The following question and answer columns are currently written by B. Rosie Lerner, Purdue Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist and are distributed to news media around the state by the Purdue University Agricultural Communications. Columns from June 1995 - January 2006 were authored by Bev Shaw, Advanced Master Gardener.
Please tell me what I can do with squirrels? I plant flowers and tulip bulbs and other bulbs. Every day when I come home from work, my bulbs are out of the ground, and my flowers are eaten down to the roots. I just don’t know what to do. Can you help me solve the problem? – Mrs. John Bielefeldt, Chicago Heights, Ill. A. Exclusion is tricky but effective. Fencing or hardware cloth around the…Read more about August “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: Enclosed are two pictures&emdash;one of my seemingly healthy primrose, the second one taken a few weeks later&emdash;not so healthy. Could you please diagnose this problem and suggest a cure or possible preventive treatment for later use? I enjoy your column very much. Thank you for helping. – Pat Ritter, Bloomfield, Ind. A: This is a direct result of our extremely wet weather this year. Oenothera species have many different names, including Ozark Sundrop or…Read more about July “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: Three years ago, we planted two Bradford pear trees at our lake cottage. One bloomed for the first time this spring. It is on the northwest side and gets plenty of sun. The other tree has never bloomed. It gets full sun, has very healthy looking leaves and is planted on the south side of our cottage. What can we do to make this tree bloom? We also have a dogwood tree planted at…Read more about June “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: We have a problem with bean beetles. You printed a recipe for a spray that’s not harmful to the environment a long time ago. Could you please reprint it? – G. Rominger, Brazil, Ind. A: Some gardeners mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent per 1 gallon of water and spray it on insects. Insecticidal soaps have been found to be effective against aphids, whiteflies and mealy bugs. The soap works by breaking down…Read more about May “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: I read your article about cat litter in the garden. Now I have a problem. We have had cat litter in the garden for years. Besides my throwing it out there, when my husband makes the garden in the spring, my cats are thrilled because they have a large, easy-digging, litter box. Now what can we do? Is there something we can do to neutralize all this? From now on, I can throw the…Read more about April “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: We have had three English walnut trees for at least 20 years. In those years, we have had about 4 bushels of nuts from them, except for the last four years. Now, we have not had even one nut. I don’t know why. We also have pecan trees. In the last four years, they have had lots of nuts, but the nuts are dried out and no good. What is wrong with them? –…Read more about March “In The Grow”[Read More]
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…Read more about February “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q. I thought bagworms and webworms were two different worms. Your answer to the question about bagworms in your November column confused me. Please clarify. Also, I have been trying to grow sweet peas in my flower garden. They seem to germinate and come up OK. They grow to about 1 foot tall, then they die. Could you tell me what type of soil and location is best for growing sweet peas? I see them…Read more about January “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: I have several hills of rhubarb. For the past three years, the rhubarb has had skinny stalks despite fertilizer, etc. Knowing this probably means I need to divide and re-plant the roots, I need to know when is the best time to do this. Also, I have red seedless grapes that are young and have only been harvested for two years. The grapes are sweet, but extremely small. How does one produce larger fruit?…Read more about December “In The Grow”[Read More]
Q: I have hardy kiwi vines that have been planted for six or seven years. Last year they bloomed, but the blooms dropped off. This year they bloomed, and it looked as if little fruit set on. Then those fell off. What could the problem be? I was supposed to have both male and female plants. — Aldona Short, Valparaiso, Ind. A: Several cultural factors can contribute to premature fruit drop. Unseasonable spring frosts often…Read more about November “In The Grow”[Read More]