Q: Last year I subscribed to a seed club but not many were planted. I have a plethora of seeds that I would love to plant this spring. Is this possible? Amy Heffern, email
A: It's easy to test their viability. Put five seeds in the center of a damp paper towel. Roll the towel around the seeds and put it in a resealable plastic bag. Place the bag in a warm place (on top of your refrigerator, in an upper kitchen cabinet, etc.). In five to ten days unroll the towel and check on the seeds. If they are still healthy, the seed will have sprouted in the towel. If you handle them carefully, they can be planted outdoors along with the rest of your untested seed.
Q: I have a large pine straw island in the back of my property and I plan to plant several pine trees and maybe some bushes in between. Is there any place where I can get free tree seedlings? Gabriele Forster, email
A: You can get inexpensive seedlings from the Georgia Forestry Commission (1- 800-GATREES). Orders are taken after July 1 for delivery to local Forestry Commission offices for pickup in December. More details at bit.ly/GAtrees.
Q: I have been told that Alabama Jumper earthworms are the best type of worms to help aerate red clay. Is this true? John Clopton, email
A: Although we think of earthworms as always good for the garden, such is not always so. One could argue that earthworms change forest ecosystems for the worse, by eating the leaf litter that hardwood seedlings depend on for their first years of life. There are native earthworms, but many of the worms we think of as native (nightcrawler, red wiggler, etc.) are not. The Alabama jumper is the name of a non-native earthworm, Amynthus gracilus. It is heavily promoted online as burrowing several feet into the soil. I have no information to the contrary but I do know that earthworms have to breathe and heavy clay soil is not a great place to find oxygen. You're welcome to try them, but soil that has been amended with organic materials usually has plenty of earthworms in it already.
Q: Last year I noticed that my peaches were gone and the tree seemed to attract birds. My neighbor suggested that I put netting over the tree to prevent the birds from eating my fruit this year. Is this wise? Vannetta Bailey-Iddrisu, Dallas
A: Netting will keep the birds at bay, but be sure to check it each day for birds that have become trapped in the threads. Use small scissors to set them free. A bigger problem is squirrels. They will get under the netting and bite chunks out of each fruit about a week before they are ripe. I have no good solution for squirrels except a yappy backyard dog.
Q: Where can I buy heirloom tomato plants in or near Washington County? Herb Cano, email
A: Heirloom tomatoes taste great, and many community farm markets and hardware stores now carry them. Don't forget online tomato suppliers as well. I have lots of local sources at bit.ly/heirloomtomato.
Q: We have a squirrel in our attic. I had a roofer fix the hole in the eaves but it is still finding a way in. Do you have a recipe to keep out squirrels? Tina Lippens, email
A: I don't know of a squirrel repellent that works consistently enough to recommend. This includes concoctions of cedar, garlic and cayenne pepper. Mothballs should never be used because the vapors are poisonous. Ultrasonic repellers have been proven not to work. Leaving a radio on in the attic does not work. I recommend you hire an animal-control professional to trap and remove it.
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