JUST ASK JOE

We have a 6 year old Palm in our back yard, about 6 feet from our pool. The roots are all showing and the trunk itself looks like it's about 6 inches off the ground. It was here when we moved in and I'm now wondering if we need to remove it?

Thanks for your help!
Deborah

I have a type of philodendron (dark green leaves on top w/ purple underneath) that is suppose to be a good shade plan. I had it in the house for awhile but it was not doing well.
I have since moved it to the screen in patio. I gets good filtered light, but the leaves look like the have been bleached out, and it only grows a few stems at a time.
I dont know what I should do.

Hi Joe, I really love your style of answering questions. here is my task at hand. I have been given the responsibilty of developing a few community gardens in a really economically depressed neighborhood here in New Orleans. The property that is available is not in good shape. I intend to build raised planters due to soil quality, cost, and maintainance. This is all being done as a community outreace program as well as a skill training program for Covenant House. Covenant House shelters 'at risk' youth. Where do I start? Do you know of any resources I can tap into? Books, Programs, organzations...anything that i can reference to help me get this rolling. Thanks so much, Booth pohlmann 504 715 7812

We have an established maple tree in our backyard whose roots are showing on the surface. I would love to plant under the tree (shrubs, perennials,etc.)and wonder what the best way to do this without damaging the tree would be. If we add topsoil, will the roots just come to the surface again and would it weaken the tree? I saw a raised bed where there was a ring of stone wall about a foot from the trunk of the tree,(keeping the dirt from touching the trunk),with another stone wall on the outside forming the raised bed- sort of like a donut around the trunk. But this was done around a small ornamental tree. Thank you for your time and any suggestions.

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How do I properly use my new edger to edge a planting bed?
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I have a Yucca Palm and we dug up bulbs around them .

I want to know if I should replant them or put them in water to

let them take root?

Thank you

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We live in Maine zone5
What is the best way to plant grape vines?

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Hello,

I have two questions about wisteria with which I hope you can help me. I purchased a wisteria a few years ago. It has white blooms. It bloomed the first year I planted it. The second year it had no blooms and last year it had only two blooms. The vine looks very healthy and is growing well, but virtually no blooms? I live in northern Maryland zone 6 to 5. Do you have any idea why I might not have blooms?

My second question has to do with whether or not wisteria is poisonous. I read that it was part of the pea family and that typically would mean it is poisonous to horses. The plant is in reach of my horses and one of them did some selected pruning last year but did not show any side effects. Wisteria was not listed in my poisonous plant book, so I’m unsure of whether or not it is a danger to the horses.

Thanks for you help with this.

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Do potato bushes lose there leaves like my apple, peach trees that i have? I moved from S.F bay area to northern California and the bush felt the change a bit. Now its it the ground and i am wondering if i should cover the bush when REALLY cold weather exists. Gracias!!!

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I read a September 6, 2008, Denver Post article talking about how you all are tackling the issue of getting planter pots recycled. Even though I'm a true champion for recycling, plastics are made from oil, and thus it's better to find an alternative when possible. I hope you will consider the following as an option to research:

I was at an event where the table center pieces were plants in compostable planter pots. Made from coconut pieces, these containers can biodegrade in the ground in moister climates; otherwise, they can be composted. Even if they end up in a landfill, they would break-down long before plastic. The plants+pots were donated by the Denver Botanic Gardens. ... www.botanicgardens.org

I realize they may not work for trees or some larger plants, but they could most likely work for a majority of plant pots.

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they say it is a good time in the fall to move perrenials to different locations in the yard but if the plants are large should you cut them back first before moving? I usually move things in the spring when they are small but in the fall is when I have more of a clue where I would like them to go according to size etc.

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I have planted azaleas and they have been growing for about three years and I am now wondering if I need to be pruning or doing anything special with them other the feeding them. I live am in zone 9-11. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

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I live in Wisconsin....nearly the middle of the state. My mother lives in South, near Charlotte. Is it too late for us to plant bulbs for the season? Can I start them inside? Any suggests for easy and tolerant bulbs?

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I have 2 young windmill palm trees and several different varieties of young crepe myrtle trees. I live on the border of zones 4b -5a. [upstate NY]. I've gotten so many different answers to my one question, will all these trees survive up here? If so, anything I should know about wintering them up here [i.e pots vs. inground]?

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We purchased and planted six yucca plants in our flower bed (Dallas, TX) last August and only one bloomed this summer. That one long stem bloomed for a few weeks and remains with 'dead pods' on it.

These are planted in beds with three on each side of the sidewalk, facing southwest. One side get more tree shade than the other (where bloom is.) Our beds are well-worked, with peat and landscape mix, and well watered.

Should the bloom stem be cut off? Is there a fertilizer for them to shoot out more blooms?

Thanks for any info you might offer!
MJ

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I have been told my garden has "nematoads". can i dig the dirt out and replace it or what do I do to get rid of these?

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We have just finished our vegetable garden base for our 7 yr old son. We have no experience with gardening, and would love to nurture the love of gardening in our son. Would you please help us with the following questions?

Our garden will be based in a box made out of pressure treated wood about 3 feet high, and about 4ft long and 3 ft. long.

Do you have any suggestions as to what to put for soil?

What could we plant in order to get a product before winter?

Is there anything that grows over winter or could be planted in fall and harvested in Spring?

thanks for your time and website.

Sincerely, Lina

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I bought some Fiskars' "Dirt Grip" lawn edging, but am not happy with it. While it's better than nothing, it doesn't quite do the job. The problem is that it's only about 4 1/2 inches deep, and grass roots will burrow right under it. Where can I find some edging that's deep enough (8 inches at least) to keep the grass out of my flower beds?

What is the best time of year to prune a burning bush?

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Fiskars used to sell about a 15-inch cubic garden container, which was originally developed by Rubbermaid. It include a separate base with a 1.5 gallon reservoir, which fed moisture to the container with a polyester ribbon. I've never found a better container for planting vegetables, but I don't know of any source for this container. As suggestions for a replica?

I have been struggling with my soaker hose system for the past few months. Have 2 problems.
First one is that a specific run (from a previous system) does not soak as well as the others.
I believe the problem with this run is of a smaller diameter hose than the rest: .620 versus .700 ... as per the fittings. I did not think that would effect the water coming out ... but that's the only thing I can figure. I have switched this section from circuit to circuit, and the same thing always happens. Connected to a simple garden hose, for testing regarding clogging, it works OK also. So before I scrap it for a uniform size (.700), want to get your opinion.

2nd point is that some of the .700 sections keep bursting. These sections are not over 1 year old, but the sun where we live (Nevada) beats down fiercely at times. Could this be the problem?
See comments on web having to do with pressure, but did not think that would be that much problem. Last time I checked, our incoming pressure, at bib outlet, is about 55#. If this is too much, what is suggested. In total I have about 200 ft. feeding off of a PVC feeder run.

Thanks
Chuck

What are your feelings about the Fiskars Rear Pivot Grass Shears?

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When can I prune my verigated dogwood? I live in Zone 4.

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