Q: I have a ficus tree in my office that is doing very well. When I watered it I noticed a gazillion ants in the dirt. Will this hurt the ficus? A: The ants may be finding aphids or mealybugs in the ficus and &
Mulch – Grass Clippings with Weed Killer on Them
Q: I have been told not to use grass clippings sprayed with weed killer to mulch around plants. Can I use them after they sit in a compost pile? A: Some plants, particularly tomatoes and young flower sprouts, a
Bird Nests – Keep or Throw Away
Q: I have 4 ferns hanging on my front porch that all have bird's nests in them. When the ferns die and get thrown away what can I do with the bird's nests? A: It's not legal to possess bird ne
Q: We recently put in a koi pond and want to grow moss on some of the stones. If you pour milk on the rocks, will moss grow? A: Some folks have reported success at growing moss on stones by briefly "pulsin
Q: I have cannas near my window that are tall and unsightly. Can I transplant them now without harming their blooming next summer? A: October is a great time to dig and transplant canna roots. Cut off the stalks
Moist Soil – How to Determine if Soil is ‘Moist Enough'
Q: I can't find a definition for what moist soil is. When I see a plant description that says it requires moist soil, what exactly does that mean? A: "Moist soil" is as undefinable as "It
Geraniums – How to Carryover Between Seasons
Q: How do I carry over outdoor geraniums from one season to the next? My mom says to shake the dirt off the roots and throw them in a paper bag, but that sounds unusual. A: Your mom is right! Remove plants from
Dragon Wing Begonias – Protecting In the Winter
Q: How can I over winter Dragon Wing begonias? I hate seeing them in the compost pile after the first big freeze. A: Dragon Wing begonia, Begonia x hybrida, and angel wing begonia, Begonia coccinea are very attr
Mole Crickets – How to Get Rid of Them
Q: I have a large problem with mole crickets. Got any suggestions? A: Mole crickets can cause big problems when they tunnel in turf. Most damage is seen in spring when adults are present but the insects are muc
Trumpet Vine – Removing Left Behind Vines
Q: What is the best way to remove the left-behinds from a trumpet vine that once grew on my stucco? I've tried brushing with a wire brush, which surprisingly doesn't ruin the stucco, but also isn̵
Q: A friend of mine has radishes that are not forming bulbs, only straight roots. He is planting them like he's always done. Any ideas? A: The most likely reasons are too much fertilizer or too much shade.
Q: I have two oleander plants I purchased in Florida a few years ago. Each winter they are killed by sub-freezing temperatures. They come back from the ground but bloom late in summer. What is the secret to growi
Leave Dcomposition – How to Speed it Up
Q: We have an abundance of hardwoods on five acres. We blow leaves off the driveways 2-3 hours every day into a temporary area but after December 15th we'll have to move the piles again. Is there something
Pine Tree – Burning in a Fireplace
Q: My tree surgeon said pine was OK to burn in a fireplace. He said if it dries for a year in hot sun it will be fine. A: He's right. It is a misconception that pine wood forms more chimney creosote than h
Q: I have two eight-year-old ‘Drake' elms. Their bark is splitting and peeling on the main trunk. Is it normal for these trees to shed bark like sycamore and crapemyrtle? A: It's normal. ‘
How to Calculat the Amount of Water Coming Off of a Roof
Q: How do I calculate the amount of water coming off of a roof? A: The amount of water collected by a roof is easy to calculate. Multiply the length times the width to get the area. Multiply this result by the n
Q: We are interested in composting kitchen scraps. Do the tumble composters that claim to make compost in 14 days really work? A: In my opinion they are not very useful. In winter, the tumbler cools off too much
Q: Is the last weekend of October too late to plant fescue seed? A: Your soil temperature will determine success. Fescue needs a minimum of fifty degrees to germinate. In your area, that typically occurs in the
Bermuda – Mowing After October
Q: Your seasonal calendar (xrl.us/LAWNCALENDAR) says that the third week of October, is the last time to mow bermuda. Would it hurt the lawn if I mow periodically to clean up leaves? A: Mowing when the grass i
Tap Water for House Plants – Dechlorination
Q: I have several fish tanks and use a de-chlorinating product when using tap water for water changes. Would it be beneficial to use such a product when using tap water on my house plants? A: I don't think
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