Posts Tagged ‘Winter’
Aquaponics Training – Where to Find
Q: We are looking for aquaponics training or somebody who uses the system in Georgia. We have a 16′ x16′ fenced area. A: Aquaponics is the system of growing fish alongside edible plants, using water from the fish tank to...
Pest Larvare – Cold Enough to Kill?
Q: Has it been cold enough, long enough this winter to kill the larvae of roaches, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes? A: Whenever we have a cold winter gardeners wishfully hope that the frigid temperatures will diminish the insects they’ll face...
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...
Garden Tilling to Kill Bugs
Q: Would it be beneficial to till my garden now while the temperatures are low in order to kill some of the bugs that winter over in the soil? A: Winter tilling is once of the very best ways to...
Planting New Shrubs – Safe in January
Q: A landscaper has told me we can safely plant new shrubs until the end of January in Atlanta. What say you? A: They’re right. It would be better to plant shrubs and trees Oct. – Dec., to take advantage...
Zoysia Grass – Why Wait to Fertilize
Q: I have been impatiently waiting to fertilize until my zoysia grass has greened 75-100 percent. Why must I do this, other than because you say so? A: You’re a smart person to always be asking “Why?” in the garden....
Shrubs and Trees – Applying Horticultural Oil
Q: Is it a good practice to apply horticultural oil on shrubs and trees when they are dormant in order to prevent bugs this spring? A: Yes, applying plant-safe oil is a great way to kill insects in winter. At...
‘Pink Princess’ Escallonia – Fixing the Brown
Q: I planted ‘Pink Princess’ escallonia in early fall. They are all brown. What should I do? A: My bet is that they froze in January. Escallonia is a beautiful flowering shrub but it is winter-hardy only where oleander grows:...
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...
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,...
Sod – Too Late to Put Down?
Q: Is it too late to put down sod before it starts turning cooler? A: Turf expert Clint Waltz says you can do it ^IF^ you properly prepare beforehand. Till the soil at least six inches deep so roots can...
Cannas – Damaged by the Cold
Q: I had a lot of cannas in my front yard. This year they have not sprouted at all. Could the cold have killed them? A: Yes, cold damage has been a major problem on marginally-hardy plants we typically leave...
Peonies – Transplanting From Clay to Sandy Soil
Q: I have a beautiful established peony. I am moving to Bryan County and I wonder if I can transplant the peony from clay to sandy soil. A: Much depends on the variety you have. In warm winters, like you’d...
Centipede Grass – Pre-Emergence
Q: I cannot find pre-emergence for centipedegrass at the local garden stores. What ingredient do I search for to use on my lawn? A: I think most, if not all, pre-emergent herbicides are labeled for use on centipedegrass. The window...
Pussy Willow – Pruning
Q: I have a pussy willow tree that is so tall I never see the blooms in the spring. Are you supposed to cut these trees back? A: You’re lucky to have a pussy willow (^Salix discolor^) grow so tall....
Dwarf Fruit Trees – Winter Care
Q: I have three dwarf fruit trees: cherry, apricot, and nectarine, growing in large containers on my patio. They will be twelve feet high when mature. I would like to leave them outside for the winter but am concerned about...
Apple Seeds – How to Grow
Q: I work with a pre-kindergarden class. We have been studying apples and the children are curious about the seeds turning into an apple tree. If we planted some of the seeds now would they sprout before the first frost?...
