Advice
Lawns | Flowers and Plants | Vegetables and Herbs | Trees | Gardening | Landscaping
Q. What is the best time of year to aerate?
A. Generally spring is the best time of year to aerate. You can aerate in the fall as well.
Q. When can I start fertilizing my lawn?
A. It is best to fertilize in mid-spring, after the lawn has been aerated and de thatched.
Q. Which fertilizer do you recommend for my lawn in the spring?
A. We recommend Scotts Turf Starter 20-27-5. The high middle number helps any damaged roots to re-establish. When the lawn has greened up (usually around the end of May) you may apply Scotts Turf Builder Pro 31-3-8. The high first number (nitrogen) helps keep the lawn green.
Q. What is the best way to repair the bright yellow spots on my lawn that is caused by the dog?
A1. As soon as you see that the grass has been urinated on (discolouration can occur within 24-48 hrs. in warm weather), you should sprinkle garden lime on to the area and saturate with water. The acid from your pet's urine is what burns the grass, so neutralizing it with lime then flushing with water will help.
A2. If the damage is already apparent, rake up the dead grass as much as possible. Sprinkle with garden lime and water area well. Grass seed will not germinate in acidic soil, so lime is crucial. Cover the patch with a light layer of soil, apply grass seed, and then cover seed with a light layer of soil. Repaired patches must be lightly watered daily (twice in hot, dry weather) for germination within two to three weeks. A slow release starter fertilizer can be lightly applied for better root development.
CIL Fast Fix Lawn Repair is an all in one repair formula that includes soil conditioner, seed, mulch and fertilizer. This easy to use product can be used all season long. We recommend raking up the dead grass and applying a light layer of soil before using this mixture.
A3. If you're in a rush, the dead patch can be cut out, then garden lime is used to neutralize the soil. Dunvegan sells pieces of sod that you can cut to fit the patches. Water daily and within one week your lawn will look much better.
Some dogs cause more damage than others because of the levels of acid in their urine. Pet stores do sell products that are ingested by the animal to neutralize their urine.
Q. What do the numbers really mean?
A. The three numbers on fertilizer represent the percentage of that nutrient in the mix. Nitrogen is the first number and it makes up 10% of the mix shown. Nitrogen produces leafy green growth that is important for a green lawn. Phosphorus is the second number, and makes up 20% of the mix shown. Phosphorus encourages root growth - important for a healthy lawn. Potassium is the third number and is necessary for disease resistance, general hardiness and flowering and is 5% of mixture shown. The nutrients always appear in this order, but the percentage of each can change. Dunvegan Gardens stocks a variety of fertilizers to suit your needs.
Q. What is the best way to lay sod?
A. Laying sold is an alternative to seeding a lawn. Always lay your sod in a brick wall pattern. Sod is an ideal solution to establish turf on a steep grade or slope.
Q. How do I keep beautiful blooms in my hanging baskets?
A. Baskets should be checked daily, in a sunny location a basket will dry out quickly. To check, place your hand underneath and lift, if it is heavy do not water, if it's light it needs water. Baskets should need water every second or third day.
Vegetation growth is very important to fill out your basket during the early stages. To achieve this use a weakened solution (approx. 1/2 strength) water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every time you water.
To maintain and encourage new colourful blossoms after your basket has filled out, switch your feeding program to one which utilizes a fertilizer with less nitrogen (the first number on the label).
During high winds bring your basket in or set on the grown to prevent damage.
Q. What is the best way have cut flowers last longer?
A. For best results, do not use scissors to cut flowers. Generally use a sharp knife and cut at a 45-degree angle.
- Stems of Chrysanthemum are best broken off rather than cut. For best results place in luke-warm water with a little sugar.
- Gerberas should only be picked or purchased when the flower is fully open. Add fresh water to the vase every day for best results.
- To help Irises last longer, cut their stems under water.
- Never place Snapdragons with other cut flowers as they produce damaging gas.
- To help Pansies last longer, pick when the flowers are open and place in ice-cold water.
- Never place cut flowers near fresh fruit, as the gases released from the fruit will damage the flowers.
- If you want to place cut tulips and daffodils together in a vase of water, first let the daffodils spend 24 hours in their own water before letting them join the tulips.
Q. What can I do to keep my roses healthy?
A. Some home gardeners use tender hybrid tea roses as they do annuals, replacing them each spring. Price conscious gardeners keep them coming back - like old friends - year after year. Roses with long unpruned roots get you off to a good start, and are best obtained from a good nursery specialist.
Plant with the graft union 10 cm below the soil surface and with the plant on a 45-degree slant so the roots are within 30 cm of the surface. Water in and mound the tops with peat moss for 10 days to prevent drying while the roots take hold. All season follow general recommendations for fertilizing, pruning and pest control - as described in most books on rose growing.
When the soil starts to freeze in late fall mound up the tops to about 20 cm with soil or dry peat most. Spare soil is often found in the vegetable garden, and can be wheeled back the following April or May. If you use processed peat moss, cover the mound with a thin layer of soil to hold it down. By following these procedures, most of your old friends will be back blooming next year - and saving you money.
Q. How do I dry herbs?
A. Although not a difficult process, drying herbs does take some care. It is best to harvest herbs early in the day, but do not cut more than you can process that day. When you have rinsed them thoroughly, dry them by patting gently with a towel. If you are planning to hang to dry, separate herbs into small bunches and fasten with a string or rubber band. If the bunches are too large there is a danger that they will not dry completely and mildew may spoil them. To dry the herbs on screen, spread them out so that they overlap as little as possible. A warm dark room with good circulation is a good place to dry herbs. It will take a few days to complete the process.
Q. What is the best way to plant potatoes?
A. Plant in May, two weeks after the last killer frost. Just before planting cut the potato into 2.5 oz sections with at least one eye in each piece, plant the potato pieces 10 cm deep and cover with soil, plant pieces 20 - 30 cm apart. To prevent rot, dust potato pieces with sulphur before planting.
Q. How do I keep cutworms from damaging my tomatoes?
A. To prevent cutworm damage, place a stiff cardboard collar (a milk carton is ideal) around the stem of your tomato and pepper plants.
Q. How do I control Birch Leaf Miner?
A. Birch Leaf Miner is a problem that should not be taken lightly; this problem insect damages many Birch trees in the Peace Region. The first symptoms shown are the brown blisters that appear on the new leaves; eventually the blisters will run together forming a blotch. A small (up to 1/4") larva may be found in the blotch. Birch Leaf Miner will be evident on the top portion of the tree, with it taking on a brownish or drying appearance.
Q. I am noticing an abundance of what appear to be small brown cones on my spruce tree. There also appears to be a ton of yellow pollen all over the place as well. Why is my spruce tree doing this?
A. Your spruce tree is producing target amounts of pollen in response to the stressful conditions it endured last year and the year before when there was a drought. The trees are simply trying to produce more seed to ensure they survive and should return to normal next year with the more normal moisture levels.
Q. Some of my evergreens have turned reddish brown over the winter. What can I do?
A. This would most likely be caused by winter kill. Fluctuating temperatures combined with lack of snow and high winds can cause the needles to turn colour. You can prevent this by spraying your evergreens (especially if they are newly transplanted) with Wilt Pruf or they can be wrapped in burlap (keep the burlap at least 6" away from the outer branches).
Q. How do I maintain a compost pile?
A. Try some of these remedies:
- If the compost smells of ammonia there is too much nitrogen in pile: Add brown material to the pile.
- Compost smells of rotten eggs: Not enough air, or too much moisture. Aerate the pile; turn several times until the smell is gone.
- Center of the pile is dry: Not enough water. Moisten the pile while turning.
- Piles damp and sweet smelling, but still will not heat up: Lack of nutrient and add compost builder.
Q. Are there any natural ways to control pests in my garden?
A. These plants are reported to repel pests in the home garden:
- Ants - Peppermint
- Aphids - Catnip, Chives, Coriander, Fennel, Marigolds, Peppermint
- Asparagus Beetles - Basil, Parsley, Tomato
- Butterfly, White (Cabbage) - Sage
- Cabbage Loopers - Onion, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme
- Carrot Flies - Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Sage
- Corn Earworms - Catnip, Marigold
- Cucumber Beetles - Catnip, Peppermint
- Flea Beetles - Geranium, Onion, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme
- Japanese Beetles - Catnip, Chives
- Leafhoppers - Geranium, Petunia
- Rabbits - Marigold, Onion
- Slugs and Snails - Fennel
- Spider Mites - Coriander
- Squash Bugs - Catnip, Peppermint, Petunia
- Whiteflies - Peppermint, Thyme
Q. How do I build a pond?
A. Before you start:
- Choose a level site in an open location, preferably where it can be easily viewed from your house or patio.
- Do not create a pond in a frost pocket or very exposed area.
- Keep it away from overhanging trees - falling leaves will rot in the pond and roots may puncture the liner.
- Choose a location where the pond water can reflect an attractive item like a statue or a plant.
- Choose a place near water and electrical sources.
- Flexible Liners can be shaped and sized to fit your needs and provide a natural look. Buy the heaviest liner
that you can afford and choose black for the most natural look. - For the greatest durability EPMD rubber is the recommended liner material.
Building a pond:
- A common mistake is to make a pond too small. If you want clear water, the pond should be at least 6 ft. x 4 ft. x 18 inches deep (1.8m x 1.2m x 45 cm). This is the recommended minimum size if you plan to have fish or plants.
How to calculate the required liner size:
- Determine the maximum length, width and depth of you pond.
- Double the depth and add it to both the length and the width values. Example if you want a pond that's 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 2 ft deep (2m x 2.5m x 60 cm) you'll need a liner that's 10 ft. x 2 ft. (about 3m x 3.5m)
