Q: This year, I initially had blooms on my Gerber daisies, but once I removed the flower, they didn’t produce any other blooms. Robin Fowler, Snellville
A: This South African native is known for the bright flowers it produces in spring and fall. Gerber daisies slow their blooming at temperatures above 70 degrees and stop blooming when things get above 80 degrees. Though not reliably cold-hardy, I occasionally hear from gardeners who have kept theirs alive outdoors in winter. The secret seems to be very fast soil drainage: a high percentage of pea gravel or expanded slate in the planting bed. Despite the need for dry roots in winter, Gerber daisies like slightly moist soil all summer. I love the flowers but usually favor plants that aren’t so demanding in our climate.
Q: My tomatoes have an abundant crop of green/light pink tomatoes. However, those I’ve picked are very mushy when I slice them. Allen Hott, email
A: Heat and direct sunlight on tomato fruit distort the ripening process. Some heirloom tomatoes tend to be mushier than their hybrid counterparts. One option is to use aluminum foil to make a reflector above each fruit. Another is to pick the tomatoes when they start turning pink on the bottom and then ripen them in a shady outdoor spot.
Q: I planted asparagus two years ago. The plants are six feet tall. Do I leave this growth or trim it back? Harry Parrish, Ellijay
A: The ferny foliage is vital to absorb the energy needed to make stronger roots and more spears next year. Do a fall fertilization now but leave the plants alone until frost kills the stems. Clip them at ground level in December. Control winter weeds assiduously and enjoy some fresh spears next spring!
Q: I've noticed that my seven-year old daphne has started to wilt from the top and it’s moving down. Your website mentions a lethal fungus called Phytophthora. Can a replacement daphne be planted in the same soil later? Rusty Reeves, email
A: I tried replacing a daphne in the same site as a dead one and it died within the year. The same thing happened to the next daphne I installed there. I solved the problem by buying a large (24″ diameter) ceramic pot, filling it with good-quality potting soil and planting a daphne in it. It looks very healthy after two years.
Q: When do you cut back the leaves of calla lilies, daylilies, and Oriental lilies? Vivian McMillan, email
A: I scissor off brown leaves whenever I see them and have my pruners handy. It’s my experience that “green leaves are good leaves” so I leave as much live foliage as possible on plants until frost kills it.
Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on AM 750 and NOW 95.5FM News/Talk WSB. Go to http://www.yoursoutherngarden.com/ for details on his TV show or visit his website, http://www.walterreeves.com/.
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