Q: My mock orange plants are a bit brown after the big freeze. What should I do now, if anything? Dan Johnson, DeKalb County
A: All you can do is wait. On several shrubs (Indica azalea, pittosporum, fatsia, etc.), much damage may show up as dead branches after the first warm spell of spring. This is due the to bark splitting that I predict happened during the severe cold. When the weather warms, the split will open and fungi will invade, causing the branch to die. There's not much to be done to prevent this. Prune out the damage as seen.
Q: I need some advice on career choices in the horticulture industry. I’m a graduate of Gwinnett Technical College in Landscape Horticulture. My interests are caring for plants and helping others who need help with theirs. Wanda Goss, Newnan
A: Landscape companies are hiring! You'll just have to make a list of companies that serve the south metro area and start knocking on doors. I have more options for folks similar to you plus a list of careers at bit.ly/hortcareers.
Q: My neighbor is giving me fifteen of her blueberry bushes. I’m moving them from a partial shade area to a full sun area. When is the best time to move them? Patti Gravitt, Lake Lanier
A: Now is a great time! I have tips for successful shrub transplanting at bit.ly/shrubtrans. The key is to make the new blueberry home thoroughly hospitable. For each plant, thoroughly till a cubic foot of Canadian peat moss into an area four feet wide. Plant in the center. Space the plants six feet apart. Mulch with bark chips and pay special attention to watering during the first summer. I predict gallons of fruit next year.
Q: A couple of years ago we came upon seeds for mustard greens, which we sowed in early spring. It added a pleasant “tingle” when mixed with salad greens, but we can’t remember the name of the seed. Can you help? Charles Dawson, White County
A: 'Southern Giant' and 'Giant Red' are available at garden centers. You might also try 'Mizuna', a Japanese variety. In my opinion, chopping a leaf or two into shreds and mixing with other salad greens is preferable to adding whole leaves.
Q: I want to start some tomatoes inside from seeds. How long does it take to get them big enough to set out? Willard Kettlewell, Kilgore, TX
A: The guideline is to start them six to eight weeks before the last frost. Kilgore is similar to middle Georgia, where the last frost is around March 20. That means you can get started in the next couple of weeks. I have complete directions, as well as a Last Frost map for Georgia at bit.ly/tomatoseed.
Q: I have assorted native ferns in my landscape. It’s beautiful until June when weeds start to overgrow them. Can I put down pre-emergent weed control without hurting the ferns? John Rathbone, Ellijay
A: I don't think pre-emergents have been tested on ferns. You can try it and tell me how it works or go with this alternative: when objectionable plants appear, wrap an old towel on a short stick and wet it with glyphosate (KleenUp, Roundup, etc). Wipe the dampened towel on the weeds and kill them without harming the ferns.
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