Marianne’s Responses
How much to use a sprinkler system
Posted by | March 6, 2015I now live in Enumclaw in "Bar S area" off of 400th and built a house 1 1/2 years ago. New lawn for the front and the back 1/2 acre was hydro seeded last summer. I spent a lot to water and establish the lawns. I had sprinklers put in at the same time. What I would like to know ...
Removing thick thatch
Posted by Duane Simurdak | March 5, 2015We have dead spots in our lawn with matted down grass that develops thick thatch. Many lawns in surrounding neighborhood have this problem. We are located around Farrelly and Edith Ave but problem is widespread. Some people have lawn service. I don't but thatch and aerate and fertilize regularly. Neighbors are asking me what to do. I used to keep ...
Tough weeds
Posted by Randy Ketner | March 5, 2015What I need to know is how to permanently get rid of Johnson grass from my garden. I have tried digging it up and I have also tried different weed killers and nothing seems to work. I have been fighting this problem for 5 years.
Keeping a shaded lawn healthy
Posted by Lin Powell | March 4, 2015Hi Marianne. We live in Olympia on a small lot. We don't have large trees but neighbors do and our house is 2-story. The nearby trees and our house keeps our yard shaded on all sides throughout the day. Our problem is the lawn. Our lawn is shaded on the east, west, and north sides. We are having difficulties keeping ...
When to plant seeds
Posted by Marsha StLouis | March 1, 2015Is it safe to plant seeds yet (March 1, 2015) in Kent?
Hellebores: long-term or short-term?
Posted by Sharon Harada | February 25, 2015I attended your hellebore class at Windmill. With your help, I purchased a hellebore and heuchera for a pot. I later wondered whether pots are a good long-term place for a hellebore or whether it should be for a short-term planting. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!
How to use chicken manure in the garden
Posted by mdumaine | February 23, 2015Hi Marianne, I live in Auburn WA and bought some chicken manure for the garden. How should I use it in my flower garden? How should I use it in my raised beds? Thank you
When to harvest rhubarb
Posted by mdumaine | February 23, 2015I live in Auburn Wa and am growing Rhubarb. When am I supposed to harvest it?
Pruning and shaping a bushy plant
Posted by mdumaine | February 23, 2015Hi Marianne, I have a Pieris Fire and Ice plant. How can I get it to be more bushy?
Lichen problems
Posted by | February 22, 2015Hi, Marianne, I guess I must live in lichen country. I have them in my garden, on my sidewalk, and on my roof. What can I do to get rid of them and/or keep them from coming back?
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!