Q: My friends say the loud chorus of chirping sounds at night is tree frogs and others say it is cicadas. Do you know? — Jim Todd, e-mail
A: I think you are hearing annual cicadas and katydids singing in the treetops. There are several cicadas in the genus Tibicen rasping away in the trees now. Both katydids and cicadas make sound by rapidly flexing or rubbing parts of their bodies. Neither harms plants.
Q: I need advice about using landscape weed cloth in a vegetable garden. I’m thinking of covering it with pine straw with a soaker hose underneath. — Donald Cox, Molena
A: It's a great garden technique. The Plant a Row for the Hungry garden that's overseen by Lester Bray in Fayette County recently harvested 1,000 pounds of produce in one day from vegetables growing much as you describe. Try it!
Q: I have Bermuda grass. What is turf fertilizer vs. regular fertilizer? — Sarju Modi, e-mail
A: Turf fertilizer is simply a product with a high first number: 28-3-8, 28-0-8 and 29-0-4 are common. Nitrogen (the first number) promotes leaf growth on a plant, just what your lawn needs. Because most Georgia soils have adequate phosphorus, the middle number is usually quite low. Follow the directions on your chosen product and fertilize Bermuda grass in late April, June, July and August each year.
Q: I am moving up from South Florida. I love Japanese maple, white birch and poplar trees that I’ve seen in New England. Will I be able to grow any of these in North Georgia? — Richard Goss, Cumming
A: Japanese maple, in all its shapes and colors, will be a thrill for you in North Georgia. However, white birch will not do well in our hot summers. A better bet is river birch. As for poplars, it depends on which you choose. Populus tremula (aspen) doesn't like our heat, but Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) does fine here. Do some research at local nurseries before spending your money on any tree. Best time to plant is October.
Q: I discovered a worm on my tomato plants, so I used an insecticide recipe I found online: a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol and dishwashing soap. The next day, my tomatoes had black streaks in the stalks, the leaves were turning black and the leaves of the other plants were dead-looking. — Bob Paisley, Lawrenceville
A: Yow, you made a big mistake! Dish detergent and alcohol dissolve the natural waxes that protect plant leaves from drying out. Your leaves were "scalded," and you see the results. Wash the plants thoroughly and wait to see what happens. Some leaves may survive and help your garden endure your chemical attack.
Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on WSB-AM (750). Go to www.gardeningingeorgia .com for details on his TV show or visit his Web site, www.walterreeves.com.
About the Author
Featured
