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
|
Questions and Answers:Q. I Had some great row of okra plants and several of them suddenly died. Do you know the reason? A. Okra plants are susceptible to damage from root-knot nematodes which thrive in sandy soil. When the nematodes get in the roots of the plant they cut off the nutrient and moisture supply and the plants suddenly wilt and die. The good news is that nematodes don’t live in all of the soil but in small patches. That is why I never recommend tilling our sandy soils every year, but if you have to till, till the first year and try to disturb the soil as little as possible in subsequent years so you won’t spread the nematodes around. Also, weed seeds live in all layers of soil and tilling brings up new weeds seeds every year. To control nematodes plant cereal rye grass as a cover crop during the winter. Be sure you purchase cereal rye such as elbon rye grass. The nematodes are attracted to the root systems of cereal rye where they become trapped and die. Cereal rye grows really thick and can interfere with early spring crops, so planting in strips and leaving a row for planting in the spring is a good idea. Okra should not follow squash and sweet potatoes as these crops increase nematode populations so rotate your crops accordingly. Q. When should I harvest okra? A. Harvest okra while pods are still tender. It depends on the variety of okra planted, but once pods get over 5 inches they usually get tough and aren’t good to eat. Some folks say that once okra pods grow past the stage where you can snap them off the plants at the stem, they are too tough. Cut the pod stems with a sharp pair of scissors to avoid damaging the plant. Be sure to harvest all the pods when they are ready to consume. If the pods mature the plant will stop producing. Q. I see trees dying everywhere in the countryside. Some in groups and others by themselves. What is causing this? A. Air pollution that causes global warming is the number one reason trees all over the United States are dying. In some places it’s much worse than here. As the climate warms, bugs and disease that would usually be killed off by colder temperatures can thrive. Another problem is that bugs are coming in on wooden pallets due to lax port inspections and spreading throughout the countryside. I have talked to biologists that work for the state, and have a hard time getting them to understand the scope of the problem or even that we have native forests here. We live in an important ecosystem known as the Post Oak Savannah. However, we’ve never celebrated it, and for years anyone who did was looked at as someone too liberal to talk about in mixed company. I remember a few years ago I tried to start a rural alliance of landowners and interested people to get together to stop highway expansion into the countryside, make local industry responsible for pollution, stop ticky-tacky housing developments, encourage water conservation, help increase tourism and protect and celebrate our unique environment and local farms. The number of local responses I received was zero, although folks who moved away years ago wrote to support my efforts because they‘ve had success with similar programs in the nice places they now live. In order to save what we have, we must be involved. The tree decline is a serious national problem but change can start locally. On the bright side, leave dead trees or snags standing, if they are not a hazard, because many animals and birds make dead trees their home.
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 What are common Shrub Diseases
|
|
|
| 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 |
