Herbicide-Contaminated Garden Soil: Bioassay with Tomato

New garden soil caused poor growth. Test for herbicide residue: mix suspect soil 1:1 with potting soil, plant tomato. Tomatoes show herbicide damage within a week. Details at xrl.us/bioassay.

Daylily Companions: Bronze Sedum, Veronica 'Georgia Blue', Lamb's Ear

Replace English ivy with bronze sedum (Sedum tectractinum), Veronica Georgia Blue, or Helen Von Stein lambs ear. All are perennial, evergreen, sun-loving. Plant daylilies in large color blocks among groundcovers.

Zucchini Male Flowers: Edible, Don't Affect Female Fruit Set

Early male zucchini flowers can be fried freely. Female flowers appear later; both sexes then coexist, and fruit develops at female bases.

Fire Ants on Okra: Spinosad Bait Around Garden Perimeter

Fire ants feed on okra pods and nectar. Most baits arent labeled for vegetable gardens, but organic spinosad baits can be used around vegetables. Spread non-garden baits on garden perimeter; treat lawn too.

Mimosa Sprouts: Short-Lived, Disease-Prone, But Transplantable

Mimosas grow easily but are considered weed trees—short-lived, disease-susceptible, brittle. Transplant sprouts to good spots in fall, fertilize April and June. Nurseries dont sell them.

Centipede Grass Fertilizing After Sodding: Wait Until Rooted

Fertilize centipede sod when firmly rooted—practically, after the second mowing.

Storing Dried Peppers: Freeze to Prevent Insects

Insects infest stored dried peppers from eggs laid during drying. Freeze dried peppers in airtight jars to prevent worms and moths.

Yucca Seed Propagation: Easier to Transplant Offsets

Yucca offsets (pups) are easier than seeds. For seeds: dry pods on plant until brown, crush with pliers, plant flat black seeds in April in moist potting soil. Warm spot; grass-like sprouts in 2-3 weeks. Transplant to in

Local Honey for Allergies: Unproven, But Supports Beekeepers

Study found no allergy difference between local honey, commercial honey, and honey-flavored corn syrup. Still, buying local honey supports vital pollinators. Sources at www.gabeekeeping.com.

Cedar "Berries" Are Seed Cones: Bird Food, Fence Row Spread

Blue-gray cedar berries are seed cones with 1-2 seeds. Birds eat and disperse them, explaining why redcedars line rural fence rows.

Dwarf Crape Myrtles: 'Chickasaw', 'Pocomoke', Petite Series

For 4-foot height, choose Chickasaw, Pocomoke, or Petite series dwarf crape myrtles. Dozens of varieties with size/color details at xrl.us/crapemyrtle.

Ants on Corn Tassels: Spinosad for Aphids and Earworms

Ants farm aphids for honeydew and may attack earworms. Mineral oil wont deter ants. Spray ears with spinosad (Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew) to control both ants and aphids.

Transplanting Asparagus: Only Move Superior Varieties

Dont move Mary Washington or Martha Washington—theyre inferior. Better: Jersey Giant, Jersey Male, Purple Passion. If good variety, dig crowns with ferns intact, replant immediately. Few spears next spring, but strong fu

Squash Vine Borer Protection: Netting for Late Planting

Summer squash matures in 50-60 days; replanting is possible. Protect with lightweight netting as described at xrl.us/squashnetting.

Cicada Damage: Brown Branch Tips in Late Summer

Female cicadas slit bark on hardwood branch tips to lay eggs in spring. Tips break off and fall, positioning eggs near ground for 13-year cycle. Damage is cosmetic, not harmful to trees.

Funnel Weaver Spider Webs on Lawn: Beneficial Pest Control

Sheet webs with funnels after rain are from funnel weaver spiders. Harmless; they eat aphids, moths, chinch bugs. Dew on webs in morning traditionally predicts fair weather.

Lemon Rinds in Compost: Perfectly Safe

Citrus peels compost fine. Anything once a plant can be composted—banana peels, coffee grounds, corn cobs. All decompose into beneficial humus.

Evening Primrose (Spinning Primrose): Collect Seed Pods to Prevent Spread

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) has fragrant yellow flowers that open at night. Seed pods become a nuisance. Collect tan pods before they crack. Plant a few seeds now for first-year rosettes that bloom next year. Do

Birds Pecking Tomatoes: Pick at Orange Stage, Ripen Indoors

Birds attack tomatoes as they color. Pick when blossom end turns orange; stem seals off, fruit ripens indoors. Vine-ripened vs. indoor-ripened flavor difference is minimal.

Greenhouse Heating and Cooling: Essential for Freestanding Units

Freestanding greenhouses need a heater for winter and cooling for summer. Small units can use electric heater and AC. Factor in water and electricity costs. References at xrl.us/greenhouses.