Marianne’s Responses
What’s eating my plants
Posted by Kathleen Troutman | July 31, 2026I have carefully inspected the leaves on my coleus and I cant determine what is nibbling away at them during the night. They are in pots. No broken stems, no slug trails. Otherwise, they are very healthy
Follow up question about using fertilizers and drip irrigation
Posted by Edgard Riba | July 30, 2026Hi Marianne, Thanks a lot for your kind answer about using Osmocote and drip irrigation for my fig trees and other fruit plants in 7 to 10 gallon pots. I was very confused because I was getting constrasting answers from drip irrigation suppliers: that I had to use spot-spitters or some kind of spray-type emitter that would water the fertilizer ...
Thrift care
Posted by MemeSharon | July 30, 2026I have beautiful Thrift that has graduated almost to the street. It has left behind ugly roots on top of the soil. Can I safely cut the 'roots'? How do I dig up and replant it? Thank you!
Drip irrigation and osmocote plus for potted fig trees
Posted by Edgard Riba | July 30, 2026Hi, I'm growing fig trees in 7 to 10 gallon pots (I keep them small), and other smallish fruit trees also in 7 to 10 gallon pots, and use Osmocote Plus as the fertilizer. About 3 weeks ago I setup a drip irrigation system using spot emitters and I deliver the water using angled barbed dripper stake (see attached photo). ...
Lawn Watering
Posted by Suzbo | July 26, 2026Hello, I live in Enumclaw WA. I was wondering if I should be watering my lawn. It's pretty dry with the heat the last couple of days, but it seems usually around now we quit watering. Thank you. Suzette Bogrand
What can I add to sandy clay soil to improve it?
Posted by Karen Isaacson | July 17, 2026My property and those around me have a substrate of clay and sand and lots and lots of rocks. What can I add to improve the quality of the soil between the rocks?
Impatiens not blooming
Posted by Kathleen Troutman | July 14, 2026My impatiens get dappled sunlight and is very healthy, but blooms poorly
2026 Photo Contest Winners
Posted by Joy Jamrok | July 2, 2026How do I see 2026 winners? When I go to the website and login it shows ALL the entries but not the 30 winners. You are the only way I see to ask the way. Thanks!
Blue Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)
Posted by Tamara Bacon | June 24, 2026Where can I purchase one for our new home in the PNW (WA State)?
What is chewing leaves off my young rosemary plant
Posted by Chris Kuepfer | June 9, 2026What is chewing leaves off my young rosemary plant?
Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library
Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need -- fast!