Q: Some of the leaves on my Roses and other plants are curled, distorted and sticky. What causes this?
A: This is caused by small insects called aphids. They feed on the juices in the leaves. The excretion is the leftover sap and is very sticky. An insecticide can help control this problem.
Q: What can I do to make my annual flowers bloom more profusely?
A: With consistent deadheading and fertilizing, you can keep your annual flowers blooming well. Start in the spring with a slow release fertilizer when you plant and follow up with liquid fertilizer in one month intervals.
Q: What is deadheading?
A: Deadheading is the process of pruning, or pinching, off a spent flower head.
Q: How should I protect my hybrid tea roses for the winter?
A: Mound the graft union with soil to insulate and protect it from vast temperature fluctuations. In addition, you can put a rose cone over the plant.
Q: When do I cut off my bulb foliage?
A: When you have tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbs in the yard, the foliage should be cut off at ground level when it has turned brown. If you cut off the foliage sooner than that, you will weaken the bulbs for future years.
Q: When should I fertilize my bulb plants (tulips, daffodils, etc.)?
A: The best time to fertilize your bulbs is right after they are done blooming. You can use bone meal or bulb booster. Cultivate either into the ground around the foliage and water it in.
Q: How do I protect Rhododendrons for the winter?
A: All broadleaf plants, including Rhododendron, Holly, Azalea, etc. should be wrapped in burlap in early December. This protects them from the winter sun and wind. Remove the wrap in spring.
Q: How late can I plant tulip and other bulbs?
A: You can continue to plant them until the ground is frozen. Don't forget to water them in after you plant!
Q: How can I get my Amaryllis bulb to bloom again?
A: Remove all spent flowers and grow as a foliage plant through the summer. As it's foliage begins to yellow, rest the bulb for the fall by eliminating its light and water. Revive it 6-8 weeks before the desired bloom time with water and light.
Q: What should I do if my bulbs start showing signs of growth too early in spring?
A: Bulbs often do this as the ground begins to warm in March & April. Don't cover the foliage up, since that may encourage the ground warmth to further push the bulbs up. Watch for bunny chewing, water if very dry and let nature take it's course.
Q: I have a very shady area that I would like to plant annual flowers in. What would you recommend?
A: We would suggest Impatiens, Begonias, Browallia, Caladium and Coleus. They all love the shade and will provide you with lots of summer color.
Q: I have a very shady area that I would like to plant some perennials in. Any suggestions for plants that would like this location?
A: There are many shade tolerant perennials. Several that are easy to grow include Hosta, Ferns, Anemone, Columbine, Goat's Beard, Brunnera, Astilbe, Snakeroot, Bleeding Heart and many more!
Q: I enjoy cooking and would like to add some herbs to my garden. Any suggestions?
A: Sweet Basil, Greek Oregano, Chives, Tarragon and Thyme are very useful in the kitchen and are also lovely in the garden. Herbs like full sun and well-drained soil. They usually need to be planted each year.
Q: My flower garden needs some July-blooming perennials. What would you recommend?
A: Phlox, campanula, coneflower and Oriental lily are good choices.
Q: I have an herb garden. How often can I harvest the foliage without injuring the herb?
A: As long as some leave some foliage (25%) on the plant at all times, you can harvest as often as you like. Bon appetit!
Q: I want to plant a colorful vine to climb an arbor in a sunny location. What would you recommend?
A: The following plants would be good choices: roses, clematis, trumpet vine, and honeysuckle vine.
Q: How do I get my Tropical Water Lilies ready for winter storage?
A: In the early fall, stop fertilizing your lilies. Keep the plants in the pool until there has been a frost or two. Once the water temperature drops to 50 degrees, bring the plants, pots and all, inside to a cool work area.
Q: How do I store my Tropical Water Lilies for the winter?
A: The first step, is to rinse off the dirt from the tubers and let them air dry, then slice off the remaining leaves. Separate out the spoiled tubers and let the rest air dry for a few more days. Store the tubers in cool (55 deg.), damp sand all winter.
Q: How to I get my Tropical Water Lilies ready for next spring?
A: About a month before your last expected frost date, pot up the tubers 1/4" deep in heavy garden soil. To keep the plants moist, set in pail with 3" of water (70 deg.) over rim. Once your outside water reaches 70 deg., move the lilies out to the pond.
Q: Are there any annual flowers I can plant early in spring?
A: Pansies and Flowering Cabbage and Kale can be planted very early in spring. Pansies come in a variety of flower colors. Decorative Cabbage and Kale are grown for their colorful foliage. All of these will tolerate frost.
Q: Are there any flowers which will tolerate our early fall frosts helping to extend my blooming period?
A: Mums, flowering cabbage and kale, pansies and asters are all wonderfully colorful flowers to put in your fall landscape. You can install them directly into the ground or into containers.
For the complete Fall Garden Guide, click here.
