Marianne’s Responses
Using mulch to control mildew and blight
Posted by wheezyweeder | October 27, 2015I have many peonies: a tree, Itoh, and herbaceous. Some are diseased. I may have to toss them into the clean green can. But for the others, picking up the old foliage every autumn is tedious and I always miss some. Is there a small outdoor vacuum that has the suction to gather these leaves for me? It would be ...
The risks of mulching with Maple and Sycamore leaves
Posted by Rogar | October 19, 2015In a recent column you indicated to a reader that mulching with Maple leaves into the lawn was not a good idea. Is the same true of sycamore leaves?
How to transplant a mature Pomegranate tree
Posted by mkay0314 | October 18, 2015Hello Marianne, An old neighbor in Cerritos, CA zone 10b was going to cut down a 6-10 yr old Pomegranate tree. I'm going to dig it out and plant it in Beaumont, CA zone 9b. The tree is about 13' tall and about 6'-8' wide. Trimmed last year, full of fruit this year. Any advice on digging out, transporting, and ...
Best flower seeds to plant in cooler weather
Posted by Crystal Ashley | October 18, 2015Hi Marianne, Which flower seeds are okay to plant in the fall, in the Pacific NW? I have so many I've collected, left over and bought on sale. Will some seeds pop up in spring if I plant them under my leaf mulch this fall? Thanks, Crystal and Lacey
How to successfully grow a citrus tree in containers
Posted by Cathy Taranik | October 18, 2015Hi Marianne, I've heard that you can grow lemon trees in containers. Are there any other citrus trees besides lemon that we in the Pacific Northwest can grow in containers and bring indoors during the cold season? Thanks, Cathy Taranik
How to propagate root cuttings of a Persian Shield
Posted by TomandLinda | October 11, 2015Is it possible to take cuttings from my Persian Shield and root them in water for future plants?
Identify this evergreen perennial
Posted by Paulalang | September 28, 2015Can you help me identify this plant? It's a picture from my sisters place in Wales England. Thanks in advance, Paula Lang
Can I fertilize Indian Rosewood trees through a drip irrigation system?
Posted by Mike Parrott | September 26, 2015I have two Indian Rosewood trees planted in my front yard. They are about six foot high and perhaps 1 1/2 years old. Each tree is watered with a drip irrigation system dispensing 12 gallons of water every four days into three 14" long watering stakes per tree. Now that fall is coming to Yuma, AZ and the heat is ...
How to source your garlic cloves
Posted by Linda McIntyre | September 24, 2015Can I plant cloves from garlic bulbs purchased in a grocery store?
Diagnose a wilting berry shrub
Posted by kate ventura | September 22, 2015We recently moved a large (6 feet wide, 4 feet high) 3-year-old beauty berry and it is wilting. We have been watering it but I am afraid we killed it! Should we prune it back or leave it as is?
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