Q: You might think I am crazy, but I am planning on planting kudzu from seed for erosion control. I have a vacation home in Mexico with a very steep hillside that causes many erosion problems. — Ralph Kruse, email
A: Having seen the damage done in Georgia by non-native plants like privet, kudzu, stiltgrass and knotweed, I can't condone your planting a non-native, invasive plant in Mexico. Why not use these recommendations from Arizona for ground cover? Trailing acacia, Acacia redolens, grows 1 foot high and 10 feet wide. Trailing dalea, Dalea greggii, is a bit taller and grows 6 feet wide with lavender flowers.
Q: I want to try castor oil on my fescue lawn to evict my little mole friends. Will this harm my grass or shrubs? — Huff Logue, Gainesville
A: There should be no distress to plants, but I don't think castor oil will repel moles either. I've heard this over-the-fence advice for years, but I can find no research that shows that castor oil repels anything except small children in the 19th century. Sure, lots of people say it worked for them, but the habits of moles are so variable that there is no certainty that the moles moved away any more often than they normally would. My advice is this: Forget trapping, poisons and repellents. Simply press down tunnels with your shoes and moles will naturally go to other places.
Q: I have decided that Schip laurel shrubbery would fit in perfectly with my house but haven't been able to locate any after calling nurseries in my area. — Steve Ludwick, Dunwoody
A: Schip laurel is an excellent foundation shrub. I don't know why nurseries don't carry it. Another option is Distylium Emerald Heights. This evergreen plant is described as a good replacement for laurel shrubs. Distylium Vintage Shade is the smallest of the new introductions and might make a good evergreen ground cover. I've seen both at local nurseries.
Q: I would like to start a vegetable garden in my backyard this spring. What will be the most important first step to do this? — Lamanda Rhodes, Norcross
A: The most important first step is to make sure your plants will grow in soft, organic soil, not in hard red clay. You can make good soil out of poor soil by placing a layer of "soil conditioner" 3 inches thick on top of your garden plot and mixing it 10 inches deep. Once the soil is prepared, which you can do now by the way, all your vegetables desire is plenty of sun and occasional watering. A daily visit to nip insects and diseases in the bud will ensure you have something to eat and enjoy next summer!
Q: For years I have had wonderful crops of figs. Some years in August they have turned sour and fuzzy on the tree, a total loss. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? — Patricia Simmons, Barrow County
A: Souring usually happens when there is rainy weather during the last week of ripening. Insects and wind carry naturally occurring yeasts into the fig eye, and nature takes its course. 'Celeste', 'LSU Purple' and 'Brown Turkey' typically don't have problems with souring.
