Q: Would it be OK to plant apple and peach trees near each other? I worry the cross pollination would produce a weird fruit. Lori De Pucci, Alpharetta
A: You won't get an appeach! An apple is in the genus Malus, while a peach belongs to genus Prunus. They are in the rose family but are not close enough kin to be pollen-compatible. Apples have pollinated other members of the Malus genus (crabapple, etc.) and peaches pollinate members of the Prunus genus, (plum, apricot, etc.).
Q: I have seen many watermelon and strawberry fields that are covered by black plastic film. Where might I be able to get that type of film? Roger Marks, e-mail
A: This technique is called plasticulture. It's a great way to enhance vegetable growth by warming the soil and allowing accurate placement of water and fertilizer. Not all garden plants like the same growing conditions. Heat-loving peppers, beans, tomatoes, okra and eggplant are great candidates for home garden black plastic mulch. Melons and pumpkins don't do so well because the vines can't root to the soil as they grow. UGA's Paul Pugliese said landscape fabric, instead of black plastic, is a good alternative for a small garden. Don't forget you'll need drip tape or soaker hose that will go under the mulch. Check with local nurseries for supplies but you may have to search online to get what you need.
Q: I am considering establishing a grass other than fescue, which has been a constant disappointment. I talked to the salesmen at a local nursery and they assure me that zoysia requires only two hours of sunlight. Margaret Decker, Dunwoody
A: I hate to argue with a nursery professional but I think two hours of sunlight is far too little. Four to six hours is much better. If fescue has failed, zoysiagrass won't do any better. The problem is that zoysiagrass grows very slowly. Any holes in the lawn caused by physical damage or lack of sunshine will be slow to fill. The holes are excellent places for weeds to grow. Zoysiagrass does very well in full sunshine. Although it tolerates a bit of shade, the results in your very shady landscape may not be what you expect.
Q: I was told by a tree removal company owner that diesel fuel poured around the base of a pine tree will be absorbed by the tree and kill the beetles. I am skeptical. Is this true? Penny Fry, Roswell
A: You're right to be skeptical. Your source may be skilled at removing trees but he knows nothing about insect control. Diesel fuel will certainly damage the tree roots. There is not much a homeowner can do to prevent pine beetle attacks or to kill them once in a tree. Since the severity of beetle damage in an area varies greatly from year to year, my best advice is to keep all of your pines watered in summer and to inspect the trees twice each year for discolored needles or resin blobs stuck to the bark. Details at xrl.us/pinebeetle
Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.
