Q: I'm looking for weeds that will take over my yard and look like a lawn from the street. Yes, I actually want to sow weed seeds! We have a bright shady yard and have been unsuccessfully planting fescue in front for twelve years. Our unmaintained side yard has always maintained a thick cover of short vegetation that some might call weeds. Do you have suggestions for plant varieties and a source of seeds? Kate Pittman, Lilburn
A: Nature always has a green plant in mind for any open spot. I'll let you decide if they are weeds or not. You have several choices among cultivated plants and "weeds" that would thrive in your conditions. A top option would be to plant sprigs of mondo grass, best gotten from a neighbor who wants to divide a clump. This would give a grass-like, low maintenance lawn. For variety, you could plant ajuga, creeping Jenny, or green 'n' gold 'Eco Lacquered Spider'. As for plants that are usually called weeds, I think wild violet, creeping Charlie, false strawberry, dichondra, and lawn pennywort would cover the ground in short order. For sources, look no farther than neighbors who would be glad to get rid of these lawn invaders. If you don't mind occasional irrigation, moss might make an acceptable ground cover. Shady conditions prevent any of these plants from tolerating much foot traffic, so plan stepping stone paths so you can enjoy your extremely low-maintenance area. Send me pictures if you have success!
Q: On radio you had a conversation with a gentleman about using 24-8-12 fertilizer on his lawn. Rather than lugging heavy bags of fertilizer, I buy bulk boxes of Miracle-Gro and put it in the hose attachment that comes with the fertilizer and connect this to my lawn sprinkler. My zoysia is in heaven! Helen Howard, Mansfield
A: I do much the same with my flower beds. The applicator is a handy way to apply plant food. However, I think you're applying just enough nutrients to keep the grass growing but not enough to make it as lush as it could be. Simply speaking, the label on a bag of 24-8-12 would likely recommend spreading four pounds per 1,000 square feet every six weeks to give optimum grass growth. Your 24-8-16 blue powder should also be applied at a rate of four pounds per 1,000 square feet to give the needed amount of nitrogen. A fertilizer packet contains 1.25 pounds of product, so you need to apply it three time in six weeks to give the right amount of fertilizer to your grass. My bet is that you're not bagging your lawn clippings. Clippings are a good source of lawn nutrients so that, plus your occasional application of water soluble fertilizer, gives you the lawn you enjoy.
Q: I am growing roses in pots on a raised deck. What is the recommended winter protection for a container-grown rose? Paul Rose, Gwinnett County
A: The safest thing to do is to move them into an unheated garage or basement. If this is impossible, move the containers against an east-facing exterior wall in December. If winter temperatures drop into the teens, cover each plant with a blanket.
Q: What is the latest in the fall one could put down fescue sod? John Lewis, email
A: You can install fescue sod any time the ground isn't frozen and supplies are available, typically September through April. If the soil has been tilled beforehand, fescue roots into the soil easily. That said, a frigid, windy January day would not be my first choice to lay fescue. Once installed, irrigate enough to keep the sod and underlying soil moist but not soggy.
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