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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January of this year. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Question:
I have noticed some spectacular camellias in bloom this fall. Are these a different type than the ones that bloom in the spring? If so, what kind are they?
Answer:
The Sasanqua camellia blooms in the fall. They are indeed one of our most attractive and easiest camellias to grow here. I have a hedge of them that have been spectacular this fall. They have bloomed prolifically for the last 6 weeks. Sasanqua camellias are easier to grow than the late winter blooming Camellia japonica. Sasanquas are also more tolerant of clay soils. These camellias prefer light shade but will tolerate full sun. There are several cultivars available at local nurseries. 'Cleopatra' is very popular here. Hurry to your local nursery and select the color and bloom you like before they are all gone. Their season of bloom is almost over. These shrubs make excellent evergreen screens planted on 6 foot centers.
Question:
I fertilized my fescue lawn in September. Should I fertilize again now or wait until spring?
Answer:
Two fertilizations in the fall of the year is our recommendation for fescue. They should be spaced about 8 weeks apart. Therefore, we are fast approaching the time for the second application. Between Thanksgiving and the first week of December is ideal. In fact, we often say that if you are going to fertilize fescue only once a year, do so the first week of December. It is best to apply a fast release form of nitrogen such as urea or ammonium nitrate. These are found in most garden grade fertilizers such as 10-10-10, 17-17-17, and 19-19-19. The rates you use are based on the square footage of you lawn. Use the following rates; 10 pounds of 10-10-10 per 1000 square feet, or 6 pounds of 17-17-17 per 1000 square feet, or 5 pounds of 19-19-19 per 1000 square feet.
Question:
Many of our butterfly bushes blew over during the recent wind and rain storms. Can I safely cut them back now?
Answer:
You can certainly remove some of the growth to avoid injury from upcoming snow and ice. I would suggest removing at least 50% of the top growth. Then in mid-March, prune these butterfly bushes back to within 2 feet from the ground. This needs to be done every other year.
Question:
I see a lot of local advertisements for discounted plants such as trees, shrubs, and perennials. Am I just wasting my money on putting things out this time of the year?
Answer:
For some unknown reason there is this fear that plants fair better when planted in the spring. When actually it is the reverse for most plants such as the ones you mentioned. Hopefully, if you know anything about plants at all, you would not plant those that are killed by frost or freezes. But you can increase the survivability of woody plants such as trees, shrubs, and most perennials by planting them now. These plants will root over the winter and will get a jump on spring planted ones. Take advantage of these sales and do your planting now.
PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CLASS
ARBORIST CERTIFICATION
If you hold a pesticide license, regardless of the category, then you are invited to attend a program on Wednesday, December 3 at Lake Mackintosh in Burlington beginning at 8:30 am. The 3 hour program will be on pesticide safety, protective gear, and health concerns relating to pesticide exposure. Call the Cooperative Extension Service at 570-6740 to register. Registration is $5.
If you are interested in learning more about tree care then you are invited to attend the Certified Arborist Workshop on December 10-12th at the Guilford Extension office at 3309 Burlington Rd. in Greensboro. At the end of the 2 day program you have the option of taking the exam to become certified. Call the Cooperative Extension Service at 570-6740 for a brochure and registration information.
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If you have any horticultural questions, please direct them to Rett Davis