[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question My fancy-leaved caladiums that I planted in April, seem to be dying. Shouldn’t they grow until late fall? Answer In my experience caladiums have a definite growing period of about six months from the date of planting. Yours are probably maturing naturally. If you want to enjoy these colorful plants during the late […]

Question For how many years will water-lilies continue to flower well without being divided? Answer Three years is about the limit, after which the roots should be lifted from the soil in which they were growing, divided and replanted in fresh soil. The ideal time for doing this is March or April.

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question Is it too late (August) to plant tuberous begonias? Answer Yes, it is too late to start tuberous begonias from either tubers or seedling plants. But make a note now to start some tubers next March or to plant some husky seedlings in May.

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: Can you suggest some plants to use for a ground cover near the seashore? Answer: Canby pachistima (Pachistima canbyi), a hardy, small-leaved evergreen shrub, will thrive in sun or shade in sandy situations. The creeping evergreen vine, bearberry (Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi), is also excellent for sandy soils in hot, sunny locations. Other ground covers […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: Is it advisable to lift and divide lily-of-the-valley periodically? Answer: If you want a greater amount of flowers, with larger florettes and longer stems, lifting and dividing is advised every four or five years. Do this in the fall, but before choosing the largest crowns and setting them just below the surface of […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: What is the name of the annual that has leaves which fold together and drop when touched? Answer: This is the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica). It has fine, locust-like leaves that fold together when touched, but reopen later. Called also humble plant, it is a member of the pea family.

[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: I have a small fruit planting of 1 pear, 1 cherry, 2 prune, 3 plum, 3 apricot, 4 apple and 6 peach trees. I have a 2-1/2 gallon spray tank. What do I do about spraying? AP, Utah Answer: Conditions vary so much in different parts of the country that the best advice […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: Are grass clippings of any value as mulch on red barberry hedges? Will burying grass clippings in vegetable plot help or hinder the soil? LP, NJ Answer: Grass clippings may be used as a mulch for such stout growing plants as tomatoes and raspberries but I think would look untidy spread around red […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: Other than ivy, what quick growing evergreen vine can you suggest to cover an unsightly spot? We’ve considered climbing hydrangea but believe these are not evergreen. WB, Cape May, N. J. Answer: The only other evergreen vine likely to succeed in your area besides English ivy is Euonymus fortunei and its variety vegetus. […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: Last summer the stems of my tomatoes turned brown and pinched just above the soil and the plants gradually died from the bottom up. The same disease attacked flowers in other parts of the yard. Would it be wise to plant tomatoes in the same location again? H Sandusky, OH. Answer: Apparently your […]