Ask John

There are really lots of thoughts on pruning Knockout roses. It is not absolutely necessary to prune them but most of them need shaping. I would remove all crossed branches or ones that rub each other first. Then I would shape it to the desired height and width. Any time now is fine to do this up until it warms in the spring but most folks prune at this time of the year and I agree with that.

I am not avoiding you. Since I have never dealt with this problem I have reached out to a friend of mine to see if he has been successful. I am waiting for his response.

Finally, got a response from my friend that has a vegetable garden that had a deer problem. Here is what he did and said it worked. Had a five foot fence put in and added several feet of post to the corners and then stretched colorful cords in several rows around the garden and that deterred the deer. Also he said a dog that is active and lives outdoors is also a great deterrent. He did not find any of the sprays and repellents that worked.

First, let me say that I have never grown them in the Birmingham area from seeds but have enjoyed growing them from transplants. There are lots of types but I assume you want to grow the big oriental poppies. Thompson and Morgan recommend direct sowing in spring or fall but I would sow them in a container in good well drained fine soil where we can see if the seeds germinate. I think it is fine to seed them in early spring here for transplanting in late March. READERS- please comment on your experience in sowing poppy seeds. Thanks- john

I leave mine at the same height I cut it during the year. BUT, I cut mine in the winter several times to keep the leaves and debris off the dead grass. I guess you can cut it shorter but I wait until early spring and lower it one wheel height of the mower if I think it needs it. One final thought. I bag my cuttings which I think it is important for zoysia.

I am no expert on this subject but when I go to Petals From The Past and see how they protect their citrus from cold temperatures; they cover the entire plant. So my guess would be covering the whole plant is best.

Not at all. I suggest that you plant them between mid-November after the weather cools through about the first two weeks in January, If you have purchased them and are not ready to plant, refrigerate but not in a plastic bag until you are ready to plant. I currently have mine on order and will refrigerate until we have continuous cold night probably plant in December

I think I have seen more mushroom types this year in yards than ever before. I put a plastic bag over them and pull them up and tie in a plastic bag bugs and all then discard it. Once the mushroom is removed, sevin might control the insects. Do not know for sure until I see an image of one but generally mushroom removal is the key to getting rid of bugs.

Yes but it is a bit late in the season.

Well, I think we can blame it on two issues. One this is the natural time for dead branches to dehiss from the trees especially with the winds of recent days. Second, many of our trees were stressed last year in the drought so many of the already weak limbs died over the spring and summer causing additional dead limbs. I really do not think you need to worry about loosing the trees especially if they have looked healthy all summer.

Ewing Irrigation in Pelham

Ortho Tree and Shrub grandular insect control. My general fertilizer recommendation is 15-0-15 for most shrubs in our area as we generally have high levels of phosphorus in our soils. In spring if you want to foster additional growth you can increase the nitrogen number but I only do that is the plant looks poor.

If you sent an image I did not receive it.- john

First, tag the ones you want to move now. If you can go around the drip line of the plant (the outer edge of the leaves) and insert a shovel in the soil to cut the roots if posssible. Then this winter dig the plants and transplant them to your garden.

Right now do nothing except water when needed. After the foliage come out in the spring fetilize lightly with a product like 5-10-10. They in my mind are one of the most care free fruit trees you can grow.

Florist type hydrangeas should be pruned now as the new growth this fall is where they will bloom next year. It is so late now I would not reduce their size over about a fourth. All of the other Hydrangea types I would not prune until late winter before any foliage appears. As for Carolina Jessamine, it can be done anytime but to prevent bloom loss prune after they finish flowering in the spring.