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 each month. Submit yours today.
Q: I have a large rock garden with 10-inch to 30-inch stones overlooking a large two- plus-acres pond in my rear yard. Over the years, large weeds have started to grow in the small cracks between the rocks, giving the area an unmanaged look. I have tried pulling them out with some success, but they keep returning.
I am hoping you have a suggestion that would eliminate the weeds, while not destroying the pond water quality. Are there any low growing plants that would choke out the weeds, or do you have any other suggestions?
Dan Smith
Springwater Township, Minn.
A: First thing we need to do is definitely control this weed problem! Weeds can be eradicated by spraying just plain old household vinegar on them in full sun location. The vinegar acts as a non-selective herbicide and kills whatever it contacts … so do not spray on a windy day. Next, place some good soil into the pockets you have in the rocks. Finally plant these areas with sun loving groundcover and alpine plants like sedum, hens and chicks, creeping thyme, snow in the summer, and so on.
Q: I have a Hibiscus plant that I bought late last summer. When summer was over, I sprayed it, brought in into the house, and put it in a spare bedroom that gets lots of sun. It has flowered all winter, is still flowering, and is quite tall. My question is, do I cut it back now, in spring before it is ready to be put outside and when should I fertilize it?
Yvonne Lyman
Toronto, ON
A: Seeing that you live in Toronto, it's safe to say that after May 20, you'll be able to move your hibiscus outdoors for the summer. However, always check your local forecasts before doing so. This is also the perfect time to give your hibiscus a pruning, which will encourage new growth and will increase the vibrancy of your plant. You need to fertilize when the hibiscus is actively growing … this means hibiscus require fertilization from March to October.
Q: I always have problems with keeping slugs off my beautiful hostas, although I have already tried everything imaginable. I read somewhere that there is a powder that we can mix in the ground now to kill the eggs.
Would you have the name of this product or can we mix something ourselves?
Mrs. Johanne
Nolan Toronto, ON
A: One of the best ways to reduce the damage done by slugs is to water only in the morning … this will drastically reduce the number of slugs.
Second, in terms of powders, there are several. A great powder that is organic and you can use to control slugs is called Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder also known as silicon dioxide, which consists of microorganisms found in the sea.
Once the slugs or snails crawl over the fine powder, their outer protection is scratched, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Submit your questions today to: AskFrank@epochtimes.com or by Fax: 416-298-1299 Attention: Frank Ferragine or mail to: Frank Ferragine c/o The Epoch Times, 103-201 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario M2J4G8
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