Category: Article

Oct 2022 Ornamentals in Containers What kinds of ingredients should be considered when preparing for ornamental plants in a container? Please provide any hacks you may have for container gardening. We all like some cheer at our front doors or on our patios. There are some simple do’s and don’ts when planting up containers. When…

July 2022 I am not having success overwintering creeping phlox and dianthus. I was hoping to get some advice on the topic. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulate) and dianthus, (common names, carnations, pinks, sweet william) can be herbaceous perennial, biannual or annual. If you are having trouble overwintering, the first thing to check is whether you…

Whitefly on: carrots

July 2022 How do I get rid of white fly on my carrots? There are several things you can do to help to control white fly using IPM (integrated pest management), a non-chemical approach to managing pests. Prevention and early intervention are best. Making sure the plant is as healthy as possible is important as…

August 2022 My asparagus rows are getting shorter. Why might this be? Spear size and yield will decrease after 12 to 15 years. Yield is dependent on the number of carbohydrates stored in the underground crown of the plant and is directly related to the previous season’s fern growth. Longer growth periods and more vigorous…

Calla Lily”: Why is my calla lily not blooming? Creeping Phlox and Dianthus: How to overwinter Curry Plant: Is the curry plant edible? (Also see under Vegetables) Fawn lilies: White and pink Gaura: Growing gauras Hakonechloa: Best conditions. Heather: dies in one spot, not in another Hostas: Panting hostas in July Miscanthus giganteus: Pruning Ornamentals…

August 2022 I would like to plant some hostas? Is it too late now (July). Would it be better to wait until the fall or next spring? Also what kind of soil and amendments do hostas like? Planting, transplanting and dividing should be done in early spring when the leaves begin to emerge or early…

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Should I remove spent rhododendron flower spikes? Deadheading of a Rhododendron, which is the removal of spent flowers, should be done soon after the flowers fade, taking care not to injure the new growth. Rhododendrons and Azaleas set next year’s flower buds by mid to late summer and any injury to these nascent buds will…

How will I know my quince is ripe? Quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruits are ready to harvest in the late summer or early fall period (late September/early October), when they have turned from a light yellow to a golden colour and are extremely aromatic with a sweet, floral or pineapple scent. Most of the slightly downy…