Gardening Question of the Day

When and how should I fertilize rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a heavy feeder. Mix compost, rotted manure, or anything high in organic matter into the soil when planting. But don't add a chemical fertilizer when planting rhubarb or during the first year of growth, as direct contact with nitrates can kill the roots. In future springs, apply a light sprinkling of a high-nitrogen fertilizer (25-3-3 or 10-6-4) when the ground is thawing or has just thawed, so that the fertilizer will go into the ground and not harm the roots.

Last 7 Days

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I've had little luck trying to grow an avocado plant from the pit. What's the best method?

Try this: Remove the pit from the avocado and wrap it in a moist paper towel. (You may have better luck if you use a pit that has not been refrigerated.) Put the paper towel and pit into a plastic bag and seal it. Keep the bag in a warm place and check it every few days. If the towel dries out, remoisten it. When roots appear, place the pit into a pot with potting soil.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

My tomatoes have deep brown indentations on their tops, as well as some large and some very small yellow spots. Some of my plants turned brown and died back, producing only one or two small tomatoes. What went wrong?

The brown spots are most likely caused by a fungus called alternaria. Next year, look for plants that are resistant to this fungus. If you spray your tomatoes, use a spray without lime, such as maneb, zineb, captan, or chlorothalonil (ask your local garden center where to obtain these). You also might be applying too much manure or overwatering your plants.

The yellow blotches are probably tomato spotted wilt, a virus that affects the leaves of the plants as well and is extremely difficult to control. The only way to get rid of this is to remove the diseased plants.

You may want to check with your local Cooperative Extension Service office to find out which types of tomatoes are best suited for your growing area.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Can you tell me how to get rid of chipmunks? They are seriously destroying my landscaping.

Chipmunks are wily little creatures and can be tough to control. You can trap them with peanut butter, oats, nuts, or sunflower seeds in either a catch-and-release trap or one that's a bit more, well, deadly. Chipmunk repellent sprays also are available; contact your local garden center to see if it carries them. If the chipmunks are eating your bulbs, try putting jagged shells or stones in the holes where you plant them. Plant cages will also keep the critters out.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

When is the best time to transplant rhubarb plants?

Early spring. Incidentally, you should also divide your plants every two or three years in early spring to ensure excellent stalks.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I've kept my amaryllis growing since it bloomed last winter. How can I get it to bloom again?

The bulb needs to go through a dormant period. Ideally, you would taper off watering in September, then store the bulb dry in a cool, frost-free place for 60 to 90 days. At the end of the dormant period, replace the top one to two inches of soil with compost. Water thoroughly and bring the pot to room temperature. Your amaryllis should bloom in six to eight weeks.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

How can I make my amaryllis stronger so that the stalk doesn't bend over?

If you grow your amaryllis in a very warm room, the flower stalk will probably require staking. Just insert one next to the stalk, taking care not to disturb the bulb in the container. Amaryllis bulbs may not bloom if they are in too large a pot. There should be no more than one inch of space on each side of the bulb. At least one third of the bulb should be above the soil line.

Monday, November 16, 2009

If I remove the seeds from chiles for my Mexican dishes, will this reduce the spiciness?

The spiciness comes from capsaicin. Most of the capsaicin is located in the interior tissue of the pepper, where the seeds are attached. Peppers can be made considerably less spicy by slicing in half and scraping out the seeds and membranes with a spoon.