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- Q.Too Much Nitrogen In Lilac Bed - I have a couple of old lilacs that I pruned a lot last winter. This year they came back with ...
- Q.Draining In Clay Soil - I have tubes from my gutters going to a hole I dug 3 feet deep. Water doesn't drain from this ...
- Q.Soil Dries Out Too Fast - Does too much cow dung or coffee husks dry out soil in vegetable garden? We live on a coffee farm.
- Q.Lead In The Soil - How to tell if there is lead in the soil?
- Q.How To Raise Acid Level In Soil - My question is on where it says for a quick fix water plants several times with vinegar, 2 tablespoons in ...
- Q.Flowering Tree Was Poor This Year - I planted tree that has very crimson leaves and like small damsons. After I dug around and put soil around ...
- Q.White Tiny Worms In Soil - My soil has tiny white worms. I don't like chemicals, how can I kill them with a natural product?
Asked by
JaniceO on
November 16, 2016
Zone 6BQ.Too much nitrogen in lilac bed
I have a couple of old lilacs that I pruned a lot last winter. This year they came back with a lot of new growth and a lot of very large leaves. However, no flowers. I tested the soil and its nitrogen is at the excessive level. Could this be the problem? If so, how do I get the nitrogen back to normal? I also planted a couple of new lilac starts near these bushes. They had some growth and new leaves during the summer. We also had a strange summer for rain. We would get 3+ inches of rain every 3 weeks or so but nothing in between and once it overtopped the rain gauge. I watered twice in spring before all of the rains. The ground has been damp nearly all summer and fall. Would this have any effect on their growth? The leaves also developed a silvery white coating in the last few months of summer and fall. If water depletes nitrogen, should I retest before I treat with anything?
Answered by
Alisma on
November 16, 2016
Certified ExpertA.Yes, the nitrogen is likely the problem. Excessive nitrogen causes lush growth of foliage but few flowers or fruits.
Water will not flush out the nitrogen unless it results from a recent application of fertilizer. Here are other ways to reduce nitrogen:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/too-much-nitrogen-soil.htmThe silvery white coating on the leaves is probably lilac powdery mildew. It won't hurt the plant, but here are some remedies that can improve appearance:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Pfmengel on
February 7, 2017
Owosso Mi 48867Q.Draining in clay soil
I have tubes from my gutters going to a hole I dug 3 feet deep. Water doesn't drain from this hole very fast because of the clay. Would it help to pour a couple of bags of gymsum in this hole to eat at the clay? How could I have this drain faster?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
February 8, 2017A.I can give information on amending soil in regards to planting and gardening but you will need to consult with a building or contractor for information on adequately draining water from your home.
When amending clay soil, you will need to work the added organic material into the soil, either by hand or equipment such as a tiller.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
shoshana on
March 4, 2017
chiapas,mexicoQ.soil dries out too fast
Does too much cow dung or coffee husks dry out soil in vegetable garden? We live on a coffee farm.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
March 5, 2017A.You are aiming for a loamy, well draining soil for most vegetable plants.
The links below will help you identify and achieve this!https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-well-drained-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/making-sure-soil-drains-well.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 6, 2017Q.Lead in the soil
How to tell if there is lead in the soil?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
March 6, 2017A.I have listed several links for you with more information.
I would also suggest you contact your local County Extension Office for information about testing soil for lead in your area or concerns that you have.
Here is a link to locate your closest office.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/
https://soiltest.umass.edu/fact-sheets/soil-lead-testing-interpretation-recommendations
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/contaminated-soil-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Chris Valenzuela on
March 27, 2017
Stockton CaliforniaQ.How To Raise Acid Level In Soil
My question is on where it says for a quick fix water plants several times with vinegar, 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water. How much is several times? Also, can I use it on plants that are in the ground?
- Answered by
Alisma on
March 27, 2017
Certified ExpertA.I would say watering with vinegar "several times" means two or three times. Vinegar can be used to tweak the soil pH temporarily, but the effect isn't very long-lived and it probably can't be used to make drastic changes in soil pH. Vinegar works best in container plants, because soil microbes are thought to consume the vinegar when it's added to plants growing in the ground.
This article provides other options for lowering soil pH:
http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/reducing-soil-ph/Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 30, 2017Q.flowering tree was poor this year
I planted tree that has very crimson leaves and like small damsons. After I dug around and put soil around and put flowers for some years, I think that it might be the case why is poor. I'm very worried. Thank you Maria Carter
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 1, 2017A.I'm unclear as to the variety of tree that you are having issues with.
Was this a newly planted tree or a well established tree?
Is the tree showing signs of stress following a winter dormancy or did the tree have signs of stress right after you planted the flowers?
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/planting-garden-beneath-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Charles Baker on
April 1, 2017
93933Q.White tiny worms in soil
My soil has tiny white worms. I don't like chemicals, how can I kill them with a natural product?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 5, 2017A.Worms can come from compost.
All healthy garden soil has worms. It is likely not an issue.
This link has more information.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/pot-worms-in-compost.htm
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