Q: All the rain has wiped out all of my squash. Is it too late to put out a few more zucchini plants? Lori Overson, Fayetteville
A: Summer squash only takes 50 - 60 days to produce something to eat, so you have a little bit left to plant until it's too late. Get it done before mid-August. Details at /bit.ly/GAsquash.
Q: Does lambsquarters grow in Georgia? When do I plant? Chris Dolgetta, email
A: My father was listening to my radio show several years ago when a listener asked where to get lambsquarters seed. Dad called me later that day to declare that he planned to become a millionaire by selling lambsquarters seed for a dollar a pound: he had that many plants on his farm! Lambsquarters, Chenopodium album, grows very well in Georgia. Some people eat it as a leafy vegetable but I spent my childhood trying to eradicate it from our tomato and bean rows. There are several online sellers of seed, which can be planted in spring.
Q: I have tiny brown ants everywhere: deck, garage, stoop, etc. I've used bait products plus I can spray an area and it may kill some but within an hour they are back. Charlie Whitehead
A: You might not be waiting long enough. Baits are by far the best way to control ants in a home. But it takes a week or so to notice the decline in ant numbers. I do not recommend surface sprays since they do not kill the colony. I have more ant information, plus a boric acid bait you can make yourself, at bit.ly/antcontrol.
Q: Do you have any advice for how to lessen moisture and prevent waterlogged plants during this super rainy summer? Cicely Chen, email
A: The first job is to remove mulch, except for a thin layer. The second task is to correct any source of water so it doesn't flow toward your beds. The third chore is to prune overhanging branches so more sunshine reaches the soggy spot, while being careful not to put too much sun on shade-loving plants. A fourth step to consider is to dig up the plants for an hour while you add very gritty sand or expanded slate (Permatill, Soil Perfecter, etc) to the planting area.
Q: We would like to grow potatoes in the fall as well as spring, but we can never find seed potatoes in the fall. Lisa McNamara, Cedartown
A: Fall potato planting isn't nearly as successful as planting in early spring. The soil is very warm in early fall and if you wait to plant until it cools you run the risk of freeze damage on the plants. If you want to experiment, get potatoes from an organic grocery in very early August. Plant at the bottom of a six-inch deep furrow in a sunny spot that can be watered regularly. As sprouts emerge, hill soil around them. Fertilize regularly. Continue to early November. Harvest before the first frost, which occurs in mid-November on average. Most white potatoes need 110 days of frost-free weather, so that's why adhering to planting dates is important.
Q: Wild violets are out of control in my bermuda lawn. I want to know if a product named "Confront" will kill this weed. I think it has been removed from the self but am not really sure. My neighbor has some and I want to try it if it works. Paul Cummings, email
A: Confront is a specialty herbicide labeled for use by professionals only on commercial property due to the probability of environmental harm if used on lawns. You can get excellent control of violets with triclopyr (Bonide Chickweed, Clover and Oxalis Killer, etc), which is labeled for lawn use.