Marianne’s Responses
Freezing and canning vegetables from a small garden
Posted by Tina Cure | July 13, 2014I have a small garden, but would like to freeze and can what I do get from it. How do I keep the few vegetables that I pick occasionally until I have enough to can or freeze?
Fertilizing ficus trees
Posted by Kenneth Barnhart | July 12, 2014My ficus trees and bushes are losing a lot of leaves, and the tips of a lot of them are getting burned. I live in Palm Springs, California. I fertilize them every two months with a 16/16/16. I water them in the morning at 5 a.m. for 12 minutes with drip system and at night at 9 p.m. for 8 ...
Preventing weeds without breaking your back
Posted by Suzanne Finney | July 9, 2014I have a large area in our yard that was once a play area we filled with "pea gravel." Kids are grown and swing set is gone. I have put in a few flower beds, but we're not sure how we want to transform the space. I use a vinegar/epsom salt/dish soap mixture to kill weeds that is kid and ...
Thrips on rosebuds
Posted by Alice Healy | July 7, 2014My roses are in very poor condition. The buds form but don't open. There appears to be a little insect inside, but it's very tiny. Also probably a separate condition, the leaves on some of the roses start to curl and wither. I have treated them for the insect "treps"ânot sure if that's the correct spelling. Any suggestions?
Why did my pink peony turn yellow?
Posted by Lenora Sellers | July 6, 2014What would make my entire peony plant turn yellow? It is supposed to be a pink peony. The other one I planted is all green, and I got them both at same time and place.
Preventing beetles in tomato and basil plants
Posted by CRYSTAL DOWLER | July 4, 2014We are having an issue with beetles eating our tomato and basil plants. Is there an organic solution?
Moss or weed: Sandwort
Posted by Sue Love | July 4, 2014Is this moss or a weed? Thank you.
Plastic mulch and problem tomatoes
Posted by Marianne lamb | July 3, 2014This is the second year I have had a problem growing tomatoes. Three years ago I had great luck, but last year they sat there and wouldn't grow. This year it is the same thing. Would mulch (pine bark mulch) make the difference? I had porous plastic and new mulch put down last year. It is the only thing I ...
Nut grass, weed vines, and weed trees
Posted by Scott Shina | July 3, 2014In our garden we have a tremendous problem with nut grass and weed vines. In back yard we also have terrible weed "trees" that just keep coming back. Is there a spray or other solution to kill off these garden and yard problems with out killing our plants, yard, and bushes? Thanks!
Potted coleus and bucket tomatoes
Posted by Daphne Williams | July 3, 2014I planted four coleus in a large pot in ordinary garden soil which grows good grass. Two died, two are alive. What's the proper care and feeding for potted coleus plants? Second question: I plant tomatoes every year in 5 gallon buckets with new potting soil. This year I have lots of good leaves and very few blossoms. Help!
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