Q: Three weeks ago I had Bermuda sod installed. The landscaper set up the irrigation timers so each zone came on twice a day for five minutes. I noticed a brown patch in one corner of the yard after four days. I was at a big box nursery and mentioned this to the associate. He suggested increasing watering to 15 minutes, with the last watering at 7 p.m. Some of the lawn is still brown. What should I do? — Paul Beatrice, email
A: I'm sure both of them are nice people, but neither of your advisers gave you good advice. Five minutes of irrigation is useless, except maybe daily in the first week when the sod is not yet rooted. After that you should be slowly adjusting the schedule back to one deep watering (one inch) per week. You have to physically measure your system's delivery rate to find out how long it takes to put out that much water. A 7 p.m. watering is a sure way to promote fungal disease. The grass stays too wet for too long. Water after 7 a.m. to allow drying time. I have notes on how to water new sod properly at bit.ly/watersod.
Q: I received a beautiful White Robe hydrangea as a gift. I would like to plant it where it will be happy. — Jinger Stubbs, Roswell
A: Hydrangea expert Gene Griffith (hydrangea.com) said the company that introduced 'White Robe' is known for florist hydrangeas, like 'Shooting Star,' which don't do very well outdoors in our region. My mother planted a gift hydrangea near her back door and it has had flowers only once in seven years. The flower buds of florist hydrangeas are too tender for most Atlanta winters. Plant yours where it gets morning sunshine and afternoon shade and see how it does.
Q: Is it OK to use 10-10-10 fertilizer on house plants? — Tony Houseknecht, email
A: I suppose you could, but it would have to be a tiny amount each time. This quickly-soluble fertilizer would have a high chance of burning plant roots confined in a pot. You'd be better off using a commercial houseplant fertilizer.
Q: I read where you sprigged your yard with St. Augustine grass. Is now a good time of year? — Bob Fiscella, email
A: You can sprig St. Augustine grass either by half-burying 12" long runners in early summer or by planting rooted pieces anytime in warm weather. Since we're into August now, I recommend you buy some St. Augustine sod and chop it into two-inch squares and plant them twelve inches apart. You can try planting runners now but it may be too late for them to get good roots before winter.
Q: For many years I've grown pole butterbeans, but this year the vines look great but there are few beans and they are flat. — P. Etchison, Alpharetta
A: Flat beans usually indicate poor pollination. Butterbeans are self-pollinating but produce enough nectar to attract bees. This is good, because cross-pollinating with nearby beans of different varieties seems to increase successful pollination for all. Next time, plant different bean varieties and some pollinator-friendly plants.
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