Question: My living room picture window faces due north and so gets very little sun. What flowers will thrive under such conditions? HG, NY. Answer: African violets should do well in your window and there are enough variations in form and color to make an interesting group. Wax begonias and Impatiens should also flower well […]

Question: Buds on my wax begonias drop off before they open. If it is gas fumes, is there anything I can do for them? AC, Mass. Answer: A hot, dry atmosphere will cause buds of wax begonias to drop, but if you have gas in the house I’d say that was the reason as this […]

Question:How and when should climbing roses be pruned? Answer: The method of pruning roses varies with the rambler types and the climber types. Prune the ramblers immediately after flowering, or in the fall if unable to do it earlier, cutting to the ground level all canes that have flowered and leaving only the new canes. […]

Question:When should bulbs be planted this fall, as well as established beds of bulbs, be mulched for winter protection? What are some good mulches to use? Answer: Mulches should never be applied to bulbs until the ground has frozen at least an inch. By waiting until this time, mice and other rodents will be prevented […]

Question:What is the name of the wildflower that is seen blooming in late summer and early fall in salt meadows and wet marshes in the eastern part of the country, with crimson-pink daisy flowers about the size of a nickel? Answer: This is the sea pink (Sabatia slellaris), a hardy annual or biennial herb, which […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question:Can rhododendrons and other broad-leaved evergreens be transplanted during the winter? Answer: Since broad-leaved evergreens need two to three weeks before the ground freezes hard in which to develop hair roots, they should not be moved during the winter months. Unless given this time (longer is better) for proper root development, plants will be […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: Is a fall application of fertilizer practical? Answer: Yes. Fall applications of fertilizer, except nitrate forms of nitrogen such as ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate which are completely soluble and will be lost, are practical, especially on clay soils where the nutrients will be held on the clay particles. However, on very sandy […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: What is the best way to protect chrysanthemums for the winter? Answer: There is no one perfect way, for each winter the weather is different. It is safest to lift a clump or two of each variety and winter them over in a cold-frame. In spring, divisions or cuttings can be made. Another […]

[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: My grapes failed to set much fruit this year. Have you any helpful suggestions? Answer: You didn’t mention whether these were established vines or newly planted ones. If they’re old ones, excessive pruning of two-year wood might be responsible. Also, are the vines getting enough sun? Try to recall the weather conditions this […]

Question: What is the best soil for blueberries? Answer: Blueberries like an acid soil and plenty of moisture. They respond quickly to a high-nitrogen fertilizer applied in spring and early summer. Make sure plants have plenty of water during dry periods.