker to fill in around my hosta. I’m reading online that they can be invasive. Any advice? A: Growing in perfect conditions lily of the valley could be “pushy”...
Crapemyrtle – Floppy in Summer
Q: I have two floppy crepe myrtles, one more floppy than the other. I’ve never seen a floppy myrtle before. Is there something I need to do to make them stay upright and not flop over? In winter I cut...
Honey – Doesn’t Prevent Allergies
Q: I’m having terrible allergies this year and I’m being forced to stay indoors. I’ve been told to find locally grown raw honey to eat daily. Where could I get some? A: Although this is widespread homespun advice, the allergy...
Woody Adelgid Attack – Prevention
Q: My wife and I recently purchased seven acres in Union County. We’ve planted several hemlocks. How do I prevent wooly adelgid attack? A: Wooly adelgid, a sap-sucking insect, has killed thousands of hemlocks in north Georgia so I can...
Woodchip Steam – Caused by Fungi and Bacteria
Q: My coworkers and I were wondering why a huge pile of wood chips makes steam afterwards. A: The condensed water vapor (steam) is caused by the heat of billions of fungi and bacteria digesting fresh wood and sap. Digestion...
Lilac Growth – Proper pH ensures annual flowers
Q: My mother has two lilacs They are growing and doing well but only one of them flowers every year. Why is that? A: In order to bloom, some lilacs need more winter chill hours than others. This is why...
Rhododendron – Pruning
Q: My rhododendrons are three free tall and full of pink blooms. I noticed that after last season’s flowers were gone, there didn’t seem to be much foliage. Should I trim the rhododendrons back after flowering? A: If they are...
Cultivating soybeans – Growth for soy milk
Q: Where can I buy soybeans to cultivate? I’d like to make my own soy milk. A: In my opinion, the economics are against you but the adventure will be very educational! Assuming optimum conditions, your garden yield should be...
Quinault strawberry plants – Not for Georgia
Q: Early last summer I planted three Quinault strawberry plants. I got lush plants but minuscule berries. What do I need to do to get decent fruit? A: The ‘Quinault’ strawberry doesn’t grow very well in Georgia. It is an...
Polyester Row Covers – When to cover plants
Q: On a recent radio show, you mentioned using polyester row cover to overcome squash vine borer. I purchased some but when do I cover the plants? A: The lightweight cover prevents squash vine borer moths from laying eggs on...
Roundup Tips – Bermudagrass
Q: As a northern transplant, I didn’t know about the sheer destructive nature of bermuda grass in my flower bed. I tried spraying Roundup but it’s nearly impossible not to get it on the growth of my daylilies. Any tips?...
Heirloom alongside hybrids – Not a problem
Q: Is it okay to grow heirloom vegetables alongside hybrids? I want to try corn, beans and squash. A: Cross-pollination among corn varieties can affect flavor but planting heirloom beans and squash near each other is no problem. The only...
Air Layering – Camellia
Q: Is it possible to air layer a large camellia branch so I get a bigger plant when it is rooted? A: No. Air-layering requires a certain ratio between the size of the treated limb and the number of leaves...
Compost Bugs – If you build it, they will come
Q: I have three big compost piles but the only thing I see in there are pill bugs. Where do I get insects for my piles? A: My rule for getting bugs into compost is “Build It and They Will...
Wisteria Removal
Q: Our pergola is covered with wisteria and has gotten so rotten we are cutting it down. How do we kill the large wisteria vine? A: The big wisteria will be a problem for years. Roots near and far from...
Potting Soil – Longevity
Q: I have some unopened two-year old bags of potting soil under my deck. Do you think the products are still good? A: If the material is still dry inside the bags I think it would be fine to use...
Celery Root in Georgia
Q: I am from Germany and use celery root in my soups but those roots are hard to find and are expensive. Can I grow celery root in my own garden? A: I think our summer heat will be your...
Squash – Pickleworm
Q: Last year my yellow squash grew fine but they had little green worms inside when you cut the squash open. A: My guess is that you had pickleworms in the squash. They are the larvae of a brownish-yellow moth....
