Q: I want to plant sunflowers in a pasture. Will normal black oil seeds that you buy for bird feed sprout? A: They sprout like crazy under my birdfeeder so I don't see why they wouldn't do well for
Q: I am going to feed my perennials and shrubs with cotton seed meal this spring. Is it too early to begin? A: One of the great things about using organic fertilizers like cottonseed meal, composted hen manure,
Q: I have some willows that have rooted in water and are beginning to sprout. When may I plant them outdoors? A: Wait until the roots are four inches long. At that time, gently transplant the sprouted cuttings i
Q: I have heard that Milorganite is good for keeping deer away from gardens. We have two acres which are "salad bars" for deer. Any advice? A: Many things are reputed to repel deer: hair, coyote urin
Drought – Supplemental watering
Q: You recently wrote that even with our drought, supplemental watering isn't generally needed in the winter. What are some guidelines as to when I should re-start watering my camellias and azaleas? A: Wat
Q: I received an indoor palm as a housewarming gift. The leaves have started browning and it appears to have cobwebs in between some of the fronds. Could this be spider mites? A: Palms are famous for getting spi
Q: I've read about low carb "SunLite" potatoes grown in Florida. Is this something that a home gardener could raise in north Georgia? A: Low-carb potatoes are a bit of marketing legerdemain. Ve
Q: I have access to aged horse manure but don't know how to use it to make a nice flower garden. A: Aged horse manure is a great source of organic humus for your soil. Humus holds nutrients for plant roots
Q: When do we start putting out dryer lint for our birds? I have been collecting it for months. Back in Texas I put it on the shrubbery and in one half hour it was gone. A: Dryer lint is good for birds that liv
Q: Our subdivision got hit by the tornado a few weeks ago. It did considerable damage to the small trees in our yard. What are the chances that they'll survive and stay healthy if we straighten them up and
Q: I have boxwoods that have gotten out of hand. If I cut them back drastically will they sprout back from the stubs that are left? A: Unlike holly, boxwood is slow to respond when pruned severely. For a big box
Shady area – Grass alternative
Q: I want an alternative to grass for an area of my lawn that is very shady. I need it to prevent soil erosion. Maybe some type of ivy? A: Don't plant English ivy! Before you know it this vine will be clim
Q: Our dwarf Burford hollies had tons of berries, which the birds dutifully picked off. Now the bush is buzzing. There are hundreds of bees living in it. How long will they be here? A: All of our nectar loving i
Q: Five years ago I planted several "Magic Lily" bulbs. Every spring the leaves come up on cue. They die back in the summer, but no flowers come up in fall. What is wrong with this picture? A: Magic
Q: Deer have ruined my garden for the last two years. Would it be wise to put out something to distract the deer, such as a feeder? A: You'd like to think that deer would be polite and avoid your garden if
Q: Information I read says to use a fertilizer analysis with biggest number (nitrogen) first. Why would I not need to use products with second number (phosphorus) higher, so my fescue roots are deeper for the sum
Ficus and schefflera trees – Repotting
Q: I have six-year old, very large potted ficus and schefflera trees, about nine feet tall. I'm sure fertilizer salts have built up in the soil. I know that the best thing to do would be to repot them with
Q: When I use some potting soils for the first time they are very dry in the bag. Water runs off it like plastic and doesn't soak in. Why does it do that and how do I get it saturated? A: When a potting s
Q: After my phalaenopsis orchid bloomed I cut the dead flowers off at the bottom of the last bloom. Now I have two leaves growing where I cut the flowers off. How can I remove the new growth and keep it alive?
Q: I have a ‘Snow Fountain' weeping cherry tree. I've noticed a lot of the limbs reach the ground; some even stretch out on the ground. How should it be pruned? A: ‘Snow Fountain' c
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