Q: We are building planters in a corner of our yard. I would like to use perennials that will be hassle-free and come back each year. Is tall phlox a good choice? — Civea Inasu, McDonough
A: Phlox is a beautiful plant, but it can be ravaged by powdery mildew disease. No amount of maintenance can prevent it once the fungus is established in a bed of phlox. The best strategy is to plant only mildew-resistant phlox. Look for the cultivars 'David', 'Robert Poore' and 'John Fanick'. There may be more varieties, but these three appear on several lists of disease-resistant phlox. Don't let the beauty of the flowers at the nursery seduce you; make sure the phlox you plant are proven to resist mildew.
Q: When do I apply pre-emergent to my garden to control coffeeweed, Bermuda and Johnson grass? — Sara Moon, email
A: You are facing a big problem. Pre-emergent chemicals are ineffective on coffeeweed seed. Bermuda grass and Johnson grass are perennial plants and pre-emergent won't hurt them at all. Hand-pulling might be your best option. Or you can put some glyphosate (KillZall, Roundup, etc.) on a foam paintbrush and brush the chemical on the weeds as they appear.
Q: I have a major landscaping project this fall and am wondering how late I can go in Atlanta before the soil gets too cold to encourage root growth. — Scott Daughdril, email
A: There is really no hard and fast rule. While plant roots installed in cold soil do not make as much growth as those planted in warmer conditions, there is more growth than if the plant is held above ground. Evergreen plants need more water in winter because their leaves/needles lose moisture on windy days. A small root system struggles to provide enough water. But, if they are watered occasionally, evergreens can survive and flourish when spring weather arrives. Deciduous plants are not quite as demanding since no leaves are present. It's worth the gamble to install plants in winter and then regularly water the area next to the plant trunks to keep the root ball moist until spring.
Q: In my county, farmers put chicken manure on their pastures. Why do they do this? It really smells! — Randy M., email
A: Farmers put chicken litter on pastures instead of having to buy and apply commercial fertilizer. Chicken litter is a good source of plant nutrients when managed properly. If you feel that the smell is a nuisance, you can contact your county commissioners for a review of county regulations regarding litter application. Farmers don't want to be bad neighbors, but they do want to save money by using litter. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate litter odors. I have two publications that go into detail about poultry litter management at bit.ly/poultryodor.
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