User Name
Password
 |
|
       |
How to grow Knockout Roses and Herbs How to control Leaf Cutter Ants Pine Trees and Customer Service How to put Tourist Farms on the Map How to control Snakes in the Garden
What are common Shrub Diseases
|
Questions and Answers:Q. I am trying to screen my neighbor's junk collection. I am thinking about the Red Tip Photinia as a fast growing shrub. Any thoughts? A. In 10 years your Red Tip Photinias (Photinia fraseri) will be as ugly as your neighbors junk pile due to uneven growth, fungus and disease problems. Red-tip is highly susceptible to the fungal pathogen known as Entomosporium that causes leaf spots and ultimately defoliation. Try a quality native shrub such as Wax Myrtle for good evergreen cover and wildlife habitat. If you already have photinias and have fungal problems that show up as black spots on the foliage, treat with a fungicide as the new red growth begins to emerge during each growing cycle. Q. When do I pick cantaloupe? I can never tell if it's ripe. A. You pick cantaloupe when the stem easily separates from the fruit. Cantaloupe can't be picked too early, as it doesn't ripen much once off the vine and will never get any sweeter once picked. The fruit should be well formed, heavy for its size and the skin color should be tan or yellow with no green. The netting on the skin should be raised and not flat. The entire fruit should smell fresh with the distinct aroma of cantaloupe and not just the blossom end. Raising cantaloupe in a fenced area helps keep the raccoons and coyotes from smelling the ripe fruit and getting to it before you do. Q. What is that bird that looks like a small bald eagle I see hanging around the buzzards in the countryside? A. That is our native Cara Cara, a noble bird that likes carrion, or dead animals, as much as our buzzards. It over winters in this part of Texas and is indeed a large beautiful bird that resembles the bald eagle. Q. I've tried several recipes to keep my fresh flowers fresh including adding pennies and aspirin to the water. Is there a recipe for anything that will keep them looking good and the water in the vase clear? A. Fresh flowers need something to keep the bacteria level down in the water and to supply nutrients. Bacteria in the water will clog the stems and prevent the uptake of water and sugars the flowers need to last. See your local florist for some fresh flower food. It's cheap and a lot neater than making your own. Q. How far apart should I plant pepper plants? When are my jalapenos ripe? A. Peppers like to "hold hands," so plant your peppers so the leaves will slightly overlap and shade the new fruit, which likes some protection from the hottest afternoon sun. The pepper plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun for best production. Jalapenos are ripe when the shoulders on the fruit begin to show thin brown lines that look like small cracks. Q. My lawn is completely gone. What was once a beautiful St. Augustine yard is nothing but noxious weeds. What happened? A. Turf grass is the number one crop in America and it needs to be managed like one. Most people with this problem never had a soil test to see what imbalances in the soil needed to be corrected and only guessed what fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides needed to be applied. Eventually, the grass was killed by over application. The first thing to do is get your soil tested so you can create the conditions for healthy turf grass. It only cost 10 dollars and you can get the information and tools you need for a soil test by calling your local county extension agent. Click Here to Ask Me a Gardening Question
|
Subscribe to our on-line Newsletter by sending us your E-mail address here.
What are the lastest Landscaping Trends How to Plant Fruit and Nut Trees How to care for Holiday Plants How to care for Mother's Day Gifts
|
| Feature Articles | Feature Articles | Featured Articles |
| Read all my Articles on E-how.com | Read all my Articles on Gardenguides.com | Read all my Articles on Examiner.com |
 |
 |
 |
| Copyright © 2009. The Big Lump Gardener. All rights reserved. |
| Home | Find an Article | Ask a Gardening Question | Privacy Policy | My Favorites | Blog | Contact Us |
