Woolly Pine Scale: Looks Alarming, But No Treatment Needed

Fluffy white sticky stuff on pine in midsummer? Woolly pine scale. Its conspicuous but rarely spreads. Honeydew may coat surfaces below. Verdict Do nothing. Natural predators handle it. No spray needed.

Are You Related to Joe Reeves? No, But He's on the "Cousin" List

A reader asks if Im kin to Joe Reeves, former Sears garden shop manager. Answer: No relation. But Ill add him to my cousins list—alongside Dan, Steve, Keanu, and Martha Reeves (and her cute kids Van and Della).

Oakleaf Hydrangea Sudden Death: Likely Armillaria Root Rot from Overwatering

Rapid wilting and death in Snowflake oakleaf hydrangea = classic Armillaria root rot. Trigger: excess moisture. Diagnosis No fungicide cures it. If you overwatered (loved it to death), thats the cause. Replanting Strat

Where to Buy Professional Fungicides: Two Georgia Sources

Looking for Heritage, Compass, Banner Maxx, etc.? Try: Growers Supply Cooper Seeds (Lawrenceville) These carry professional-grade products not found at big-box stores.

Whitefly Control on Gardenias: Spray Thoroughly or Use Systemic in Spring

Whiteflies explode from hundreds to millions by midsummer. They suck sap, excrete honeydew, grow sooty mold. Options Contact sprays (deltamethrin, permethrin, esfenvalerate): Must coat undersides of leaves. Repeat per

Mulch Against Foundation: Keep It 12+ Inches Away to Block Termite Bridges

Any mulch (pine, cypress, rubber) against the foundation lets termites bypass treated soil. Rule Keep all mulch ≥12 inches from foundation. This maintains the chemical barriers integrity. Simple, non-negotiable, effect

Woodpecker Drumming on Your House: Why They Do It and How to Stop It

Woodpeckers drum to communicate (not for insects usually). They love stucco and cedar. Once they start, they may nest. Deterrents (Low to High Effort) Flash tape, pinwheels, pie tins—work briefly. Owl/hawk models—short

Pine Beetles: Remove Infested Trunks, But Chips Are Safe for Mulch

Trunks with beetles must go—left on site, they hatch and attack nearby trees. Spraying doesnt guarantee kill. Good News Shredded limbs/chips are safe. Beetles prefer trunks, not limbs. Chippers destroy any in bark. Use

Clematis Wilt: Why Your Vine Browned and How to Help It Recover

Evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii) sometimes dies back mysteriously. Good news: it often returns. What It Is Clematis wilt—a fungal disease hitting large-flowered hybrids hardest. Small-flowered types (C. montana, C

Aucuba Care: Berries Mean You Have a Female, Dieback Means Drainage Issues

Your solid-green aucuba with red berries is just a non-variegated female. Aucubas are dioecious—separate male/female plants. Berries = female. Dieback Cause Old plants dying? Constantly wet soil or mulch piled on stems.

Finding Earth-Kind Roses Beyond 'Knock Out': Local and Mail-Order Sources

Love Knock Out? Try these sources for other Earth-Kind roses: Local: Autumn Hill Nursery (East Cherokee County) has an extensive list. Mail-order: The Antique Rose Emporium and Roses Unlimited. Call your neighborhood

Pruning Leggy Gardenias: A Three-Year Plan for Stronger, Blooming Shrubs

Top-heavy gardenias need gradual restructuring. Key rule: New growth appears only inches from cut points. You cant fix the bottom by cutting the top. Three-Step Renovation Early Fall (Year 1): Light prune (¼ foliage).

Planting Near a Septic Tank: Keep Trees 15+ Feet Away or Install a Root Barrier

Leyland cypress and dogwood near a septic tank? Roots will find and clog lines. Safe Distance 15 feet minimum from tank and drain lines. If You Must Plant Closer Dig a 2-ft deep trench 2 ft from tank/lines. Install 16-

Lawn Care Timing: Why January Pre-Emergent Is Okay, But January Fertilizer on Bermuda Is Wasteful

Your lawn company wants to apply pre-emergent + fertilizer in January. Youre right to question it. Pre-Emergent in January: Fine Most pre-emergents break down slowly in cold soil. January application works if it must ha

Wasps Chewing Your Teak Furniture? They're Harvesting Wood Fiber for Nests

Wasps and hornets strip soft wood for nest-building. Your unoiled teak is a perfect source. Stop the Damage Paint with carbaryl solution (Sevin, Bug-B-Gon) per label. Let dry before use. Or use pyrethrin (organic, slow

Chemical Control for Japanese Beetles: When Hand-Picking Isn't Enough

Too many beetles to pick? Insecticides work, but choose wisely: Carbaryl (Sevin, Bug-B-Gon)—very effective, lasts only a few days. Permethrin/Resmethrin—fast knockdown, good for immediate satisfaction. Traps: Use Wit

Organic Japanese Beetle Control: Soap, Pyrethrin, and Realistic Expectations

Organic options exist, but they require direct contact and frequent reapplication: Insecticidal soap or pyrethrin sprays—must hit the beetle directly. Hard on rose blooms. Neem oil—labeled as a repellent, but Ohio rese

Bromeliad Care: Water the Soil, Not Just the Tank

Your bromeliads leaves are shriveling. The fix: water the soil and the tank separately. The Right Way to Water Soil: Let dry almost completely between waterings. Tank (center cup): Keep half-full constantly. Every 6 mo

Mondo Grass Care: Planting, Propagating, Removing, and Troubleshooting

Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus Nana) is a shade-loving, evergreen groundcover that never needs mowing. Heres the full playbook. Growing from Seed (Those Blue Berries) Soak berries 24 hours, remove pulp. Sow ½

Composting Shredded Paper: Safe, Easy, and Great for Soil

Office paper, newspaper, junk mail—yes, you can compost it all. Modern inks are soy- or carbon-based and harmless. Keys to Success Mix with leaves or grass clippings so paper doesnt mat into an oxygen-blocking layer. S