Posts Tagged ‘soil’
Why Are My Peace Lilies Dying?
Q: Many leaves on my 20-year-old peace lily are turning brown. I repotted it ten years ago. It stays in the window of a cool room and I water it once every other week. How do I make it healthier? ...
Does Elm Have A Deep Root System
Q: Maple trees surface roots are a problem, do Dutch Elm have a deep root system? A: The type of tree you have is not as much a problem as is the hardness of the soil around the tree. Tree...
Do I Need To Treat Soil For Termites
Q: I had two dogwoods killed by termites. Do I need to treat the soil before planting new trees? A: Termites don’t eat the living part of the tree, they can only digest the parts that are already dead. So...
Using Native Soil To Plant Trees
Q: On the radio, you told a listener they should remove most of the soil the tree has around its roots before planting. You said use only native soil to fill around the roots. A: You should get a prize...
My Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick Isn’t Surviving Here
Q: I had a gorgeous Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick when I lived on Long Island. But the one I planted here is barely holding on. I’m guessing it gets too much sun and heat. A: I have a ten-foot-tall contorted...
Saving My Azaleas From Sewer Work
Q: The county is going to repair the sewer line in my back yard soon. In the way are some seven-foot-tall azaleas. What’s the best way to save them? A: Grab some buddies or hire a small landscaping crew and...
Cuttings, Perlite, And Peat Moss
Q: I have rooted several cuttings from an oak leaf hydrangea in a mixture of perlite and peat moss. I’m not sure what to do next. A: In a sheltered spot outdoors dig a trench six inches deep and a...
How High Can Raised Beds Be?
Q: I am working to create permanent raised beds in my garden. I have been told that raised beds should not exceed twelve inches high because the soil becomes too hot and dry. A: Raised beds do dry out a...
Mysterious Clay Particles – Reader Theories
Reader theories on the origin of clay particles from the sky. Scroll to the bottom to find an answer.—————– Dirt rain. Gotta be. Amelia P.————– * red dust from comet/meteor tail, red due to charged particles of iron oxide -occurring...
Mysterious Clay Particles
This garden mystery started innocently enough. In July, I got an email from M. D. in Hall county: “We are totally stumped by something that’s happening at our house and hope you can help us understand what’s going on. “We...
Soil – Percolation Rate
Throughout my childhood, I was awakened each morning by the sound and smell of percolating coffee. After a hearty cup of Maxwell House, my father was off to feed the chickens, milk the cows or tend to the innumerable chores...
Soil Testing – Using Gypsum
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the importance of soil testing and the role of pH in plant health. I gave instructions on how to collect a soil sample and have it tested. In the days following, several...
Soil – Defining
I was explaining to someone recently that flowering cherry trees absolutely require well-drained soil to succeed. “Well, that’s not a problem,” they responded, “I’m planting on a slope, so water drains right past it.” “Sloping soil is usually poorly drained,”...
Gypsum – Not Useful as Soil Amendment
Gardeners are no different from other folks – we want to accomplish more work with less effort. One of the biggest jobs when gardening in north Georgia is turning hard red clay into soil that will produce healthy plants. Occasionally,...
Soil – Amending
Homeowners often want to amend their existing soil to make it better. Planting grass seed or laying sod on hard, unfertile soil is generally a waste of money. The soil must be made better. For lawns, it makes most sense...
Soil Temperature – Monitoring
My son and I had just arrived the first day at our ski hotel and were preparing for dinner. “Daddy – I don’t feel so good.” he murmured. I put my lips to his forehead to check his temperature. My...
Soil Testing – Why
Once upon a time, farmers tested their soil by tasting it. Cupping a handful in front of their face, they would inhale its aroma and tentatively touch the dirt with their tongue. “Time to spread some lime and gu-anner” they’d...
Trees for Damp Soil
Special note about coastal plants and plants for wet/damp areas in gardens: Only regionally native plants should be used along beaches, coastal and savannah restoration areas. For gardens with wet/damp areas, non-native plants that are not invasive are suitable. However,...
