Gardening Question of the Day

When gardening season comes, should I try to remove all the stones in my garden?

The really large ones should be dug out and hauled away, or made into a stone wall. If you have flat ones, use them as "stone mulch" around heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, watermelons, and squash. Corns, beans, and squash can live quite among a lot of small stones, but you may want to sow extra seeds to compensate for plants that might get injured coming through rocky soil. Too many small stones can smother otherwise destroy small seedlings such as carrots. Stones can help drainage and speed up the warming process for damp soil, which can contribute to a longer growing season.

Last 7 Days

Monday, February 8, 2010

What is the benefit of using red plastic mulch in my garden?

Red plastic mulch reportedly helps some crops go gang-busters. Tomatoes do well with it because the red light reflects onto the undersides of the leaves and triggers a physiological response that causes the plants to grow large and mature more fruit. Red mulch raises soil temperature and reduces the incidence of leaf blights. Melons, squash and cucumbers reportedly do better with red mulch as well.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Which of the common vegetables to plant take the longest to germinate?

Asparagus has a relatively long germination period, taking from 21 to 28 days to do so. Parsley is another slow-runner, with 18 to 24 days, and okra takes 15 to 20 days.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

What region of the United States is best for raising kiwifruit? Is the Alabama climate suitable?

We don't know the best region, but as a rule kiwifruit can be grown wherever wine grapes are found. Some kiwi plants are hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, so we don't think you'll have any problem growing them in Alabama. Check with your local nursery for the most suitable varieties for your area.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Is basil difficult to grow?

No, it's easy! Plant it in the spring after the last frost, or sow it indoors and transplant it to the garden. It likes full sun best. Pinch off the tips of the stems to make it a bushier, more compact plant. Don't overfertilize -- the flavor may be affected. Harvest the leaves before or during blooming. You can preserve the leaves by freezing them.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Have you heard of planting seeds in eggshells to start transplants?

Yes, it's an old-time trick. In the days before nice peat pots provided by your local nursery, an eggshell worked nicely. Here's advice from 1880: "Take eggshells cut in half, make two or three small holes in the bottom of each, fill with sifted soil, , sink in a box of sand, sow seeds and cover with glass, of course keeping them in the right light. Water only the sand, for they will absorb enough through the holes. In transplanting, break off the shells, leaving the lump of earth intact without the roots being jarred or disturbed." Try this with some cabbage seeds toward the end of February and you may have good starts for transplanting as soon as you can work the earth!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Do you know of a pet-safe means to prevent or reduce the fleas in my rather large yard? I tried nematodes on my lawn, but that didn't work. Daily yeast tablets and flea collars don't seem to repel them from my dog either.

There is a pet-safe, environmentally friendly insecticide specifically designed for spraying on grass; ask your veterinarian about it. With regard to your pet, try adding a teaspoon of vinegar to each quart of the animal's drinking water. It helps keep pets free of fleas and ticks.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

When is the best time to transplant camellias?

The ideal time to transplant camellias is before they bloom in spring, but a second option is when they start their new season of vegetative growth right after flowering, usually February to May for camellias. Transplanting young plants is easy, but older plants can be difficult. If you're thinking of moving an older plant, you may want to consider heavy pruning instead.