Q: How does a mud dauber make the buzzing sound when nest building? The wings do not appear to move. Paul Cain, email
A: Mud daubers do indeed make a buzzing sound when they are working. I've noticed it when visiting barns and sheds. I don't hear the buzz when they fly, so my bet is that their wings are hitting/rubbing the clay walls of their "tubes". It wouldn't take much movement to make a sound and if the wings vibrate only slightly the hard mud surface would amplify the noise. My bet is that the noise is not defensive. It's simply a byproduct of her happily constructing the clay cells in which she will deposit spiders and the eggs that will eventually hatch and consume the hapless creature.
Q: Lantana appears to be the only plant in my yard the deer will not eat. Where can I learn more about lantana? R. D. Spear, email
A: Lantana is an excellent landscape plant.....and almost completely deer-proof! New varieties are introduced every year. Many are hybrids of Lantana camara. Varieties range in size from the 5' x 5' shrub size of 'Miss Huff' to the 8" high groundcover 'New Gold'. You'll have to read the plant label to know its mature size. Most are not winter hardy and must be replanted each year. The exception is 'Miss Huff', which dies back to the ground but reliably resprouts from that point each spring.
Q: Is there a place in Georgia that sells WeedPharm or does it have to be ordered on line? Randall Topping, email
A: WeedPharm (www.pharmsolutionsinc.com) contains 20% acetic acid and is sold as a herbicide. It is not vinegar, which is 5% acetic acid and which is generally considered safe for home use. The 20% concentration of acetic acid is corrosive and causes irreversible eye damage. It is harmful if absorbed through skin. Applicators must wear a face shield or goggles, long sleeved shirt and long pants, waterproof gloves and shoes plus socks. You can order the product online but personally I consider it too dangerous to use in the landscape.
Q: My husband and I argue so much about this subject that we might be headed to divorce court! We have grown a pin oak for 20 years, although it still has a small canopy. Should I irrigate further out than the drip line or not? Lauren Carey, Colorado
A: The answer is: You're both right!
The fine feeder roots that absorb water extend at different distances from the drip line depending on the species of tree. In my experience, a tree with dense evergreen leaves, such as hemlock and Southern magnolia, shingles water out from the canopy. This forces their roots to extend much further than a deciduous tree like an oak or maple, which might have most of their feeder roots at the drip line or a little beyond. My general advice is to irrigate trees five feet inside the drip line and a similar distance outside it.
Another instance of marital discord cured by horticultural knowledge!
Listen to Walter Reeves Saturday mornings on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News Talk WSB. Visit his website, www.walterreeves.com, or join his Facebook Fan Page at xrl.us/wrfacebook for more garden tips.
