Rosie Lerner

rosie@purdue.edu

716 articles by this author

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Q. We plant sweet potatoes in a raised bed the length of our garden. We have had an animal go underground and eat one-third of it. This year, some grew 10 inches long and 8 inches around. I’ve read that an animal–“a vole”–could be the problem. What can we do about it? A. There are several species of voles (field mice). Voles are active day and night, year-round. Their territory is usually one-fourth acre or […]
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Gardeners’ Glossary

Gardening enthusiasts have their own jargon, as do many other hobbyists. Some of these terms can be confusing, especially to the gardening newcomer. So here’s a brief list of terms that all gardeners should be familiar with. Annual — Plant that completes its life cycle from seed germination to seed production in one growing season. Biennial — Plant that completes its life cycle over two growing seasons; usually produces only vegetation its first season, then […]
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Q. In the last few months, we purchased property that included a portion of an old blueberry farm. We did have some of the bushes removed to have more backyard; however, we still have over 1,000 bushes that haven’t been touched for about three years! Most of the bushes are between six to seven feet high. Just a couple of rows are about four feet. Should we prune or cut down these bushes so they […]
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Geranium ‘Rozanne’ the 2008 Perennial of the Year

The Perennial Plant Association named the hardy Geranium ‘Rozanne’ as its 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. Also known as Cranesbill, perennial geraniums have long been a staple on the gardeners’ palette.  The cultivar Rozanne is relatively new on the scene and was selected for outstanding flower size, unique color, and long blooming season. ‘Rozanne’ was originally discovered by a couple in their Sommerset, England garden, a result of collecting seed from existing plants and […]
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Q. This winter, I was cutting down some trees that had poison ivy growing on them during the summer. I broke out in a rash, even though the poison ivy leaves were gone. Does poison ivy stay poisonous even after the leaves die? How do I remove the plants, even though they are already dead, without becoming contaminated? I am terribly sensitive to poison ivy and thought that I would be safe by waiting until […]
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Potatoes Turning Green

Whether store-bought or homegrown, potatoes will turn green when they are exposed to light. Most folks know that they shouldn’t eat potatoes that have turned green, or at least cut away the affected portion. But it’s not actually the green color that is the problem. The green color comes from the pigment chlorophyll, produced as a response to light. The potato tuber that we eat is actually a modified stem structure that grows underground. The […]
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Q. I have a blue prince and princess holly, and I think they are doing fine, but I want to plant another female species (Blue Girl), since it doesn’t grow quite as big. Will the blue prince pollinate the Blue Girl, or do I need the Blue Boy also? Thank you for your advice. A. In order for a female plant to bear fruit, she must be in bloom at the same time as a […]
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Composting Turns Trash to Treasure

Autumn frosts usually means lots of clean up around the yard and garden. Why not turn that yard waste into treasure? Composting is a naturally occurring process that breaks down organic materials into an excellent soil amendment that improves soil structure, as well as adds some nutrients. Composting will help you recycle your garden wastes, improve your soil and reduce disposal costs. All organic materials will break down eventually, but gardeners can speed up the […]
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Q. I am wondering what causes a layer of stiff, hard white tissue under the skin of some of my tomatoes. It only affects a few. The inside of the tomato is fine after this is peeled off. Is there something in the soil? We have a lot of clay soil here in Clay County, Ind. I use Fast Start when setting them but no fertilizer after that. A. Sounds like you’re describing a common disorder […]
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Fascinating Fasciation

Every so often, gardeners find a deformed-looking flower or stem that appears as if the plant has bulked up on steroids. The stem or flower stalk will appear somewhat squashed and splayed, sometimes splitting in two or more sections. Or it may appear that two or more stalks have merged together to form one distorted structure. This odd growth is called fasciation, which literally translates to banding or bundling. Fasciation is thought to be caused […]
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