Protect tree trunk from raised bed

QuestionI am planning to build a raised bed in a circle around a 20-year-old maple tree. It will be about 14 inches high. Do I need to put something around the trunk of the tree to protect it from the new soil build

grading issue

QuestionHi. My name is Heather Anderson. I have just purchased my first home in January and Im having an issue. You see I have purchased one in six brand new townehomes and they are all flooding. &

planting vegis in planters with soil or mix

Questionwe are in the military so we can get up and move at anytime.?last year i planted veggies in potters and can not remember if i used soil or mix.?but i just noticed that the soil bag says do not put in contain

fixing up a pre-existing raised bed

Questioni just moved into a new house with a muddy, weed-y raised bed in my backyard. I would like to plant an herb garden but dont know how to fix the soil. I live in Oregon and the bed is in an area that recieves

Lawn Soil

QuestionI have a Tifton Bermuda lawn in Alabama. It is very spongy, that it, my feet and lawnmower wheels sink into it, particularly when it is or has recently been wet. I use a grass catcher, so the pro

Dying Pine Tree

QuestionI have had one pine tree die and another is on its way. I have noticed that my neighbors pine trees are dying in the same way. What happens is that the tree begins dying and a portion seems to tr

Amending the soil

QuestionHello, we live in Southeastern Ontario, Canada in a rural area. We have 2 long gardens up our path that I planted perennials last spring. I used triple mix with the soil (already a few plants in

Yard was top dressed with *gravel*

QuestionMy wife and I moved into a house October 07. It was brand new, with new sod etc. I got a load of Bonus S on it before it went dormant to help with weeds. The next spring and summer our yard was very

Dead Grass over my Septic Bed

QuestionWe laid sod down over our septic bed 3 summers ago. Last summer we had very hot and dry conditions - couldnt keep the lawn green - the grass died over our septic bed - didnt worry, thought

worms

QuestionMy in-laws moved in for a few months with a dog, turns out the dog had round worms and others. I also have pets (cat) who now have these worms I also have a grandson and I do not want him to get them. How ca

Clay / Grass.

QuestionI live in TN and my yard is full of red clay bare spots. I have tried adding topsoil and tilling in, but no luck. Folks have suggested that I use Lyme. I tilled that in and the grass started, but died. Can y

Preparing to lay sod over a previous tree area

QuestionAs of yesterday, I had three stumps grinded down to about 12 inches below the original surface and want to lay sod. Since this is a fresh cut, should I remove a few inches of the sawdust/wood clippings

soil will not absorb water

QuestionI have recently started a little home garden in the back of my house (I live in Southeastern Massachusetts) and after turning over some land and mixing in composted manure and peat moss I began to attempt to

Erosion

QuestionQUESTION: Hello James. I live in Wisconsin. We have a small creek that runs across the grass through the backyards of the homes in our neighborhood. The water used to be visible only in spr

moss

QuestionI live in the Portland Ore area,. in the country surrounded by fir trees. In the past several years we have had a decent yard. Then this last winter we have been invaded by moss, lots of it. &nbs

Two Questions

QuestionQUESTION: 1. What is the PURPOSE of turf aeration? Is it to facilitate the entry of rainwater, or of air, or is it something else? 2. The local public is hysterical about outlawing the use of all outdoor pe

problem soil

QuestionIn fall of 2006 we cut down poplar trees and made a garden spot, but when I planted last year my plants were dwarf in size with very little vegie production. My peas and beans were bigger than the actu

nullifying weed killer

QuestionHelp im desperate! I have used weed killer on my garden in error. At approximately four hours after discovery i saturated with water hoping that this will counter the effects however four days after im now s

Preparing a flower bed

QuestionWe just moved to a new house and removed the large, overgrown, shrubs that were planted out front. I would like to fill the newly empty beds with some different shrubs and flowers, but Im not sure how best

planting under pine trees

Questionhi! i have 7 pine trees that line one side of my drive way, they belong to my neighbor and i just bought rhododendron to plant under them. will it be okay since there is not alot of space between the p