Question: I have five large ninebark shrubs. They are all close to six-feet tall with very thick growth. The branches on several of them have collapsed to the ground leaving the middle empty and unsightly. In the past this was apt to happen after a heavy rain and have always bounced back after a day […]
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Question: What is the best way to “accelerate” the decay of several hardwood tree stumps in our heavily wooded yard? We plan to drill several deep holes to allow “quicker” water/oxygen/worm/bug penetration but are there any “safer” additives that won’t have untoward ecosystem downsides? Maybe honey, for example? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Unfortunately, […]
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Question: I want to add to our perennial beds at our lakefront property but want to plant native plants. In there now are a bunch of hydrangea and peony and sea pea and bee balm and bleeding heart. There is a big bush with a trumpet like purple/pink flower that the hummingbirds are loving. What […]
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Question: I have an area of approximately 120 square feet that only gets about 3-5 hours of full sunlight a day. Are there any veggies or fruits that will grow in this area? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Ah, the vegetable-loving shade gardener. I struggle with this particular issue in parts of my own […]
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Question: We have an invasion of wild roses, multi flora, which are making mowing difficult. We have cut back an huge amount of branches and want to know how to dispose of branches. Can I bring them somewhere so they can be burned? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I’m sorry to hear about your […]
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Question: I have an overgrown Forsythia bush. It didn’t bloom this year because of the cold snap (I think) so it sort of fell off my radar for pruning. Now it is leafy, and huge, with new buds. I don’t want to miss another year of blooming so should I leave it overgrown or prune […]
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Question: I have a white lilac that is needing to be pruned/trimmed and don’t know who to call to do it. It is healthy and blooms all over but some of the branches are growing up into wires that go from corner of my house across street to pole. I would like to have it […]
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Question: If I have planted red clover in raised beds that I won’t be planting into this growing season – as part of a rotation strategy – can I use one of those beds in Oct to plant my garlic into? How much nitrogen will the red clover have fixed in six months? How would […]
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Question: We are battling rugosa rose in our yard. We cut back and covered a 20 x 20 section with black plastic for two years. Now, we are not sure the best way to cover that area and prevent the rose, which is still nearby, from taking over again. We do not want to use […]
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Question: I’d like to know if there are small flowers that can be grown in the lawn for spring blooming that will be either done blooming or low enough when my husband mows the lawn that they don’t get cut? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Which low-blooming flowers will work for […]
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