Gardening Q and A
Plum – Black Knot
Q: Many of the limbs and branches on my plum and cherry trees have hard, scaley cases encircling them. I’ve tried to cut into them but it takes a strong knife. It’s almost like they’re part of the tree. What...
Squash Bugs – Identification
Q: On my yellow squash leaves there are several rows of very tiny, copper-colored, jewel-like, round things. What are they? A: They’re squash bug eggs. Unless you want to lose your squash crop, kill ‘em now! The eggs will quickly...
Mosquito Control – Monthly Sprays
Q: What do you think about the monthly mosquito control offered by local exterminators? I am considering signing up this but wondered how well it works or if there are any safety hazards. The company I called will spray the...
Azalea – Yellow Leaves
Q: The leaves on my azalea are turning yellow. I am using a powdered, water soluble fertilizer product that says it acidifies the soil and adds iron to the soil. How much should I use to increase the soil’s acidity?...
Gardenia, Holly, Magnolia, Azalea, Camellia – Yellow Leaves in Spring
Q: Some of my Gardenia bushes have yellow leaves. Is this an iron deficiency ? What do you recommend ? A: It is common in spring to see yellow leaves on gardenia, holly and Southern magnolia. The phenomenon is caused...
Poinsettia – Dyed Purple
Q: I received a purple poinsettia for Christmas. If I keep it alive for the summer will it have purple leaves again next winter? A: Colored poinsettias are striking. The idea originated in Europe and colored plants have been available...
LazyMan Soil Aerator
Q: Have you heard of LazyMan soil aerator? They claim it will loosen hard clay soil. Does it work? A: I received and read the literature on LazyMan and I must confess that even as a trained chemist and horticulturist...
Zoysia Fertilization – Why Wait?
Q: I have been impatiently waiting until my zoysia grass has greened 75-100 percent. Why must I do this, other than because you say so on your website? A: You’re a smart person to always be asking “Why?” in the...
Black Walnut – Selling Wood
Q: I have read that black walnut trees are valuable. I have two trees on my lot that are at least sixty years old. Whom should I contact about selling them? A: Although walnut lumber is quite expensive to purchase,...
English Walnut – Growing
Q: Do you know how well English walnuts perform/bear in the north Georgia area …. any favorite varieties come to mind …??? A: This GardenWeb discussion may shed light on the subject. The other links provide further info. English Walnut...
Peony – Growing in the South
Q: I am having bad luck growing peonies. I have purchased several in the past but they die within two years. I love peonies because my grandmother had them. I always think of her when I see them and I...
Fish Ponds – Managing
Q: I purchased a house with a 2 acre lake. What do I need to know about managing it and keeping weeds out? A: The first thing to determine is the nutrient quality of the water in your lake. You...
Dogwood – Saving an Old One
Q: Last year we lost two old dogwoods (approximately 30 years old) in our backyard. We have another old dogwood in the front yard and now it too looks sickly. Not many blooms – just sort of twiggy looking. Do...
Pecan Shells – For Mulch
Q: I have always used pine bark or red oak mulch since I like the dark reddish color. It looks natural to me. I have been seeing pecan shell mulch lately and it really looks good. What do you think...
Sandbur (Sandspur) – Control
Q: Is there a weed killer that I can spray onto centipedegrass to kill sand spurs? A: Few things take the pleasure out of walking barefoot across a lawn like stepping on a sandbur. The plant is an annual grass...
Lilac – Growing
Q: I would appreciate your opinion on lilacs that will grow in our area. I realize that lilacs are not a very popular plant around here but I grew up in the Midwest and love them. I also would be...
Wax Scale – Control
Q: Down deep on my boxwood stems I have found white-looking things that are very rounded in shape. When I pull them off their underside is blood red. I can squash them between my fingers and they crunch a bit....
