Q: I know you recommend cottonseed meal to feed azaleas. I need to know when and how much to put around each plant. Joan Brown, email

A: I like cottonseed meal because it provides slow, consistent feeding over several months. Rake away mulch under your azaleas and scatter a 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer of cottonseed meal under and out beyond the branches. Cover the meal with mulch. This can be done anytime between February and May.