Q: Are pansies deer resistant? Colleen Jackson, email
A: They are not. Numerous homeowners have described to me deer that walk along a bed and pull the plants out of the soil with their teeth. You can try using one of the sprayable, scent-based repellents or the systemic Repellex. I have homeowner comments about their Repellex experiences at bit.ly/repellex and I'd love to hear how it works for you.
Q: The woods around my home are grown up in privet hedge and small trees. How do I kill the growth? Sharon Edwards, Jefferson
A: It will be a two-person job but it will go fastest if one person uses loppers or a saw to cut each plant at the base. The other person then pulls the plant out of the way and squirts the top of the stump with ready-to-use glyphosate (Roundup, etc) from a spray bottle. Cutting everything low will allow you to get in there with a mower in the future. The glyphosate will prevent most, but not all, resprouting from the cut stumps. Repeat in spring. You should have complete control by the end of next summer.
Q: Despite my best efforts, my schedule has prevented my seeding a new lawn of fescue until this weekend. Is it too late? Marcus Millard, Roswell
A: Fescue seed germinates best when soil temperatures are above 60 degrees. Looking at www.georgiaweather.net, I see that soil at the two-inch depth in your area is in the mid-60s now. I'd thoroughly aerate the lawn, spread seed, and use a roller to press the seed into place. Keep your fingers crossed for a long, mild fall.
Q: We are looking at temperatures in the 30s by the end of the week. When should I bring in hibiscus? Patricia Lanham, Cherokee County
A: You should do it now! Tropical hibiscus can't tolerate freezing or frost. If you keep the plant in a sunny window this winter, you can bring it outdoors next April.
Q: Can I prune my Penny Mac hydrangeas now? I've been afraid to prune for fear of not doing it correctly. Linda Statham, Cherokee County
A: Rejoice! You can prune your 'Penny Mac' now and still have flowers next year. Most mophead hydrangeas bloom on a set of buds that formed the previous fall. 'Penny Mac,' though, is a remontant hydrangea. Like 'Endless Summer,' it forms flower buds throughout the summer, even after being pruned late the previous year. You won't have blooms early next summer but they will begin appearing in mid-June.
Q: There are almost no acorns north of Ellijay this year. There were no late freezes. What can explain this? David Green, Gilmer County
A: Nut trees typically bear heavy crops in alternate years unless they are stressed by drought. This was a good weather year for the trees, but they were exhausted this past spring from the big acorn crop of the previous fall. It's also possible that heavy rain in spring could have washed pollen from the flowers. I predict a big acorn drop next fall.
