Q: My son sent me two cold-hardy avocado plants, which are said to tolerate 18-degree temperatures. Do you think I will have avocados next summer? Ann Fremstad, Pendergrass
A: You'll be on the bleeding edge of horticultural knowledge if you can get an avocado to produce fruit in Pendergrass. It usually takes more than five years for a small avocado plant to grow to blooming size. I hope you received two different varieties, to insure pollination. I'd plant them near a brick wall, which will provide heat and wind protection in winter. After planting, purchase black plastic sheeting to cover the trees when winter temperatures are freezing. Let me know what happens…and good luck!
Q: My husband and I visited Shaker Village in Kentucky and had dinner there. One of the side dishes was a delicious salsify au gratin. I have not been able to find salsify anywhere in Atlanta. Is it possible to grow salsify in the South? Raigan Carr, email
A: Salsify, Tragopogon porrifolius, is a biennial root vegetable with grass-like leaves. The carrot-like root is harvested and roasted or boiled for the dinner table. Its taste gives rise to another name: oyster plant. It grows easily in the Northeast and in Europe but I suspect that summer heat in Georgia would severely stress the plant. I'd love to hear back if you experiment with it. Seeds can be found online.
Q: I want a nice lawn and I want to use fescue, can you tell me about Black Beauty seed? Ronnie Mullins, email
A: Black Beauty is a brand name for various mixtures of tall fescue seed. The grower makes many claims but I can't find any university research plot reports comparing it with other fescue blends. You're welcome to try it and let me know what happens. I have a guide to successful fescue planting at bit.ly/fescue123.
Q: I have well water and would like to test it for contaminants. There are no factories or industrial facilities nearby. Iron and sulfur amounts would be good to know. Dee Overby, email
A: The University of Georgia has a good guide to when and why well water should be tested. There are at least two tests to consider: an expanded water test to get a baseline of everything in your water and a basic water test you can do yearly after the expanded test is done. I have links to publications and testing fees at bit.ly/UGAwatertest. For details on how to submit water samples, contact your local UGA Extension office: 1-800-ASKUGA1
Q: I have a river birch that was planted 16 feet from the house to provide shade. I'm concerned it is too close. I'm thinking I should remove this tree before roots invade the foundation. Steve Kohl, White Plains
A: The roots won't likely be a problem but the branches could be. Mature river birch trees can grow 70 feet high and 30 feet wide. I often see river birches planted in spots I consider too near a house. They eventually bang on gutters and gouge shingles. Builders like them because they are relatively inexpensive and give immediate landscape interest. If you decide to remove it, consider a named red maple.
Q: I have planted lots of dwarf mondo grass, which I love. My yard man covers it in leaves every fall, saying that this is necessary to protect it from the cold weather. Is this correct? Rick Gardner, Milledgeville
A: The tree leaves need to be removed regularly from the mondo grass. Otherwise they will hold too much moisture on plant stems, leading to disease. This evergreen plant is perfectly winter-hardy and needs no protection.
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