Q: Some of us have been comparing notes online and it seems that our peonies are not doing well this year. The plants are not very vigorous and have not produced many blooms. Some think it is because of the warm winter; others think last year's drought caused it. What do you think? Roger Duvall, Decatur
A: I can't say that everyone has had peony problems but I have had quite varied results with mine this spring. My tree peony bloomed on March 8, earlier than I ever have seen it. My always-reliable 'Festiva Maxima' peony is just now putting out buds, and the flowers look to be smaller than last year. It is quite possible that winter temperatures and the drought had something to do with our experiences. I am giving my peonies organic, slow release fertilizer and watering them regularly. I hope we get better results next year!
Q: I'm wondering where the June bugs went? We always had so many but over the last ten years they've disappeared. I don't miss them, just curious about what happened to them. Lu Post, Johns Creek
A: I have come to wonder the same thing about Japanese beetles. I remember that 30 years ago they were a big problem in Atlanta gardens and landscapes. Now, not so much. My guess is that natural diseases and predators have increased enough to limit the growth of the Japanese beetle population. Also, both June bugs and Japanese beetles are associated with open pastures near suburban lawns. With the increase in subdivisions, there's less pastureland where their populations can readily develop.
Q: The label on my continuous-feed fertilizer says to feed herbs every three months. I've done so once and plan to repeat in July. Should I plan on a fall feeding or not? Rita Yeazel, Sandy Springs
A: You have good gardening instincts! Despite what the label says, you should not fertilize herbs in the fall. Fertilizing then could produce new growth, which would be frozen off in the wintertime. Furthermore, lightly fertilized herbs have better flavor because they don't have as much lush growth.
Q: My zoysia sod was put down around the first of March. It has mostly greened up and is growing. Do I need to cut it now or wait? Dianne Martin, email
A: If the grass is more than two inches high, then set your mower to that height and mow it now. Eventually it will fill in uniformly and you can mow it every week at that height. If you haven't fed it, apply a starter fertilizer now and then regular lawn fertilizer in July. Be sure to water afterwards.
Q: Could I plant sorghum in the same area as sweet corn without ruining the corn? Linda Bielefeldt, email
A: Though the plants are somewhat similar in appearance, there is no problem planting them together. On the other hand, there could be a problem if you plant several different varieties of corn together. The pollen that is interchanged will affect the taste of each of the corn varieties.
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