Q: I have apple, peach and plum trees that will not produce mature fruit. There is plenty of fruit initially but it rots and falls off before it matures. Kim Rawlins, Gwinnett County
A: Insects and diseases love fruits as much as we do! In order to consistently have ripe fruit, you need to follow a spray schedule, using either organic or synthetic products. Spraying should start when plants are blooming, a date that's just around the corner. I have details about this here. If you can keep the squirrels at bay, you'll have something to enjoy!
Q: I was given a medinilla plant for Mothers Day. It has done well and has sprouted new leaves. But recently I have noticed the leaves are curling up on the edges. What is wrong? Peggy Sant, email
A: Medinilla magnifica is a tropical plant native to the Philippines, where it grows as a small shrub. The intense pink flowers on drooping stems are wonderfully eye-catching. The trick to growing yours is putting it in a place that mimics its tropical home. While it's indoors in winter it would like a sunny windowsill without cold drafts on the leaves. In summer, place it in a brightly shaded spot. Overwatering can be a problem; make a note to check the soil with your fingers every other day to see if it needs more water to keep the soil moist but never soggy. Give it houseplant fertilizer every two weeks.
Q: I have an acre of bermuda sod. I usually aerate every year. My pH is 5.5 so I need to apply lime. Can I aerate and lime at the same time? Mike Bindas, Gwinnett County
A: I guess lime would go a bit deeper if it were applied just before or after you aerate. However, now is too early to aerate bermudagrass. Wait until it's at least 50 percent green, typically in late April. Or you could just apply lime now and aerate later. I wouldn't expect a marked difference in your lawn's growth.
Q: My wife and I just built two raised beds with landscaping timber. We know that these are treated. What can we line the inside of the beds with to make sure that the veggies taste right and don't hurt us? Conner Poe, email
A: A decade ago, health concerns were raised about the chemicals used to treat landscape timbers. The words "chromated copper arsonate" raised the hackles of gardeners around the country. However, newer protective chemicals have been introduced and have garnered much less criticism. Most wood is treated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or micronized copper azole (MCA). Personally, I'd feel comfortable using modern treated wood for my raised beds without lining them.
Q: In a recent column you mentioned using metal label holders to identify plants in a garden. Where do you get these? Ann Downing, email
A: Local nurseries have them, typically made from copper or zinc. Two online suppliers include www.metalgardenmarkers.com and www.everlastlabel.com.
Q: We have a squirrel in our attic. I had a roofer fix the hole in the eaves but it is still finding a way in. Do you have a recipe to keep out squirrels? Tina Lippens, email
A: I don't know of a squirrel repellent that works consistently enough to recommend. This includes concoctions of cedar, garlic and cayenne pepper. Moth balls should never be used because the vapors are poisonous. Ultrasonic repellers have been proven not to work. Leaving a radio on in the attic does not work. I recommend you hire an animal-control professional to trap and remove it.
Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News-Talk WSB. Visit his website, or join his Facebook Fan Page for more garden tips.
