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Recent Q&As

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What is this plant and how do I care for it? A – Night-blooming Cereus

This is a Night-blooming Cereus or Epiphyllum oxypetalum. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says it is also called an orchid cactus. This particular plant likes to be rootbound in the container. Joellen recommends taking it out of the pot this spring to inspect and possible prune the roots. Then repot it back into the same container.
​
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Repotting Houseplants
Repotting Aloe Vera
What is this plant? A: Triangle Cactus

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Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Orchid Cactus: Epiphyllum and New Friends

What is the best fertilizer to use on tomatoes and best tomatoes to plant?

The kind of fertilizer is up to you. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says plants see the elements in the soil and take them up. Whether you want to use organic or manufactured fertilizers is up to you. You should get a soil test to see what fertilizer you need. As to what kind of tomato to grow, Joellen says to contact your local extension office. They will have a list of tomatoes that do well in your area.
​
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Growing Tomatoes
How to Side Dress Tomato Plants

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Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Annual or Daisy Fleabane
Annual Fleabane

Do you have a soil ‘recipe’ for tomatoes or peppers in a 5-gallon bucket?

Regular potting soil will generally not work in 5-gallon buckets. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says those soils are too light and porous and the water runs through them taking the nutrients with it. She recommends using some native soil mixed with compost or manure. This will provide nutrients for the plants as well as retaining the right amount of water.
​
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Composting

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Using Soil and Soil Mixes
Container gardening with vegetables & herbs tip sheet
Picture

What is this plant I found? (A: Peppervine)

This is peppervine. It is a hardy perennial woody vine native to the south-east United States. It produces small berries that are enjoyed and spread by birds. As a result, it can be invasive.

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Invasive Plants

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Peppervine
Ampelopsis arborea

Can you eat hostas?

Yes you can, and the Japanese have been doing it for a long time. Harvest the young tender leaves, preferably when they are still curled up. The taste is similar to lettuce or asparagus depending on which family the particular hosta is from.

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Hostas
Dividing Hostas
Rossizing Hostas

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Hosta: Not Just Another Pretty Plant
Hosta Types and Cultivars 

Why has the trunk of my lilac tree split? How can I help it?

This is probably caused by freezing and thawing of the bark during the winter. The split part is probably in the southern side of the tree because that is the warmer side. There is nothing directly to do to help the wound. Keep the tree healthy with watering and some fertilizer to help it heal.

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Protecting Shrubs and Perennials from Winter Cold

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Winter Damage to Trees and Shrubs

Is diatomaceous earth useful
in the garden?

Diatomaceous earth is made up of the skeletons of microscopic diatoms. While it looks like a white-ish powder to humans, it is microscopically sharp and can cut up insects that crawl over it. It is not long-lasting and can easily wash away or lose its effectiveness.

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Planting and Fertilizing an Organic Garden
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Earth-Kind Gardening Series: Mechanical Pest Controls

Can apple cider vinegar kill fungus in the garden?

Yes, but there are many unknowns, and it may hurt your plants. If you want to use vinegar (acetic acid) to control fungus on plants, it is available in a formulated fungicide product with instructions for use to keep your plants safe.

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Fungicides
Understanding Common Fungicides: An Essential Guide

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Using Organic Fungicides

Why do my flowers look like hamburgers?

This is fasciation, which is a completely natural mutation of the plant. There are several different kinds of fasciation and UT Extension Horticultural Specialist Celeste Scott talks about them. This is all totally natural and gives you a fun variation in your garden.

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Fascinating Fasciation
Fasciated flowers fascinate gardeners

How do I prevent cane borers in my raspberries and blackberries?

Cane borers can be devastating for raspberries and blackberries, but they are easy to control without chemicals. Gardener Peter Richards talks about the life cycle of the cane borer and explains how to stop them.

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How do you get rid of goat head stickers (puncturevine)?

Puncturevine or goat head stickers are sharp and can stab your foot or get tangled in fabric or fur. They rapidly spread, but UT Extension Horticultural Specialist Celeste Scott outlines several things you can do to get rid of them including herbicide sprays.

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Three Common Herbicides
Pre-Emergent Herbicides

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Puncturevine
Getting rid of goatheads

Why are my daffodils not blooming?

Daffodils are usually reliable bloomers, but there are several reasons they may not be blooming anymore. UT Extension Horticultural Specialist Celeste Scott talks through some of the most likely possibilities.

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Pick - Don't Cut - Daffodils
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Spring Flowering Bulbs: Daffodils
Spring-Flowering Bulbs

What animal attacked my tree and how can I save it?

This is definitely not natural damage, but there are several different animals that could do this. The tree should be fine. It will recover over the next few years.

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Included Tree Bark
What are these deformations on the bark of my apple tree?
What is this bark damage on my crape myrtles?

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Tree Wounds: Response of Trees and What You Can Do
Tree Wounds and Healing

How do we control leaf-footed bugs in our fig tree?

Leaf-footed bugs can damage plants by sucking plant juices. While this usually does not harm the tree, it can damage the fruit. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott talks about several ways to control the leaf-footed bug without insecticides.

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What is this bug? Is it bad? A:Leaffooted bug
Figs
Pruning Fig Trees

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Figs in the Home Planting

How do I prevent mildew in my flower garden?

Many flowers get mildew and start to look bad towards the end of summer. This is natural and the plants generally will tolerate it. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott tells what to do when plants get mildew and identifies a few ways to reduce the problem.

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Powdery Mildew on Coneflower
Powdery Mildew on Zinnias

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Powdery mildew in the flower garden
Powdery Mildew on Flowers

Can I grow blueberries in a pot?

Yes, you can! Depending on how large they get you may need a big pot. Peter Richards gives some tips on how to be successful with blueberry plants in a pot.

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Growing Blueberries: The Best Variety for Where You Live

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Blueberries for home landscapes

Can cucumbers be pollinated without a bee?

You can manually pollinate your cucumbers. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott tells how to do it.

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Cucumbers
Training Cucumbers: String and Trellis – Family Plot

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Cucumber Pollination

How do you lower the pH in a lawn?

There are a few options for lowering the pH of soil. Several options are given.

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What is Soil pH and why is it so Important?
Changing Garden Soil pH

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Soil pH Modification
​Lawn Insects and How to Control Them
Understanding Soil pH

Can I heavily prune my loropetalum without killing it?

Yes, loropetalum plants can handle severe pruning well, and will quickly recover. UT Extension specialist Celeste Scott recommends doing severe pruning in late winter.

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How to Prune Shrubs

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Loropetalum
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search