Reviving a Neglected Asparagus Patch in Heavy Soil

Rescuing Asparagus from Weeds and Compacted Ground Finding an established asparagus patch beneath a tangle of weeds is a gardeners treasure—especially when the soil is hard as cement. The key is to work with moisture to

Pruning Limelight Hydrangeas: Timing and Technique

When to Prune Limelight Hydrangea Its not too late to prune your Limelight hydrangeas, but you should act soon. This popular panicle hydrangea blooms in late summer on flower buds that form in late spring. Pruning in ear

Why Your Wild Blueberries Won't Turn Blue (And How to Fix It)

Understanding Blueberry Ripening If your wild blueberry bushes produce plenty of berries that never turn blue, the culprit is almost certainly insufficient sunlight. Ripening is a solar-powered process: plants convert ca

Indian Hawthorn Winter Kill: Replace with Yedda Hawthorn

January cold killed many Indian hawthorns (Rhaphiolepis indica) but spared others—microclimate and variety matter. Replace with cold-hardy Yedda hawthorn (R. umbellata) from colder Japan/Korea regions.

Hellebore Spread: Expose Seeds to Soil

Hellebore seeds ripen in June. Pull back pine straw under plant so seeds contact soil. Seedlings appear next year.

Protecting Crapemyrtle Trunks from Horses: Chicken Wire Better Than Pipe

Corrugated pipe works short-term but traps moisture, risking fungus/borers. Loose chicken wire deters chewing and expands with trunk growth.

European Hornbeam Too Large for Entryway: Replace

Upright hornbeam grows 25-35 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide—wrong for stoop. Unless committed to constant pruning, replace with columnar Emerald Green arborvitae or weeping yaupon holly.

Crapemyrtle Pruned in November: Cold Damage Killed Tops

November pruning triggered tender regrowth that froze. If no trunk growth by June, cut dead wood, train one base sprout as new trunk.

Blossom End Rot Fix: Gypsum (Sheetrock) for Calcium

Blossom end rot = calcium deficiency. Pulverize gypsum drywall (Sheetrock) scraps, sprinkle 2 Tbsp per plant. Gypsum = calcium sulfate. Dont use Epsom salt (magnesium competes with calcium).

'Chapel Hill' Lantana Winter Kill: Replace It

Chapel Hill Yellow (cross of hardy Miss Huff and tender New Gold) likely dead after January cold. Its a goner—replant.

Mulching Tomatoes with Sawdust: Avoid Walnut

1-inch sawdust mulch is fine unless mill processes walnut—juglone in walnut harms tomatoes.

Algae in Rain Barrel: Safe for Plants

Green film = algae from roof nutrients. Water safe for plants. Optional: 1/8 tsp bleach per gallon to disinfect.

Pre-Emergent Herbicide: Too Late for Summer Weeds

Too late for pre-emergent on crabgrass etc. If lawn healthy, use quinclorac products on emerged crabgrass. Follow label.

Hibiscus Sawfly Larvae Skeletonize Leaves

Lacy, vein-only leaves = hibiscus sawfly larvae. Adults lay eggs under leaves in April. Larvae feed through spring. Spray insecticidal soap or garden insecticide upward under leaves.

Sweet Chestnut in Munich vs. USA: Heat and Blight Limit It

Munich trees were likely sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). US survival limited by summer heat and chestnut blight. Try one and report back.

Finding a Landscape Maintenance Company for HOA

Georgia Urban Ag Council (georgialandscapepro.com) lists member firms by specialty. Use Find a Professional for common-area maintenance bids.

Mulching Vegetable Garden with Moldy Hay or Pine Straw

Both work. Break up moldy hay, keep a few inches from stems. Pine straw doesnt acidify soil—fine for veggies.

Corn Gluten Meal in Veggie Garden: Till It In, Plant Anyway

Corn gluten gives poor weed control in South. Till it into soil where youll plant. Seeded vegetables will grow fine.

Using Koi Pond Water on Lawn: Free Fertilizer

Weekly 10% pond water changes are great for lawns—nutrient-rich, no harm. Many use aquaponics similarly.

Drought-Tough Plants for Cemetery Headstone (No Water)

For 3.5x1.3 ft full-sun, no-water site: creeping thyme, Lime Zinger sedum, Angelina sedum, Homestead Purple verbena, santolina, ice plant. More options at bit.ly/GAcemetery.