Posts Tagged ‘Spring’
Bermuda Grass – Green Again Soon After Killing Caterpillars
Q: Two days after realizing my bermuda lawn had army worms it was brown. We killed the caterpillars but the grass is still not green. Will the grass recover this year? A: If the bermudagrass was reasonably healthy, it will...
Bog Garden – How to Make
Q: I have a small, two-foot deep plastic-lined pond that I want to convert into a bog garden. Any suggestions on how I should proceed? A: Bog gardens are fascinating to observe. Your first job is to fill the pool...
Mushrooms – Fighting the Odor
Q: This year my parents have had foul-smelling, red-orange mushrooms with an egg-like base. I’m going to have my spring wedding reception at the house and I don’t want the smell to bother the guests. Any advice? A: Stinkhorns are...
Potatoes – No Spuds
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...
Mona Lavender – Keeping it Alive
Q: I bought a beautiful Mona Lavender at the beginning of the summer and have managed not to kill it. I would love to keep it alive until next spring. A: ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus is a beautiful plant! It was...
Plants – Growing Better on Mounds of Soil
Q: Why do some plants grow better in the garden when they are planted in a mound of soil? A: Planting in a mound or a raised bed gives plants better root drainage and faster soil warming in spring. Roots...
Milkweed Pods – Growing in Georgia
Q: On a recent trip to Massachusetts I saw milkweed pods ready to burst. Is it possible to grow milkweed down here? A: Garden designer Shannon Pable (www.shannonpable.com) pointed me to the website of Monarchs Across Georgia, which boasts a...
How to Calculat the Amount of Water Coming Off of a Roof
Q: How do I calculate the amount of water coming off of a roof? A: The amount of water collected by a roof is easy to calculate. Multiply the length times the width to get the area. Multiply this result...
Mole Crickets – How to Get Rid of Them
Q: I have a large problem with mole crickets. Got any suggestions? A: Mole crickets can cause big problems when they tunnel in turf. Most damage is seen in spring when adults are present but the insects are much easier...
Gladiolus – Store or Replant
Q: If I dig up my gladiolus now should I store them until spring or re-plant immediately. A: Gladiolus corms (bulbs) are usually winter-hardy if left in the ground but it’s a good idea to dig them up every couple...
Mexican Petunia – Pruning
Q: My Mexican petunia is huge and needs to be cut back for the winter. Do I cut it flat to the ground? A: Yes, ruellia will freeze to the ground naturally after the first frost. You can clip stems...
How to Clean a Spring
Q: We have a spring on our property that is overgrown with trees and brush. It has always run even during drought. How do we clean it? My grandparents had one instead of a well and it was lined with...
Roots – How to Kill
Q: I recently had two trees cut down because their roots passed beneath my sidewalk. The stumps and roots remain. I’m concerned that the roots will continue to grow. How can I kill them? A: Some trees, like oak and...
Topiary Azaleas – How to Plant
Q: How are the topiary azaleas with braided stems best planted? A: Florist azaleas are not usually as winter-hardy as the smaller-leaved Japanese azaleas that bloom reliably each spring. If yours has been indoors since you received it, wait to...
Flower Bed – Rejuvenating
Q: My mother has an old flower plot containing phlox, sedum, and many other perennials. The bed is in decline and needs to be rejuvenated. Considering the variety of plants, what needs to be done? A: Wait until April and...
Ornamental Grass – Privacy Wall
Q: I want to use ornamental grass in pots to provide privacy around our deck. What might you suggest? A: I could easily see using fountain grass, Pennisetum (several species) or maiden grass, Miscanthus sinensis (several varieties) in eighteen-inch wide...
Spring Bulbs – When to fertilize
Q: When is the time to fertilize spring bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths? A: One of the adages of garden fertilizing is to feed plants when the leaves are growing. When the leaves of spring bulbs poke out of the...
Tulips From Amsterdam – Survival
Q: I have recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam, where I ordered tulips. Will they do well here? A: I’m sure they will bloom well next spring as long as you keep the squirrels from digging them up. Unfortunately,...
