Q: Is it too late to plant raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and fruit trees? Mike Childers, Clayton County
A: You are still well within the time for success in planting fruiting plants. Garden-working weather isn't great for humans but your plants will have no problem establishing themselves. I have a good list of UGA fruit publications at bit.ly/UGAfruit. Take a look at them to get the best information on planting and maintaining fruit and nut plants.
Q: What is the latest you can fertilize fescue? We had landscaping done in our yard a couple of weeks ago and I wonder if it is too late? Dean Carlsen, Ellijay
A: UGA turf expert Clint Waltz says you need a fertilizer that's immediately dissolved by rain, not one that is "slow release." Further, since you're late for the fall fertilization, you can use a lighter rate of nitrogen. Apply four pounds of 15-0-15 or 18-0-18 per thousand square feet of lawn. Don't forget your regular fescue fertilizer applications in February and April.
Q: Will Michigan red pines grow in Georgia? S. Koss, email
A: Georgia has many microclimates that resemble other parts of the country. Red pine, Pinus resinosa, grows well in Canada and New England so my bet is that it would grow in the higher mountains of North Georgia, around Brasstown Bald and Blairsville. Otherwise, like Alberta spruce and Colorado spruce, I think red pine would be short-lived in the Atlanta metro area.
Q: I'm a high school student doing a project for science but I'm having a hard time germinating canna lily seeds. I have tried many things but I did not get any results. Sharlott Bradley, email
A: The seeds will germinate best if their hard seed coat is partially scraped off. The easiest way to do this is to rub each seed gently on a piece of sandpaper. You don't have to remove the whole coat – just rub it off in a couple of places. Once the seeds are "scarified," put them in a pot of warm water and allow the seeds and water to cool overnight. In this way the seeds will be "primed" and made ready to sprout after you plant them in your science project soil. Leaves should appear in four weeks.
Q: A developer is putting multiple homes on the hill across the creek from our backyard. If we are to have any measure of privacy, we need to get something tall and fast-growing planted quickly. Vic Heath, Brookhaven
A: I visited with two landscapers recently and both recommended 'Green Giant' arborvitae. Much depends on your pocketbook but planting large trees 10 to 12 feet apart in two staggered rows will give you a tall screen in short order.
Q: Tell me about bonsai tree soil. I'd like to mix my own. Asa Jones, Griffin
A: Bonsai soil is very much different from potting soil. It has much less organic matter and a lot more rock or rock substitutes. Most bonsai enthusiasts mix their own soil, using expanded slate (PermaTill, Soil Perfector, etc), poultry grit and ground pine bark, plus other ingredients to make the soil drain faster or slower. Drainage is key; bonsai hobbyists use screens that vary in size from 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch to sort their components' particle sizes and eliminate dust and tiny pieces that would inhibit drainage. If you can't find the components you need locally, go online to get them or look there to purchase ready-made soil.
