Recent Q&As
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What can I do to ensure my byzantine gladiolus survives transplant?
Byzantine gladiolus grow from a corm which is similar to a bulb. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says they are easily moved when they are dormant. He also gives some care suggestions to make sure your gladiolus blooms for years to come.
Related Videos: Digging Up Flower Bulbs Transplant Shock Related Resource: Byzantine Gladiolus-A Treasured Heirloom Bulb Planting Bulbs, Tubers and Rhizomes |
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I have high N, P, and K in my soil. Should I not fertilize this year?
You should probably hold back on the fertilizer. High levels of phosphorus and potassium will stay high for a long time, probably years. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says he would not fertilize. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says too high of fertilizer will tie up other nutrients in the soil.
Related Videos: Fertilizer Basics Soil Testing Fertilizer Blends Related Resource: Fertilizers Fertilizing Your Garden Fertilizing the Organic Garden |
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Besides dividing peonies, how else can you contain the width?
Peonies will naturally expand over time. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says you can take a shovel and cut off a piece at the edge of the clump without digging them all up.
Related Videos: My peonies have a powdery look with black spots. What do I do? Dividing Ogon Related Resource: The Beloved Peony Peonies: Long-lived, Voluptuous Beauties |
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Is it best to plant Japanese boxwood or English boxwood in the Mid-South?
Asian (Japanese) boxwoods are the best option for the south-eastern United States. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says English boxwood can’t survive the hot, humid summers and heavy soils of the southeast. It is also very susceptible to boxwood blight. He recommends some Asian types that will do well here.
Related Videos: Boxwood What is the best kind of boxwood to use for a hedge in full sun? Related Resource: Japanese Boxwood English Boxwood |
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Is there anything I could add to my garden soil to keep it from clumping when I turn it over?
Organic material is a good choice to help loosen soil. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says he mixes pine bark into soil to keep it loose. He also recommends red sand.
Related Videos: Spring Soil Preparation Is it possible to add too many soil amendments? Tilling and Amending a New Garden Related Resource: What To Do About Compacted Soil Soil Management in Home Gardens and Landscapes |
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I have a Japanese maple that was heavily damaged by a deer. What should I do?
It depends on how much damage the deer did. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says if the bark damage goes all the way around the tree, the tree will probably die. If the damage is only on one side or in a few locations, the tree will probably be able to heal and live.
Related Videos: Nuisance Wildlife: Deer Japanese Maple Basics Related Resource: How to Manage Deer Damage on Trees and Other Plants Minimizing Deer Damage to Residential Plantings |
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How do I keep my magic lilies from getting frozen off every spring?
Magic lilies come up in early spring, often before the freezes are over, so they risk being frozen off. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond suggests watching the weather forecast and covering the plants if a freeze is forecasted. You can use freeze cloth or even a light sheet of plastic.
Related Videos: Protecting Landscape Plants in Winter Protecting Plants From Frost Related Resource: Protecting trees and shrubs in winter Winter Protection of Ornamental Plants |
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Should I water my dormant ornamental grass in the garage during the winter?
The plant is dormant and does not need much water. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says water it well when you put it in the pot to bring it in. Then check it every once in awhile and water if the soil is dry.
Related Videos: Ornamental Grasses Can I overwinter Boston ferns in the garage? Related Resource: Miscanthus 'Purpurascens': Autumn Flame, Flame Grass Handling Ornamental Grasses For Fall Foliage and Winter Coverage |
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Besides turning the soil is there another way to kill wire worms?
Turning the soil often will help reduce the wire worm population. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond suggests rotating crops. Plant something the wire worms don’t like to eat for a few years before you plant sweet potatoes in that same place again.
Related Videos: Planting Sweet Potatoes What has been eating my sweet potatoes? Harvesting Sweet Potatoes Related Resource: Wireworms Wireworms |
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I have black mold on my flagstone deck. How do I get rid of it?
Mold grows best in shady moist environments. Eliminating those conditions may reduce the mold growth. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says there are products available containing alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride that control mold. Follow the label directions, but they will probably only need to be applied once a year. Joellen discourages using bleach or vinegar because of the problems those chemicals can cause to surrounding plants.
Related Videos: What plants can I grow on my apartment patio? It only gets afternoon sun. How do I get rid of sooty mold? Related Resource: Why is My Patio Turning Black? |
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What can I use in place of bag mulch to keep weeds down?
Mulch is used to cover the soil surface to keep light away from weed seeds, so they don’t germinate. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond suggests a pre-emergent herbicide if you don’t want mulch. As a better option, she suggests covering the soil surface with landscape fabric or newspaper or cardboard. Then cover that with some mulch for a decorative top. You can apply pre-emergent herbicides either over or under these materials.
Related Videos: Kinds of Mulch Newspaper Mulch Related Resource: Yard and Garden: Mulch Mulches for the Home Vegetable Garden |
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Should I wait until spring to apply iron to my roses?
Rather than putting iron on the roses University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond and UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper suggest getting a soil test. They say incorrect pH in the soil can make the iron in the soil inaccessible to the plant. A soil test will tell you what you need to do to correct the problem. They have not heard of regularly applying iron to the soil for roses.
Related Videos: Basic Rose Care What is Soil pH and why is it so Important? Planting Potted Roses Planting Bare Root Roses Related Resource: Roses: Care After Planting Growing and Caring for Roses |
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How do you know when you buy a tree if it is a male or female?
Most of the time the plants will be marked in the nursery. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says this is an issue mainly with fruit trees. She says the nursery wants you to be successful and should be able to recommend pollinators for that tree.
Related Videos: How can we I.D. male and female mulberry trees when they are young? Planting Fruit Trees Related Resource: Botanical Terminology: Flowers, Houses and Sexual Reproduction Growing Tree Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden |
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I want to plant evergreen perennials where there is clay and rocks. What should I plant?
There are many evergreens to pick from. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond lists some of them. She also suggests selecting a few non-evergreen plants to help break up the solid green and add interest in the winter.
This is the Oklahoma Extension Publication Joellen Referenced, here. Related Videos: Boxwood Landscape Planning Related Resource: Choosing Evergreens for Your Landscape Evergreen Shrubs |
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What can I do to keep a beaver from feasting on my trees?
Beavers can wreak havoc on trees around ponds. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says she discovered a way to keep them from chewing on trees. She shows and describes what she does.
Related Videos: Cold Frame Build a Small High Tunnel Greenhouse Related Resource: All About Cold Frames Building and Using Hotbeds and Cold Frames |
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Would a beehive be good when growing food plots for deer and turkeys?
Beehives would help the food plots. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says the bees will help the crops grow thicker. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond does point out that you need to protect the hives from bears that like honey.
She references a publication that gives instructions for protecting hives from bears. Find it here. Related Videos: Beehive Tour Removing Honey Bees from Houses Related Resource: Managing Bees for Pollination Residential Beekeeping |
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What is this vine and how can I get rid of it? A: Carolina snailseed
This is Caroline snailseed. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says it is called snailseed because the seeds look like small snails. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says it will be a long process that will include digging it up and/or using herbicide. Chris also recommends using a pre-emergent herbicide to keep new seeds from sprouting.
Related Videos: How To Wipe On Herbicide Pre-Emergent Herbicides Applying Pre-Emergent In a Flower Bed Related Resource: Carolina Snailseed , Carolina Coralbead, Carolina Moonseed Cocculus Carolinus |
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What can I do to help this one camellia actually bloom?
Camellias require adequate water at certain times of the year to bloom. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says this may be the problem. She also says to look at the environment. Is there something that is affecting this plant but not the others?
Joellen recommends reading some Clemson Extension publications to learn more about what the camellias need: Camellia Camellia Diseases Insects Pests Related Videos: Can I trim back camellias growing against a wood fence? I don’t want them to touch the fence. The back of my camellia leaves have bugs on them. What are they and how do I get rid of the bugs? Related Resource: Camellia Camellia Diseases Insects Pests |