Q.Ostrich Ferns - Our ferns have expired already this year due to heat and lack of rain. Would like to cut them ...
A.I see no issue with this. You may cut the dead growth off. Read MoreQ.Foxtail Palm - Our Foxtail Palm lost its top/crown during Hurricane Irma. Is there any way to bring it back? I though I ...
A.Palms usually do come back from damage such as this. Just give it some TLC and you should see new fronds in no time!Read MoreQ.Dogwood Trees - How far can I prune down a dogwood tree without destroying it.I would like to go almost to the trunk, ...
A.Typically I would not recommend cutting off more than 10 percent of the tree at a time. If you decide to, then do this over a weeks time, so that the tree has time to recover in between cuts. There ...Read MoreQ.2 Plants I Have In My Garden - Dear Sirs I am attaching two photographs. One is of a large plant with green leaves and has white speckles on ...
A.I am sorry, the picture hasn't seems to come through correctly. Could you please try and re-send the photograph?Read More
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Q.Killing Off Ivy From Walls - We are and have over a period of years having problems with IVY, they continue to grow up one of ...
A.Unfortunately, there are few solutions for such a vigorous plant. The best method is to putt up everything. Pull roots, and pull new plants as they start. they will keep coming back for years once they get established. These highly ...Read MoreQ.How To Grow Peach Trees Indoors - I started planting peach trees from the small trees that grew after peaches fell in my yard. It started as ...
A.This is easily done while they are this young. Later, though, this can be tricky. I, myself, do a lot of container growing of trees that I should not be able to grow here in my state of TN. For ...Read MoreQ.Brown Spots In Lawn - Brown patches in lawn - looks like bentwood grass. On an acre with no possiblity of continued watering. ...
A.Yes, unfortunately it seems like the most viable option is loading some new soil, and re-seeding. I will suggest using dolomitic lime, and wettable sulfur to both control pH, and make sure there are no fungal, or bacterial spores left ...Read MoreQ.Transplanting - I have a weigela bush that is 20 years old, 6-7' tall, planted when my daughter was born. We are ...
A.I recommend taking several cuttings just in case. there are several ways to take cuttings. Take multiple tips about 6-8 inches long, and cut them at angles on the bottom. Dip the ends in honey, and place them in some ...Read MoreQ.Girdling Italian Cypress - I recently had one Italian cypress die--green six months ago, a little less green than the ones near it maybe, ...
A.Oh no! Yes that is unfortunate, and they were definitely girdled. It is never a good idea to use wires to hold trees, and as for being near fences.. That is also a no-go. Some trees will survive, and some ...Read MoreQ.Hydrangeas - What makes the leaves turn black? (not all of them, just some leaves are totally black) What can I do ...
A.This appears to be either fungal or bacterial. I have a method that is all natural and safe for all plants. If you do not have, or can't get, all the ingredients, then it is ok. This is a very ...Read MoreQ.Why Doesn’t My Hydrangea Bush Bloom? - My hydrangea plant has grown bigger every year, but it does not produce the blue snow ball flowers its supposed ...
A.These will, more than likely, produce white flowers, unless you use chemicals to turn the flower color. Here is an article to explain: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/change-hydrangea-color.htm Now, the reason it is not flowering, is more than likely that it needs some fertilizer high ...Read MoreQ.Papaya - I live on the north side of Tampa Bay, Florida, close to the main campus of USF. I have no problem ...
A.Generally, when you start to see color spreading across about 1/3 of the fruit, then it is time to pluck it. Here is an article that will tell you just about everything you will need to know about Papaya. It ...Read MoreQ.Blueberry Plants - I planted 6 blueberry plants specifically for my weather zone, next to my raspberries and strawberries. This was ...
A.It sounds like the soil needs to be more acidic, as blueberries like the acidic environment. I recommend iron sulfate. This will both acidify the soil, and give sulfur to the blueberry, which will help the fruit to develop its ...Read MoreQ.Lime Tree - My lime tree is in a pot and seems to be growing slowly. It also is growing straight up with ...
A.Even though I am in the state of Tennessee, I LOVE to grow citrus. I myself have many, including blood oranges, and even Key lime. I know it is tricky growing them in container, but you can do it. Now,I ...Read MoreQ.Ascot Spurge - When is the best time to move my Ascot Spurge plants?
A.The Spurge Ascot, a type of Euphorbia, Is a very hardy plant. I wouldn't see a problem transplanting at any time. The best time, would be spring, though. Here is an article with more information on the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/euphorbia/growing-euphorbia-plants.htmRead MoreQ.Mulch Storage - I have some bags of unopened mulch. I also have a large freezer. Is it OK if I freeze the ...
A.It wouldn't hurt, and actually may keep it from developing any kind of rot. Had it been regular soil, I would have said no. Mulch on the, other hand can be handled differently. Read MoreQ.Parsley - Will parsley and fennel be happy growing together?
A.Unfortunately the only thing that tolerates fennel is dill. Fennel is a very poor companion in the garden. Even planting next to dill is risky, as they will cross pollinate, leaving the next season's seeds (if you harvest for replanting) ...Read MoreQ.Chicago Hardy Fig Tree - How do you know if your fig tree is diseased and how to treat. Have figs on tree but ...
A.There could be a number of issues that could be affected the growth. If you concerned about fertilization, make sure to use a good all-purpose fertilizer. Now, as far as diseases go... You can usually tell if the tree is damaged ...Read MoreQ.Red Bud Tree - Last winter I was in Texas and bought some Red Bud seeds, via the internet. Back in Denmark, in March, ...
A.I'm looking at that soil, and it looks very wet. I'm not completely certain, but it looks like there may be wood ashes in there as well. It Seems to me that something is not quite right with the soil. ...Read MoreQ.Plants As Fence - What plants can be used to secure a jail?
A.Anything with thorns will slow down but not prohibit escape. Without knowing your location, specific plant recommendations aren't possible. Research hedgerow.Read More