Posts Tagged ‘Summer’
Fescue – Summer Swoon (Dieback)
Q: What are the physiological processes involved when fescue thins out during the summer in the heat and humidity in Atlanta? A: Turf expert Clint Waltz calls it “summer swoon of fescue”. Thinning is a survival mechanism caused by water...
Pine Tree – Reviving after Lightning strike
Q: A 70 foot pine tree right next to my house was hit by lightning. It blew the bark off in a line 1-2 inches wide from the top of the tree all the way down, including disrupting the dirt...
‘Windsor’ Dark Cherry Tree – Bacterial Canker
Q: In February this year we planted a ‘Windsor’ dark sweet cherry tree in an orchard with other fruit. The tree looked healthy until a month ago when one of its branches turned brown, proceeded to black and died. Now...
Columbine – Leaf Miner
Q: In a matter of days after planting, most of my columbine leaves had serpentine patterns on them. Some look like they will yellow and drop off the plant. Is this a leaf miner? A: Anyone who grows columbine, Aquilegia...
Soil Conditioner – Replacing
Q: I added soil conditioner last year on your advice and the soil was wonderful to work with! Do I add more this year? If not, do I add lime again? A: Once the soil is soft you can just...
Soil Temperature – Measuring
Q: What is the best way to measure soil temperature? A: You’re smart to monitor your soil’s warmth. Soil temperature determines when to do many garden jobs…from putting out pre-emergent herbicides to planting summer bulbs. You can buy a soil...
Love-in-a-mist – Care
Q: I have a mystery flower, grown from a wildflower seed mixture. I am not sure if the pods precede the flower, but I was hoping you could identify it. A: It’s the fascinating-looking love-in-a-mist, Nigella damascena. The dianthus-like flowers...
Mexican Heather – Alternatives
Q: A couple of years ago I bought some Mexican heather and planted it in front of some shrubs. Although the tag said it was perennial, it died over the winter and never came back. I loved the shape and...
Hercules Beetle Grub
Q: I’ve seen grubs in my yard from time to time, but yesterday, I ran across a big one. This rascal has to be almost 4″ long when fully stretched out! Normally, grubs are about 3/4″, right? What is it...
Rustic Sphinx Moth
Q: I found a caterpillar hanging upside down on my lantana. Can you please tell me what kind it is and what those white things are attached to its back? A: It looks like Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar. The moth...
Red Hot Poker – Identification
Q: My Mother calls the flower I’m sending you “Bread and Butter”. She could not remember the actual name so I researched it on the Internet and found that gladiolus are referred to as ‘Bread and Butter’. My sister took...
Geese – Control in Lawn
Q: I have a small pond in my backyard. Geese have taken up residence and are making a mess of our lawn. Any ideas on how to get rid of them? A: Geese molt in late summer so they can’t...
