Q. I am wondering what kind of tree, besides a willow, likes moist areas. I have an area in our yard that does not drain well and was hoping to solve the problem by using a tree. I can’t use a willow, due to my neighbor not really wanting one. He is worried about the roots. Thanks! – John D. A. Plants may take up some of the water and could reduce the excess moisture […]
Q. Can you make some suggestions as to what I can plant in soggy soil? Since this part of my yard is the property line, I’m looking for some type of tree and/or tall shrubbery to create a privacy fence. – Joyce Haney A. If space is not an issue, you could consider clump river birch. You would be able to see through them in the winter, but the peeling bark would give nice winter […]
Q. I need to know when to trim clematis. I have tried for 10 years to grow them. I now have three growing. One is so tall, and I want to know how to keep it full and blooming. &emdash; Veneda Hoesel, Winamac, Ind. A. If you categorize clematis by their pruning needs, there are three different groups. Group one blooms in the spring on last year’s new wood. Little pruning is needed except for […]
Q. Last season, I spread about 6 inches of hardwood sawdust on my pumpkin, squash and gourd garden to control weeds. The sawdust is still there and will act as a mulch for this season also. By using the sawdust, do I need to add any nutrients to my soil this season? If so, what should I add? – Myrna Sowers, Crawfordsville, Ind. A. Uncomposted sawdust ties up the available nitrogen in the soil, so […]
Q. I’ve been out in the backyard giving myself a backache chopping down ornamental grasses. We love them 363 days a year; every day except for the two that we spend chopping them down and getting rid of the debris! Any thoughts? – Amy Raley, West Lafayette, Ind. A. We buzz down our ornamental grasses with electric hedge shears and a chain saw. The task goes by quickly! We leave the dried grasses in place […]
Q. I am wondering what happened to my tomato plants this past year. Early in the season, they started getting yellow leaves at the base of the plant. Then, the leaves dried up; the complete plant almost turned that way. I have them caged, and they grew way above the cages. The tomatoes seemed to be good, but the plants were terrible. Hope you have an answer. – Mrs. Otis Rupright A. Fusarium and Verticillium […]
Q: This spring I would like to plant some blueberry bushes. The soil in this area is mostly clay, with a heavy limestone content. I have dug several holes about 2 feet deep, 3 feet in diameter, and 5 feet apart. The soil from the holes has been mixed with a generous amount of decayed organic matter and replaced. I would like to add an amendment to the mixture to acidify it. However, I have […]