Gardening Q and A
May Beetles
Q: Every August, I hear a distinct buzzing sound when I go outside in the early morning. It sounds like bees of some sort, from the air above me. What could these critters be? A: I think the buzzing comes...
Pruning Arborvitae
Q: I have two arborvitae that are getting so big they are obstructing the security lights and part of my garage door. I need to take one of them down at least 6 feet. Will it recover from such a...
African Violets
Q: I have three African violets that bloom often and seem to be very happy. However, they are each showing a long stem at the soil line. I know that can’t be right. A: It’s common for the lower leaves...
Dodder Vines
Q: I have orange vines, about the size of spaghetti, wrapping itself around my coreopsis and vinca. It does not seem to have roots. Any ideas what it is? A: It’s the parasitic plant named dodder, also known as devil’s...
Weed Killer
Q: We had a large oak tree removed and the area underneath sprayed to control English ivy. I would like to plant a vegetable garden in that area next summer. How long does it take weed killer to dissipate? A:...
Japanese Maple Seed Pods
Q: I have a mature Japanese maple that has generated lots of seed pods. How do I store and germinate the seeds into seedlings. A: Although maple seeds nominally require three months of moist, cold conditions, I’d plant a dozen...
Walnut Tree Mulch
Q: This spring, after planting the garden, we heavily mulched with fresh shredded material the power line maintenance crew brought us. It has been a total bust. The tomato plants were dwarfed, the cukes were disfigured, and I only had...
Anthurium – Re-potting
Q: I need to repot my anthurium. Do I need to put a layer of stones in the new pot? A: There is no need to put stones in the bottom of a pot. In fact, you harm the plant...
Lilies – Pruning
Q: When do you cut back the leaves of calla lilies, daylilies, and Oriental lilies? A: I scissor off brown leaves whenever I see them and have my pruners handy. It’s my experience that “green leaves are good leaves” so...
Daphne Wilting
Q: I’ve noticed that my seven-year old daphne has started to wilt from the top and it’s moving down. Your website mentions a lethal fungus called Phytophthora. Can a replacement daphne be planted in the same soil later? A: I...
Trimming Asparagus
Q: I planted asparagus two years ago. The plants are six feet tall. Do I leave this growth or trim it back? A: The ferny foliage is vital to absorb the energy needed to make stronger roots and more spears...
Gerber Daisies
Q: This year, I initially had blooms on my Gerber daisies, but once I removed the flower, they didn’t produce any other blooms. A: This South African native is known for the bright flowers it produces in spring and fall....
Growing Scuppernong Vine
Q: I recently received a cutting from a friend’s scuppernong vine. It has taken root but how do I handle it now? A: I’d leave the young plant alone for several months and let it become strong. You can move...
Japanese Maple Coloration
Q: My Japanese maple gets morning sun and afternoon shade, but the red foliage is turning more green now. Is there something I could do for a redder leaf foliage? A: There’s not much you can do. Japanese maple expert...
Planting Pansy Seeds
Q: I am getting ready to plant some pansy seeds and want to know the basics. A: Pansies need a constant temperature of 70 degrees in order to germinate and grow strongly. It’s possible you could get the low temperature...
Brown Bermuda Lawn
Q: Why is my bermuda lawn brown? The tips of the grass grow green, but the grass near the soil is brown. When I mow the grass each week it is brown for a few days until the tips of...
Blueberry Plants Diseases
Q: I have a long row of mature blueberry plants. For the past two years, all of my berries have turned brown and dropped just prior to maturing. I theorized this was mummy berry disease so I replaced all the...
Deadheading Flowers
Q: Should all flowers be deadheaded when they wither? Do I just cut off the dead bloom or snip the stem? A: I think most plants look better when the dry flowers are removed. The usual method is to make...
