Q: I have an acre of bermuda sod. I usually aerate every year. My pH is 5.5 so I need to apply lime. Can I aerate and lime at the same time? A: I guess lime would go a bit deeper if it were applied just before or
Treated Wood – Lining Raised Beds?
Q: My wife and I just built two raised beds with landscaping timber. We know that these are treated. What can we line the inside of the beds with to make sure that the veggies taste right and don't hurt us?
Label Holders – Where To Get Them
Q: In a recent column you mentioned using metal label holders to identify plants in a garden. Where do you get these? A: Local nurseries have them, typically made from copper or zinc. Two online suppliers include
Q: We have a squirrel in our attic. I had a roofer fix the hole in the eaves but it is still finding a way in. Do you have a recipe to keep out squirrels? A: I don't know of a squirrel repellent that works
Seed Club – Checking Seed Viability
Q: Last year I subscribed to a seed club but not many were planted. I have a plethora of seeds that I would love to plant this spring. Is this possible? A: It’s easy to test their viability. Put five seeds in t
Seedlings – Relatively Inexpensive
Q: I have a large pine straw island in the back of my property and I plan to plant several pine trees and maybe some bushes in between. Is there any place where I can get free tree seedlings? A: You can get inexp
Earthworms – Help Aerate Red Clay?
Q: I have been told that Alabama Jumper earthworms are the best type of worms to help aerate red clay. Is this true? A: Although we think of earthworms as always good for the garden, such is not always so. One co
Protecting Peaches – Using A Net?
Q: Last year I noticed that my peaches were gone and the tree seemed to attract birds. My neighbor suggested that I put netting over the tree to prevent the birds from eating my fruit this year. Is this wise? A:
Heirloom Tomatoes – Where To Get Them
Q: Where can I buy heirloom tomato plants in or near Washington County? A: Heirloom tomatoes taste great and many community farm markets and hardware stores now carry them. Don’t forget online tomato suppliers as
Bottlebrush – Surviving In Atlanta
Q: On a recent trip to Jekyll Island I saw several beautiful bottle brush shrubs. Will they grow here? A: This Australian native is certainly tempting! But I spoke with three experienced landscapers and all had
Color – What To Plant For Color!
Q: We have a Bradford pear tree in the front yard and grass does not grow under it. What would suggest I put there for color instead of a pine straw island? A: You have lots of choices! Some of my favorites inclu
Q: Do you have plans for a raised vegetable garden? A: Raised beds make a lot of sense because they are easier to manage and the soil can be amended to make it perfect for vegetables. Personally, I use 2″ x
Fescue – Aeration Leading To Weeds?
Q: I had my fescue lawn aerated last fall and put fescue seed out at the same time. The fescue is growing great but there are lots of weeds. A: The aeration probably brought up some dormant weed seed, which is w
Zoysia – What With The Lime Application?
Q: We have zoysia grass and have never put lime on it. Should I do so now or do I have to test the soil first? A: All lawn grasses benefit by having the proper soil pH. If your soil is too acid or alkaline, plan
Q: Should we put lime in the bottom of the hole when planting our tomato plants? How much? A: Garden lime supplies calcium that prevents blossom end rot in tomatoes. It also counteracts soil acidity. However, you
Q: What is the best type of sand to use following aeration of our bermuda lawn to help provide better drainage for the Georgia red clay? A: I don’t recommend using sand after aeration. Experts say that you need t
Fertilizing – 3-4 Times A Year
Q: I’ve heard you recommend fertilizing fescue 3 or 4 times a year. Are your recommendations designed for water-soluble fertilizers like 10-10-10? With the higher nitrogen slow-release fertilizers, the pounds o
Beetles – Minimizing Dog Waste
Q: When we lived in Florida we used dung beetles to minimize dog deposits in the yard. It actually worked pretty well. Where can we get these critters here in Georgia? A: Any cow pasture will have lots of dung b
Q: An arborist has identified the tree at the front corner of my house as a Chinese plant with “serrulota” in the name. How and when should it be cut back? A: You have Chinese photinia, Photinia serrulata. It is
Cumberland False Rosemary – Planting Outside In Atlanta
Q: I inherited a Cumberland false rosemary planted in a large outdoor pot. Can this plant survive planted in the ground here? A: Native plant expert Shannon Pable (shannonpable.com) says Cumberland false rosemary
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