Posts Tagged ‘planting’
River birch – Concrete
Q: We are considering planting a river birch tree seven feet from a driveway. I have been warned that these trees have roots that can ruin concrete. We were told by an inspector that we have an underground stream running...
Willows – Health
Q: I have two four-year old willow oaks in my backyard. One is much fuller and its leaves look healthier than the other. I might have planted the one that looks less healthy too low in the ground? If this...
Horse Manure – Fertilizer
Q: I have an unlimited supply of horse manure. Can I use this as mulch/fertilizer around my bushes and trees without hurting them? A: If the manure has been composted long enough that it doesn’t smell like ammonia and the...
Root rot – Cure
Q: Several of my plants are dying from root rot. A nursery employee said to mix hydrogen peroxide with water and put it in the ground at the base of the plants. He said that by re-introducing oxygen into the...
August – Planting perennials
Q: Is August a good time to plant perennials? I want more flowers that will come back each year. A: think late September is a better time to plant perennials and shrubs. The soil is still very warm but the...
Arborvitae – Discoloring
Q: I have two arborvitae that were planted in June of this year. They are still green at the tips, but the interior of the bush is turning brown. Are they lacking water or is something else going on? A:...
School garden – Rain barrels
Q: My daughter’s school is trying to establish a community garden. Are rain barrels an option for a school building? A: Rain barrels are perfectly suited for a school once you get permission to cut into the gutters or drain...
Mondo grass – Planting
Q: We need advice on using dwarf mondo grass in our shady back yard instead of fescue. How far apart should mondo grass be planted ? A: As fate would have it, I’ve been helping a friend plant sprigs of...
Macrophyla hortensia hydrangea – Outdoors
Q: I purchased a “macrophyla hortensia hydrangea” from the grocery store. It is in a pot with a spongy medium. Can this be planted outside now? A: Although florist hydrangea makes a great gift and is attractive for several days,...
Tomato – Leafminer
Q: Here are some sad leaves on my tomato. I have TERRIBLE luck with tomatoes here in Savannah! They get every little thing. I try not to use insecticides, but…dang. I await your wisdom, Oh Wise One! A: Leaf miners...
Tree – Dead Root
Q: I have a 20-ft tall, ten-year old maple in my front yard. This summer I noticed a chunk of bark near the base of the tree splitting and peeling up. Recently a big chunk broke off leaving a huge...
Irish potato – Planted in June
Q: Upon digging for potatoes I came up empty: not a spud to be found. They had full sun, great soil, and they were nice plants with blooms. I planted them June 12. Kennebec is a mid/late variety so I...
Kill Weeds in Healthy Dirt
Q: I want to use rich soil from my Dad’s old cow lot in my small garden. I’m worried about weeds in it. Can I sterilize the dirt somehow? Howard Betts, email A: You can’t sterilize the dirt but there...
Tomato – Growing From Seed
Q: Can you give me a quick 1-2-3 on how to start my tomatoes indoors in spring? A: I can find no better resource than a summary of the process from the experts at GardenWeb #1 Get Fresh Seeds For...
Vegan Garden – A Good Size
Q: My 23-year-old daughter has adopted a vegan diet and I’d like to garden with her. I don’t want to make it so large that it becomes a chore, or too small to have a number of varieties of food....
Dirt Sterilization
Q: I want to use rich soil from my Dad’s old cow lot in my small garden. I’m worried about weeds in it. Can I sterilize the dirt somehow? A: You can’t sterilize the dirt but there is another way...
Soil Mixture – Recipe
Q: TV show you had a recipe for a soil mix for jade plant, cactus, etc. Can you send me the portions? A: Mix one part potting soil with two parts of a coarse material that encourages drainage. This could...
Planting Potatoes
Q: Last year I planted sweet potato slips and had reasonable success. I’ve spoken to people who said they remember parents planting whole potatoes. Which way is better? A: Sweet potato plants form tubers directly from the roots. Although the...
