Q.Chicken Manure - Can I use fresh chicken manure in my garden if I lime it and till it in?
A.Fresh chicken manure is extremely high in nitrogen and will burn plant seedlings. However, as long as you till it into your soil and allow it to sit a little while prior to planting, it should be ok to do ...Read MoreQ.Charcoal Ash Use - Found info on wood ash uses in gardens and composting. No info on charcoal ash, if I should use or ...
A.I think this depends more on the type of charcoal used. If it's natural wood charcoal then it's okay to put the ashes in your compost. If it is the type that has additives (chemicals), including lighter fluid, then I ...Read MoreQ.Dying Mahogany Tree - What chemical insecticide to give in the roots of the tree? The tree is fast losing its leaves. The leaves ...
A.Treat the tree with neem oil. It is both a fungicide and a pesticide and works systemically, so it will get into the whole tree and kill pests from within the tree itself. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htmRead MoreQ.Diseased Wisteria - Our wisteria branches are covered in brown 'crispy blisters' that are now weeping a very sticky substance. Any ideas as ...
A.It sounds like it may have canker. This article will have more information: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/DISEASES/cankerdiseases.htmlRead More
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Q.When Do You Plant Tulips - When can I plant my 3 tulip plants that I got for Easter?
A.They can be planted anytime after the last frost date in your area, but they will not bloom again until next year. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/bgen/how-to-plant-a-flower-bulb-in-your-garden-after-winter-forcing.htmRead MoreQ.Muddy Yard - My backyard gets extemely muddy and sometimes has puddles after a rainstorm. What can be done to prepare the yard ...
A.It sounds like you may have a clay layer of soil under the topsoil. Heavy clay can act almost like a layer of plastic below the topsoil, not allowing any water to trickle down through the layers. Unfortunately, there are ...Read MoreQ.Plum Tree Fungus - I have a plum tree that has a white fungus eating up through the core wood. I know this tree ...
A.It sounds like Phytophthora rot and your other trees do need to be treated. This article will help: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74133.htmlRead MoreQ.Quince Root - We removed quince and oleander from the backyard and today started to plant Pink Bower vine in their place. One ...
A.If you have a few days, I would paint the root with Round-up and leave the hole empty for at least a week (to allow the herbicide to dissipate) to help kill off the old root just to be sure. ...Read MoreQ.Lime Tree - The fruit from our lime tree is often brownish in the middle. What nutrition is needed?
A.It sounds like you may have black rot, also known as Alternaria rot. This article will help: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107100811.htmlRead MoreQ.Chard - How big does Swiss Chard get?
A.The plant reaches a mature height of about 18 inches, but harvested chard should be between 9-12 inches for best results.Read MoreQ.Summer Squash - This is my first year growing yellow/summer squash. I am getting a lot of flowers but no fruit. From your ...
A.Generally, they will produce mostly male (non-fruiting) blossoms early in the season and will gradually start to produce more female blossoms as the season progresses. Give it some time and you will see it start fruiting.Read MoreQ.Planting Blackberry Plants - I want to plant a couple of blackberry bushes in my backyard near my wooden privacy fence, and within 15 ...
A.This should be fine, provided the walnuts are not black walnut trees, which are allelopathic. You do not need another type for pollination.Read MoreQ.Adding Compost - Does my garden need new mushroom compost or steer manure each year? I think so, but hubby says no. Thanks.
A.This really depends on the current state of your soil, but it does not hurt to refresh the soil with either of these each year. In fact, many people amend their soil with compost/manure annually to keep it healthy.Read MoreQ.Drooping Leaves - I purchased and planted a Cleveland pear tree. Today, the leaves on the tree are very droopy. I have been ...
A.It sounds like it is in transplant shock. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htmRead MoreQ.How To Kill Bermuda Grass - I have a bed of liriope that is being invaded by Bermuda grass. How can I kill the Bermuda and ...
A.You have several options: I would recommend pouring boiling water on the areas where the bermuda grass was growing. Boiling water will kill whatever it comes in contact with. Alternatively, you could cover liriope clumps with cardboard boxes or use ...Read MoreQ.Hibiscus - Can you grow a hibiscus outside in the ground in zone 9 and it survive the winter and come back ...
A.Hardy hibiscus plants need little care over winter and are hardy to Zone 5 with no protection. If you have a tropical hibiscus, it must be container grown and brought indoors during winter unless you live in Zone 9 or ...Read MoreQ.Mint Question - I planted some mint into my garden a number of years ago. At first everything went okay but within a ...
A.This article will help with getting rid of your unwanted mint: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/mint/invasive-mint-how-to-kill-mint-plants.htmRead MoreQ.Frost Bitten Tater Plants - My taters got frost bitten. Will they live or do I start over?
A.Potato plants can usually take a little frost without suffering too much damage, and the tubers (potatoes) underground should be fine. As long as the stem is still alive, the foliage will regrow. Damaged parts can usually be cut away ...Read More