Q: I planted three 'May Night' salvia a few weeks ago. They looked great for a while but now they're not blooming at all. — Terry Cooper
A: 'May Night' is a great reblooming salvia, but faded bloom spikes must be removed regularly. I recommend visiting them each week with a pair of scissors and removing any spike that is less than one-third filled with blue flowers. The plants will produce blooms again in that spot in three weeks.
Q: How soon after planting zoysia sod should it be fertilized? — Wyn Engle
A: Feed new zoysia sod once it starts growing vigorously, typically after you've had to mow it once. I recommend two half-strength applications a month apart. Do not apply weed control chemicals for six months.
Q: I have several old water oak trees. Big chunks of branches and green leaves are falling.
— Bonnie Rudd, Dunwoody
A: Big oaks commonly lose "tufts" of green branches in early summer after rainstorms. Trees put on a lot of lush growth in spring. Now, they lose some of the poorly attached leaves and twigs in preparation for the heat of summer.
Q: My eggplants have blooms but no fruit. Do I need to sing a song while pollinating them, like you recommend singing Sinatra to squash when transferring pollen? — Karen Burpo, Fulton County
A: Gently tap the flowers twice each day with a pencil to shake loose the pollen inside. For eggplant, Engelbert Humperdinck songs are appropriate to hum as you work.
Q: I know the best time to plant trees and shrubs is midfall. But when is the best time to plant ornamental grasses? — Tyler Coley
A: In contrast to woody plants and perennial flowers, ornamental grasses do best when planted in spring and early summer. For best results, untangle the roots as best you can, spread them wide and soak the soil thoroughly after planting. Feed grasses once each year after vigorous new growth has appeared. Overfeeding will result in floppy stems.
Q: My potato plants have little bunches of green tomatoes at the top and potatoes in the ground. Are they really tomatoes? — Hugh Waddy, Jonesboro
A: They're not tomatoes, just the seed pods of your potatoes. Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the same botanical family, so their seed production is very similar. Don't try tasting the pods: They're poisonous! You can dry them and collect the seed to plant next year, but don't expect large potatoes like the ones you have now.
About the Author
Featured
