Posts Tagged ‘Summer’
Drought – Supplemental watering
Q: You recently wrote that even with our drought, supplemental watering isn’t generally needed in the winter. What are some guidelines as to when I should re-start watering my camellias and azaleas? A: Water loss from the soil is caused...
Willows – Planting outdoors
Q: I have some willows that have rooted in water and are beginning to sprout. When may I plant them outdoors? A: Wait until the roots are four inches long. At that time, gently transplant the sprouted cuttings into gallon...
Sunflowers – Black oil seeds
Q: I want to plant sunflowers in a pasture. Will normal black oil seeds that you buy for bird feed sprout? A: They sprout like crazy under my birdfeeder so I don’t see why they wouldn’t do well for your...
Nandina – Pruning
Q: Is it safe to prune my nandina now? I don’t want to affect the berries later this year. A: March is the very best time to prune common nandina. Cut a third of the canes at 12 inches high,...
David viburnum – Brown spotsI
Q: I have a beautiful David viburnum and it has several branches with all the leaves brown and more with brown spots. What’s happening? A: Although I once recommended it, I have lost confidence in this shrub, Viburnum davidii, for...
Azaleas – Blooming
Q: I am curious as to why azaleas bloom so profusely and with such vibrant colors when there is no apparent resultant benefit of seed production? A: Native plant expert Theresa Schrum says many of the cultivated azaleas that you...
Peach tree – Planting
Q: We recently bought a peach tree in a pot. It has already started fruiting. Would it be better to wait until after it produces its fruit to plant it or should we plant it in the ground? A: It’s...
Golf course – Green grass
Q: How does a golf course with bermuda or bentgrass greens keep them green in the winter? A: Bermudagrass is normally brown in winter so golf courses overseed with ryegrass in September. The ryegrass is green all winter, keeping the...
Black currant – Variety
Q: I would like to grow black currant bushes. Are there any varieties which can be grown in GA? A: Unfortunately, our summers are much too hot for currants. The only place I would try to grow them is in...
Garden – Topsoil
Q: We recently purchased a new house and want to put a garden in the backyard. I imagine the builder skimmed off the topsoil before planting grass there. Would you remove the clay and replace it with topsoil before planting?...
Almond tree – Production
Q: We are considering planting an almond tree next spring. Will an almond produce in Georgia? A: You can try to grow almonds in Georgia, but only if you have a high capacity for heartbreak. Almonds are close kin to...
Birds – Feeding in Summer
Q: Should we stop feeding the birds for the summer? Shouldn’t they be looking out for themselves now? A: We feed birds for two reasons: to keep them healthy when natural food sources aren’t present and to bring them closer...
Japanese beetles – Life cycle
Q: What’s become of the Japanese beetles? (Not that I miss them, mind you!) So far I’ve not seen any on our roses, magnolia blossoms, plum and cherry trees. Did I do something last year which interrupted their life cycle?...
Amaryllis – Trimming
Q: I have planted amaryllis outdoors. After they’ve finished blooming do I need to cut the stalks down? How far? A: Cut the thick flower stalks down to their base. Leave the amaryllis foliage in place for the rest of...
Sweetgum – Infestation
Q: About a week ago I noticed very small black pellets falling from my sweetgum trees. Upon further inspection, I noticed the tree crowns appeared to be eaten away. There seems to be an extensive infestation of some type of...
Blackberry leaves – Bug infestation
Q: I have found strange bugs eating my blackberry leaves. They are tan, about the size of a BB, and are hard shelled. When I touch one it falls off the plant and acts dead. Damaged leaves have notches along...
Maple Tree – Survival
Q: Landscapers planted a tall maple tree by our community mailbox area, then covered under it with pine straw. I am watering the tree every other day to help it survive. What should I do now? Fertilize? A: Watering every...
Four O’clock Plant – Control
Q: What is the best method to remove four o’clocks. My ex-wife thought it would be a grand idea to have them around. Five years later they are taking over everywhere! When should I dig the tubers? Or is there...
