Q. I have two very large rhododendrons that I planted in front of my windows 30 years ago, not realizing that they would grow so big that they would eventually swallow my house! They are a little cramped and I believe would be happier in the back yard. Do you think this is a good [...]
Q. I’m getting a late start to plowing my garden. We had heavy rains in the spring and I was unable to finish plowing as the garden is in a low area. I realize that it is to late for most crops, however I’m wanting to plant greens for the fall which I [...]
Q. Zucchini: Once the male blossom does its job of pollinizing, and fruit is set on female, can the male blossom be removed? Can too many males foil the maturing of the fruit of the female?
Cave Junction, Oregon
A. Leaving the male flowers on your zucchini will have no effect either way. Since they are a [...]
Q. Is it harmful to cut the leaves off my zucchini plant once it starts producing? My husband does this every year and it seems to slow down the production of zucchini. He also does this to my tomato plants and they stop blooming.
Allentown, Pennsylvania
A. Your husband should stop removing leaves from your vegetable plants. [...]
Also posted in vegetables, zucchini |
Q. What is the best way to get rid of green water in the pond other than using a UV light?
San Mateo, California
A. I have tried numerous additives to clear suspended algae (the type that causes green water). In my case, and many others of my customers, the only lasting solution is the UV light.
Good [...]
Q. I am interested in using the coffee grounds that Starbucks provides free to gardeners to add nutrients to the soil. However, I am unsure how much to add to the soil and wonder which perennials would benefit from these grounds. Thank you!
Andover, Massachusetts
A. Thanks for your question about using coffee grounds in your garden. [...]
Q. I bought some pampas grass and then changed my mind about where to plant it. What would happen if I would plant it in a mostly shady spot? Would it still grow but maybe not as tall?
Portsmouth, Ohio
A. Pampas grass is a full sun plant. If you plant it in the shade, it will [...]
Q. Three days ago I dug eight 3-ft. by 3-ft. holes for trees. These holes were made in hardpan. I used a jackhammer to get down as far as I could tolerate before collapsing in a heap of protoplasm. I amended the soil properly and planted the trees, properly watered afterward to moisten, not [...]
Also posted in defoliation, trees | Tagged hardpan, trees |
Q. Something is eating my Wave petunias. Not sure what it is. They are torn in the middle of the stem, like something is gnawing them?
Jacksonville, Illinois
A. Thanks for growing Wave Petunias. My best guess is the problem you have is rabbits. I have a rabbit problem in my Aurora, Illinois, subdivision so I’ve seen [...]
Q. I’ve been given a winter-flowering honeysuckle, and it’s been suggested that I plant it at the base of a (mature) apple tree. Would this be likely to cause either plant problems? My garden is directly south facing.
-London, United Kingdom
A. If your winter-flowering honeysuckle is Lonicera fragrantissima or Lonicera purpusii Winter Beauty they will grow [...]
