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- Q.Over Or Under Watered? - Hi all, our hedge appears to be dying. Can anyone tell me if it's over or under watered?
- Q.We Need A Privacy Hedge Or Trees In Our Yard. We Have Extremely Rocky Soil In Washington State Near Yelm. - Full sun is not a problem in the location we need them.
- Q.Does My Shrub Need To Be Replaced? - I have this shrub that looks half-dead (see attached picture). Can you tell me if it will come back in ...
- Q.Wire Under Tree Bark - I just noticed a wire (probably used to hold a hammock}
- Q.I Am Looking For A Dwarf Tree For Container Planting. I’d Like Either A Blue Hue, But Yellow Or Green Is Ok. Live In Zone8 - the container I have is about 20" tall and 20" across.
- Q.How To Obtain Low Cost Or Free Tree Seedlings To Give Away To Community On Arbor Day? - My ultimate goal is to repopulate our community with trees and native plants. I work at a non profit utility cooperative ...
- Q.What Tree/shrub Is Best For Creating Privacy In A Garden - I am looking for tree/shrub/hedges that are going to grow tall but remain slim (in borders) for my country cottage ...
Asked by
Theuggs on
January 6, 2020
SydneyQ.Over Or Under Watered?
Hi all, our hedge appears to be dying. Can anyone tell me if it's over or under watered?
Answered by
BushDoctor on
January 6, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Unless it remains dry in your area, rain should be more than enough to keep the shrubs happy. Any watering outside of a drought will be overwatering.
I would look at soil fertility, or pH first. Have your soil tested to be sure that it contains enough, or not too much nutrients, and that the pH is not too high or too low. This appears to be a problem with the soil.
Another thing that I see is that the mulch doesn't appear to be composted. Fresh woodchips contain a large amount of carbon. This can leach nutrients away from plants, and drastically swing the pH to unsafe levels.
These articles will help you to test your soil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
January 10, 2020Q.We need a privacy hedge or trees in our yard. We have extremely rocky soil in Washington state near Yelm.
Full sun is not a problem in the location we need them.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
January 10, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Many possibilities, here are a couple of links that may help you decide, based on the height requirement and irrigation. As long as there is drainage so water does not sit and rot the roots, rocky soil can be improved with soil analysis and prescription mineral and biological amendments. Or you can start with do it yourself composting and organic fertilization.
You are in zone 8, so here are some suggestions. You can also visit local arboretums and nurseries for ideas.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/gravel-garden-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/working-in-rocky-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-hedges.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-evergreen-shrubs.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
January 15, 2020Q.Does my shrub need to be replaced?
I have this shrub that looks half-dead (see attached picture). Can you tell me if it will come back in the spring or if it needs to be replaced? I don’t know what kind it is. If it does need to be replaced, can you tell me what would look best there? It is in between two other shrubs of comparable height. If I pull this one out, won’t it look odd if I put in a new immature shrub?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
January 16, 2020
Certified ExpertA.You might try pruning out the dead wood first and see how it looks. Wait till late winter or early spring to prune. If it doesn't look too bad wait till about June to see if it is coming back at all. If not, go ahead and remove it.
You can buy new shrubs that are large, but they cost more of course. It takes about 3 years for a deciduous shrub to reach full size. Evergreens such as boxwoods grow slower. Here are some shrub options for your zone 7:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/zone-7-evergreen-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/zone-7-bushes.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
dnoh47479 on
January 22, 2020
Auberry Ca.Q.Wire Under Tree Bark
I just noticed a wire (probably used to hold a hammock}
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
January 22, 2020
Certified ExpertA.This is quite common, and usually not much harm to the tree. In fact, it would do more damage to attempt to remove it! If it becomes an eye-sore, it will not hurt to trim it off level with the tree bark. Normally, fence wires, or similar, such as something to hold a hammock, will go unnoticed by the tree.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 9, 2020Q.I am looking for a dwarf tree for container planting. I’d like either a blue hue, but yellow or green is ok. live in zone8
the container I have is about 20" tall and 20" across.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 10, 2020
Certified ExpertA.The classic "blue hue" tree is dwarf Colorado blue spruce:
See "woody plants" in this article:
https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/top-of-the-crop/top-10-plants-containers/
This olive is blue hue, but not a dwarf. Although being in a container the growth will be somewhat suppressed:
https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/trends/growing-arbequina-olive-trees-in-containers/
Here's another article that may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/how-to-grow-container-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
betsyh on
February 13, 2020
anza, ca 92539Q.How To Obtain Low Cost Or Free Tree Seedlings To Give Away To Community On Arbor Day?
My ultimate goal is to repopulate our community with trees and native plants. I work at a non profit utility cooperative and would like to give away seedlings to the people in our community to plant in the effort to regain some of the lost trees and shrubs in our area. We have limited funds so I am requesting your help in obtaining information and/or trees. Thanks. Betsy Hansen
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 14, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Your local agricultural extension will be able to help you to find co-op, and help you to source seeds, and small trees. This article will help you to find the closest one to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
Alternatively, your local garden centers may offer some sort of advice on where you can obtain some trees for the cause!
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 13, 2020Q.What tree/shrub is best for creating privacy in a garden
I am looking for tree/shrub/hedges that are going to grow tall but remain slim (in borders) for my country cottage garden. The main hope is that it will create privacy and look attractive. Currently I have wooden/hazel hurdles that are rotting and not that attractive.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 14, 2020
Certified ExpertA.This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/evergreen-shrubs-for-privacy.htm
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