Propagating Muscadines: Soil Layering Better Than Seeds

Q: Found muscadines on the road. How to get vines from seed? A: Propagating from seed is long and slow with spotty germination. Better: soil layer them. Bend vines to ground, dig shallow trench where each touches soil. S

Crabgrass Remnants in Fescue Lawn: Don't Pull, Prevent Next Year

Q: Ive put down crabgrass killer on my fescue lawn; weeds are browning. Should I pull remnants before fall reseeding? A: Pulling crabgrass remnants is satisfying but wont control the weed—each plant dropped hundreds of s

Preserving Water Lettuce Over Winter: Buy New Each Spring

Q: How to preserve water lettuce year to year? Started with three plants, multiplied beyond belief. A: Water lettuce is very cold-sensitive. Best way: float a few plants in an aquarium with a water heater, lots of light

Choosing Mildew-Resistant Phlox for Hassle-Free Perennials

Q: Were building planters and want hassle-free perennials. Is tall phlox a good choice? A: Phlox is beautiful but can be ravaged by powdery mildew. No maintenance prevents it once established. Best strategy: plant only m

Controlling Coffeeweed, Bermuda, and Johnson Grass: Hand Pulling Best

Q: When to apply pre-emergent to control coffeeweed, bermuda, and Johnson grass? A: Pre-emergent chemicals are ineffective on coffeeweed seed. Bermudagrass and Johnsongrass are perennials; pre-emergent wont hurt them. Ha

How Late Can You Plant in Fall/Winter in Atlanta?

Q: I have a major landscaping project this fall. How late can I plant in Atlanta before soil gets too cold for root growth? A: No hard rule. Roots in cold soil grow less than in warm soil, but more than if held above gro

Why Farmers Use Chicken Manure on Pastures

Q: Farmers in my county put chicken manure on pastures. Why? It smells! A: Farmers use chicken litter instead of buying commercial fertilizer. Its a good nutrient source when managed properly. If the smell is a nuisance,

Fig Tree Not Fruiting After Severe Pruning

Q: I gave my fig tree major pruning two years ago. Two seasons with no ripe figs, plenty of green ones that never mature. Can I encourage ripe figs next year? A: Severe pruning causes fig bushes to revert to a juvenile g

Pre-emergent Herbicide Overapplication: Not the Solution

Q: Putting down pre-emergent on landscape beds every six weeks isnt working. Should I apply monthly? A: Pre-emergent chemicals control weeds from seeds (crabgrass, annual bluegrass) but not weeds sprouting from roots (wi

Repairing a Disintegrating Railroad Tie Retaining Wall

Q: I need guidance on repairing a 20-year-old railroad tie retaining wall with disintegrating ties. A: Railroad tie walls have a limited lifespan, usually around 20 years. Despite creosote treatment, wood slowly rots and

Red Mushrooms in Potted Plumeria: Sign of Overwatering

Q: My potted plumeria has dime-size red mushrooms on the soil and has been declining for weeks. How to get rid of mushrooms? A: Mushrooms on potting soil indicate its too soggy. The plants decline may be from incipient r

Best Grass for a Full-Sun, No-Water Grave Site in Northwest Georgia

Q: What is the best grass to plant on a grave in northwest Georgia? Full sun, no water, no gravel. A: Bermudagrass has the best chance but will struggle to germinate without water. Look for a product mixing grass seed wi

When to Fertilize Young Dogwood and Redbud Trees

Q: Is this a good time to fertilize six-month-old dogwood and redbud trees? A: No. Fertilize plants in early spring before green growth begins. Organic, slow-release fertilizers (Holly-Tone, Milorganite, E. B. Stone) wor

Kiwi Vine Yellowing Leaves: Normal Seasonal Drop

Q: Our two kiwi plants on a pergola have vines covering it, but leaves are turning yellow and falling off. Whats wrong? A: Kiwi vine is deciduous and drops leaves every year starting in early fall. The yellow leaves are

Why You Shouldn't Plant Kudzu for a Privacy Barrier

Q: I want to know how to transplant and grow kudzu vine on a barbed wire fence for a privacy barrier. A: In the early 1900s, my grandfather Walter Cowart promoted kudzu as a pasture crop in Georgia. Despite his campaign,

Overseeding Zoysia with Creeping Red Fescue: Not Recommended

Q: Can I overseed my zoysia backyard with creeping red fescue to keep it green this winter? A: I doubt youll get the results you want. Creeping red fescue needs close soil contact to germinate. Dense zoysia grass will ca

Cleaning Houseplants After a Summer Outdoors

Q: What is the best solution for cleaning houseplants that have been outside all summer? A: Patio plants often get dusty after a summer outdoors. Freshen them up by finding an old cotton sock, putting it on one hand, dam

Best Way to Remove Leaves from a Newly Seeded Lawn

Q: Whats the best way to remove leaves from a newly seeded lawn? Rake, blower, or grind with a mower? A: Shred them with a mower. It may take an extra pass, but your lawn will be healthier. Earthworms consume the shredde

Replacing Bradford Pears with Serviceberry Trees

Q: I want to replace four Bradford pears with native serviceberry trees. Is there a certain variety I should look for? A: Several species and hybrids of serviceberry grow well here. I love the plants springtime white flo

Risks of Using 2,4-D-Treated Hay as Mulch or Compost: Tomato Sensitivity and Variable Breakdown

Q: Is it safe to use hay, as mulch and in compost, treated with 2-4-D? I cant say its safe in all situations. 2,4-D half-life is 7-60 days depending on water or soil application. Soil microbes break it down. However, sev