Marianne’s Responses
Osmocote on roses
Posted by jeffroses | March 15, 2016I bought today Osmocote Plus (15/9/12). Is the Osmocote Plus appropriate to use on my rose garden? If so how much per plant. I have about 25 roses.
Lawn care and recovery
Posted by chcureton | March 14, 2016Hi Marianne, Last summer, our lawn was very unhealthy. The lawn was severely damaged by mole mounds, weeds and bare areas for what seems to be damaged from crane fly larva. The lawn was reseed last summer however it is not very dense. I have these questions: 1.Should the lawn be reseeded first or should it be fertilized first. 2. ...
Skimmia is everywhere
Posted by netandb | March 8, 2016I found my plant on the internet, thanks to your "Skimmia clue". It appears to be Skimmia Anquetilia. Still can't find the answer to how it got planted in so many different locations and how new ones keep appearing. Any ideas?!? thanks
Spot composting tomato, squash, and cucumber plants
Posted by | March 5, 2016I spot compost with fruit and veggie peels, etc. and wonder whether it makes sense to leave the roots of old tomato, squash, and cucumber plants in the ground at the end of the season. Is there any benefit?
Thinning out hydrangea shrubs
Posted by TomandLinda | March 2, 2016 | Marianne's FavoriteOur hydrangea is sprouting out new leaves and I was wondering if I could now thin the shrub out a bit. It's along a walkway and getting a bit too bushy.
Removing orange lichen
Posted by | March 1, 2016Not exactly a gardening question, but I hope you can help me. A few years ago I had orange lichen on my sidewalk and blew it away with a pressure washer. Now I have some on a part of my roof and, needless to say, I won't be hauling a pressure washer up a ladder. Is there something I can ...
Caring for lily bulbs
Posted by lilaclady | February 25, 2016How do I care for lily bulbs that have been in the ground all winter and are just now coming up? Do I need to fertilize them?
Removing limbs from a tall tree
Posted by thejemstone | February 23, 2016Hi, I have a Leland Cypress that I planted about 3 feet from a shed. The tree is getting tall. I've cut a few lower limbs but not sure if that's best for the tree. Can I keep trimming back the limbs as it gets bigger or is it time to move it? I know someday, we'd like to replace ...
Ivy on apple tree
Posted by Loreli | February 14, 2016Hello Marianne! I enjoy your column in the Kent Reporter and read it weekly. You were the first person I thought of to ask about the matter facing us now. We share a very old apple tree with the property next door. It's at least 100 years old, probably more. It's also covered with ivy that has climbed up the ...
Osmocote on plumeria
Posted by kajo539 | February 13, 2016What kind of Osmocote should I use on my Plumeria? Also, I received a plant called Zingiber golden bush, and I cannot find ANY information on it anywhere. I need care instructions! I live in PA. Thank you!
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!