Q. Can I add ash from my grill to the garden? I’ve been grilling a few burgers and steaks recently.
A. Not a good idea, unless a soil test shows a need. The ash is a source of potassium, but is a finely powdered material and high in pH, both which are bad for gardens in eastern Nebraska.
Q. What can I do to get rid of earthworms?
A. You don’t really want to. They aerify the soil and add nutrients. The bumps in the lawn produced by earthworms can be dealt with by powerraking lightly or aerifying.
Q. Why didn’t my sweet corn ears fill completely?
A. Probably poor pollination. Try planting your corn in square blocks of at least three to four rows, rather than one long one for better pollination.
Q. Which shrubs can I plant in a small place?
A. Rock spray cotoneaster, blue holly, alpine currant, clove currant, dwarf fothergilla, New Jersey tea, St. John’s Wort, lead plant, Oregon hollygrape, and emerald gaiety euonymous are good choices.
Q. Why did my squash plants suddenly wilt and die?
A. Sounds like the work of squash vine borer. Cut open the stem near the base of the plant to expose the worm and pull it out. Then, pile some soil over the cut areas to enhance re-rooting of the vine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why are my tomato plants withering? I’m not ready for them to die….
A. Most likely, they have a wilt disease, caused by fusarium or verticillium. Not much can be done now, except to remove the plants and avoid replanting them in this spot in years to come.
Q. When should I apply an insecticide for grubs? I’ve been hit hard the past 3 years….
A. There are 2 approaches. With a history of damage, a preventative product containing imidacloprid or chlorotraniliprole in early July will work well. If one wasn’t applied, wait until you see some signs of feeding. They feed in roughly circular or oval patches. Grab hold of a hunk of sod; if grubs are present, it will be easy to lift it up, exposing the little critters. Rescue treatments of dylox or sevin are generally not quite as effective but will reduce their numbers. Read and follow label directions.
Q. What can I do with the grass in my chain link fence gate? It’s really worn out….
A. Consider an alternative to turf such as pavers or flagstone. The high traffic areas are really prone to repeated wear.
Q. Is this a good time to edge my lawn?
A. No. Edging exposes lots of surface area to the sun and wind, drying it out. The edges of the lawn will look pretty rough after a week or so. Wait until late September to edge the lawn.
Q. Should I re-mulch my flower bed? I’ve noticed that it has thinned out a bit over the summer……
A. Yes. Check the level in all parts of the bed. It should be about 2 inches deep everywhere. Winds will blow it away and rains will wash it out, so from time to time, add more as needed. It’s also wise to loosen the existing mulch with a stiff rake before adding more to avoid creating a condition where water runs off rather than soaking in.
