You asked a pro―he answered. Citytv’s gardening specialist Frank Ferragine has solutions for our readers’ green-thumb conundrums. Have a question that you don’t see below? Don’t worry; Frank will take more questions next month, before ending for this gardening season. Submit yours today.
Hi Frank,
Last winter I managed to over winter my two beautiful patio tree roses. Unfortunately, I forgot to make note of when I put them into their trenches. How early is too early and how late is too late? Also, should they be deadheaded all summer and into the fall?
Thanks,
Peggy Paulhus
Hi Peggy,
Let’s answer the last question first. Deadheading is a must with most flowering plants as the removal of the spent flowers will put more energy back to the plant thus improving plant health and sometimes stimulating more bloom.
Tree roses should be into trenches after a few frosts. This all depends where you live. How late is too late? Too late is when ground frost starts to set in and temperatures start to dip below -10 C.
Frankie
Hi Frank:
Hopefully you can help me out. Last year I had some bugs in my weeping pussy willow tree. These bugs look like a beetle, are as big as a beetle, and they can fly. I was told they are most likely Asian beetles. They are brown and shiny green. They ate all the leaves on my tree.
Any ideas as to how to get rid of these things before they eat all my trees....HELP!
Sue Pineau
Kemptville, Ontario
Hi Sue,
If they are an Asian beetle or Japanese beetle, the best time to reduce their population is when they are at the larval stage. During that stage they are known as grubs. Grubs can be controlled by using nematodes in midsummer and generally watering them into the soil.
At the adult stage beetles are very hard to control as they have a very thick shell. Hand removal or the “pick and squish” is one option; others include using high-pressure water to wash the beetles off, planting plants that are not desired by beetles (white mums, rue, tansy, larkspur, garlic, citronella), and using garlic- or citronella-based insecticidal soaps to repel the beetles.
Frankie
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Hi Frankie,
We moved this summer and have some perennials in pots. We will not get grass this year, so we can’t plant them. The question is, can we leave the perennials in pots for the winter, or will they die? Any advice on what we should do?
Thanks for your time,
Samantha Jayasinghe
Hi Samantha,
I would suggest sinking the perennials, pot and all, into an area of your property that is sheltered from strong winter winds but also may get a good collection of snow. By sinking them into the ground, pot and all, you are increasing the soil mass around the root and also providing some additional protection. Remember to keep the perennials well watered right up until snow.
Frankie
Hi Frank,
We have a problem with mushrooms growing in our backyard. What do you suggest as a safe way of dealing with mushrooms growing on the lawn? We have two small nephews who play in the yard and we don’t want them to touch the mushrooms.
Thanks for your column and advice.
Libby Wong
Hi Libby,
Mushrooms will be plentiful this year. They love moisture and after the soggiest summer ever in Ontario the conditions for mushrooms are perfect. Mushrooms also require decaying wood to grow. When you see mushrooms growing what you don’t see is what’s underneath—meaning, on your lawn there is most likely a rotten tree root or piece of wood that the mushrooms are using as a host. By removing the wood you also rid yourself of the mushroom. If this is not the case I would suggest aeration of your lawn as this will increase airflow and thus minimize mushroom production.
Frankie
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Hi Frankie,
I have hostas in my front garden. They have holes in the leaves that I think are from ants. I have tried soapy dishwasher water on them. Do you have other ideas?
Wayne Batte,
Waterloo, Ontario
Hi Wayne,
Holes in your hostas are a direct indication of a slug problem. To reduce slugs, water only in the mornings, create a “slug pub” by taking an empty Tupperware or margarine container and sinking it to ground level around the hosta. Fill 1/3 with beer and within 24 hours you will find your slugs.
Finally, remember slugs are a crawling pest thus putting something sharp such as crushed eggshells around the base of hostas will help.
Frankie
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Dear Frankie,
We desperately need your help. We purchased six Emerald Green Arborvitae trees in the spring of 2007. By the fall they were dead. I noticed there were a lot of dead Emeralds in the neighbourhood.
We took them back and were given six more, which we planted. We used fertilizer that is special for this type of tree. This spring they looked great. They are dying again or should I say pretty much dead. We have no idea why, as this has been a very wet July and they were never hurting for water.
We chose these trees for privacy in the backyard. We are not gardeners and we pretty much need trees that are easy to grow and will give us much needed privacy.
We would appreciate any help you can give us.
Sandy and Charlie
Hi Sandy and Charlie,
Cedars are plants that love adequate moisture but at the same time they can’t be submerged in water. If your soil is clay base and lacks drainage this could cause harm. Urine from a neighbourhood dog also burns cedars. Winter winds and sunshine create something called winter burn that browns and eventually kills cedars.
As you can see there are several variables that can shock a cedar so the key is finding out which one is causing the problem. I would suggest bringing a soil sample to your local garden centre as well as a picture of the area you wish to cover. Pay attention to winds and consider building a windscreen out of burlap if you choose to replant. The garden centre should help with the reasons why and possibly suggest a better option or a better way.
Frankie
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Watch for Frank Ferragine’s Q&A column in The Epoch Times again next month, for his final Q&A’s for this gardening season, and catch Frank on Frankie Flowers a weekly edition of CityOnline airing every Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET on Citytv Toronto and CP24 for more great gardening tips.
Submit your questions today to AskFrank@epochtimes.com or by Fax at 416-298-1299, Attention: Frank Ferragine, or mail to Frank Ferragine c/o The Epoch Times, 103-201 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario M2J4G8
