soil under a pine tree

QuestionWe recently removed a very large pine tree from the corner of our house because its needles were clogging our gutters and those of our neighbor. Although we did have the stump removed entirely I want to plan

growing grass over previous tree location

QuestionI am having difficulty growing new grass over an area where I had a Bradford Pear tree removed and the stump ground. I removed all the wood chips I could, added top soil and planted expensive grass see

mini-geyser?

QuestionHello and thank you in advance for any insight. We recently moved into a 21 year old home in central/coastal NJ. The soil seems to have many problems, including anthills galore, weeds, and huge bald p

Soil Rot

QuestionI am definitely an amatuer, I have several indoor plants and some are showing what I would call soil rot (moldy looking substance on soil surface, can be white or light brown). I have reduced watering,

dead grass area

QuestionI have a spot in my yard where the septic tank is buried. I have tried for years to grow grass, it comes up and then dies in the heat of the summer. Could I plant something else that wouldnt dama

odd thing growing on the soil

QuestionI have this growth in the garden which I thought it was a fungus of some sort, someone told me it was too much nutrients in the soil, possibly from too much furtilizer. Is it harmful? It is bubbly look

Drainage Question

QuestionMy neighbor has suggested filling in what is currently a valley between our two backyards so each of us has more level area to use. Right now water tends to collect in this valley after heavy rains. &n

Yard fungi

QuestionWe live in Florida and here they like to spread this cypress mulch all over our bedding areas and all boarding the base of the house. Seems this terrible mulch breeds all kinds of fungus, including mus

grading lawn area

QuestionI have an uneven area in the backyard probably 20 x 30 area...there is no general pattern to the unevenness, somewhat rolling, some potholes...some parts are lower and some parts are higher than where the ex

Hydrageas

QuestionI live in central Florida. I have Hydrageas in the front of my home in pots in good potting soil, but hey seem to be getting brown spots on the leaves and the leaves are sometimes turning yellow or bro

Preparing soil for Garden

QuestionHow do I prepare my garden soil for fall gardening? AnswerHi Shari, Im going to assume the worst here and imagine this as unimproved ground. 1. If theres undesirable weeds and grass in the area,

Clay Soil and shade in a small space.

QuestionHello Mr.Crowder, Iam a new construction home buyer with a very narrow lot. Iam told that the soil has a clay base and because we live inbetween two 2 story homes we will not get much direct sun. I really wo

clay in garden soil

QuestionJames, Question 1 My garden soil has a lot of clay. I have tried to fix it by adding peat moss, compost, and soil additives (Dr. Clay) that supposidly break down clay. By mid season our garden so

possible diseased soil

QuestionHi James, My Mom and I need help. We have a garden in the front of our home (purchased last year) and this year it developed a black tar like substance coating over the dirt. Do you have any idea

Growing Grass Over Previous Tree Location II

QuestionI have a situation similar to that posted by Anne on June 5, 2006 with the same Subject line, and answered by Dr. Dean Marston. I had two trees removed and their stumps ground down: an old cherry tree in th

lawn to garden

QuestionI want to put a garden where Bermuda Grass is right now. Can I just start tilling and raking or do I have to do something before I till and rake? Thank You AnswerId kill the bermuda first. Spray the

soil in outdoor pots and planter boxes

QuestionIs it best to replace the soil in outdoor pots, hanging baskets and planter boxes every year when replanting annuals? AnswerHi Mary, I usually replace the soil every other year, but I amend it the sec

moldy/rotten/diseased soil?

QuestionHi, we have noticed that in a section of our garden the soil has turned a light beige/grey color and are worried that it is somehow rotten or diseased. we have a layer of mulch over the soil, and it is

Limestone / Lime / Gypsum

QuestionStores in our area (Northeast Ohio) sell all 3 products and I have not been able to get any explanation from the people that work in the stores that satisfy my curiosity of when should I use one or the other

cedar hedge

QuestionWe have just bought a home in the lower mainland and are planning to plant a privacy hedge on the west-side of the yard which borders on a busy street. I am thinking of getting Pyramid cedars. We will need b