Rosie Lerner

716 articles by this author

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Gardening Online at Purdue University

Gardeners will find a wealth of information at their fingertips from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. And the best part is, thanks to the Internet, this information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays! Several departments at Purdue have Web sites of interest to gardeners. Horticulture offers a broad range of information on the Consumer Horticulture Web site, including current news releases, Extension publications, upcoming events and a list…Read more about Gardening Online at Purdue University[Read More]


October 2002

Q. We need your expert help concerning our Stanley plum tree. We planted the tree four years ago. The catalog said it is self-pollinating. One year we had two plums. Another year we had none. This year, I found 10 on the ground. All were green and small. What is wrong? The closest other tree is an old persimmon, and it is always loaded with fruit. Do we need fertilizer? If yes, what kind? Did we…Read more about October 2002[Read More]


Pears Best Ripened Off the Tree

One advantage to growing your own fruit trees is that you can get tree-ripened fruit, a real rarity in the grocery store. But, unlike other fruits, pears will reach their best quality when ripened off the tree. When left to ripen on the tree, most cultivars of pears leave something to be desired in terms of texture and flavor. Tree-ripened pears often turn soft and brown at the core and have an excessively grainy texture….Read more about Pears Best Ripened Off the Tree[Read More]


Question and Answer

Q. I love red geraniums. I would like to know how one might start plants, and when you would start them. Also, what is the best plant food to use to grow beautiful geraniums? — Tom Schmitt A. The two main methods of propagating geraniums are by cuttings or seeds. Cuttings usually are taken from outdoor geraniums in late summer or early fall. Cut off 3-4-inch shoots, and remove the leaves on the lower part of the…Read more about Question and Answer[Read More]


Look for Fall Color

Just as sure as you try to predict the weather, it is likely to change. But going out on a limb, I predict that we will have an early fall regarding color display this year. Not a very risky prediction, considering that many plants already are starting to display their fall colors! And to go even farther out on that limb, I’ll predict that the colors won’t be as brilliant as perhaps they were in…Read more about Look for Fall Color[Read More]


When Tree Roots Surface

Much to the dismay of homeowners, landscape trees sometimes grow roots on top of the surface of the lawn or possibly even buckle sidewalks and driveways. These surface roots can be quite a nuisance to lawn mowers and running feet. There are several reasons why the roots come to the surface. Some tree species seem to be more prone to surface roots than others, most notably silver maple, poplar and willow. But almost any large,…Read more about When Tree Roots Surface[Read More]


Dividing Perennials

Late summer or early autumn is the best time to divide perennials that bloom in spring and summer. But not all perennials need to be divided. Generally, perennials should be divided to rejuvenate an old, overgrown planting or to increase the number of plants in the garden. Plants such as peonies, iris, hosta and daylilies are among the most common garden perennials that are easily divided. Making divisions is a simple task, but should be…Read more about Dividing Perennials[Read More]


Question and Answer

Q. My husband and I planted gallon-sized azalea plants last spring. Should they be pruned this year? If so, when and how much? We understand that they are an acid-loving plant. Since sulfur is acidic, can that be used? Thank you. — Deanna Freeman A. Typically, newly planted shrubs do not need much pruning except to cut out dead wood, which you can do at any time during the year. Improper pruning can cause a lack of…Read more about Question and Answer[Read More]

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Hot Weather Tough on Plants and Gardeners

Sultry summer weather is not only tough on gardeners but on our plants as well. In addition to garden and landscape plants gasping for water, some vegetable crops have trouble producing when under stress.   Tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and beans often drop their blossoms without setting fruit when day temperatures are above 90 F. There’s not much you can do but wait for cooler temperatures to prevail. As more favorable conditions return,…Read more about Hot Weather Tough on Plants and Gardeners[Read More]


Hydrangea Popular, Yet Confusing

Try to have a discussion about hydrangea among your gardening friends, and you’re likely to start a rather lively debate. What type to grow, when to prune, why doesn’t it flower and how can I change the flower color from pink to blue are among the most frequently asked hydrangea questions. There are many different species of hydrangea, not to mention cultivars of those species. So, these questions are a bit difficult to answer, unless…Read more about Hydrangea Popular, Yet Confusing[Read More]