Q: My grandson's third birthday is soon. As a gift to my grandson I would like to plant corn. Please tell me how. — Kim Kaseta, email
A: That little boy will have some great memories! If you have a garden plot in full sun, growing corn should be no problem.To insure best pollination, the plot should be square, not a couple of long rows. There are lots of varieties from which to choose; I think he'd enjoy one of the "sugar enhanced" types like 'Kandy Korn', 'Sugar and Spice' or 'Sugar 'n' Gold'. Place the seed 8 inches apart and an inch deep, but don't plant the entire plot at once. Divide it into thirds and plant one third in late April, one third in mid-May and the last third in late May. This insures a long harvest window. I have lots more tips on growing corn at bit.ly/GAcorn.
Q: I am in the process of buying a rather ugly rock house and had thought I'd use creeping fig to redeem it, but I've seen a lot of it in Atlanta this spring that is dead from the cold. What can I use instead? — Karen A., email
A: Creeping fig and Confederate jasmine are two of my favorite vines, but they do occasionally get zapped by cold weather. Consider 'Tangerine Beauty'crossvine or American wisteria; both will need some system of support and training. Or you could build a big trellis and let them climb that instead of the actual stones in the wall.
Q: I've seen several dead cedar waxwings at the entrance to my office. What do you think is killing them? — Bob Ragan, email
A: In spring, waxwings sometimes eat too many overripe berries from nandina, hawthorn and pyracantha. As a fruit-loving bird, they have developed a "storage pouch" in which to keep the berries they can't immediately swallow. If the berries are left too long, they ferment and make the birds drunk. The disoriented birds accidentally fly into the side of big buildings, leading to their death.
Q: We keep seeing snakes on our doorsteps. What is the best product to try to rid ourselves of them coming in the house? — Roxana Holliday, email
A: They are just using it for a "warming up" spot before leaving to catch mice or crickets. Even though your snake is likely not venomous, it can be startling to see one in the spot where you are just about to step. Remove any nearby attractive habitat, like firewood piles, stacks of rocks, or high grass. My bet is that, as the season wears on, the snakes will find other places to warm up. I have more ideas at bit.ly/snakecontrol.
Q: Did I hear you say on radio that cranberries can be grown in Georgia? — Steve Hart, Atlanta
A: No, it's way too hot here for cranberries to prosper. They require cool summers and cold winters, plus lots of water around the roots. That said, if you try them, let me know how they turn out!
About the Author
